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RealBand
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OP
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I want to record in Realband, but when I import files from BIAB, the volume is much lower than in BIAB, even though the master master volume is set to max in Realband. If all tracks also are set to max, it's still fairly low.
When I record an audio track with guitar, the input level is looking good, but the recorded volume is also low. So if I export a wav file with the final result, people will have to turn their volume to max just to be able to hear it.
I can see others have had this problem in 2013 and 2014, so I really hope it's not the standard issue, and others have a solution. Thanks.
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RealBand
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When you record, the input level is looking good where? In RB, or on your interface?
There are two sliders that can affect overall volume. One is on the A1 output slider in the lower right of mixer.
The other is right between the track mixer and the additional controls on the right side of the same mixer window.
FWIW I almost always just Gain Change realdrums once I have them generated .. they are never seem loud enough for how I like to work.
Both of these are for playback, not input though.
Does the waveform of the recorded guitar look good and strong?
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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RealBand
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Joined: Mar 2015
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OP
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Yes the waveform of the guitar is looking as good as the waves on the imported tracks. But they all produce low volume and not what I would expect when master level and everything is turned max.
But after reading old posts, I discovered a work around, which is to add a PG PeakLimit on each tracks or on the master output. But I think they could easily have fixed it years ago.
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RealBand
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The levels of realtracks and midi instruments are not consistent in BB. Some recorded tracks are louder than others. Some midi tracks have cc volumes levels they have been lowered in volume or raised according to where they are intended to fit in a pre-designed style.
These settings can be optimized prior to exporting or rendering in BB. Changing these settings will increase the volume of your exported or rendered BB tracks.
Notice in BB mixer that styles have volume and panning and reverb for each instrument preset and will export or render to provide a stereo mix. If you leave the settings intact, they export with your song. These settings in turn, affect how they sound in RB or another DAW. The optimal setting for these tracks when they are intended for additional processing in RB or another DAW is to remove these presets and make the track optimized for processing as a stand alone track rather than a track preset for a stereo rendering.
A stereo track that retains the BB panning plays at a reduced volume in RB. A BB track set at 90 in BB does not export at full volume.
You can globally adjust your BB exports and renders on either a global default setting or on a per song basis under the maser menu. Access this menu by right clicking on the Master Button near the top of the BB main screen just above the DAW buttons.
On a per song export, select set mix to flat, dry and center. This selection removes panning, reverb and sets the volumes at the same level. Move to your mixer, hover your cursor over a track volume button, hold the ctrl key and slide the cursor to the right. This will move all of the track volumes to 127. This maximizes the volume. You will need to experiment a bit with this since the recorded BB realtracks are not consistent. You need to check tracks to be sure there is no distortion.
All of the menu options below the "Unfreeze..." selection deal with creating a custom, default mix giving you control of all the parameters before exporting or rendering.
BIAB 2026:RB 2026, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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RealBand
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Joined: Mar 2015
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OP
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Thanks for in depth informations. I will reread it later, as I'm new to both programs.
At the moment I want to use RB, because it can integrate with BB in a way so I can have both realtracks and the chords in RB. Therefore I don't export a file from BB, but open the SGU file in RB.
After some experiments based on your writings, I have realised, that the BB master volume have no effect in RB this way, but I get more volume if I turn the tracks all the way up in BB.
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RealBand
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Check your audio driver in RB.
Prefs-Audio tab-Drivers button. Its possible RB is using a different output driver than BB. For example if RB defaulted to Windows Audio instead of your desired device.
If so, adjust as needed.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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RealBand
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I don't worry about the volume levels being different. As Charlie pointed out, some RT's are recorded hotter or cooler than others.
Very similar to what happens in a real studio. That;s the reason there are faders and gain controls on mixers and DAWs.
The important thing to be aware of is that the "recorded levels" are sufficient to give a good signal to noise ratio so that noise is not readily apparent in the track or the mix.
Mixing at lower volumes actually ensures a better mix. You've heard the expression that "everything sounds better loud"? Well, there's truth to that so mix at lower volumes. You can always find ways to increase the volume of a final mix, whether through the compression and limiting that gets applied or cranking the volume knob up to 10.
And yes.... for what it's worth, my tracks in RB are lower in volume than the same project/tracks in BB. Since that's not the final destination for the tracks, it matters not to me at that point. Once they get into Sonar, that's where they all get to the levels as needed for the final mix. That topic could easily fill an entire book.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 12/25/15 03:56 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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RealBand
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"for what it's worth, my tracks in RB are lower in volume than the same project/tracks in BB"
hmm wonder why that would be.
Does BiaB use some kind of output trickery?
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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The important thing to be aware of is that the "recorded levels" are sufficient to give a good signal to noise ratio so that noise is not readily apparent in the track or the mix. I think Herb's observation above is the key consideration. I always figured that the real tracks themselves were optimized to give you a good signal, and the default volume setting in RB was set low enough to allow headroom for mixing. If you watch the VU meter, adding more tracks adds intensity to the mix. Since you can add more tracks in RB than is possible in BIAB, if the tracks started out at the same volume that was right for the number of tracks you get in BIAB, the mix would be clipping in no time. Once I get all the tracks I want in the project, then I start to raise individual track volumes as needed, either through gain adjusting or compression (gentle levelling) until the VU meter for the whole project is where I want it to be.
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RealBand
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"for what it's worth, my tracks in RB are lower in volume than the same project/tracks in BB"
hmm wonder why that would be.
Does BiaB use some kind of output trickery? IDK.... I noticed this difference many years ago.... since I don't use RB other than to render my tracks, it never bothered me. Not a huge difference but it is noticeable.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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RealBand
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Joined: Jan 2005
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If you happen to use Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, this is what happened to me:
The Gain 01 switch was accidentally set at Line, instead of Inst. When I set the switch to Inst I got much louder volume when I record my guitar.
jol
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