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RealBand
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stratos Offline OP
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What encoding program should I use in the drop down menu ?
The only one working is PCM, and it produces a wav and not a Mp3.
Hope my Q makes sense.

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I have found that the best way to convert Wave to MP3 is to use standalone conversion software such as "Cheetah" or a freebie such as "Free MP3 Converter". In practice I usually convert folders into a different format at the end of a project.

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Stratos,

Does it need to be mp3? I used to use mp3 for compressed files but these days I tend to you wma more often.

This can be done directly from Realband using the Render menu.

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Noel


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Yep... I too export a wave from my DAW and then use a standalone 3rd party converter to do the conversion.


I like NCH's Wavepad. It's free and does a few other things beside converting waves to MP3. I use it to normalize the wave.... and then trim the silence at the beginning and end BEFORE I use it to convert to MP3.


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stratos Offline OP
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Hi
Thanks for reply :-)
Cheers Stratos

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Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
Yep... I too export a wave from my DAW and then use a standalone 3rd party converter to do the conversion.


I like NCH's Wavepad. It's free and does a few other things beside converting waves to MP3. I use it to normalize the wave.... and then trim the silence at the beginning and end BEFORE I use it to convert to MP3.


I agree with Guitarhacker, Wavepad works great for converting, compression and amplification of the rendered .Wav file from Realband or Biab. All my .wav files are run through NCH Wavepad for the final processing step and then converted to MP3's for posting.


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Adobe Audition for me. Did PG ever fix the issue where you couldn't save to mp3 at anything higher than 128 sample rate? Last time I cared to check was a few years ago and there was some legality about an embedded process that used an encoder that didn't want to allow them to use it without some crazy fee. Or something close to that.

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Hi all
Yes indeed there are plenty of good free Mp3 encoders about .
The one from Nch in Switch or Wave table is fine with adjustable bit rates
As is the one normally offered when you install Audacity, this is currently now Lame version 3.99.3

Don’t be tempted to go for mega high bit rates though if your source material is only coming from WMA files you will just finish up with bigger files that sound no better.
Personally I don’t use 128 but go some between that and 256 depending on the souce and intended final destination.
You cant put back what is already missing .

All domestic level encoders, even bought ones will not be the same as a hardware encoder as used by the big boys costing many hundreds of pounds


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Eddie, the mp3 patent in US ends next year. There's always hope.
There's also always a way. All you need is an mp3 codec installed on the system. One that gets in the registry.
Many here have had success with K-Lite, just be careful where you download, as always, and also what you install; look to disable any unwanted add-ons along the way.


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As far as bit rates go, I typically use 192. I can hear artifacts if using 128. If you're real picky on quality, go 256 or higher.




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Another thing is the intended final use. If it's just for yourself listening with your phone or in the car then you don't need MP3. Wma is just as good if not better but maybe you're using a device or software that simply prefers MP3. If that's the case then you need to have the codec installed on your system. It's not an automatic install with Biab because it's proprietary. Wma is part of Windows so you get it for free.

If the use is for posting on the web like Soundcloud or YT, they do their own compressing so there no need for you to compress at all. Just upload the wav and they will handle it.

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"it produces a wav and not a Mp3"
how many times has this problem come up ? real band should be setup to work with Lame "Do you want to download Lame Codec to enable you to encode to mp3 ?" Yes No ?
when downloaded place the lame_enc.dll into the Lame Codec folder in RealBand.

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stratos Offline OP
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Pipeline. Thank You.
I´ll try that

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I was just saying pg should make it work with Lame.
if you want to encode to mp3 install a codec pak like http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm
or a drag n drop
http://www.rarewares.org/mp3-lamedrop.php

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OK. Thanks any how :-)

Last edited by stratos; 03/22/16 11:06 PM.
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I think it may have been Lame Front End that has worked for me before. It installed in the system and PT/ RB could do better MP3s then. This was on a different system so I can't verify, but one of the Lame packages does install it to where RB/PT can see it.

Somehow on this W7 system I got LAME MP3 Codec v0.9.2 - 3.99.5 installed, I think I right clicked an inf install file from Lame and installed as administrator, going from memory again.

I also have Fraunhofer IIS MPEG Layer-3 Codec (professional) on here and they list separately in the drop down for converting audio in RB/PT, so I know which ones I am using on a given piece.

I haven't tested this source, (try at own risk) but this seems like a package that would work; appears to install LAME to the system as required.
http://www.rarewares.org/mp3-lame-dshow-acm.php
.. appears to install as I remember (right click inf)
The link IS used in the LAME repository as a reference, so I assume it is OKish

Last edited by rharv; 03/23/16 12:03 PM.

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