|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421 |
I read somewhere here recently that someone said one of the benefits of buying Audiophile Edition [Wav files] is that BIAB is quicker generating new songs compared to WMA files which need uncompressing first. Well I asked PG Music online chat and was told the opposite that because the Wav files are much bigger it takes BIAB longer to regenerate new styles.
I'm finding that it takes BIAB a number of seconds regenerating each new style as I try them out one by one for each song. I would like the fastest way possible. My PC is no slouch, currently running Intel 3Ghz Quad Core, 8Gb RAM, Rapter HDD but the regeneration is slowing me down.
My only other thought is perhaps the Wav files regeneration is slower because of the AudioPhile USB 2.0 Hard drive compared to internal Sata Hard drive speeds?
Any thoughts on this?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,464
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,464 |
No doubt, I'm someone who would have said that the .WAV files would decrease somewhat the time needed for regeneration.
If PG Music now says that this is not the case, all I can say is that something has changed since we were given the answer several years ago.
The original explanation was as you said, that the compressed .WMA file first needed to be uncompressed. This was the reason PG Music provided the Uncompress command in the RealTracks menu in Preferences. Doing the uncompress did not improve the quality, and took almost 10 times as much space on the hard drive, so there would have been no good reason to do it unless there were some benefit, and that benefit was slightly faster speed of regeneration. [This command is no longer present in version 2013 for RealTracks. In RealDrums, it is still there and is called Install.]
As for what drive to run them from, I placed the RealTracks on an internal 10,000 RPM hard drive. I then deleted the ones I know I won't be using. The supplied PG Music hard drive is the backup.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886 |
Agree, I bet the USB is slowing things down. I know that the one & only time I tried running BiaB from the external drive was the last time....
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
If you are after speed with a computer touting the specs you mention, no doubt that USB is a bottleneck.
Installing an internal hard drive and transferring your realtracks and realdrums files to it should certainly show some improvement in loading time.
You might also check the prefs for realtracks and see if the fast loading of realtracks is checked, your cpu should be able to handle that.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,498
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,498 |
PaulH
For my benefit only, since no quantitative measurements have been mentioned just "slow," "fast," and a "number of seconds," are the "number of seconds" less than say
- 2 seconds,
- between 2-5,
- between 5-10,
or more than 10?
And for clarification are RT's on an internal drive or the USB drive?
Just BALLPARK is all I'm asking for - a stake in the ground as it were.
Larry
Last edited by Larry Kehl; 01/06/13 04:21 PM.
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421 |
Quote:
You might also check the prefs for realtracks and see if the fast loading of realtracks is checked, your cpu should be able to handle that.
--Mac
Here you go, these are my default settings. Looks like its already checked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421 |
Quote:
PaulH
For my benefit only, since no quantitative measurements have been mentioned just "slow," "fast," and a "number of seconds," are the "number of seconds" less than say
- 2 seconds,
- between 2-5,
- between 5-10,
or more than 10?
And for clarification are RT's on an internal drive or the USB drive?
Just BALLPARK is all I'm asking for - a stake in the ground as it were.
Larry
I timed a number of them and they can all vary but those tested fall between 5-10sec
All BIAB files are installed on my C: drive which is 10,000rpm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,464
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,464 |
Paul, on your machine, you should also check the High Quality Stretching checkbox.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,464
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,464 |
Also, I notice from your RealTracks dialog screen shot that you do not have a custom path for RealTracks. This must mean that you are running the entire program from the external hard drive.
What I recommend you do at a minimum is run the SETUP program on the hard drive and install the program only to your internal hard drive (this is one of the four installation options). Then you start the program from the internal drive and go back into this RealTracks dialog and point to the external drive for your RealTracks.
Or, if you have room, as mentioned above, you will see more of a performance improvement by installing both the program and the RealTracks/RealDrums to an internal hard drive.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,464
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,464 |
And I would still like to know the definitive answer on this one:
"Well I asked PG Music online chat and was told the opposite that because the Wav files are much bigger it takes BIAB longer to regenerate new styles."
