Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#155400 03/31/12 11:43 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
When I hit "play" and generate the song, the volume level is fine. After I render to .wav, the volume is reduced by almost half in the rendered file. I have a toshiba laptop, 2gb ram, Intel dual core, ua-4fx, and ketron sd2. Running Windows 7 home premium edition. All input and out put goes through the ua-4fx.

I have not been successful in saving to an mp3 with biab. To get the volume squared away for gig use, I open the saved .wav file in Wavepad, make any necessary volume adjustments, and save to mp3. Sometimes I also use MP3 Gain. I guess I could open up the file in Real Band to do the same thing, but Wavepad just seems faster. I've check all of the volume levels in Win 7 and the ua-4fx and they are all at max. I guess this isn't a major issue, but it seems that this is a new problem that I didn't have last year prior to 2012. I suppose it's possible that some other pgm is adjusting the volume some way, but I'm not aware of it. Anyone else have this problem?

Stan

Last edited by Shastastan; 03/31/12 01:18 PM.

Cornet Curmudgeon
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
R
Expert
Offline
Expert
R
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
I believe a rendered file is not able to use an external synth. Have you tried a real time recording?

As far as mp3, I render my songs to WAV and use an external program to create the MP3. Unless the appropriate MP3 codec is installed in Windows, BIAB uses a sub-par Microsoft version. It's more trouble than it's worth. As far as the levels go, I notice little difference in BIAB Play and a rendered WAV play. For my MP3s, I usually have to use MP3Gain Constant Gain to boost my levels. Normalizing gives undesirable results.

R

Last edited by Rachael; 03/31/12 12:38 PM.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Thanks Rachael those are the exact problems that I'm having. I wondered about the codec also. I'm using DBpoweramp Music Converter since it gives more compression options. WavePad seems to be my old standby since I like to use the audio waves to see where I want to make changes. I'm using it for non-biab files also.

Stan


Cornet Curmudgeon
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
R
Expert
Offline
Expert
R
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
A clarification about the codec...

BIAB uses whatever MP3 codec is installed in Windows. I remember some posts a while back on the forums about how to install a better one in Windows. I tried it with the LAME encoder and was not happy with the results for some reason. I believe the available options were a pain to access. Apparently, Microsoft makes it difficult to use anything but it's WMA - not for me. I use Foobar to convert my BIAB WAVs and, like dbPowerAmp, can choose easily what format and options I want. It's not a big deal and, actually, I prefer it.

Was the rendering problem you had due to using a soft synth instead of the UA-4FX?

R

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259

No, I don't do anything with the soft synth. The box for it is unchecked. If it's checked, then the re-render option is not available and I can't use the Ketron. Whenever I use RT's, I use RB and record the midi tracks to .wav tracks and then mix everything in RB. I also edit mp3's in RB sometimes, too.

There sure is a lot of software out there to do the same job. I was thinking of trying yet another one but opted to upgrade WavePad instead. They added some more effects but also changed the gui around which bummed me out a little since I was used to the old one. Thankfully, I know that pgm well enough that it was easy for me to adapt......this time

Stan


Cornet Curmudgeon
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047


FrankB

Down The Street vs2015 12-03-2014
Win7, AMD QuadA8-5500,16GB,2TeraHD, Komplete 10
PG Ultra Plus 2016,Alesis 12USB, Sonar Platinum
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Thanks, FrankB. I tried Audacity and didn't like it as well as some pgms that I already have. I didn't mention that I also have Mixcraft which I haven't really gotten into yet. Here's a partial quote from rockstar from the thread you referred to:

"I'm really curious, what can you do in Audacity that is better/easier/faster than in RB or Cubase? I find it an incredibly frustrating program to use, even though it's free. Cubase has a plenty fine audio editor. RB, not so much. I just would like to know.

The only reason I tried using it as a multi-track tool is that you can run it from a jump drive; so you can truly take projects just about anywhere. However, Reaper does it with much more ease and flair - and even though I don't like some of the product naming choices of the Reaper developer, if I had to use it in a pinch, I would choose it over Audacity in a heartbeat.

I find using Audacity almost as hard to get my mind wrapped around as switching from an algebraic calculator to RPN - for the nerd analogy of the day."

That pretty much sez it for me except that I don't have Cubase. You can't edit multi-tracks in Wavepad, but you can in RB. I guess it's easier for me to learn things in pieces rather than trying to attack one big program that does all things for all people. Maybe if I was smarter?
I'm not putting Audacity down because I really don't even know how to use it. You must be near Chico. I'm up the road from you another 75 miles.


Cornet Curmudgeon
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
I am 15 miles southeast of Oroville in foothills.

I do my main work in BIAB, then most of the finish work in RB,
then move resulting wav file to Audacity.

Once lame is installed, its truly very easy to use.

I would be lost without RB and the plugins tho.
Multi-track manipulation is outstanding.
Also the plugin abilities to turn your music into really
good sounding product. Of course the Realtracks and Styles
are already knockout sounds.

Still prefer Audacity for simple fadein/outs and exports to mp3.
Primary reason is the MP3 quality setting with exports.

Last edited by seeker; 04/01/12 07:12 PM.

FrankB

Down The Street vs2015 12-03-2014
Win7, AMD QuadA8-5500,16GB,2TeraHD, Komplete 10
PG Ultra Plus 2016,Alesis 12USB, Sonar Platinum
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Okay, I sorta know where you're at. That's further than 75 mi from here (Redding).

I pretty much do what you do except that I use Wavepad instead of Audacity. Wavepad only does single tracks though. If I don't have anything to do but convert from .wav to mp3, I use dBpoweramp music converter which has Lame. I used to convert at 144 but now I'm using 180. The difference in quality is noticeable to me anyway.

Stan


Cornet Curmudgeon
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
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.

PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.

The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.

The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.

Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!

Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.

Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!

Order now!

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.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,121
Posts801,137
Members40,058
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Trenamusic, feralearthman, anjones85, BigJoe24, daylan
40,058 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 128
DC Ron 106
rsdean 99
zedd 85
Noel96 66
Today's Birthdays
AlberMaxSax, Lloyd Morris
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5