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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 350
Journeyman
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OP
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Posts: 350 |
Hello, all.
I read #47 in the Sales FAQ, so I am reasonably sure I'm going to pull the trigger on the Audiophile Version this time. I have been purchasing the Everything Pak upgrades for the past few years (and the extra bonus packs to actually make them "everything"). I'm blessed this year, having the resources to upgrade my software and soundware, and the time to finally start recording a ridiculously long-standing backlog in my "sketchbooks." The $310 difference between an Everything Pak and the Audiophile upgrade is not the primary issue for me---the workflow that I'm accustomed to is the primary issue. After reading FAQ #47, I see that I can still have my usual (WMA) setup upgraded in addition to having the audiophile files available.
So: Would anyone like to share insights/experiences about . . .
(1) . . . the workflow differences between the WMA and WAV versions?
(2) . . . the obvious/immediate differences between the quality of the WMA and WAV output?
Thanks, in advance,
Paj
8^)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Hello, all.
...
After reading FAQ #47, I see that I can still have my usual (WMA) setup upgraded in addition to having the audiophile files available.
So: Would anyone like to share insights/experiences about . . .
(1) . . . the workflow differences between the WMA and WAV versions?
(2) . . . the obvious/immediate differences between the quality of the WMA and WAV output?
Thanks, in advance,
Paj
8^)
1: There are absolutely no workflow differences, if the WAV files are available, they automatically get used in preference to the compressed files (the software looks for WAV files first). 2: This is a point of discussion every year. Feel free to do a search, but this post has some useful information
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yes, workflow is the same. The program is the same, it's just the quality of the audio for the underlying RealTracks that you use. Just like the workflow is the same whether you use a cheezy sounding MIDI synth or a more realistic sounding synth. The program itself works the same, regardless.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Paj,
The audiophile version is terrific. I'm new to it this year (I've been using the standard version since 2006). Last night I was playing a new style that had double cellos and the sound is superb.
It was interesting to create a file, generate it using wma files, freeze the file and then generate it using wavs. There's a noticeable difference. It's not a huge difference, but there is a clarity in the quality of the audiophile version that is not present in the standard version. I found this difference especially noticeable through my ATH M40X headphones.
The difference is enough for me to be staying with the audiophile edition.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 350
Journeyman
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OP
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Thanks, all. Very helpful. I guess I foisted this year's reincarnation of this question but thanks. The previous post that VideoTrack referenced hit a lot of points of interest, jford was succinct, and Noel96's side-by-side was helpful. Again, thanks.
Paj
8^)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Paj, Just in case you're interested... Below is a link to a post of mine that contains another link to an render of an audiophile backing. It's in the original wav format. Short Audiophile SongRegards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Noel Great, now please do the SAME cello song as NON-Audiophile and post. Although with severe tinnitus in both ears it is all LOST on me anymore, also no high end left. Although, I can still (usually) tell difference if listening to jazz or classical between compressed XM/Sirius or even FM radio (commercials are a dead give away  ) and my really nice home stereo system (vinyl). Larry
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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Journeyman
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Noel96:
Dip me and call me "stinky"---that freakin' cello sounds like a classy live recording of a polished player! Thanks for the link.
I just moved to the Audiophile package.
Thanks,
Paj
8^)
Larry,
Shouldn't a typical 44.1Hz/16-bit WAV file sound even less compressed than a Vinyl record. I thought vinyl recording signals were limited to a dynamic range of <80dB (typically 72-75 dB).
Paj
8^?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Although with severe tinnitus in both ears it is all LOST on me anymore, also no high end left. If it gives you any comfort in knowing you are not alone. Me Too! 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Noel
Great, now please do the SAME cello song as NON-Audiophile and post.
Larry
Hi Larry, Here you go.... I've kept both files as rendered wav files. I haven't modified them in any way whatsoever. They are exactly as generated and rendered by BIAB. (The two cellos come together at around 0:40 seconds.) Double Cellos (standard edition BIAB, 14 MB)Double Cellos (audiophile edition BIAB, 14 MB)I froze the mgu used to create these so that the two versions have exactly the same music. Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Apprentice
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Apprentice
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Interesting. I think the difference is particularly noticeable in the cymbals.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I hear it in the piano, too. To my ears, there's a fullness to the sound of the Audiophile edition that's not present in the standard edition. I'm really enjoying playing around with it!
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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Interesting. I think the difference is particularly noticeable in the cymbals. . . . and in the bowing of the cellos---the subtlety of the attack is more present. Paj 8^)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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That's a good point. Cello was not available when I gave examples in that other thread.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Apprentice
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Apprentice
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Yes, I think the biggest difference is in the higher range of frequencies. The uncompressed version has more "air" to it, the sound feels more "complete", more "alive", a bit less dull. Some details (like the cello bowing) are revealed by such frequencies. But the difference is probably not so relevant in many real world listening situations.
It would be nice to have a 24 bit option too, I'm sure this has been requested already.
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