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One down. It also said it won't take the 64bit plugin. Though I talked to pgmusic support a while ago and the person said yes. So I guess they were wrong. So I think one is installed fine. Another had a problem since I uninstalled the 64bit I guess. Back to it.
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Hey John I got it lol. They are all installed now in BaiB and Authorized. Thanks for the help. Let me go set it up in RealBand now.
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Thanks Guitarhacker, I was just lucky to hear about iZotope on this forum and as soon as I saw that Bundle on sale for 399.00 something told me go for it. When I read that company got an Emmy Award for one of their program's techologies I though yes this is it. And after watching the videos too. I just felt it would really go great with what I am doing with my new BiaB Audiophile I just ordered. Why have any weak links? Then I heard a guy tell me I will never know how to work the plugins or tell the difference in the sound settings. Well we will see about that. So far playing with Nectar two's presets was nice. Those vocal presets are great. That wasn't rocket science. It gives me some guidance. I am sure the person or group that put those presets together had a lot of background in it.
I wonder how I can use Nectar two to do a radio show with it? Or sing Live Shows with it? I have to figure that one out. It would seem it is possible. Since it does have a setting for podcast, fm lite something like that. Many settings. Maybe I will need a streaming program that can utilize plugins. I just use a program called Butt now and that is just simple so it wouldn't have that functionality.
I do sense some jealousy or spitefulness from this one person I won't mention. He could be very highly skilled and trained for years and really knows what he is doing and is bitter at the presets and new people getting involved and actually producing songs that have a great sound to it. Or maybe he doesn't know too much himself but might know a few things but never really gets any praise or brownie buttons to acknowledge his achievement. When he shows his family his song he produced they go oh great without much enthusiasm then walks away. So he feels slighted. Whatever it is I hope the best for him lol
What really matters is the final product. Who's music is best. I am sure I am the better songwriter. I have the better voice. I have more overall talent. I might not know the technical aspects of the three great plugins I just bought. But I hear the sound differences with Nectar 2 already. I am sure I will learn many other settings. I will be able to tell the difference when I change a setting. If I don't it goes right back to the preset's position to be safe. Just enjoy the forum. Why keep calling people newbies at every turn and making them feel small lol. Build people up. Praise them for using all the presets your plugins have for you. Call yourself an Engineer, Producer, Songwriter, Singer, Record Company Owner, Entertainment Mogul ALL DAY LONG...Someday I will check out his product. We will see if he truly has something to impress me with.
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Don't worry everyone. I was just doing a little reverse discrimination on being called a newb. I was countering beat down with a little fake arrogance. I do what I can do. I will be the best that I can be. That is all I can do. I will call myself a producer even if my albums I produce are derived from plugins that give me most of my settings. Great. That means the iZotope pros work for me. Artist Virtual Records!! Wonderful
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Hey Sly, you're loving it and you're having fun and that's the whole point. No problem at all my friend.
As for my background, no I'm not a pro level recording engineer but back in the day I did three studio albums and a half dozen singles. Before I got married I was roomies with the engineer at the studio so I have an idea how this stuff works.
The first things about getting a good vocal track are the mics and preamps. If you're using a $100 mic going into a basic computer interface then all the plugins in the world are not going to make your vocals sound like a commercial recording where they used a thousand dollar mic going into a two thousand dollar preamp. It's the SOURCE that makes oh say 90% of the difference in sound quality. People like us doing home or live band recordings (I've done a ton of those) don't have to spend quite that much to get good results maybe $3-400 for a good condenser mic and a higher quality audio/midi interface with decent pre's with phantom power.
Do you know what those terms mean?
Anyway, continue to have fun and I'll answer your questions and try to help you out when I can.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Sly, I have gotten pretty amazing results using my Zoom H4n portable as my recording studio. The two condenser mics record beautifully and having everything in one compact package works perfect for me! I can record in my home studio or at a remote location using the same gear. It has stereo recording mode, 4 channel and multi-track which is what I use most. I just export my BIAB track to the H4n and then listen to it while recording my vocal track or other instrument tracks. Then I bring all of those tracks back into my DAW to mix. It is a really simple setup and can yield great results.
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John, this is the problem with forums, unless somebody spells out in detail exactly what they're doing and how they're doing it, people reading the posts have no clue. What you're doing with your Zoom is fine, it's a decent unit but it's not close to what I've been talking about. This is what I'm talking about: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep00/articles/akai.htmI've been using this for years. 8 discreet inputs for live recording with two having phantom power and one with a higain switch for direct recording of a guitar or bass. For a live remote recording of a 5 piece band, I'll put 3 mic's on the drums, one or two vocals, direct input from the keyboard, hang a mic in front of the guitar cab and maybe go direct for the bass depending. One time it was a 8 piece band with two vocals and two keyboards so I brought a separate mixer just for the drums because 8 inputs were not enough for that gig. Of course I also had to bring all the stands including a short kick drum mic stand plus a big bag of mics and all the cords. That's what I'm talking about for multitrack recording, not something like your Zoom but it's ok for what it is. If this is the sort of thing you and Sly are talking about then my apologies, I'm talking about a much more elaborate semi pro set up than that. And I haven't even mentioned the importance of having an acoustically treated vocal booth if vocals are really important to you guys. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Well while we are talking about hardware such as mics, one thing I'm sure of, is that no expensive mic is going to make much of a difference to my voice, and would be money wasted, and my personal opinion is a good singer will come through on a reasonable mic.
