Nigel, are you exporting with tracks centred, no reverb, no EQ? I have that set up in my preferences and, as a result, the tracks need treatment to sound like they did in the box.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Are you saying that even with all tracks centred and EQ & effects off the rendered tracks are still dull?
On another matter - have you noticed that sometimes (typically when you have been trialing and replacing realtracks a lot in a song the volume of the new tracks go down to close to zero volume. Saving the song and reloading does not help. I have to delete the song completely and start from scratch - do you get this?
Best Regards Nigel
Nigel Spiers Christchurch, New Zealand info@nzacoustics.com
On another matter - have you noticed that sometimes (typically when you have been trialing and replacing realtracks a lot in a song the volume of the new tracks go down to close to zero volume. Saving the song and reloading does not help. I have to delete the song completely and start from scratch - do you get this?
Hi Nigel,
When styles are created, volumes in Stylemaker are adjusted so that each track is at the "right" mixer volume when the mixer's volume for that track is set to 90. Because some RTs are louder than others, individual track adjustments in Stylemaker vary.
When trialling RTs, if you happen to put a softer Realtrack onto a mixer track that was reduced in volume to accommodate the original instrument in the style, the trialled RT will sound very quite.
In other words, what you are experiencing is a consequence of the base style that you are bring RTs into. (At least, this is my take on it all.)
Dull rendered tracks - how do you avoid this problem?
Hi again, Nigel.
My tracks are always dull when I render them because I always render them without reverb, tone settings and with the pan centered. I do all the modifying in my DAW.
Are you rendering your tracks in BIAB or in the VST plugin?
Are you saying that even with all tracks centred and EQ & effects off the rendered tracks are still dull?
...have you noticed that sometimes the volume of the new tracks go down to close to zero volume.do you get this?
hello again Nigel, From my experience, as recent as yesterday,centred, dry & unEQd is a bit "dull". I exported a drum track twice for a current project - one had slight variations added. I was intending to just cut n paste the changes in as & where I felt they worked and as I started I noticed the two version sounded quite different...one was "dull". I went back & checked my settings and it seems my preference for dry etc had dropped out with the last update giving me the different sounds. It was no biggy to tweak in Reaper to make a match, (though, usually, matching BIAB's reverb is a problem), there was a solid wallop of reverb & a couple of units of top end to get within cooee, but it was a stark difference. In the end I didn't go with the variant sections as I rather like the persistent, insistent plod of my original grab. The volume thing - I've not noticed becasue I spend very little time inside BIAB - I find, export and work in Reaper without paying attention to levels etc in BIAB.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Looks like everybody has the same problem with BIAB rendering dull sounding wav files.
Maybe somebody at PG Music can explain this to us all and what they are going to do to fix it.
Thanks & Best Regards Nigel
Nigel,
I don't think I explained myself well previously so I thought that I should clarify why my rendered audio files sound "dull" compared to when I listen to them in BIAB.
I choose for them to be dull by removing all of PG Music's effects such as EQ, Pan, Reverb and volume balance. I personally like to have raw audio files to work with in my DAW. Once I take the raw audio to Reaper, I then add my own Pan, EQ, Reverb, Delay, etc.
When files play in BIAB, they are usually heard with all of PG Musics adjustments that were added when making a style.
When you render a file, these additions of PG Music should render with the audio unless you choose to render "dry, center, flat" like I do.
they don't sound the same because the tracks have no eq, no fx and no PG music balancing of the tracks that make for the overall sound of the style that created the file.
as you say .......... 'no Band In A Box EQ, no Reverb and no Effects'
that's why i drop and drag files to RB these days rather than open BIAB files in RB because RB does not have the fx and eq
drag and drop exports tracks with the eq and fx - although there is a setting to centre and remove fx
In Band In A Box I remove all panning, EQ, Effects, Reverb etc (everything) from every track and just set all volumes to 90. So all the tracks are completely dry. Then I listen in BIAB - it sounds fine.
However when I export the dry tracks to 16Bit 44.1K WAV files they sound nothing like in BIAB - they sound dull and lifeless. Nothing to do with volume or EQ or Reverb etc - this is just a tonal matter.
I just use the BIAB export function - should I be using drag and drop and if so how does this improve the tonal quality of the rendered tracks?
If it does - how do I drag and drop tracks?
Best Regards Nigel
Nigel Spiers Christchurch, New Zealand info@nzacoustics.com
I would like to circle back and go through this in more detail - the 'dull' problem.
My first response would have been as above, to export as flat, dry, centered and make the EQ etc. adjustments in the DAW. But it sounds like you are doing this.
Then I would have made sure you were rendering the tracks in 16 bit, 44.1K at the least. But it sounds like you are doing that.
You are using Reaper, so I can't help with that. Is there any chance there is a gain staging problem, where the volume level going to Reaper is somehow way too low?
Your description of 'dull' makes me think, bit and sample rate, like saving to a 128-quality MP3 or lower, even like 40. So, could you describe the exact steps you take to transfer your BIAB audio tracks into Reaper? Perhaps someone, especially someone who knows Reaper, will see something.
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.
Your export matches one of my usual one Nigel...though sometimes I'll use 24 bit just to suss out if there's a perceivable difference. Other times I'll select the track in BIAB mixer, make sure I've centred etc, & use the track actions (?) from the right click to export one at a time. Other times I've dragged from the DAW plug in (LOTS of problems with that) after the same preparation. I have most faith in the right click method for some reason. I have noted, during a recent collaboration, that the levels on the BIAB tracks were quite low...this didn't bother me but required significant boosting with the collaborator after rendering from REAPER without tweaking volume.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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
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!
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
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!
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!
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!
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!
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
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.