No offense meant to anybody so don’t be hating on me now ....and apologies for veering a bit of topic. Us old pharts do that.
I would love to see a correctly done (good research design) double blind study that tested for discrimination accuracy of those tested regarding:
High quality mp3 vs wav vs etc. Vinyl vs CD vs the best streaming platform $3K speakers vs $500 speakers High end tube amp vs a decent sold state amp
And more...
Good article. I'm surprised CD sales are still that high.
Bud
Caveat 1: I have a huge vinyl collection dating to early Elvis...including the Beatles "Butcher" album - got real lucky with that! All purchased when released. After the advent of CD's they were all relegated to the basement where they remain. I've gone from that vinyl collection to replacing most with CD's to uploading 500 CD's to iTunes to Apple Music.
Caveat 2: I owned some of the best turntables and tube amps. Mostly they too reside in the basement...well I wish all the tube amps did given the market for them now!
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
LOVE playing vinyl. At our local hospital radio station there's over 3000 vinyl LPs. Quality even from the 60s' is incredible. I bought a double vinyl album last year from a friend of mine who recorded his last album on vinyl AND cd. He gave me the cd, but the difference is astonishing. Vinyl for me every time
I still have my vinyl collection (about 1500 albums), but am digitizing them to MP3 (using pretty good software designed for that). It takes a while, but it's a fun hobby. I could probably get a number of them on CD, but I don't like buying the same thing twice, and many are no longer available anyway.
And I never had very good luck trying to listen to my records while driving in the car.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
Matt, Can't speak for John, but I just record the turntable output to PT/RB, then use the PGVinyl tool sparingly (actually a pretty impressive tool once you learn it). And save as Wav.
The PGMusic VinylTool is worth exploring if you want to get your OLD vinyl albums digitized. I have a few hundred and some are definitely collector stuff, but alas I've also abused/wore out many that are no longer available. The PGMusic VinylTool is another hidden tool you already have but may not have tinkered with .. The settings in the image below are my default starting point, like I said; you gotta tinker with it a bit.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Hi all I am a great fan of vinyl, but sadly I sold my last turntable about 15 tears ago for more than I paid for it new back in the HI Fi era. Replaced most of my collection with CDs the balance transferred to high spec cassette tape.
Still miss that sound and the Valve (tube) amps. So much so that as some of you know I have recently bought a class A push pull valve amp for my guitar. Reminds me of those hifi valve amps like the Leak, Quad, Radford, etc. the sound I loved. However I can see how this all happened with the move to music PC based music and software in recent years. With the DAT audio systems and the ill fated minidisk (remember them) sandwiched somewhere along the way.
I love my vinyls and I probably have about 1000, but to be honest, most of my listening to music these days is via streaming... it is just so much more convenient.
Guys, if your Lps are quite crackly, then use Adobe audition ( or even cool edit as it was before.) It's been a fantastic tool for me copying Lps from friends. It REALLY works at taking all the crackles & pops out of a recording. I've even used it for hiss removal from old tapes. This was the software I've used for years for recording vinyl to cds to begin with. Don't have any more to copy now. I've about 10,000 cds on two 64gb sd cards and also backed up on a 1tb ext hd, which I use to take to the studio to do my radio shows.
Yes, I've used Adobe Audition (Cool Edit) for all my stereo editing from more than a decade. But unless you are recording from an amp the turntable is connected to, converting a signal from a turntable requires a preamp and that RIAA emphasis curve. There must be some interface that does it, or else perhaps software.
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.
Originally my goodmans turntable had two phono out sockets, and would connect to my Behringer sound module. At the moment I don't have or need a turntable as I can just record any at the hospital radio studio and take them home to edit.
My Audio Technica turntable has audio outs, which is connected to my mixer and near field monitors, as well as a USB port, which is connected to my computer.
I only convert to a CD songs that I want or need to learn, and that is very rarely.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Some of you mention the RIAA equalization curve. This will need to be dealt with if your pickup is Magnetic, moving coil or moving iron (magnet) like Sure, Ortifon, etc. these will also need a pre amp as the output is low a few mv. The RIAA treatment is included in pre amps made for this purpose, in hi fi amps or can be bought as free standing units to give you an equalized output at a higher level for driving what ever. If you use a magnetic cartridge.
However those using ceramic pick up cartridges, you don’t need to worry about RIAA Eq or preamps. As they are a much higher impendence and output often 100mv to 1volt . The eq is not required because the ceramic element compensates for the recording curve.
This means that if you don’t use RIAA eq when using a magnetic pickup it will sound thin and toppy no bass. Where as a ceramic will give you an already flatter output across the range. Into its correct impedance.
The above all assumes that you are feeding the above cartridges to their correct input impedance, that is :normally 47k moving iron(magnet), Moving coil are often much lower impedance and need to go through a transformer to bring them up to a 47k input. Ceramic cartridges req a much higher impedance 1M to 2M to perform as above.
Strangely, and confusing for some folks if you feed a high impedance ceramic cartridge into a 47k input the mismatch causes its output to not be flat In fact it would be all top and no bass so you can bring it back on line by using RIAA EQ. But you would overload a magnetic cartridge input because of the ceramic cartridge high output
One thing I'm surprised is making a comeback is cassette - more and more independent artists I follow are releasing new projects on cassette tape. Which is strange to me since I have vivid memories of how low quality it sounded.
I do think vinyl is around for the long run. If anything else, the artwork on a record is stunning when you compare it to the tiny little artwork on a cassette or CD case. Between the packaging and vinyl itself, I almost consider it a work of art itself aside from the music.
I had read something about a huge shortage of vinyl pressing equipment and the people who know how to run them. I vaguely remember reading about how records are made as a kid and it's complicated. Here's a good article about it:
One thing I'm surprised is making a comeback is cassette - more and more independent artists I follow are releasing new projects on cassette tape. Which is strange to me since I have vivid memories of how low quality it sounded.
Strangely by the time cassettes came to an end, the high end cassette decks could turn in a good recording. What was not so good were commercial releases of compact cassette recordings, owing to the fact that they often copied for distribution on high speed copiers. As you know to double the speed doubles the frequency so you soon finished up outside the capabilities of the medium and the copies would playback at the correct speed when you played them but lacked in high frequency content. This has always been a problem with any double speed copier for tape systems in general. 15k is 30k at double speed. Real time copy is a much safer bet. Mike
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 60 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
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2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
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