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I've noticed for some time that a Realtrack Soloist takes longer to generate than any of the Accompanist type Realtrack files.
Not complaining, just pointing that out.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,464
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,464 |
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,682
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,682 |
Hi Matt,
I don't think we gave the correct answer, or maybe there was a misunderstanding, but you're right: The audiophile version should generate a bit faster because it's using the uncompressed waves directly. However with all things considered, it turns out to be a relatively small difference. In other words, there are other factors which play a more important role in determining the speed of generation. And as Mac pointed out Soloists have larger databases, so they can take quite a bit longer than an accompaniment-type RealTracks to generate.
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,464
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,464 |
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421 |
Quote:
Also, I notice from your RealTracks dialog screen shot that you do not have a custom path for RealTracks. This must mean that you are running the entire program from the external hard drive.
No Matt, I bought the EverythingPak and downloaded all files and do not have the Audiophile Edition which is on an external HDD.
Everything I have is installed on my 10,000rpm C: drive.
I am considering the Audiophile Edition because I want the best possible audio and speed but there are many drawbacks to consider - higher sale price point, postage cost to UK, import duty, USB 2.0 only drive, Costly future upgrades. I just don't know if the extra cost will be worth it? If I could hear that audiophile was better and BIAB were to regenerate more quickly I would probably upgrade to audiophile. But one thing I'm learning is that some things don't always live up to expectations.
I think PG Music should consider demoing the differences as a selling point. at least customers would be able to make an informed decision when buying?....Just a thought!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I think that trying to webstream or make a .wav format file downloadable would be problematic.
Realistically, when dealing with anything "Audiophile" in nature, the Law of Diminishing Returns should be considered.
In other words, while there is a difference between the standard version of BB and the Audiophile version, that difference may be slighter than it appears on the face of it.
And, I'm not a betting man, but odds would be in my favor if people were to ever be put to the true double-blindfold testing that compared songfiles made with both offerings.
Human perceptions being what they are, I'm certain that results would be all over the place.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610 |
As said before, you'd have to have a bit more precise, scientific equipment instead of the human ear to notice a difference.
Cheers.
Cheers, Mike My Music * Asus ROG Strix G15CF 32 GB DDR4 4TB HDD + 1 TB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Win 11 AKAI EIE PRO Sound Interface. BIAB/RB 2024 UltraPak Build - Latest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886 |
Have a friend take a CD that you know well, rip a track to .wav & then convert it to .wma, best settings (I can not remember if RT are at the highest or not).
Make sure the playback levels are the SAME.
Then give it a causal listen to, say 3 times thru....can you tell the difference?
Now give it a focused, concentrated best headphone - earbud - speaker listen to, focusing on the High-Mid's to High End (5k to 15k area) & the Low Mid Punch (400Hz to 800Hz area) of the tracks....can you tell the difference?
A few years back I was challenged constantly about this, and got it right 80% of the time. The times I was wrong was either when the test was skewed (by accident or on purpose) or I was just flat out wrong.
I don't by into the double blind test 100% accurate debate, because everyone's ears changes every day, thus everyday the test will be different, just like the one I propose above.
Science is not the measure of art, and music is an art that, just like anything worth doing, has it's own intricacies that is more felt at times than can be measured.....
Anyway, if you can not hear the difference between the .wma and the .wav file during a casual listen, then neither can your audience.
And as usual this is a IMHO, YMMV, yada yada type of post, some will disagree, that's fine, it does not affect the results of my years of doing this! LOL
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Where there is a difference is that compressing an entire wav file with two stereo tracks and multiple instruments and vocals on it is a little bit different from what BiaB Realtracks do, which is to compress separated tracks with only one instrument on each.
Yes, there will still be differences as compared to fullscale PCM audio .wav format, but it seems that the largest difference found is in the high frequency content. There is a lot less of the kind of anomalies that rear their ugly head when the compression takes place over the entire single stereo multitracked or multi-instrument file.
So I'm speaking of a different double blind test anyway.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,796
Posts796,278
Members39,959
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean