|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 178
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 178 |
Ok, so here is a question I have been wondering about for some time but was too embarrassed to ask;
I understand the concept of a stereo mix with all the individual instruments panned across a soundstage to give the impression of real physical placement.
I also understand (I think) the concept of an individual stereo track - an instrument or voice recorded by two mikes simultaneously and placed somewhere in the physical soundstage between those two mikes.
What I don't understand is what happens when you place a stereo track into a stereo mix? For instance if the individual stero track is panned towards the right of its own soundstage and then you place it into a stereo mix and pan that track hard left do you hear nothing or does it sound slightly less to the left than a mono track that is also panned hard left?
I also don't understand what the benefits are of having individual tracks recorded in stereo (but I am sure that there are some benefits).
The BIAB Realtracks export creates stereo WAV files which I then import into Cubase for mixing. Because I don't really understand the answer to to the questions above I always export the Realtrack WAVs panned dead centre which seems to allow me to place them anywhere in the stereo mix within Cubase with no problems.
Whilst this works OK I don't know if I am missing any creative possibilities.
Can anyone enlighten me?
If I hadn't seen such riches I could live with being poor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900 |
Experiment...
But you seem to know more than you think you do, even if you don't think so. Stereo works great on some instruments where you want them to be able to play on both sides of the sound stage (such as keyboards).
If what you are working with works for you then work it!
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Hi Aubrey,
Stereo Tracks can be panned within a mix along with the mono tracks because of a feature called, "Equal Energy Panning" that is applied to the stereo tracks.
Let's say you have a nice Grand Piano track that used two mics. (Recorded to one stereo track.)
Panning that stereo track will result in both tracks being panned the appropriate "distance".
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 178
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 178 |
Thanks guys for the responses.
I am a little more comfortable with what I have been doing but not sure that I fully understand why!
I guess that, as Sam suggests, I will just have to play around with this feature a bit and see what I like the sound of.
Best Regards, Aubrey
If I hadn't seen such riches I could live with being poor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 450
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 450 |
Hi Aubrey, Good question, have been trying to get my head around it since I read an article on TheWhippinpost blog. "Sound Mixing: 10 Essential Tips to Know" http://www.thewhippinpost.co.uk/mixing-music/mixing-tutorial/10-mixing-tips-p1.htmTip # 1 Use MONO Sound Sources Excerpt from article ..... Drowning in Stereo Recording your sound sources in stereo (or using stereo samples) can make it very difficult to find a "hole" in the mix for other instruments to sit. This can lead to excessive EQ fiddling to create one - cue battle of the sounds. A well-recorded mono sound source on the other hand, can be placed with relative ease onto the sound-stage, allowing you to much better handle what, and how, effects should be applied with regard to other neighbouring instruments and their positions and frequencies in the mix...... 1.Record in stereo - record again in stereo! With mono, you just tweak the panning and effects (if any) until seasoned. 2.If 2 mono sound parts are sharing the same frequency range then just try and simply pan them slightly: one to the right, other to the left (a couple of notches either side is usually enough). 3.If you must record in stereo, use 2 mono channels to capture right and left separately. Be interested to hear what others think. Col
iMac, 3.7 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i5, BIAB MAC2024 (802), Audient iD4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
That article must assume that you don't have a program that has the Equal Energy Panning function for stereo tracks.
As stated above, you should still be able to Pan stereo tracks in RB or PT and have them move left or right in the field without losing the stereo of the track. Of course, panning all the way over to one side or the other, you will lose the stereo effect somewhat due to the extreme nature of the pan.
rule of thumb with Realtracks, simple enough, just leave them as they are and use them, if they come up as stereo track, use that. And don't be afraid to pan them.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 450
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 450 |
Hi Mac
When I read the article it made me think whether you achieved a more accurate panned effect with Mono, when you try and move your frequencies around to avoid "masking",
I don't mean hard left or right, but just adjusting things off centre to make various instruments clearer.
But I assume what your saying is that "Equal Energy Panning" distributes Stereo sound as precisely Mono when positioning in a mix.
Col
iMac, 3.7 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i5, BIAB MAC2024 (802), Audient iD4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
With properly implemented Equal Energy Panning, the stereo mix should remain stereo, but be moved left or right by the amount of your pan.
For example, a stereo grand piano, with the low strings on L mic and mid/highs on R mic should remain basically that, but will exhibit a narrower spread than when panned dead center.
Best thing to do is try it. Load up a good single instrument stereo track and play with the panning. That stereo grand piano is a good one for it is a bit easier to hear the difference between the two tracks. A stereo acoustic guitar track may be more difficult to tell these things about.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,738
Posts795,605
Members39,946
| |
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