Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436 |
I'm running a Toshiba Satellite laptop with Vista.
I'm able to render WAV files fine, but when I try to convert to compressed Mp3, I get a "Driver cannot perform this function" error. I went to Microsoft technical support page and it says "You cannot use the mp3 codec installed with Vista for third party applications"
So I downloaded a free audio conversion program, and was able to save my BB song to Mp3.
Is this standard for Vista users? Is this the only work around? It would be more convenient to just do it all in BB of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616 |
If it helps any, I have a Satellite also with Vista. I tried the mp3 conversion and got errors such as Invalid Pointer, Access Violation, etc. BIAB seems to favor WMA in that the RTs and RDs are all WMAs. Funny the WMA conversion works fine. I have never tried mp3 before because I usually Render my files to Wavs and then convert with an external converter mp3. I always like the extra control it gives me.
Perhaps a mp3 codec is needed to get it to work.
Rachael
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436 |
Hi Rachael'
Yes, I gathered it was a Codec thing. There is one that comes with Vista, but it sounds like a licensing issue. I don't know enough to go downloading them and putting them where they go, so I got another mp3 converter also. The only reason I need mp3 is Soundclick only accepts MP3 song uploads.
It is one of my smaller problems right now. LOL. Anyway, thanks for the reply.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616 |
Apparently it somewhat works on XP but with very limited choices of MP3 quality. The one I saw has a max of 56kb. With this choice, you're better off making your own MP3 with an external converter.
The manual says the MP3 codec must be installed on the system. I use Lame with the only requirement that it is the path so programs can find it. I have it in my Windows directory and BIAB apparently does not see it. Maybe someone else can test and verify. Regardless, the bug in Vista should be investigated.
Rachael
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436 |
Rachael;
I was happy with windows 95. Every new machine I buy has it's benefits, and bugs. Bill Gates is not a musician. Some day I should just build a computer from the case up with my musical needs in mind. I would be further ahead. Enjoy your weekend, I'll talk to you later.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 66
Enthusiast
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 66 |
I'm not on Vista. I have Windows XP Pro. I've had really good luck useing the Soundtrack Window to creat the mp3's. No nead to use another conversion software. It converts directly to mp3. Give it a try. The icon button is in the middle of the top row.
Randy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436 |
GuildGuitarist;
I just tried it because I was working on a song, and stopped by to read your post. I have used that Soundtrack window many times to produce soundtracks, but never looked at the bottom to see all the ways you could SAVE soundtracks. So I just pushed it, and my song saved as a WAV. And I thought great. Then I choose MP3, and got the same error "Driver cannot perform the needed conversion" thing. . . . Alas, it is a VISTA thing. No big deal. As long as I have a way to get an MP3 out of it, I am happy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 707
Journeyman
|
Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 707 |
In a previous discussion on this topic, it was confirmed that PG's MP3 conversion programme only produces files with relatively low bit rates. You'd be much much better using a third party convertor. You can convert wavs to MP3s in iTunes or Windows Media Player perfectly happily, or there's a good freeware programme called CD-EX available at http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/?q=download - I've used that for years, or there is dBPowerAmp, which has a really effective batch convertor. All of these work up to 320kbps and do vbr encoding, neither of which is available in the PG convertor if I remember correctly. CD-EX still works fine on Win95 for those of you still using it, and is just as happy in Vista. Brian
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The easiest way I can think of to help you out here is to recommend the free Audacity audio editing and multitracking program. Be sure to READ this page and understand before plunging in, pay particular attention to the part about also downloading the LAME encoder and how to install that also. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ You can convert those WAV files to mp3 files rather easily inside Audacity. You can also add all the "hidden" data to your mp3 files that will make it look and act pro, like the embedded data that has copyright info, etc. To get other music programs (like the pgmusic programs) to use the LAME encoder is a matter of setting the system properties to do so in the Control Panel -> Sounds area. LAME is now the leading mp3 encoder, fraunhofer stopped development quite some time ago and what is there is frozen where it was. Go with the LAME encoder. --Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436 |
Hi Mac;
I will try that later today. Thank you.
Also, is there supposed to be changes in my mix when I render to WAV? Maybe it's because I didn't save with harmony/patches first. But I had a song mixed just the way I wanted, and rendered to wav last night, then pushed the test wav button, and the lead guitar was lost in the mix and a whole bunch of stuff was different. The MIDI also seems to be louder on a render than it sounds in the final mix in BB.? I finally bumped the audio up +10db in the window at the bottom, and it helped, but it was not as I mixed it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693 |
Quote:
Bill Gates is not a musician. Some day I should just build a computer from the case up with my musical needs in mind. I would be further ahead.
Bingo, now you're getting it. That's what we all do. It's not so much the physical parts though, it's the software that comes bundled with any off the shelf PC that is not optimized for what we do. This is why if you're going to be using your machine for music production you must be geek enough to know how to set it up. I know you're afraid to go to unknown websites and download strange programs with cryptic instructions or go into the internals of your system and start changing things but that's the name of the game. If you don't want to become a computer nerd, you may as well give it up now. Our type of music production is a very small fraction of the PC market so we get no love at all from the manufacturers. You buy the basic machine and after that you're on your own.
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: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436 |
No kidding! The last machine that seemed to be music friendly that I used was an Amiga. I'm ok with the computer end of it, I get a little worried about certain folders like registry, system32, and drivers. I don't want to fix one thing, and have something else quit working.. I'm about ready to build a tower from the ground up with music in mind, because that is 99% of what my computer is used for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616 |
Quote:
To get other music programs (like the pgmusic programs) to use the LAME encoder is a matter of setting the system properties to do so in the Control Panel -> Sounds area.
Mac,
Will you be more specific as to how this is done.
Thanks, Rachael
Never mind. I found the information in the RB forumhttp://www.pgmusic.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=210733&Main=210459
Last edited by Rachael; 03/02/09 01:46 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
Topics84,431
Posts779,143
Members39,654
|
Most Online25,754 Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|