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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 131
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 131 |
OK - so I have a new PC, but with the RealTek soundcard - so the overall sound of the BIAB files is pretty lousy...
I'm using BIAB '08... I have limited funds - so how could I ge the most 'bang for my buck'?
New soundcard - or BIAB'10 - or some DXI ??
Thanks...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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The RealTek sound card should be adequate - it is working fine for me. I play it thru two 15" powered speakers running thru a mixer, so it sounds great. What are you trying to play the sound with? And upgrading to 2010 is a good idea but might not sound that much better due to hardware limitations.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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While I agree with Mac that upgrading to Band In A Box 2010 Ultimate Pak will give you, dollar for dollar, the most bang for the buck, I'm not sure it would entirely answer your question.
Since BIAB 2010 Ultimate will give you full access to all of the Real Drums and Real Tracks, as well as Real Band, you'll be able to do audio wave files for your backing tracks. BUT, if you're heavily invested into MIDI, and do a lot of editing of your MIDI tracks, and want to stay in MIDI, then a better MIDI synth would be the solution, and that would be the Ketron SD2. I have as of yet to find any software synth that is General MIDI capable that sounds as good as a hardware synth like the SD2. Less expensive? Absolutely. Bang for your buck, the SD2 wins hands down.
What kind of recording are you going to be doing? What other gear do you have for your recording? All of that you need to take into account in considering the purchase of a new sound card. One of the big questions is does your computer have the slots for an older technology sound card, like the M-Audio 2496? M-Audio has not released any PCI-e cards, that I am aware of. If you don't have a standard PCI slot available in your computer, you'll be forced to get something else.
While the RealTek may work for now, they really aren't designed for audio use, and they tend to die after a while. I've had that happen with a couple of them on different motherboards, they start getting crackly, volume goes down, distortion goes way up, and they just die. I would not count on the RealTek for any length of time.
Please define your requirements, your gear and where you want to go for a better answer.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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2010 and SD2 and M-Audio plus a New Windows 7 with 10 gigs ram, 4 TB hard drive, a sound booth, new mics, a Korg or 2 keyboard, OR, hire a band with Miles Black, Oliver Gannon, Neil Swainson, and Terry Clarke.
Or what the others are saying, I'm ..in the mood. It's called Morphine and Gravol together...in needles.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486
Expert
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Expert
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Posts: 1,486 |
Hi dmrodes
Before you consider spending more money try going into the RealTek soundcards set up and adjust the settings for both Playback and recording - the card is ok for Audio palyback and recording as well as DVD and Gaming
Brian
BIAB - RealBand - 2022
Windows 10 64
Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD
Roland keyboards
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2008
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OP
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I'm simply trying to create better backing tracks for my jazz standards duo... basic stuff (drums, guitar, bass) but as clean and 'real' as possible... My site has a few mp3s to give you an idea of what we do: www.angelfire.com/ny5/dodiAgain, limited funds.. would the PRO pak (w/RealBand and jazz combo) help? Or do I need the MEGA pak? My pc is an ASUS CM5571... What adjustments can I make to the RealTek?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Expert
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Hi dmrodes
To get the best possible base for sound then the Ultrapak is the minimum in program terms and BIAB 2010 -the Everything pak if possible - also VSC DXi on 32 bit systems or Coyote Forte on 64 bit
RealTek
Open the Control Panel and then the RealTek Audio Manager and in the Speaker and Stereo Playback main tabs and you will see Effects (at home I use Living room and Live) and Environment settings and adjust to your liking
In a new computer it does not have any of these features set so it does sound thin
Brian
BIAB - RealBand - 2022
Windows 10 64
Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD
Roland keyboards
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 47
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
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I assume that you loaded the Virtual Sound Canvas module, at least? If you're just using the microsoft midi synth, you will be severely disappointed. The VSC is at least a big upgrade. Alternatively, do you have a decent keyboard with midi in or the ability to download midi files? I have gotten great sounds driving my yamaha keyboard with BIAB midi files.
Dave
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have a friend that does jazz 3 nights a week with BIAB. Always very happy with just MIDI. Had not interest in Real Tracks. Bought an SD2 real happy. I finally got him to try some stuff with 2010 and Real Tracks. It went from being real happy with the sound using MIDI and the SD2 to "it's just like the real deal (band ) without the bull".
Get the everything Pak somehow.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Expert
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Expert
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Hi John
I would agree that staying Midi with SD2 - SD4 or Roland SonicCell etc is far easier and also more flexible in arrangeing with all those 00's of Midi styles available
Brian
BIAB - RealBand - 2022
Windows 10 64
Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD
Roland keyboards
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 131
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 131 |
Appreciate all the comments... but unfortunately I cannot afford most of these options....
I'm finding that a song will sound 'decent' - (not thin) when played thru BIAB, but when I play the same song after rendering it to a WAV file - it sounds WAY different (thin & trebly)....
This did not happen with my 10 year old PC w/SB LIVE!...
Any thoughts as to why the rendering does this?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
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Veteran
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OK if your happy with MIDI probably the best investment at a low price would be the Forte DXi. $49.00 and it sounds very good.
If your rendered sound is different then what your "live" sound is you may be rendering through something different then what your listening to. Been awhile since using 2008. May be some issue I don't remember.
How much $$$$$$$$ can you spend until it hurts?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 493
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 493 |
When you render to .wav, what do you then use to play it? Could be an eq issue in the output program that is making it sound thin. If it sounds good in BIAB it should sound good as a .wav.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 131
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 131 |
Tried the free trial of Forte, and didn't care for the drum sounds (mostly the loud ride cymbal)...
Is this something I can edit?
I play the .sgu file w/BIAB - and then the same song as the rendered WAV w/Windows Media Player... and the difference in quality/tone is a LOT... the resultant MP3 that I use live sounds the same as the thin WAV file...
My new PC purchase was mainly to improve the quality of my backing tracks... I 'assumed' a new PC and new soundcard would make a big difference....and thus far I am totally disappointed... so much so that I'm using the old PC for BIAB....
$$? Maybe $150 or so right now......
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 108
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 108 |
You can change the relative volume of individual drum samples in [ Opt > Preferences > Drum Kit > Set Drum Volumes ] - for example, putting -50 in the Ride Cymbal field would make it 50% quieter.
Regarding the thinness of your WAV output, could it be a simple difference in volume? Things tend to sound a lot better when they're a couple dB louder, when you listen to things more quietly the bass will drop out pretty quickly; do a little research on Equal Loudness Contours and you'll get what I mean.
The Forte actually costs $40, but in that ballpark with softsynths I'd personally recommend the TTS-1 (included with the Music Creator package), which we sell for $39 + 15(shipping) = $54 all in.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486 |
Hi dmrodes,
You should be able to get a good sound from what you have and it is most probably adjustment of settings
If you wish you can PM me and I will take you through the RealTek set up to ensure that this is correct
Brian
BIAB - RealBand - 2022
Windows 10 64
Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD
Roland keyboards
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616 |
Quote:
Tried the free trial of Forte, and didn't care for the drum sounds (mostly the loud ride cymbal)...
Is this something I can edit?
Forte has three drum kits - Standard, Brushes, and Orchestra. The Brushes kit has a softer ride. Forte also has Key Switches (which I have yet to figure out how to work) that will change what type cymbal is uses. Read the release notes in the Forte SoundBanks directory.
R
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410 |
Hi dmrodes,
Ask ten different people, get ten different answers. lol Here's my 1/2 a penny. If you want the best sounding tracks, go with Real Tracks. If you can't afford that, and want to stick with midi for a while, the best deal on that is available right now at esoundz. You won't believe what all you can get for $50.00. Check it out.
Later
Jim
I'd be completely happy if I had just one more guitar.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 493
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 493 |
Since you are using Windows Media Player (I will assume version 11) you might want to activate or adjust the equalizer enhancement and see if that helps you out.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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