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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2009
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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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
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Expert
Joined: May 2007
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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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
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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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
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Expert
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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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
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Joined: Jan 2009
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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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2009
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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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
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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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2005
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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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
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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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Posts: 7,697 |
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
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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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
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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.
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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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Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
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It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
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