Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 193
Sergino Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 193
The real tracks are...real.
The audiophile files are still better...
but
when I listen to the on-line demoes made by PGmusic they sound even more real
than my songs.
Even the song demoes in Band-in-a-box do not sound as good as the demo on line.
EQ, compression???

It would be interesting to know how they are made!


Sergino
Bandinabox 2024 standard (2020 Audiophile)
VST3 plugins on Studio One Pro 6.1
Windows 11(SSD) - AMD Radeon R9 5950X - 32GB RAM
MOTU: 2408 MkIII - 24i - Traveler - MIDI Express XT
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
I would bet they use Real Band ! You can try some online mastering sites to learn how to EQ and compression . http://musicmastering.org/ http://www.mikfielding.com/EQ_Instruments.shtml

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Not so.

To the best of my knowledge, the Band in a Box demos that pgmusic creates are made using Band in a Box and Band in a Box only.

My Band in a Box songs sound as good as theirs do.

I don't do a lot of tweaking and mixing to them.

what I *have* done is to normalize the gain staging of my soundcard, though.

Most consumer soundcards, when using Band in a Box, work best when both the Playback and the Record software mixers are *turned up all the way* - including any Master faders there if it has them. This is the problem most people encounter when their renderings are not so full sounding. There is also the BiaB "normalization" feature that can be taken advantage of if you still don't have enough wave amplitude.


--Mac

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
I say you need to leave headroom in your recordings ,because when master you use EQ and compression they increase the volume and you'll end up with waves that have squared off tops they don't sound as good. Try to keep the peeks is the best advice I ever had from pro studio's I make tracks for .

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 890
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 890
I don`t think they do much on their demos. They sound as normal (good) as my files. Maybe thesongs are just better arranged than yours (NOI).

Sandra


"GuitarVersum" YouTube Channel: Jazz Chord Melody Tutorials
Jazz Guitar Lessons | Jazz Guitar Gear Reviews
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkT05N04ICdHgmDZrGYz-5A

Lesson Shop:
https://guitarversum.com/shop


Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
I remember it as Mac and Sandra do: Peter Gannon has said periodically that they just record 'straight'.

However, we don't know what they currently use for MIDI sounds. It used to be the Edirol SD-20, which they even sold on this website. I suspect that may not be the case now, and it would be interesting to know what hardware or software synth they use. With the increasing use of RealTracks, though, it makes less difference now than it used to.


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,831
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,831
We make a typical demo in about 10 minutes, entirely within Band-in-a-Box.

Type in a chord progression typical to the genre. Keep it simple, since there is no melody, a "normal" chord progression sounds best.

Render the song to wma or mp4 by dragging to the drop box at top left of screen.

We use the Coyote gm wavetable for midi rendering these days, since it comes with BB, and works on all versions of Windows.


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 193
Sergino Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 193
Thanks to you all.


Sergino
Bandinabox 2024 standard (2020 Audiophile)
VST3 plugins on Studio One Pro 6.1
Windows 11(SSD) - AMD Radeon R9 5950X - 32GB RAM
MOTU: 2408 MkIII - 24i - Traveler - MIDI Express XT
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 181
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 181
I'm no expert but my reading of your message and Mac's are that the points you each make are not mutually exclusive. Mac is saying get the full qualitative output from the generating device to not lose any content robustness and you are saying don't record at too high a volume to avoid clipping, leave needed headroom for down the stream, etc. Or am I missing something?


www.LawTunes.com: The LawTunes - The Musical Scales of Justice - Original Lawyer Rock & Roll
www.SurfChords.com: The SurfChords - The Endless Summer Continues and The Wave Never Ends
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Quote:

...don't record at too high a volume to avoid clipping, leave needed headroom for down the stream, etc. Or am I missing something?




Yes. In the case of these Biab demos, there is no 'down the stream'. Peter amd Mac both said it's all done and finished within Biab. There is no separate mastering process for you to play with, it does it automatically for you.

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: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Let me try to make my point with a little more clarity.

I used the term, "most consumer sound devices" - work well with BiaB when the *software* mixer applet faders for both Playback and Record Properties are turned all the way up.

Of course, if you try that and your particular sound device causes clipping, then revisit the applet and turn faders down a little and try again. Most of the time, you won't get any clipping though.

Understanding GAIN STAGING is important here.

For example, you could Render or Record a set of tracks that is low in amplitude such that at playback someone must reach for the Volume control and turn it up in order to have it sound equal in amplitude to other recordings they have been playing back. *But that won't have the same sound* as the identical recording that is printed hotter. It will sound rather, well, "thinner".

On the opposite end of that scale, you might record or render it too hot, in which case it will sound "blasty" or even "clipped" in some cases, even though you turn your Playback Volume down, it cannot change that because that sound is what is printed in the file.

Fortunately for us, we can usually easily normalize the sound device's input and outputs as I described. What you are after is simple enough, and that is "what goes in is what comes out" Amplitude-wise. In technical terms, your system should play back a 0dBFS sinewave from a pre-recorded test disk at exactly 0dBFS. Likewise then, it should play back a -12dBFS sinewave at -12dBFS as well.

I have found out empirically that most consumer sound devices will do this when the software faders are turned all the way up, inclusive of any Master software faders.

Once I do that, I no longer use the Software Mixer Faders for volume control when listening. I rely on my mixer or the amplitude knob on the monitor amp for that purpose. This leaves the Line being driven hard enough that at any chosen volume level, things will sound as they should. No, I'm not a fan of the software faders in those sound card software applets, not when it is consumer gear anyway. Prosumer and full Pro gear often works differently, though. It is still different for each brand and model of them, though, so then it becomes necessary to use an Audio Test Disk to find out where the levels should be set for a normalized gain staging in your system.

But, if at any time what you do makes audio clipping, then you must turn something down, of course. The important part there is to identify *which stage* is causing that clipping so that you turn down the amplitude at the proper point in the signal chain. Otherwise you might end up with clipping that is just a bit lower in volume if you turn down the wrong fader at the wrong point in the chain.


--Mac

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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.

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

Join the conversation on our forum.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,391
Posts778,622
Members39,644
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
daveg68, snares33, The Jam Shop, Hyke, bestbushcraft
39,644 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 135
WaoBand 115
DC Ron 111
rsdean 83
dcuny 82
Today's Birthdays
rockin
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5