OK for commercial cd release the top studios can afford the best, but I think that kind of talk has no place on a forum like this.
I have cheapest of the cheap shure dynamic mics costing less than $30, though some reviews have compared it favourably to more expensive shure mics, such as sm57
$3-400 seems a hell of a lot to spend in my eyes for a mic, and I feel that if someone is only a fair singer (who can pass themselves) then throwing money at a mic may be a waste of time.
Maybe for someone who has experience of a pro studio setup and has seen the best and most expensive hardware, that will colour their thinking and opinions when giving advice to an amateur musician.
The thing that we probably have to remember for most on this forum funds and time are limited.
That is the Reason we are using biab in the first place.
Musiclover
Last edited by musiclover; 12/17/13 12:51 PM.
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I'm a half noob. I have been working for a year on getting my vocal sound down. Using all the basic plugins in Reaper and even T-racks plug ins at various times, I was never satisfied. Spent hours watching tutorials on various methods and tried most of them. I was getting close when I finally bought Nectar 2. In one evening with tweaking a preset I found my sound.
Now I have only worked on one particular song and vocal track but the point is the preset short circuited a year of learning. I will say this, the year of trial and error was well worth it because I now know why the preset worked. I was close to getting the sound but it lacked something and I couldn't dial it in. The Nectar 2 suite is a tool that takes some of the guess work out of the equation and gives you a base from which to build on.
I have no desire to become an audio engineer. I'm not even that worried about selling my music. I enjoy creating and Nectar 2 is a really nice tool that makes creating fun. There was a point I got burned out trying to get the right vocal sound. I quit creating for about 3 months and had no desire to even turn the computer on. Thank goodness that passed.
If you got the money buy it. You won't be disapointed, I wasn't.
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My goal is to produce really great demos and even CDs of my music using the basic tools currently available to me. The Zoom records my vocals and guitars/banjo/uke beautifully. My Martin and Ovation guitars are all I'll ever need for acoustic guitar while my Paul and Strat give me all the electric I'll need. BIAB provides me with amazing instrument tracks I can use to further strengthen my songs. Reaper gives me an awesome DAW and Izotope Studio provides me with all of the plugins I'll likely ever need.
Based on my listening and comparing to references of music I like, I am quite pleased to be writing and producing some pretty damn good music! At this point my goal is to get better at using the setup I have rather than chasing small improvements in mics or preamps or other gear (but, like most singer/songwriters I do love gear so as I get spare money I'll probably buy more!)
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You are certainly correct in a lot of cases but this thread is basically about Sly and John so my replies are directed to them. IF (and we don't know) they are basic amateurs like you say and IF (and we don't know) they're using $30 mic's then why buy a $400 high end Ozone mastering program? Wouldn't you think that a great plugin like that deserves a mic in the same price range? Otherwise Ozone is totally wasted on a mediocre source track IF it's like you're describing.
I'm on the Keyboard Corner forum all the time and people will buy a $2,000+ keyboard and then ask what's the best amp for it. When we ask what's the budget they'll say something like $300. Are you kidding me? Three hundred bucks for a $2-3,000 high end keyboard? They need a good high quality sound system to make it sound good.
Same principle using Ozone with a cheapo mic or listening to your opus on a fifty buck pair of computer speakers.
Everything fits together as an integrated system and everybody knows the principle of the weakest link.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Good review Jeff and it sounds intriguing. What mic are you using for vocals?
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Sometimes we get ahead of ourselves a bit. Sure if you got the money buy what you want, but in this situation our friend Sly is running into a mother board sound card from a small mixer. The problem is he is is getting the whole mix back into his recording, because the mixer has no easy solution for that, and neither does the sound card.
Sometimes when we give advice from our standpoint we can't see the whole big picture, and want others to have something we see as really helpful. but they may not be at that point yet.
My take on all this is that recording has a heart and soul, those two items are the input device or interface, be that a USB, or a simple sound card, and the DAW software. If one or both of these two items are lacking the rest really does not matter much. it will be a struggle. One needs to address first that these two items mesh properly or nothing much will happen.
For those that say you have to have Nectar, or ozone or whatever to get good results. That is simply bunk.
You can do a great job with the standard plugs in most any DAW software. Yes it will take more work and experimenting, but it is possible. Those aforementioned programs simply make it easier as they have done some of the hard lifting for you by creating GUI, and preset starting points that require less work.
