Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
RealBand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
pwarren Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
I have a nice reggae mix I want to output to file. Using 'Merge tracks to stereo wave file' I get a wav file as I should. However, when I load it back into RB for some final tweaking I get a message 'the track is stereo audio. The file is mono. Do you want to convert the track to mono?'.

This is a real puzzler to me. First, this has never happened before. Second, the merge command specifies stereo output.

Is there some setting I may have changed? Or is there some other issue I might have missed.

I really spent quite a while serching the prefs and help files and I can't figure out what's wrong. Any ideas?


BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2.BiaB Wiki
RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
In Preferences - General what is your default track type? Someone else mentioned this issue recently and I couldn't duplicate it ..
Try changing default track type to MIDI before opening the file and see what happens.

If you right-click the track and select properties, what is the bitrate?

Last edited by rharv; 11/14/11 11:09 AM.

I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
RealBand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
pwarren Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
In Preferences - General what is your default track type?

It's set to Audio-Stereo.

Try changing default track type to MIDI before opening the file and see what happens.

I'll give that a try. I'm guessing you mean that RB outputs the file as stereo but the error is occuring during the import? In other words the file is truly stereo but RB thinks it's mono. If so I hope PGMusic can clear this up in the next patch.


BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2.BiaB Wiki
RealBand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
pwarren Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
If you right-click the track and select properties, what is the bitrate?

Bitrate is 44.1KHz.


BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2.BiaB Wiki
RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Yes, I was wondering if the new 'default Track type' was causing an issue with importing audio.

Have you tried to both Open the file in RB and Import the file (Audio-Import wave file)? Any difference?
Like I said, I can't seem to duplicate it here, but I have heard of the issue once before.

Maybe even try right-clicking the file name and choose 'Open with .." then find RB to open it with. Just shooting for anything that may help locate the issue.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Quote:

If you right-click the track and select properties, what is the bitrate?

Bitrate is 44.1KHz.




Stereo?


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
RealBand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
pwarren Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
Ok, I misunderstood.

The bitrate is 705kbps
channels 1
16 bit, 44KHz

So the output is mono which it should not be. The problem lies with the output.


BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2.BiaB Wiki
RealBand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
pwarren Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
The problem is with the merge routine. It is outputting a mono file. It worked in the past so I just don't know what might have changed.


BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2.BiaB Wiki
RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Thats good troubleshooting. Thanks
At this point I'd email support and ask them what may have changed, link this thread, and see if they can help sort it out. You are not the only one this has happened to.

I'll continue to try to find the source, but I suspect that something chnged in RB for some users.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
RealBand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,161
L
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
L
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,161
I have my default Track setting as Midi as I prefer the ability to contol the Wave inputs. If the Merged File is Imported and the Track type is Midi or Audio-Mono then you are asked to choose either Stereo or Mono and if the latter then you a further option to split the Mono Wave into two tracks. If your Track Type is set for Stereo then no options are provided. I believe that the default setting for Track Type is Stereo and would be better set to Midi.

RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
His problem is not with the importing of the file; he used Merge Audio and DXi to stereo wave file command and got a mono file as the output.

pwarren; are you *sure* you used the correct command? Did you duplicate it with a second effort?


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
RealBand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
pwarren Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
pwarren; are you *sure* you used the correct command? Did you duplicate it with a second effort?

Yes. I duplicated it several times.

Today I tried something different. I ran RB from the portable HD on a different PC. In this configuration the output was a stereo wav file as it should be. So the problem lies with my installation on my music PC.

Now that I think about it, just before I noticed the problem I got the BSOD while trying to merge to a compressed file using the LAME encoder. When I re-booted I elected to NOT restore the default settings (since it shouldn't have mattered). This seems the most likely culprit although how that could have changed the output to mono on a permenant basis I don't know.

So now I just need to find the best way to restore the functionality. I can't remember if there's a return to factory settings in RB or whether there's some ini files to remove. I'm sure a forum search will help here. As a last resort I can re-install.

All in all it seems a very strange issue. It would be nice to have it fixed but since it seems to involve third party software it might be near impossible for someone else to duplicate.


BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2.BiaB Wiki
RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Normally it's RB.CFG and realband.ini

There are settings inside the ini file that I'm the type to look at and edit, but don't recommend it to normal users. Looking at the entries it is often easy to figure out what they stand for. Renaming these two files should cause RB to recreate them. You'll have to re-set things up afterwards though, like soundcard driver etc

Last edited by rharv; 11/15/11 01:42 PM.

I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
RealBand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
pwarren Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
Thanks rharv that saves me some searching. I'll look through the ini file and see if I can find any settings that might be causing the problem. The strange thing is that there is no option to pick mono output, afterall the command is 'merge to stereo'. If there is no option then I don't know how the change can persist after a re-boot.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll track it down eventually and I'll definately post the fix so anyone else in the same boat can fix it too.


BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2.BiaB Wiki
RealBand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
pwarren Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
Well I got it working properly again. I couldn't find anything in the ini file that controls the output channels. However, by trying to merge tracks to compressed file and making sure I had chosen a stereo codec I got RB to output a stereo wav file before crashing again (it can't seem to generate the compressed file).

After re-booting the PC I chose to load the default settings and after that the merge tracks to wav command is working properly and giving a stereo file. Unfortunately that doesn't tell me whether it was the LAME encoder that caused the problem or whether some setting, or corruption, in the ini or cfg files caused the problem.

Anyway, it's working. Now I have to figure out why RB can't use the LAME encoder without crashing.


BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2.BiaB Wiki
RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Here, when I had Lame installed in XP, it showed up in the RB list as it's own item, separate from mp3 list. How are you installing the Lame codec? I need to get it onto the new system and haven't tried yet in Win7. I've just been using wma for now.

Glad it's working now anyway.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
RealBand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
pwarren Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
Quote:

Here, when I had Lame installed in XP, it showed up in the RB list as it's own item, separate from mp3 list. How are you installing the Lame codec? I need to get it onto the new system and haven't tried yet in Win7. I've just been using wma for now.

Glad it's working now anyway.




I installed the ACM version of lame located here. It showed up in the RB list as it's own item, as you mentioned. That's as it's supposed to if you read the referenced page above.

However, it doesn't work in RB. After selecting 'Merge Tracks to Compressed file' the popup dialog asks you what codec to use. I select Lame mp3 and an appropriate bitrate etc. and click Ok. The progress dialog comes up indicating the wav file is being converted. Then I get an error message saying 'can't get stream.size'. When I click Ok I get another message saying error in module lameenc.acm. At this point RB is basically locked up and must be closed using the task manage if the BSOD doesn't happen.

It's a real pain in the butt. I want a good mp3 codec since the windows supplied codec doesn't offer any better than 56kbps.

Are there any other free mp3 codecs that do work with RB?


BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2.BiaB Wiki
RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
That was my experience also with that installer. Thanks for the confirmation.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
RealBand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
pwarren Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
BiaB behaves exactly the same as RB with the LAME encoder. It renders the wav file then attempts to convert it at which point it crashes and you have to use the task manager to close the program.


BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2.BiaB Wiki
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,390
Posts778,611
Members39,644
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
snares33, The Jam Shop, Hyke, bestbushcraft, bokane65
39,643 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 136
WaoBand 115
DC Ron 111
rsdean 84
dcuny 82
Today's Birthdays
rockin
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5