Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
RealBand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Hey All.

I have a hardware interface for recording through my sound card into RealBand.
I don't have a hardware limiter for use with the interface when recording voice
so I can "let fly" and relax and not worry about red-lining when singing.
You know - just concentrate on "gettin' into it" er, so to speak.

The only Limiter available to me is after-the-fact insertion in the FX chain.

I am looking for a way to use the Classic software Limiter in the RealBand "inside the program"
recording chain. I don't believe it can be done, but I've been wrong once or twice before.

My sound card does provide FX in its Input chain, but no compression or limiter software possibilities at all
without buying a new piece of equipment.

Possible? Ian


Ian
My "Original Tunes" Site
My gene pool needs more chlorine.
RealBand
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Yes if you are one of the lucky ones that ASIO works for.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
RealBand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
John - thanks for the quick response.
Oh G. . . ! Not ASIO - no thanks, not on your life!
Shoot me first.

Is it that the MDM/MME drivers are just not capable or designed for that?
I have never considered Input recording stream software in RB or PT
- so my knowledge after all of these years is still "out to lunch" on this subject.

I might be better off trying to get a real cheap NanoCompressor.

Ian


Ian
My "Original Tunes" Site
My gene pool needs more chlorine.
RealBand
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
For a limiter WDM would probably be fine except that RB limits InputMonitoring and Real time effects for recording to ASIO.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
RealBand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Gotcha. Thanks John . . . oh yeh . . . WDM . . . Sheesh.
Enable
I'm looking in Preferences right now - there it is: "Allow IM Effects Recording (ASIO only)"
Never noticed it before (how many years???? Oh Boy!!)

Ian


Ian
My "Original Tunes" Site
My gene pool needs more chlorine.
RealBand
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Ian,
How old is your computer?


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
RealBand
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
The reason I ask is that if you have an older soundcard that is AC97 then ASIO will work for you in RB. These older cards did not have asio however a guy I know wrote ASIO drivers for these older cards.Look at this link;
http://members.home.nl/nahutec/AC97ASIO/ac97asio.htm
Take note the revision that mentions BIAB. That was at my request. he made some changes to accomodate the strange behavior of BIAB/RB & ASIO.
Just a thought.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
RealBand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Running XP-SP3. It's a 2.5 Dell Desktop - (don't shudder!) about 2005


Ian
My "Original Tunes" Site
My gene pool needs more chlorine.
RealBand
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Quote:

Running XP-SP3. It's a 2.5 Dell - (don't shudder!) about 2005



Read my other post. I though you and I were running older stuff.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
RealBand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Well, why not - it's smooth sailing most of the time.

My sound card isa WDM Turtle Beach Santa Cruz on which I have a Yamaha DB50XG Motherboard
and the PG software - mainly BIAB - will not let me leave the XG as the default MIDI module.
I have to reset for XG each time I boot or my count-in is a piano (GM). And sometimes BIAB asks me if I really want XG!

I have even tried to have BIAB boot into a sysex file with the XG Reset . . . but that doesn't work.

When you asked about the old tech, were you working on an idea for IM Recording using WDM in some way?

Ian


Ian
My "Original Tunes" Site
My gene pool needs more chlorine.
RealBand
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
I was thinking that if your soundcard is old AC97 you may be interested in trying the drivers I linked to that my friend made. They work very well for me on my old Toshiba lappy.Not sure abt the TB card.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,631
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,631
If your input signal clips before becoming digital, you are just limiting a distorted signal after the fact. I wouldn't recommend a software limiter as a safeguard for recording vox to begin with.
Just a thought


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
RealBand
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Quote:

If your input signal clips before becoming digital, you are just limiting a distorted signal after the fact. I wouldn't recommend a software limiter as a safeguard for recording vox to begin with.
Just a thought



Quite true now that you mention it.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
RealBand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Thanks all for the input.

I suppose in summation it would be best to use something like a NanoCompressor to level my recording "enthusiasm"
with my SM58 and my Tascam Portastudio 488 mixer which I use for audio input to my sound card.

The 488 has a couple of spots to insert effects in the signal stream. I'll have to be careful not to limit too heavily and save some headroom for RealBand tweaking.

Hmmm - now for Limiter lessons. I guess there's still a use for good legacy stuff.

Cheers Legacy Guy.


Ian
My "Original Tunes" Site
My gene pool needs more chlorine.
RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,631
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,631
Don't get me wrong; a software limiter on vocals after the fact can be very effective, but it won't 'fix' a bad signal chain. Sometimes even a hardware limiter receives a distorted signal (or one with a lot of noise) which makes it perform poorly.
Gain staging and mic control are your friend.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
RealBand
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Just set your initial level with you screaming as enthusiastically as you can.Then compress after.This is digital.Having real hot recordings is not necessary unless your gear is noisy.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
RealBand
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 674
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 674
I'm glad rharv brought that up. softsynths are not going to work for compression or limiting going into the soundcard. they are ONLY after the fact.

you'll need a hardware compressor to compress/limit before the soundcard converters if that's what you want to do. Personally I do add a little hardware compression going in on vocals, but not much. it allows a smoother signal to work with when mixing.

but software VSTs are only after the signal has already been converted, so if you're clipping there, you can't fix it by normal means of a compressor/limiter. in fact, you can't really fix it at all except by special software to fix clipping, but honestly I don't like the artifacts those leave behind - I'd rather re-track the vocals with a better control on the gain in my signal chain.

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

It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:

Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Regular hours
resume Tuesday, May 19th!

Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!

Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!

Don't wait - order today!

Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!

Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.

Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.

If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!

202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!

With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!

Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.

Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.

The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • 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
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • 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)

Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

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!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,309
Posts803,135
Members40,090
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
sergiop, John Stubering, JohnDoe4u, MarkGMusic, Thekesslerboy
40,090 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 131
rsdean 96
DC Ron 84
vicarn 83
WaoBand 65
Noel96 59
Today's Birthdays
larryfarr, Va Russ, woofer
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5