No one is wrong here, and all opinions are valid. But lets remember when helping newer members here that just throwing software at it won't fix the biggest problem. That of not having a solid basic system in place. That system is those two components the interface, and the DAW software. If they do not mesh the rest will be a lesson in futility
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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of course no one "needs" Nectar just as no one needs BIAB or a $500 mic or a DAW, etc., etc., etc. it never ceases to amaze me what the pros of the 60s and 70s produced using equipment that is lightyears behind what we now have available at our fingertips! BUT, in those days you needed a team of experts in order to produce music that was decent. with modern gear, including DAWs and plugins like Izotope, and software like BIAB, anyone can produce amazing recordings. (note I did not say "everyone" because there is certainly still some skill and learning required!) for me the challenge is always trying to nail down the minimum requirement in each category of gear. and, like other body parts, everyone has an opinion!  plus there are legit tastes involved, what may be good enough for me might not be for you. for my tastes, I have the perfect setup for the near-term...just hope my ears and voice hold up long enough for me to prove it! 
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You are fortunate to have an idea setup for you, my thoughts really were more for Sly. He reminds me of me a bit back a ways. I was constantly searching never finishing. Mac put me on to Multitrackstudio. I had been bouncing around with three different DAWs. I downloaded and in just a few day rapped up all my current incomplete projects I used the built in plugs and dug in and learned. But that would never have happened if I did not have a solid sound card, and solid software. I did not need expensive plugs, I needed stability. I needed simplicity.
Having $400 worth of plugins would have made no difference if I could not get clean tracks in the can.
One thing to remember about plugs like ozone t-racks, nectar, is that they are really nothing but a bundling of what you already have. Build a FX chain with eq, compression, and limiting and you have that plugin. I remember what Mac told me "learn the tools you have and learn what they do."
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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glad Mac's advice worked for you Robh! but it is not the right approach for everyone. I personally do not have the time, patience or interest; so high-quality plugins with great presets represent huge value to me! as they do for many others. I wonder if you would advise Sly to cancel his BIAB order and instead spend his time learning to play guitar, piano, bass, drums, etc.? Seems to me using BIAB is a lot like using plugins with presets!
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No, lol your analogy is silly, but I would advise him to have a system that works first before dropping cash on any thing high end. He is still fighting to record, getting all ready recorded tracks looping back into new tracks. He needs to get that right first or no fancy plug in will mix that properly. You could nectar till da cows come home and all you got is a hot mess.
John x 3, You obviously have a properly working system so adding high end plugs will get you where you want to go. But it is of little value for him.
Actually I see your point, for you. Me personally before I walk down the easy road, I want to know how to use my tools better, cause even with a plug package like nectar, or ozone, presets are just a basic starting point, eventually you have to dive in and do your own settings.
Last edited by Robh; 12/17/13 10:46 PM.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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In full disclosure I do use an external interface and bounce back and forth between a Shure SM57 and a Rode NT1A condensor depending on what sounds best. Neither are expensive mics and do just fine. The track I used Nectar 2 on was recorded with the NT1A mic into a presonus 1818LV usb interface.
The days of spending thousands of dollars on gear for home recording are gone. I do however agree that you do have to at least make an investment in some basic good gear before investing on software. After reading the posts I agree that a $400.00 investment in software before upgrading an interface or microphone is backwards. I also agree that you don't need to spend $1,000 on a microphone and interface to take advantage of the $400 software suite.
You can get a good usb interface for less than $200. Buy an SM57 for another $100 or the NT1A for $200 and a Reaper licsence for $65.00 (It used to be a unrestricted free trial don't if it still is) and you have a good basic system that you can then add to for the same costs of the Nectar bundle.
Create your song in BIAB. Render the tracks to wave files. Import to Reaper and go to town. The Real tracks in BIAB already are professional quality so they just need a little polish. Record your vocal track(s) through the new interface and microphone and you will ask yourself why was I using my computers sound card agin?
Then go get the Nectar bundle. Just my 2 cents worth but again I'm a half noob what do I know. Oh yeah I rememeber, I started out using my computers sound card and qickly realized it was preventing me from taking the next step.
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Most of us here (I think) would not recommend to new recording enthusiasts that they spend money like Sly is doing here (unless money is no object). Like golf, do you go out and buy a set of $2,500 clubs as a beginner? ... or do you buy a decent starter set for $200 - $300?
I have BIAB 2013 (soon to get 2014), Sonar 8.5.3 (and sonar X1 -- which I haven't used yet), a $60 MXL v63m condenser mic, a $29 Art Tube Mp Studio pre-amp and a tascam us-224 midi/audio soundcard unit. Of course my recordings aren't that great (ha, ha).
But I think the best rule of thumb is to buy cheap (but decent), learn how to get the best out of that and buy more as you out grow what you have.
There is nothing wrong with the approach Sly has taken -- except that recording is a trial and error type of thing and when you get so much new stuff at one time, it can become overwhelming. In any case, I am looking forward to hearing Sly's first attempt. I am sure they will be fine.
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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®!
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