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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 225
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 225 |
I am sure this has probably been asked before ( but I don't see the thread where it was asked), and certainly other years. An important topic though, that probably interests many, so I will bring it up.
I have been a BIAB user since the early DOS days of the product, and have faithfully upgraded to the next version each year. I have been getting the Ultra Plus Paks the last few years, so basically have everything, Version 2010, latest update. (I have purchased some of the extra PG Music apps in earlier years too, Latin Pianist and others.)
Yet, at this point I am not yet sure whether to do so this year. From briefly glancing at the advertising, I am not yet sure what is better about 2011.
I would like to hear from those who have upgraded from 2010 to 2011--do you think it was worth it, and why? (Be specific--exactly what improvements have you noticed in your real world usage?
If I do, I would probably do Ultra-Plus again, to get the new RTs and RDs. But, although they may cite a large number of new ones, is there really much new? I mean--are there tracks that are substantially different from what they had before, or just more of the same? It has seemed that such a large preponderance of the real tracks are country and rock, much fewer Jazz and Latin. So many steel-string guitars? But what about real nylon string guitars and styles--Brazilian Bossa Nova, Flamenco Guitar, etc.? (Many folks have asked for those for a long time in the wish lists.)What about something else I and others have recommended--Real Strings, and Real Vocals?
Just from a quick glance, it seems so much more of the same to me. But I haven't studied it in detail. I would like to hear from folks who have upgraded from 2010 to 2011, to tell us what specifically they have found to work better, if anything, if there are any real new tracks (meaning something really different than before, not just more of the same), etc.?
Thank you.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,578
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,578 |
I will just comment quickly on the engine improvements. The Real Tracks - whatever sets you have - sound better because of the greatly improved stretching algorithm introduced in BIAB 2011. There is also a great saving of space since the older Real Tracks can be reduced to one third the old size. If there were no other improvements, these two reasons alone would be enough to warrant an upgrade.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,600
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,600 |
I agree wholeheartedly with Matt. The new audio manipulation process results in cleaner and clearer sounding RTs.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 225
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 225 |
Quote:
I will just comment quickly on the engine improvements. The Real Tracks - whatever sets you have - sound better because of the greatly improved stretching algorithm introduced in BIAB 2011. There is also a great saving of space since the older Real Tracks can be reduced to one third the old size. If there were no other improvements, these two reasons alone would be enough to warrant an upgrade.
Hi Matt-
What creates the difference in size?
Are they still WMA?
What was the old bit rate, and the new bit rate?
Is there no quality loss, through the lower bit rate (more file compression)?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,578
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,578 |
The new engine means they do not have to provide as many files to accommodate pitch shifting.
They are still WMA, or WAV if you get the audiophile version. I am not aware that the bit rate changed, and compression has nothing to do with it. The overall sound seems better, though, from the new engine.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 225
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 225 |
I see. So it is not that the RT and RD files are smaller than before, but just that less files are necessary? What happens when you install it over let's say an Ultrapak of 2010? Would the extra unneeded files be deleted? Quote:
The new engine means they do not have to provide as many files to accommodate pitch shifting.
They are still WMA, or WAV if you get the audiophile version. I am not aware that the bit rate changed, and compression has nothing to do with it. The overall sound seems better, though, from the new engine.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 637
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 637 |
Quote:
I see. So it is not that the RT and RD files are smaller than before, but just that less files are necessary?
What happens when you install it over let's say an Ultrapak of 2010? Would the extra unneeded files be deleted?
Quote:
The new engine means they do not have to provide as many files to accommodate pitch shifting.
They are still WMA, or WAV if you get the audiophile version. I am not aware that the bit rate changed, and compression has nothing to do with it. The overall sound seems better, though, from the new engine.
There are several threads that explain in detail here.
http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=302593&an=0&page=0#Post302593
Brian
BIAB 2026 Ultrapack- Fender Studio Pro 8, Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio, Luna Pro
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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