So when I'm saving my projects, the drop down menu gives me an option to save for MP3 but when I chose "save as MP3" I get an error message that the codecs are not available. Is there something that I haven't installed or installed improperly?
I save as a WAV and then use CDex or Audacity to change to an mp3. One note; if using CDex, choose version 5 or earlier. CDex 5 is open source, I read that later versions are adware supported. (Since I read that on the 'net, it might not be true.)
CDex gives me a lot of options for saving, VBR settings, different quality settings, and IMO makes the best sounding mp3s of all the apps I've tried.
So when I'm saving my projects, the drop down menu gives me an option to save for MP3 but when I chose "save as MP3" I get an error message that the codecs are not available. Is there something that I haven't installed or installed improperly?
Thanks
I am not sure why the codec would not be included because the patent on mp3 expired sometime back. About any DAW should have it. Have you tried in RB?
BIAB 2026 Ultrapack- Fender Studio Pro 8, Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio, Luna Pro
RB doesn't include it natively either. For some reason PGMusic has not included an MP3 codec so far. I'd have thought it would be included by now myself.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
May 20, 2019 I asked in the forum and by email to PG Music Support where Band-in-a-Box looks for a MP3 codec.
I've never seen or received a response so once again:
Quote:
Hello PG Music,
What storage location does Band-in-a-Box and RealBand look at and expect to find a MP3 codec to use during a song file export process?
MP3 codecs are fairly common files to find on the internet since the patent has expired so many users have, or can find a codec, for Band-in-a-Box or RealBand to use. However, I'm unable to find any guidance regarding where the codec should be stored.
Every now and then a user reports receiving an error message stating the MP3 codec is missing.
I have built a newer system recently so I had to reinstall lots of stuff. I installed the LAME ACM codec tonight, which makes it available to Windows (at least W10 recognizes it). Reaper can use it fine. Tried the same render in RB. RB shows the option as available but fails with a 'Cannot get Stream size' error.
Wish I could offer more. Not sure why, even when available to the OS and other apps, RB fails at using it.
image 1 - Codec available in W10 image 2 - Reaper using it image 3 - Resulting successful MP3 file in Realband folder using Reaper image 4 - LAME available in RB as a compressed format option image 5 - End result error in RB when trying to use the LAME codec
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I'm not sure why it stopped working. It worked on my earlier W7 machine, but doesn't seem to want to work now. I'm trying to get this item far enough up the flagpole to get some attention from support soon.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
There seems to be some confusion on terminology used here. I have always understood a CODEC to be a DECODER for playback, of a format eg Mp3. hence the DEC in the name. To create an MP3 file you need a MP3 ENCODER like lame.
The only clue i can find about location of these files is in this help screen. i note PG refer to it as a codec? it seems to use the windows installed setting.
Mike
Last edited by Mike Head; 01/22/2005:16 AM. Reason: extra info
Easiest path recently (that I recall) has been to install the K-Lite basic codec.
I haven't tried that on this system yet, rather new .. I installed the LAME MP3 codec and I found RB has an issue using it right now, and suspect BiaB simply isn't using it.
As far as K-Lite; if you go that route, be sure to download from a reputable site. .. Then scan the download.
Codec installers (because they install to the OS) are favorite targets for malware and such. I know it's common sense but felt compelled to mention.
And regarding CODEC, the first hit on Google (Britannica.com) - "Codec, abbreviation of coder-decoder or compression-decompression, a standard used for compressing and decompressing digital media, especially audio and video, which have traditionally consumed significant bandwidth."
Codecs both Encode & Decode. The acronym just uses COde-DECode and also works for COmpression-DECompression.
Last edited by rharv; 01/22/2001:58 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
From memory, you end up with an executable install file (.exe) .. double clicking installs it.
You may have to reboot once afterwards so the new codecs get loaded by Windows. Installing it should be a familiar windows install routine, again from memory.
/if you find joy, by all means let us know
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
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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
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SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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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)
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With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
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