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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 28
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 28 |
Hi all,
Around mid- 2012 I posted a few questions re: BIAB and received
some great feedback. Thank you again, to all those members who
shared their knowledge and experiences with me.
(Eddie, I also once owned an ENSONIQ TS-10. Great piece of kit,
and built like a tank. But I needed more keys and a full-sized
keyboard in the end.)
I had to put my First Time purchase of BIAB on hold at that time due to medical
reasons, but I'm up and running again and ready to buy the darn thing
before December 31.
Now with Special Pricing*, the two editions I was initially interested in are:
1) *EverythingPAK = $399 (with special pricing) down from $569 ....VERY good value!
2) Audiophile Edition = $669 (NO special pricing) Why no special pricing on this one!?
A saving of $270 if I buy the EverythingPAK instead of the Audiophile Edition.
I just wanted to ask a few more questions from anyone who has either
of these two editions. From the comparison of these two editions on
the sales page, the only difference I can see is that the Audiophile
Edition comes with UN-compressed files. Most else appears to be the
same ... or am I missing something?
1) Is there any audible difference between the compressed audio files
and uncompressed files?
2) Is it easier to work with the uncompressed files?
I read one post a while back on this forum where one member said
he'd bought either the EverythingPACK or UltraPlusPack and he'd run into difficulty using the
audio files (for some reason), and commented how he wished he'd bought
the Audiophile Edition instead (because the uncompressed files were
apparently easier to work with.)??????
Basically, except for the difference in the price, what are the pros
and cons of the EverythingPAK and the Audiophile Edition?
Compressed audio files versus UN-compressed audio files ... difference?
What is the benefit of buying the Audiophile Edition over the EverythingPAK?
Also,is the $25 bonus 8 tracks disc worth buying?
I just want to be able to make an informed decision between the two editions
before the end of the year.
Many thanks in advance for helping enlighten me : )
Peace and Happiness,
Dome
BIAB Audiophile, Reaper, Kontakt Full Edition, Roland A90-EX Master Controller MIDI keyboard, Windows 7 x64
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 103
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 103 |
As PG uses the terms,
I believe that "compressed" refers to data reduction (for example, mp3).
"Uncompressed" is in the form of the original recording (like a CD).
If it were just a matter of compression, the files could then simply be
uncompressed, like a zip file. And then there would be no difference.
File compression, as I usually see the term used, preserves everything.
The original file can be reconstructed right down to the last bit.
I don't think PG uses the term this way, but instead means data reduction,
so there would be some loss of quality.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058 |
Megafiddle has the right idea. When PG Music makes the recordings that will become RealTracks, they record them as .WAV files, CD quality. These are the files you get with the audiophile edition.
To make the 'regular' edition, they compress these files to .WMA format, to about one-tenth the file size. With over 1000 RealTracks, this difference in size on the hard drive is considerable. Doing so means there is a loss of some audio quality. It isn't a great difference. If you want to have more discussion on that, we can talk more about it. Bottom line, if you intend to make commercial use of your backing tracks, then you would want the audiophile edition.
Then, probably more detail than you need to know at this point, but Megafiddle mentioned the concept, it is possible to uncompress the .WMA files. Although this is done automatically when you use the program, it does not change the quality. If you choose to batch uncompress the files (an option), it makes them much larger (back to the original size the .WAV files would have been) but it saves a tiny bit of time running each song since the program does not need to uncompress on the fly, so to speak.
But I'm guessing you are most interested in the second paragraph.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392 |
"lossy compression" used to reduce the file size is...I am fairly sure what PG uses. MANY pros will suggest that depending on the "bit rate" some compressed files sound exactly as good as the source uncompressed files.
At 320 kbps the majority of experts I've talked to say they can't tell the differnce vs. masters played over pro studio gear.
At 192 kbps they say you have to have HIGHLY critical hearing to tell the difference.
At the lower bit rates...160 and 128, do NOT bet a sound engineer that he can't tell the difference unless you really LIKE to lose. (-:
OF COURSE, what counts is individuals using their ears to hear and waveforms on a video screen don't prove anything.
I would GUESS that maybe 20% of the BIAB users could tell the difference between "regular" BIAB...the Audiophile version.
BUT....and this is KEY....what you hear depends on the AMPLIFIER and SPEAKERS (headphones) in use which makes it a truly..."quality in...garbage out" possibility.
Conversely, a GREAT audio set up won't help poor recording quality because if the data ain't there, it ain't there.
Personally, if I didn't have KNOWN highly critical hearing over most of the frequency spectrum AND A VERY HIGH QUALITY amplifier/speaker combo, the regular version should be JUST FINE.
Best,
Jim
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058 |
I concur with some of what Jim wrote.
Yes, the .WMA format PG Music uses is a 'lossy' compression.
Yes, you need a very good listening environment, including monitors, to hear much of a difference. And your high-frequency hearing should be better than someone my age normally has (and there are a lot of us here over 60, but for some reason, one of my ears still hears this stuff).
It isn't just the compression rate; that matters a lot, but different instruments show compression effects differently. I listen to solo piano, solo acoustic guitar, and cymbals, because I can hear compression more on those instruments. Chances are, to win the bet, the good sound engineer will listen to those, too.
We have had MANY discussions about the quality difference over the years since the audiophile version became available, but none in awhile and that means you can't search for them in this forum that far back. I can tell you that, once PG Music went to the Elastique algorithm a few years ago, the difference between 'regular' and audiophile editions became less.
Noise in a mix of multiple tracks adds up. Again, the audiophile version is the one to use in a commercial setting, where this becomes more important. But Jim is correct, the 'regular' version is nevertheless quite fine.
You can always start with the regular edition, and upgrade later. It was years ago, but I did that, and PG Music Sales worked with me very fairly.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 890
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 890 |
If you`re not working on a pro studio CD, you should go with the "normal" SuperPAK or, if you need some piano or guitar lessons, with the EverythingPAK.
Bear in mind, that, if you take the audiophile edition you`ll always have to take the Audiophile editions for future updates as well. This can become very expensive. If I remember correctly, the minimum upgrade from a x.5 version to the recent version 199$. While with the normal SuperPAK (has all Realtracks, Styles etc. except Lessons), you can upgrade for less money!
Sandra
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058 |
Very good point from Sandra. The audiophile updates are more expensive.
Technically, you don't HAVE to update from audiophile to audiophile, though. In any version of BIAB, if there is a .WAV file in the folder for the RealTrack selected, BIAB uses it. That .WAV file could be an audiophile version, or an uncompressed .WMA file from the regular version. If no .WAV file is present, BIAB loads, uncompresses and uses the .WMA file. You can have a mix. But I agree, you would normally want to update the audiophile version with more audiophile updates.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 56
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 56 |
Thanks guys for explaining this all so nicely.
Can I just confirm one thing then: If I have the Audiophile version I do not have to do anything. BIAB will automatically use the best quality files around. There is no button that needs clicking to switch from compressed format to CD quality?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058 |
Correct! Just use it and enjoy.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & 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 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quite a few CDs and Commercial Music endeavors have been made using the standard BiaB cmpressed realtracks files.
My recommendation would be to start with the less expensive standard version, use it, and then if you think you could benefit from the audiophile version, consider taking that plunge later.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 56
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 56 |
True what Mac says, but I've been paying vocalists over $5,000 to record an album. Paying the $500 extra to get pristeen guitars is relatively a bargain. That is about the equevalent of less than 4 studio sessions for guitarist.
It would have been even more perfect if the drums could have been split out by the stems (i.e. kick, snare, hats, cymbals, etc on seperate tracks).
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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.
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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
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