|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901 |
Is there a difference in listening quality between music recorded as an MP3 disk versus as an Audio disk. I'm working on a clarinet solo and wanted the best sounding CD. I know all CD players don't play MP3's but most do now.
I'm using old NERO to make CD's. Is there something better?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
It depends on input source, but if the sound "masters" are 16bit 1411kbs 44.1khz wav files, then the CD Audio will sound the best.
MP3 files are 320kbs, 256kbs, 128kbs ... (all sorts of options). However, it will be tough for most folks to be able to easily tell the difference between 256kbs (and up) MP3 files and WAV files. An audio CD is limited by the total time of the recording -- well everything is expanded to "WAV" size. An MP3 CD just holds files, so if you have all 256kbs MP3 files, you can get 5x more songs on there. However a lot of audio devices can't play MP3 disks.
I hope this helps a little.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,504
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,504 |
MP3 is a type of audio compression as is the WAV algorithm. Using MP3, there is a trade of between file size and audio quality. Using higher bit rates, as Kemmich suggets above, will improve the sound quality. Use at least 256kbs to avoid compression induced audio artifacts (ringing or echos)....this is especially true if you have sharp attacks in your music (for example staccatos in your case). The type of encoders used by your software also has an effect on quality. If you have the option, record MP3 at the highest bit rate possible at 256 or higher, or better yet record as a wave "lossless" You will also get better audio quality if you or others using your CD use digital outputs on your audio card versus "line out" audio outputs.
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901 |
I'm listening now to the difference between my MP3 version and my original Wave file that came from my Zoom H2. I can record on the setting 96/16 bit.
This was great information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901 |
Thanks, it was a significantly better sound using the Wave file. Since I didn't need to have a smaller file when putting it on a CD, it made for a better quality disk.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901 |
I listened again to the sound quality and would like a better sound since my clarinet has a harsh quality.(and I'm NOT Benny Goodman) Would it improve if I used a more recent version of Nero. I have a Nero OEM 6 from a while ago.
But I also want to re-record my solo in a carpeted room and try to get a better sound.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
No. Nero is just the vehicle that writes data, ANY data, to a CD. The different versions just add features. As long as you tell Nero to just write it as a data file and not a music CD you will retain the brightness. As soon as you compress to MP3 you start losing quality. The trade off for smaller file size is brightness. If you have no reason to care, leave them as WAV files, as they are uncompressed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
I listened again to the sound quality and would like a better sound since my clarinet has a harsh quality...
Hi joan,
I would be more suspect of something other than use of mp3 compression or bitrate or even using full on .wav format pcm digital recording here.
Likely the harsh quality of sound you are referring to is a matter of microphone, settings, microphone preamp, mic placement and the acoustics of the room.
Recording wind instrument like clarinet, it is very easy to set the mic input too 'hot' and thus get an overdriven kind of sound. First thing to try here is backing off of the Record input volume setting until you obtain a recording that sounds more like the clarinet does in the first place. This might also include placing the mic a bit further away from the horn as well. Keep in mind that the sound of woodwind instruments does not emanate from the bell as it does with a "closed" wind instrument such as trumpet or trombone, etc. - because the clarinet works on the half-wave, literally changing the physical length of the instrument via the holes and pads and fingers, the sound actually emanates from different areas of the instrument body at different times, depending upon the note played and the resulting fingering. The sound will thus emanate at different points along the body of the clarinet. A mic placement slightly away from and also above the instrument area is more likely to be able to capture those different points more evenly than a mic placed closer to any one part of the instrument.
A good starting point for setting the Record input level is to play as loudly as you can while checking the all-important VU meter on the recording device. When you are playing very loudly and the VU meter is hovering somewhere around the -6 dB point or so, that is likely to be close to the "sweet spot" for digital recording.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901 |
Thanks Mac, I'm using my Zoom H2 recorder and I will make some adjustments and re-record my solo. One element that needs to be considered is the accompaniment part which I'm playing through my Logitech speakers with subwoofer as I'm playing the Clarinet solo.
1.Adjust the Mic Gain (to Low)
2.Put the Zoom up on a higher table or cabinet and farther away.
3.Check the VU Meter and get 06dB point
I have these settings on my Zoom H-2 which I had set to off. Should I have these other choices selected.
Monitor on/off
Lo Cut on/off
AGC/Comp on/off
AGC has 2 choices 1. General 2. Speech
Comp has 3 choices 1. General 2. Vocal 3. Drum
Limit has 3 choices 1. General 2. Concert 3 Studio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901 |
I set up my carpeted front room as a sound studio. Using the acoustic panels from behind my upright piano, I have a nice place for recording my clarinet now. I put my Zoom up on a high stool to get it above my head level and farther away from me. I set it to low gain and recorded a test solo this afternoon. It seems to be improving the quality of my clarinet sound. I'm going to get a final version this week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572 |
Since you are playing along to a backing track, it would be much better if you used headphones (the closed type that fit over your ear, or earbuds) than your Logitech speakers with subwoofer. Otherwise, you are recording the backing along with your clarinet, and that will not give you as good a sound.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901 |
Thanks Matt, When people use headphones while playing can you still hear yourself and the recording that you are listening at the same time? Another option might be to listen to a metronome beat through headphones and then match it up with the recording later.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572 |
The best way, such as what would happen in a studio, is to have your own playing sent into the mix. When I record, I have a mixer so that I can adjust the level of every instrument, including myself.
If you can't do that, a trick is to move one of the earpieces so it does not cover your er. You will hear yourself in that ear and the backing track in the other.
Using a click track (the metronome) is another topic.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217 |
.
>>>...I set up my carpeted front room as a sound studio. Using the acoustic panels from behind my upright piano, I have a nice place for recording my clarinet now...>>>
Now you are getting someplace. Paying attention to the room, acoustics, and mic placement are essential to producing a good tone on the recording. Keep trying different combination - there is no magic formula.
You will get better control over your results if you can have the backing tracks delivered to your recorder by wire rather than through the microphone on the Zoom. You need a mixer to do this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Okay, Joan, you REALLY need a mixer here thatyou can plug an actual mic into. The best you will ever do with any kind of handheld will be audio about the quality of those awful youtube videos people make of their friend playing at the local bar. Tinny, grainy, overdriven, distorted...
None of it will be free or even cheap, but the results will be of much higher quality. This is a job for Mr Craigs List and his wife Ms E Bay. A small 8 channel mixer and a decent quality mic will do wonders for you here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901 |
Thanks for all these suggestions. I completed the CD of my clarinet solo just using the Zoom H2 with the improved mic placement and settings. I don't plan on doing this very often. My main reason for getting this recording was because my clarinet teacher is having a recital in February and I will be leaving next week for 3 months of golfing, walking the beach, etc. She said she would play my recording during the recital so that was the start of my search for the best recording I could get with the equipment I already had. It actually improved the sound greatly over the first Mp3's that I made. I switched to wave files and better room acoustics.
I learned a tremendous amount from this project and it was worthwhile to me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
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.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,217
Posts802,020
Members40,070
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean