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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 100
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 100 |
All --
Please help a newbie.
I am trying to figure out how to export to MP3 rather than WAV.
I can export a song as a WAV.
But, I really want an MP3.
I know that I can convert the WAV to MP3 with another program-- but I would like to do it from Biab if possible.
Can this be done?
Please advise.
Thanks.
-- Mark Kamoski
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 100
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 100 |
All --
OK, I think I may have figured some of this out, but I am still stuck.
I choose > Audio, > Render MIDI To Stero .WAV File Etc
Then I choose "Save in other Audio format and MP3".
It asks "Save as Raw MP3, rather than WAVE file?".
Then I choose "Yes".
It says "Driver cannot do the requested conversion".
So, I am still stuck.
Do I need a new driver somewhere?
(I am running stock Windows 7, x64, fully patched.)
Please advise.
Thanks.
-- Mark Kamoski
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,634
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Hi Mark, Here's a link to a PG Music FAQ on rendering that might help. http://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_bbwrender.htmFrom memory, it's necessary to have a suitable driver in the \bb directory. The freeware LAME MP3 ENCODER will do the job very well. Personally, I prefer to render songs as a WAV because a WAV file gives me the best possible quality. I then use the freeware program "Free Audio Convertor" to compress the WAV. I usually experiment with different compressions and try to get the best compromise between reduced file size and quality (i.e. what the WAV file sounds like and what the compressed mp3 sounds like). Below are the "Free Audio Convertor" settings that I usually use.   I also set the "General Settings" so that they will render the mp3 in the same directory as the WAV file.  Hope this helps. Regards, Noel
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,510
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I also like exporting to WAV and then converting to .mp3 I like the open-source app CDex - it has a lot of options and it produces excellent mp3 files. To my ears, CDex can produce better sounding files than the BiaB export does. You also have to download the LAME encoder for that. Google both, they are in various places on the web. Notes Brand new 2012.5 updates from Norton Music:- 2 new style disks for Band-in-a-Box
- 2 new free (with a purchase) fancy intro/ending disks for Real Band and other DAW's
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Hundreds of Free .sgu and .mp3 demos for the above at: http://www.nortonmusic.com
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
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& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
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I believe the lame encoder can be used in batch mode, without requiring any other program to drive it. In fact, I think most programs use the lame encoder by calling it as an external program. I seem to recall setting up batch files that call the standalone program with various switches to get different results... but I could be wrong... the old memory is like unto the old gray mare.(Ain't what it used to be) Here is a link to a list of LAME encoder switches and what they do: Quote:
http://besweet.notrace.dk/lame.html
print it out and save it for future reference before it disappears from the web
and here's an overview of LAME with some good information:
Quote:
http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?title=Lame
Even if it turns out that LAME can't be used in standalone mode, the list of switches will give you a heads-up when setting your switches in other programs that require LAME
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 100
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 100 |
Dear Noel -- Regarding this... Quote:
...Here's a link to a PG Music FAQ on rendering that might help.
http://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_bbwrender.htm
From memory, it's necessary to have a suitable driver in the \bb directory. The freeware LAME MP3 ENCODER will do the job very well...
...thanks very much for the information.
I thought I should update this thread and relate my recent experiments to try to solve this issue of mine.
1st, I got LAME and put (what I think are) the right files in the bb directory, as follows...
C:\bb\lame.exe
C:\bb\lame_enc.dll
...but the export dialog did not find the encoder and did not list it as an option in the encoding dialog so when I choose the default settings the system still reported the dreaded error...
Driver cannot do the requested conversion
2nd, I got the "Windows 7 Codec Pack" from here...
http://www.windows7codecs.com/
...and I installed it and rebooted...
...when I tried again the LAME encoder and one other MP3s encoder appeared but I got the following error...
Cannot get Stream Size
...and I found this same error message discussed here on the PgMusic forums at this link...
http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.php?Number=257138&page=0
...and after many attempts, in light of what that thread suggests, the export to MP3 is still not working for me.
So, I am still stuck and cannot export files from Biab directly to MP3.
As a workaround, I am still exporting to WMA and then convert to MP3 using a third-party application, this...
Free MP3 WMA Converter
http://www.koyotesoft.com/
...and is an extra manual step but it is quick and it does work every time.
That being said, if anyone has any other suggestions, then please post them here.
Thanks.
-- Mark Kamoski
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,634
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Posts: 20,634 |
Hi Mark, I haven't tried to render to mp3 for a few years because I tend to use variable bitrate and need other software to do that. Today when I tried to render an mp3 using BIAB, I got the same error as you. In the past, I have successfully done this but it seems that something has happened between then and now. Below is what I did. 1. I chose to render to mp3 and eventually got the below dialogue box.  2. Then, after choosing a suitable compression level and clicking OK, I got the following dialogue box.  To my mind, this is a bug because you, PWarren and I can reproduce it. It's something that PG Music should know about. I encourage you to email Support and to give them the URL of this thread as well as the thread by PWarren. By having those URLs, they can read through all that has been tried and it will help them isolate the issue. Regards, Noel P.S. I also opened a different MGU file in Realband and when I tried to create a compressed file, exactly the same issue was encountered.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 100
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 100 |
Regarding this... Quote:
...To my mind, this is a bug because you, PWarren and I can reproduce it. It's something that PG Music should know about. I encourage you to email Support and to give them the URL of this thread as well as the thread by PWarren...
...that is a good point and I have done as you suggested...
...I sent an email to support@pgmusic.com today with all the details...
...and so, having put the matter in their capable hands, I am moving on for now.
Thanks.
-- Mark Kamoski
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,648
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,648 |
In the settings shown above *Noel96 graphic) -
try 128 instead of 192 and see if it works.
Just a hunch
If it works, at that point I suspect install method and OS
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,634
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,634 |
Hi rharv,
On my system, it didn't seem to matter what I did. I tried around half-a-dozen different settings and received the same response with all.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
I got the same thing so I just render to .wav and then use dbpoweramp music converter. I use a higher rate than the standard. The files are bigger but the better quality is worth it, IMO.
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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