|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693 |
Yes! That Mackie is a great audio interface. Look at page 10 and 11 of your owners manual. It tells you the Mackie receives the two channel main mix from your computer via the USB cable. That means you do NOT run audio from the back of your PC, the audio is going out from the Mackie. Here's where it's a little tricky for you if your not used to this. The Mackie uses XLR connectors for the main audio output. That means you have to get XLR cables to run to either your studio power amp or your powered monitor speakers. Note what it says on page 11 about adjusting the USB audio output coming from your computer. I'll bet that's where your problem lies with the weak sound you're describing since you're saying you have adjusted your wav outputs to the max already.
The one thing missing on the Mackie is midi but you may not need that. All newer keyboards/sound modules use USB for midi and the audio. My Roland Sonic cell for example. It's hooked up via USB so it plays any midi tracks and the audio outputs goes to my studio monitoring system which is controlled by my Behringer mixer, in your case any audio outputs from any other equipment goes into your Mackie. If you have some older equipment that does not have USB and you want to use it for midi sounds then you would need a separate USB midi adapter to go along with the Mackie but the audio outputs still goes to the Mackie.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693 |
Quote:
Again with USB connection i only get control over the Graphic EQ Becuase with USB the computer is not feeding through one of the single pre amps 7/8 input .
Regards,
Greg
Greg, you must have written this at the same time I was posting my last reply.
This is the way you want it to work, you want to use the USB, not the 1/8" audio mini plug. Everything concerning the sound quality is done inside whatever software you're using, in this case Biab. The whole point of using a DAW is for you to do your final mixing there before it's sent out to your studio monitoring system. That includes any EQ. You keep your mixer EQ set flat, otherwise you don't know what your actual mix sounds like because that's external to the mix. If you keep the Mackie flat and your mix sounds like crap, then you fix it inside the software. Mackie included that EQ section for live work where as they described, you may want to mix the output from a laptop with vocals or instruments on stage but for studio mixing that's the last thing you want to do is to color the USB output from your PC.
Are using good XLR cables for the main outs?
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71 |
Hi Bob and thanks for that last reply. I am using good cables for my sound system .I bought them from sweetwater. I think the 1/8 connection sounded better then the USB becuase those on line BIAB demos are set at flat response and they are compressed files .So when i run it through the 1/8 plug to 1/4 im able to get more gain through the pre amp channel 7/8 becuase i have the low .mid ,and high adjustments And im able to doctor up those flat response demos . I understand now that i need to go all the fixing in BIAB first then out from USB connection It all makes sence now . Do i need to buy and audio interface or is my mixer with the USB connection the audio interface ? Thanks for your support
Mackie PRO FX8
Regards, Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71 |
Bob Disregard my question about my mixer being an audio interface i just read your answer to that . lol
Regards,
Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71 |
Hi Bob again,
I went a head and hooked the USB up to my mixer .Boy what a sound ! I went into my computer and looked at my main volume level and it was only up 1/4 of the way .I got plenty of juice now. lol . I got so much power it's unreal. The sound is cleaner and smoother and that's is even with a demo .I can't imagine what these real styles will sound like once i take them into the mixing area of the program. I have my mic pluged into channel one on my mixer and for some reason i do not get the feed back coming through my mic anymore like i use to .Is there a reason for that ? Another thing that helped i took the longest wall in the room and stretched my speakers out more. Why does USB sound better then anolog ? Anyways i can breath a little easer now i think im heading in the right direction. The more im listening to these real styles now I'm starting to think BIAB sound's more life like compared to the arranger keyboards out there. Man when i hear that sax it's out of this world . lol Here i had an audio interface on my mixer and was not even using it. lol As faras my main out puts to my amp im using the main outs on the front panel of my mixer L/R they are 1/4 jacks going into 3 prong plug on the other end which goes into my power amp but it also gives me a choice i could also select the 1/4 inch jacks in .Does it matter if i have 1/4 jack coming out of my main mixer and then going in with the 3 prong plug on the other end ? I could have just used 1/4 to 1/4 from mixer to amp but as if now it's 1/4 to the 3 prong plug.
