RealTracks that are in WAV format are only available in the Audiophile Edition or Omni Audiophile Edition. They have a bit better sound quality than the WMA files, and Matt is correct that if the WAV versions of the track are there then Band-in-a-Box will use those instead of the WMA.
If anyone reading this thread are interested in hearing the difference between these two file types, please contact us directly and we can email you an example to listen to: sales@pgmusic.com
Generally comparable files will have two differences, the wma files will be smaller than the MP3 file and the wma file will sound better than the MP3 file.
WMA looks at and treats audio material differently than MP3. Because wma is newer, some older music players may not be able to accommodate a wma file.
WMA and mp3 are both lossy file formats. That means some audio information is discarded and thus lost forever during the conversion from wave.
Wave files are lossless. That means all recorded audio information is retained and available for use.
Chantelle, there is another possibility why someone could have some WAV files mixed with WMA in BIAB. They might have run the utility to uncompress their RealTracks. While the sound quality would be equal, the WAV file would process a bit faster. In the early days of RealTracks, this made a measurable difference so some of us did it. Now, not so much. Someone from back in 2009 or so might therefore have a mixture. And of course anyone with the Audiophile version has all WMA files along with WAV files.
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.
They might have run the utility to uncompress their RealTracks. While the sound quality would be equal, the WAV file would process a bit faster.
Just to clarify further, the sound quality of the corresponding WAV file would be commensurate with the sound quality of the original WMA file. But that doesn't mean that one can create Audiophile level quality WAV files by using WMA input files.
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.
They might have run the utility to uncompress their RealTracks. While the sound quality would be equal, the WAV file would process a bit faster.
Just to clarify further, the sound quality of the corresponding WAV file would be commensurate with the sound quality of the original WMA file. But that doesn't mean that one can create Audiophile level quality WAV files by using WMA input files.
This is a good clarification.
I just went into BIAB to find the exact wording PG Music gives when running that un-compress utility, and I can't find it! There doesn't seem to be anything in the Help, either. It used to be in Options, Preferences, RealTracks. Is this feature still there?
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.
I just went into BIAB to find the exact wording PG Music gives when running that un-compress utility, and I can't find it! There doesn't seem to be anything in the Help, either. It used to be in Options, Preferences, RealTracks. Is this feature still there?
I also searched the Documentation and Help without success. The only thing I could find was this button with an ellipse, but the hint produced shows that is has the opposite effect. (I certainly wouldn't try it on my Audiophile version )
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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
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