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In the Artist Performance Sets folder, each mgu file has several wma files with the same file name.

When I open the mgu file to audition, even without saving, all of the wma files are automatically converted to wav files, take up a lot of disk space.

Is there a way to audition these mgu files with the original wma files?

Is there a way to prevent BiaB from converting wma files to wav files?

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Hi MusicVillian.

This is not something that I've thought about for many years, so I might be wrong.

As far as I'm aware, you've stumbled onto one of BIAB's quirks. The program itself requires .WAV files when it comes to working with user-created audio. While it's possible to use .MP3s and .WMAs for storing audio, BIAB will convert those compressed files into .WAVs before loading the audio into the software. From what you've said, it seems that this applies to the Artist Performance series.

When I feel the need to delete .WAV files because I won't ever be returning to a particular folder, I sort the folder by Date Modified so that all the newly made .WAVs are at the top of the list. This make the deleting process straightforward and stops me from accidentally wiping something important.

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Noel I agree with you on that Band-in-a-Box is a pervert and have a kinky behavior of forcing on wav files for audio tracks even with the wma provided as the original. Guess the only way of dealing with the weirdo is to manually clean up wav files after use.


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Most DAWs except Audition and Reaper will decompress wma.

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I can open all the APT in Reaper:

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Native support for WMA / MP3 files has been asked for years. Just one (very old) example:

https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=373117


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Originally Posted by Cerio
Native support for WMA / MP3 files has been asked for years. Just one (very old) example:

https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=373117

It just goes to show that some of us are incredibly patient... Incredibly patient. Very incredibly patient.


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OMG that was 2016 !
With the BBPlugin now they are working on Play Direct for wma so if they get it worked out it should be transferred to Biab hopefully.
This should also give nondestructive editing so it don't have to create extra wav files attached to the SGU.

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This is far from a perfect answer, but many players will play .wma files outside of BIAB, but 'outside' is probably not what you want frown
I use VLC media player, which seems able to play pretty much everything. Many others are available.


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Originally Posted by Gordon Scott
This is far from a perfect answer, but many players will play .wma files outside of BIAB, but 'outside' is probably not what you want frown
I use VLC media player, which seems able to play pretty much everything. Many others are available.

I already have VLC installed, VLC doesn't open sgu or mgu.

BiaB did the job, loading everything. It's just the size problem. Adding additional wav files to the bb folder once a mgu is open.

To men, size matters.


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Originally Posted by Cerio
I use ACW a lot, but when you import a compressed audio file (mp3 or wma), it automatically converts it to to a WAV file.

BIAB doesn't delete the WAV file, which means A LOT of wasted hard disk space, specially when you're working with large repertories.

MP3 has been a standard in music industry for many years, being supported (without any need of wav conversion) by nearly all audio programs in the market, and WMA is natively supported by other modules of the program (Realtracks & realdrums engine, usertracks, performance files, etc...), but NOT in ACW.

This one would be REALLY useful.


A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
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