Regards,
Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71 |
Hi Bob i was looking at my mixer again for hooking the mixer up to the power amp .I see there are XLR OUT PUTS on the back of my Mackie .I did not hook it up from the back but rather i hooked the main out from the top Bal/ unbal main out .So one end is 1/4 inch and the other end going to my power amp is XLR. Should i hook my mains from the back of the mixer and to my amp with XLR Only ? I wounder if that would make a difference in sound ? My power amp gives me an option either i can connect with 1/4 or XLR Inputs same does for the mixer. It apears the manule is saying the out mains are in the back of the mixer but do not talk about the main outs on top as far as a i can see .Which way would you hook it up ? Mackie pro FX8
Regards,
Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693 |
Quote:
I went into my computer and looked at my main volume level and it was only up 1/4 of the way .I got plenty of juice now.
Quote:
As faras my main out puts to my amp im using the main outs on the front panel of my mixer L/R they are 1/4 Does it matter if i have 1/4 jack coming out of my main mixer and then going in with the 3 prong plug on the other end ? I could have just used 1/4 to 1/4 from mixer to amp but as if now it's 1/4 to the 3 prong plug.
A quick comment here, Greg. Mac told you several days ago to make sure the main volume level was up full in your computer. That alone would have made a big difference even with the 1/8" mini plug going to your PA. When you have questions you need to read the answers carefully. Still, you're much better off using your Mackie anyway and now you've got it set up properly so that's great.
As to your second question no, it doesn't matter as far as sound quality is concerned, the 1/4" jacks on the front panel say "Main Out" so it should be the same as using the XLR Main Out on the back. It's cleaner and less messy looking to have the mains coming out the back and if you want to get technical about it balanced XLR's are what the pro's use over 1/4" jacks because of less chance of interference and noise. Mackie makes pro level mixers, that's why the mains on the back are XLR's and it's the same on my Behringer mixer too. If you're not hearing any noise then you're fine with the 1/4".
You're on your way now Greg and as Peter says, have some fun!
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71 |
Thanks Bob for all your help .About the volume i will double check to make sure my volume is all the way up on my computer .Even when it was lower i still had plenty of volume so i guss that is showing me that the usb connection is pumping a better signal from my computer compared to the 1/8 jack hook up . So it's volume all the way up on the computer and lower the volume on the mixer i got it. I talked with Mackie tec support today .He said both out put connections are ok either 1/4 or XLR connection but he said like you said the XLR gives a less chance of interference with Noise .As of now i have a 1/4 inch jacks going from my mixer to the input of my power amp by way of XLR connection. I orderd a pair of Pro co XLR cables today from sweetwater .I like the idea of the jacks being the same set up on both sides male to female connection XLR and like you said it looks less messy becuase the jacks are on the back. Again thank you and the forum for leading me in the right direction .
Regards,
Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179 |
Quote:
Why does USB sound better then anolog ?
For one thing the conversion from a digital signal to an audio signal is now being done by the Mackie, which was designed for the job. Which do you think was built with better digital-audio convertors; Mackie mixer or laptop? I betting the Mackie <grin>
Use the best convertors you have on hand for the best sound. That goes both ways. Your recorded tracks (like vocals) will probably sound better letting the Mackie do the conversion compared to the onboard laptop device.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71 |
http://www.box.net/shared/bhmsa71ae7d856slbrqx http://www.box.net/shared/9d3pho8foc Bob here is a song file that a fellow sent me On the interent a while back which is from BIAB and im singing with it. I added my voice in Audacity and then recorded. The second link was an arragment that i created when i use to own the Yamaha psrs 900 arranger keyboard .The guitar part i did with the Pitch bend wheel while playing the keys. Although it sounded half decent i gave up trying to learn how to play the keys ,it destracted me from my singing skills so that is why i will be going with BIAB in the future but any way i thought i would share these two arrangment with you .Again thanks for taken the time in helping me get started with recording . Take care my friend . Regards, Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 95
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 95 |
Great vocal on San Francisco Greg.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71 |
Thank you Bert glad you enjoyed it .
Regards,
Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,449
Posts779,325
Members39,665
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean