I am a fairly new user, having bought everything just last year. I use MAC and the BUZZ issue is blindingly real. The BUZZ issue has been discussed elsewhere, though it seems to be mostly on the windows biab, but maybe because windows is more widely used?
I say buzz but it might be a bug, because I am beginning to think that sometimes the buzz is not a buzz (like ground hum) but actually an extremely short loop - the kind of sound you get when looping a very short piece of audio, so short that looping it causes playback to sound like a buzz.
I must say I am hugely disappointed in support. I've given concrete examples, audio clips, and many specifics. Their responses, I realise now, have been deliberately slow, as well as generic, not acknowledging to be aware of the issue. I've raised the issue with support properly, politely, made changes (ineffectual) they've suggested, reported back and my reply goes into the blackhole of support.. shameful/shoddy.
So I am raising the issue here. I hope together it can be solved or at least discover why it happens.
Last edited by No Xtra; 08/02/2512:33 PM. Reason: clarity in the post title
Please provide more details of your setup. What sort of Mac are you using? Is the 'buzz' sound coming from the Mac speakers? Are you using a separate audio interface? Is it only when using BIAB? What exactly is your configuration / setup? Can you upload an audio recording of the 'buzz' to a file sharing service (e.g. Drop Box)?
Last edited by AudioTrack; 07/30/2512:19 PM.
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.
What sort of Mac are you using? We use Mac's. The 'buzz' or loop bug happens on all of them. There are 10, half are intel, half Apple Silicon. The main machine right now is an M1 MBP. The issue is apparent on all machines - believe me that took a long time and LOT of patience!
Is the 'buzz' sound coming from the Mac speakers? The buzz sound will output from whatever sound output i'm currently using.
Are you using a separate audio interface? We may do, but removing them from the setup or using them doesn't end the hum. its being made from the BIAB app.
Is it only when using BIAB? Yes.
What exactly is your configuration / setup? Sonoma on the whole, and the current BIAB, all updated, patched, uninstalled, reinstalled. As per support copy pasta advice. I will be buying the 2025 audiophile edition later today. Perhaps it'll 'fix' it.
Can you upload an audio recording of the 'buzz' to a file sharing service (e.g. Drop Box)? Yes, see below for random examples. Note the differing timbres of buzz/hum. I currently think this is due to the 'loop script' failing to run, resulting in what sounds like a buzz, but what is in fact a short bit of audio looping. But it might be something else.
you'll hear in the link styles that have a buzz, randomly selected. I can't find a connection between the ones that buzz. the buzz goes away when double clicking on a different style (ie a style that doesn't have the buzz issue) Just so to be clear. I've entered a few chords in BIAB mac app, opened the style picker and, randomly trying different styles (by double clicking styles).
No interface. I'm running from a mac silicon laptop. at first at various sample rates, I was informed BIAB is all recorded at 44.1Khz, but unfortunately adjusting to 44.1Khz doesn't stop the issue. Neither does adding an interface. I've tried 10.
my suspicion is that whatever script is used to loop the loop, it is failing, and getting 'stuck', looping the first fraction, which is a similar sound to a hum/buzz.
I might have noticed that all of these buzzing Styles contain loops. but if i search for a loop that 'buzzes' and play it (outside of BIAB) it plays fine.
An example of that is this style...
Memo: This fast electronic style features three MIDI SuperTrack synths using the SynthMaster plugin, a RealTrack synth, electronic drums, and a drum loop. -Examples: Circles, Brown Paper Bag, Alien Girl, Genre "Intensity" Score=90/100 =RUMBLE.STY. Rumble Drum and Bass Real and MIDI SuperTracks. Sextet. Tempo=175 (140-190) Instruments: MST-Bass, Synth, MST-Synth, MST-Synth, Loop, Drums RD: TechnoElectro^AB-a:Kick, b:Hat :PG Artist 3 MIDI ST4670: Bass, Pulsing, SynthmasterCinema Ev16 , n/a RT1943: Synth, Rhythm, EuroDance Strings Ev 120 , Ed (Great Oz) Clare MIDI ST4437: Synth, Pad, SynthMasterDreamingTripPulseDelay , n/a MIDI ST4369: Synth, Plucked SynthMasterTranceAttack OffbeatHits 120 , Ed (Great Oz) Clare Loop:Drum n Bass\Drum n Bass - dnb170_01 drums ev16.wav
the track "Loop:Drum n Bass\Drum n Bass - dnb170_01 drums ev16.wav" doesn't play, it buzzes, but if i find the loop it plays fine. so that leads me to believe the 'script' that tells that loop to play/loop is at fault.
below are some styles that buzz...
Memo: A modern dance pop style with a funky muted electric guitar, held electric bass, pop acoustic piano, and two drum loops. -Examples: Live While We're Young, If I Can't Have You, Genre "Intensity" Score=60/100 _TEENAGE.STY. Teenage Funky Dance Pop All RealTracks. Quintet. Tempo=125 (105-150) Instruments: El.Bass, Loop, Ac.Piano, El.Guitar, Loop Loop:House-Techno-Trance\House - city_lights_128_drum_loop _c_minor ev8.wav RT1253: Bass, Electric, PopShiningHeld Ev 120 , Mark Hill RT1262: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopShiningHeld Ev 120 , Blair Masters RT1771: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkMovinMuted Ev16 130 , Michael Thompson Loop:House-Techno-Trance\House - sparse_120_c drums ev16.wav
Memo: This RealStyle features three synths, electric guitar, electronic drums, and a drum loop playing an energetic EDM/rock groove. -Examples: The Tra La La Song, Gigantor, Genre "Intensity" Score=90/100 _CARTOON.STY. Cartoon Electro Rock Groove All RealTracks. Sextet. Tempo=180 (140-200) Instruments: Syn.Bass, Synth, El.Guitar, Synth, Loop, Drums RD: TechnoElectro^AB-a:Kick, b:Hat :PG Artist 3 RT4111: Bass, Synth RedDoorPurePro 65 , Ed (Great Oz) Clare RT2747: Synth, Rhythm AltHipHopHorn Ev16 085 , Ed (Great Oz) Clare RT648: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopRockBritHeavy Ev 120 , Darin Favorite RT2269: Synth, BellPad, Rhythm 80sPopPads Ev 140 , Ed (Great Oz) Clare Loop:AcousticDrumFullKit\Funk Rock - 60srock125m ev16.wav
Memo: This synth pop style has a muted sound with an even-eighths feel. A staccato strings loop, synth bass, synth chords, synth melody, and a drum loop are used. -Examples: Therefore I Am, Ily, Genre "Intensity" Score=65/100 _SUBMERG.STY. Submerged Muted Alternative Pop All RealTracks. Quintet. Tempo=100 (90-120) Instruments: Loop, Loop, Synth, Synth, Synth Loop:HipHop\Old School - pearls_90_drumloop1_c ev16.wav Loop:World\Bollywood - party_80_basses_staccato_e_flat_minor.wav RT901: Synth, Bass, EuroDance ChorusBassOffBeat Ev16 120 , Ed (Great Oz) Clare RT1644: Synth, Rhythm, EuroDance SubduedHitsOffBeat Ev16 120 , Ed (Great Oz) Clare RT2582: Synth, Rhythm MutedMelody Ev16 120 , Donyea Goodman
Memo: This fast dance rock style uses a trance drum loop, punk electric bass, a muted pad synth, and two bright electric guitars. -Examples: Caution, Banquet, Genre "Intensity" Score=70/100 _RAGER.STY. Rager Trance Beat Dance Rock All RealTracks. Quintet. Tempo=160 (130-190) Instruments: El.Bass, Synth, El.Guitar, El.Guitar, Drums RD: PopPepSquad^03-a:Quiet hihat, digital snare , b:Cheers, Quiet hihat :Ed (Great Oz) Clare RT2592: Bass, Electric, RockPickedA-B Ev 165 , Doug Elliott RT2739: Synth, Rhythm PepSquadPad Ev 165 , Ed (Great Oz) Clare RT544: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Dreamy Ev 165 , Darin Favorite RT1833: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopModernGrooveChorusArp Ev16 075 , Darin Favorite
Memo: This slow electronic pop style features alternating synth and electric bass parts. A hard-hitting drum loop and two more synthesizers are also in the mix. -Examples: Bleeding Love, Instant Crush, Genre "Intensity" Score=65/100 _ROBOMAN.STY. Roboman Brooding Ev8 Electronica All RealTracks. Quartet. Tempo=105 (95-130) Instruments: Syn.Bass, El.Bass, Synth, Synth RT2694: Bass, Synth, TropicalHouseOffBeat Ev 120 , Ed (Great Oz) Clare RT1521: Bass, Electric, PopPower4s Ev 120 , Mark Hill RT2697: Synth, Rhythm TropicalHouseLeadOffBeat Ev 120 , Ed (Great Oz) Clare RT1943: Synth, Rhythm, EuroDance Strings Ev 120 , Ed (Great Oz) Clare
THIS ONE PRODUCES BUZZING ONLY, note they are all real tracks. Memo: This style features guitar, piano, bass, drums, and a drum loop. -Examples: Creep, Summer of 69', What's Up, Genre "Intensity" Score=65/100 _SHIFT.STY. Shift Pop Swells Guitar All RealTracks. Quintet. Tempo=110 (90-130) Instruments: El.Bass, Ac.Piano, El.Guitar, Loop, Drums RD: RockSyncKick^01-a:Closed Hat, Snare , b:Open Hat, Snare :Pat Steward RT683: Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 120 , Tobin Frank RT1264: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopShiningA-B Ev 120 , Blair Masters RT3754: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopAutoswellBrent Ev 110 , Brent Mason Loop:House-Techno-Trance\House - crunchy_120_b drums ev16.wav
similar questions, seemingly related, though unresolved through hardware suggestions, sample rate queries, or reinstallation (i've done all those, and casually re-installing 100GB of BIAB is no mean feat!).
I don't have experience with Mac or their hardware. I seriously doubt that the problem is from the PG Music Band In A Box music samples. If it was, many, many others would suffer this issue also, which I understand is not the case.
Other Mac users might listen to your samples and offer some suggestions, but I don't think that this is a native BIAB related audio issue.
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.
I don't have experience with Mac or their hardware. I seriously doubt that the problem is from the PG Music Band In A Box music samples. If it was, many, many others would suffer this issue also, which I understand is not the case.
Other Mac users might listen to your samples and offer some suggestions, but I don't think that this is a native BIAB related audio issue.
Thank you.
Regardless, this cannot be a Mac specific issue, you would have read the other forum posts are from Windows users.
The samples play fine outside the BIAB app. I did not say music samples were faulty, I in fact said the opposite.
As it stands, the issue is BIAB related, incorrectly playing some audio, mostly or uniquely loops - for some unknown reason. Reinstalling and several computers back this up. Plus that other forum users are flummoxed.
To clarify, this is BB2024 (806) correct? The other forum posts you mentioned reference a *much* more subtle sound that happened at the end of a song, on Windows - definitely not the same issue. In your audio sample, what styles are used for the second a third samples? (The first sample sounds fine). Load one of these and see if you can isolate whether the sound is coming from a specific track, by soloing each track in turn.
To clarify, this is BB2024 (806) correct? The other forum posts you mentioned reference a *much* more subtle sound that happened at the end of a song, on Windows - definitely not the same issue. In your audio sample, what styles are used for the second a third samples? (The first sample sounds fine). Load one of these and see if you can isolate whether the sound is coming from a specific track, by soloing each track in turn.
Thank you.
Yes, Band-in-a-Box® for Macintosh, Version 2024 (806), 64 bit application - Rosetta mode.
The sound examples are no longer live on the posts, so I can't hear them, but the description is similar. Sometimes my problem is also only heard in silence (ie 'at the end') as the noise is not loud enough to be heard normally. I gave louder examples. We can't be positive it's a different problem.
From the Style I listed, I've just loaded up... _TEENAGE.STY: Teenage Funky Dance Pop ...and it (still) has the same noise on the channel/mixer that shows LOOP 1 Loop : House-Techno-Trance/House - city_lights_128_drum_loop_c_minor ev8.wav If I mute the channel is goes away, as one would expect.
It is telling that LOOP 2 on that Style, Loop : House-Techno-Trance/House - sparse_120_c drums ev16.wav, is not playing. LOOP 1 not playing is possibly a factor.
The order of tracks in the mixer is, Bass Piano Loop 1 Guitar Loop 2. LOOP 1 is the buzzy loop, LOOP 2 is not playing. The other tracks are playing.
When I find any of the WAVs in question outside of the BIAB app they all play perfectly fine.
I will add this... from the mixer, panning pans the buzz left right, volume turns it up and down. Along with what and how this is happening it all points to not a 'buzz' issue as such, we are not looking for a mysterious buzzing noise, we're looking at faulty playback, a fraction of audio being looped instead of it playing through fully/properly. This is the issue that needs to be investigated.
Last edited by No Xtra; 07/31/2509:25 AM. Reason: correcting loop name
Add a file safemode.txt (contents don't matter) to the Band-in-a-Box/Preferences folder, and then launch the program (should say safe mode in red on the splash screen). Does it still happen?
From the Style I listed, I've just loaded up... _TEENAGE.STY: Teenage Funky Dance Pop ...and it (still) has the same noise on the channel/mixer that shows LOOP 1 Loop : House-Techno-Trance/House - city_lights_128_drum_loop_c_minor ev8.wav If I mute the channel is goes away, as one would expect.
It is telling that LOOP 2 on that Style, Loop : House-Techno-Trance/House - sparse_120_c drums ev16.wav, is not playing. LOOP 1 not playing is possibly a factor.
The order of tracks in the mixer is, Bass Piano Loop 1 Guitar Loop 2. LOOP 1 is the buzzy loop, LOOP 2 is not playing. The other tracks are playing.
I tested that style on 2024 build 806 and was not able to duplicate the buzzing issue. Could you generate and freeze the tracks, then save the song file and email it to me at support@pgmusic.com attn Simon and I'll take a look? This way we can determine whether it's an issue with the wavinstructions or something else.
Add a file safemode.txt (contents don't matter) to the Band-in-a-Box/Preferences folder, and then launch the program (should say safe mode in red on the splash screen). Does it still happen?
Thank you.
Yes, it still happens.
Booting up the first time in Safe Mode, shows the chord C, and the Style ZZJAZZ.STY: Jazz Swing Style. This plays fine. Bass, Piano, Drums.
Continuing in Safe Mode...
Search for _TEENAGE style, double clicking so it loads, the noise still plays BUT instead, LOOP 1 is silent, and this time LOOP 2 'buzzes' LOOP 2 produces a full volume 'buzz' (This has the effect of 'knocking' out the digital master audio out too - though this silencing/overload/cutout is commonly built in to typical digital audio DSP.
I quit, relaunched a second time, and this time the music played but neither LOOP 1 (the buzz emitter) or LOOP 2, played at all, only the music.
TEENAGE is... TEENAGE R 4/4 ev16 125 Teenage Funky Dance Pop Modern Pop Pop 60 2019-10 Xtra PAK 8 5 2 Lite Pop, Funk
I restarted computer, relaunched a third time and this time LOOP 1 'buzzes, and LOOP 2 is 'silent' - as per the problem without safe mode.
From the Style I listed, I've just loaded up... _TEENAGE.STY: Teenage Funky Dance Pop ...and it (still) has the same noise on the channel/mixer that shows LOOP 1 Loop : House-Techno-Trance/House - city_lights_128_drum_loop_c_minor ev8.wav If I mute the channel is goes away, as one would expect.
It is telling that LOOP 2 on that Style, Loop : House-Techno-Trance/House - sparse_120_c drums ev16.wav, is not playing. LOOP 1 not playing is possibly a factor.
The order of tracks in the mixer is, Bass Piano Loop 1 Guitar Loop 2. LOOP 1 is the buzzy loop, LOOP 2 is not playing. The other tracks are playing.
I tested that style on 2024 build 806 and was not able to duplicate the buzzing issue. Could you generate and freeze the tracks, then save the song file and email it to me at support@pgmusic.com attn Simon and I'll take a look? This way we can determine whether it's an issue with the wavinstructions or something else.
Thank you.
Did you test that on a Mac? Running which OS?
I will do the generate/save. Shall I do it with the SAFE MODE preferences in place? Or back to my preferences?
During lockdown, I was preparing virtual choirs & praise bands. Ensembles ranged from fifteen tracks with five vocals to virtual choirs with up to sixty individual vocal tracks. Praise band tracks were fine but I had to re-think everything I ever learned about vocal tracks when dealing with a dozen or more singers, each phoning it in from home—literally. Although I’m not doing that anymore, there were important lessons learned.
What track levels are you recording to? How many audio tracks? Are you using any limiters—if so, what–on all tracks or just the master?
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
During lockdown, I was preparing virtual choirs & praise bands. Ensembles ranged from fifteen tracks with five vocals to virtual choirs with up to sixty individual vocal tracks. Praise band tracks were fine but I had to re-think everything I ever learned about vocal tracks when dealing with a dozen or more singers, each phoning it in from home—literally. Although I’m not doing that anymore, there were important lessons learned.
What track levels are you recording to? How many audio tracks? Are you using any limiters—if so, what–on all tracks or just the master?
Thank you.
In this scenario I am only auditioning Styles in the app. No recording is going on, no devices are on the output, no inputs are 'live'.
All I can think is that this is a Mac Thing. Cause "Buzz" is not something I would associate with BIAB in the PC world. Now if you used the word "crackle" or "wobbel". I would be on board. This is familar to me. It is typically assocated with the audio drivers getting the sample rate mixed up. But this is certainly not limited to BIAB. I just spent two days fighting this in Reaper! Don't really now why? I did everylhing I could think of and finally made some Audio driver adjustments for ASIO in Reaper. I think I got it fixed.
All I can think is that this is a Mac Thing. Cause "Buzz" is not something I would associate with BIAB in the PC world. Now if you used the word "crackle" or "wobble". I would be on board. This is familiar to me. It is typically associated with the audio drivers getting the sample rate mixed up. But this is certainly not limited to BIAB. I just spent two days fighting this in Reaper! Don't really now why? I did everything I could think of and finally made some Audio driver adjustments for ASIO in Reaper. I think I got it fixed.
Thank you.
I'm partially regretting the post title. Though it is a fact that the noise created is a buzzy one. But I'm almost certain it is caused by loops not looping properly. Why that is happening is the mystery - if that is indeed the issue.
The 'buzz' timbre varies hugely as it and depends on the loop that isn't playing. That is to say, the very first few samples (there are 44,100 samples per second, so we're talking about tiny fractions) of the digital audio determine the buzz. If there is a loud sound starting right from frame one, the buzz is loud! If there is a fraction of 'ramp up' in volume, the noise is much quieter, sometimes inaudible.
I have purchased 2025 Mac, and I'm preparing for a total re-install (again) next week, and it would be a huge relief if the issue is solved. I am perfectly happy to re-install, and also to accept whatever reason is the cause.
Support have not acknowledged I've sent what they've asked for. Neither Andrew or Simon replied to my simple followup questions that would help to rule out certain specifics. I'm trying not to be too disappointed.
I know support need time (there is a new release out), I do respect that, but I raised this the same week I bought the entire catalog, back in October 2024, that is in the background to this forum post. Support just stopped responding, I followed all of their suggestions, the issue persists. I've had this on numerous Macs and now on 3 different Mac OS's. Something is up... somewhere.
I use Reaper, it's engine is very efficient, but does work smoother if all audio, and things connected, are explicitly at the same sample rate. But you knew that! ; )
a shot in the dark. ive owned various studio rigs over the years from junk gear to big studio products. only times i got 'buzz' was incorrect grounding or a mistake. sooo..
1..please explain how your rig is grounded. by any chance do you have different bits of gear plugged into various different outlets ?? the net has loads of info re grounding.
2..assuming the same interface is used for all your music apps...if your not useing bb and say useing logic or other mac studio daw apps... does the 'buzz' go away ?? is it only with bb ?? also it might be usefull to post a pic of your bb audio drivers set up. bit depth/sampling rate etc etc.
happiness.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
a shot in the dark. ive owned various studio rigs over the years from junk gear to big studio products. only times i got 'buzz' was incorrect grounding or a mistake. sooo..
1..please explain how your rig is grounded. by any chance do you have different bits of gear plugged into various different outlets ?? the net has loads of info re grounding.
2..assuming the same interface is used for all your music apps...if your not using bb and say using logic or other mac studio daw apps... does the 'buzz' go away ?? is it only with bb ?? also it might be useful to post a pic of your bb audio drivers set up. bit depth/sampling rate etc etc.
happiness.
om
Thank you.
I'm only auditioning Styles in the Mac BIAB app, not recording. At it's most basic, it happens when I do the auditioning on my M1 laptop, running Mac OS Sonoma. It happens from the app, so if an interface is attached, it comes out of there too. But I don't need an interface attached to have it happen.
The buzz isn't continuous, it only occurs when I audition/load the problem Style into the mixer. If I mute the 'buzzing' channel, the buzz goes away.
My hunch is something is not quite right (obviously(!)) with the Mac BIAB app or something in my system settings, or possibly my installation. I'm re-installing next week.
The 'buzz' is the sound you get if you loop a tiny fraction of sound. It takes on the tone of fraction of sound. So it varies from style to style, and it only seems to be on styles that have loops, hence my loop hunch. If that makes sense?
As BIAB is entirely sampled at 44.1Khz, that's the sample rate I run at.
1. I have used BB on over 90 songs and countless demos and never had this buzz problem; but I'm on a PC.
2. Please confirm that you are using 44.1 as you said with 16 bit. BB likes 44.1/16.
3. What sound interface are you using? or are you useing the macs built in sound ?? more details on your work methods re creating a song from concept thru final mix stereo master would help. this is highly odd.
4. You will have garage Band on your MAC. Please run a test with it or another music production app to see if you get the buzz process of elimination.
Happiness
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 08/02/2503:18 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
1. I have used BB on over 90 songs and countless demos and never had this buzz problem; but I'm on a PC.
2. Please confirm that you are using 44.1 as you said with 16 bit. BB likes 44.1/16.
3. What sound interface are you using? or are you using the macs built in sound ?? more details on your work methods re creating a song from concept thru final mix stereo master would help. this is highly odd.
4. You will have garage Band on your MAC. Please run a test with it or another music production app to see if you get the buzz process of elimination.
Happiness
om
Thank you. I appreciate the extra thought.
1 Good to know, thank you.
2 I'm confirming 44.1/16
3 I don't need to be using interfaces to get the error. it happens with or without an interface. Regarding completing a song, this error began on day 1, October 2024, after i'd installed and got into playing with my new favourite toy, namely BIAB 2024.
4 No, I don't have GarageBand on any of my Macs, but sound is my living so I do have Reaper, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Logic, Nuendo, Audacity (none of which 'buzz' with or without an interface).
The error/buzz only occurs from within the BIAB app, and no where else, and only drum loops/real tracks - I think. There are a lot of styles to try in the narrowing down.
then assuming you can play audio outside of bb running and assuming in non daw work just playing say a song from a library of songs... the only conclusions are...
1..a setting in bb or.. (a pic of your audio settings in bb woul be helpfull.) 2..as you say a prob with the loops etc being used...or.. 3..by any chance is the pg content your accessing being changed as to bit depth and/or sampling rate.
fyi...i was a reaps user from it coming on the market years ago now and also an early contributor of suggestions...but now as pg's realband has received some interesting upgrades i use rb mainly. sadly rb is only on pc otherwise i would get a m4 mac mini as well as my pc. which brings me to a question...when your running reaps on your mac do you see a line at the top of reaps tracks view showing latency etc etc ? (we get that info on pc.) just curious what info is shown on that reaps top line...and what it says for your mac. reason being i can compare with my new pc which shows around 4 milliseconds latency. in addition in reaps can you record tracks in the flac format like i can ?? thanks.
happiness.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 08/03/2509:58 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
For the frozen file it probably doesn't matter. Thanks for testing safemode.txt - so the problem happens at factory settings. Do you have an original Band-in-a-Box UltraPAK hard drive, and are you running Band-in-a-Box directly FROM the hard drive? Or have you copied the program to your internal Mac drive, or another hard drive? Please detail. One thing I would suggest you do is run the build 806 patch installer again (select the appropriate hard drive) which will fix any permissions problems there might be with those files.... just to be sure, though I'm guessing you have done that already.
Today I have updated to Mac BIAB 2025, and importantly re-installed everything.... error still there.
I spent today noting when the noise or silence occurs, it seems to be only on Styles that use (drum) LOOPs.
So I made a short boring video randomly playing Styles. If you watch it you'll see all Styles play fine until I audition a Style that uses 'LOOP'. In Styles that use LOOPs there is silence or a 'buzz' (a fractional sound looped).
Then I inspected all of the loops in the video, they play fine outside the BIAB app.
For the frozen file it probably doesn't matter. Thanks for testing safemode.txt - so the problem happens at factory settings. Do you have an original Band-in-a-Box UltraPAK hard drive, and are you running Band-in-a-Box directly FROM the hard drive? Or have you copied the program to your internal Mac drive, or another hard drive? Please detail. One thing I would suggest you do is run the build 806 patch installer again (select the appropriate hard drive) which will fix any permissions problems there might be with those files.... just to be sure, though I'm guessing you have done that already.
Thank you.
No UltraPak HD (you mean a physical HD from PGMUSIC? no, I don't have that.)
It makes no difference where the files are installed, external, internal, the issue is still there. Since October 2024 I've tried 10 different Macs, and 3 different operating systems. It always happens.
I accept you're not seeing it, so there must be something unique. Can you send me your TEENAGE save, and your preferences, and let's see if it still happens my end, yes?
It would really really help, so the person you're replying to can reference what you're replying to, if you used the "quote" option when replying. : )
Lastly, can i try an older Mac BIAB? What's the oldest I can try, are they available to download? I'm on Sonoma across 6 Mac now, the onstage Macs.
then assuming you can play audio outside of bb running and assuming in non daw work just playing say a song from a library of songs... the only conclusions are...
1..a setting in bb or.. (a pic of your audio settings in bb would be helpful.) 2..as you say a prob with the loops etc being used...or.. 3..by any chance is the pg content your accessing being changed as to bit depth and/or sampling rate.
fyi...i was a reaps user from it coming on the market years ago now and also an early contributor of suggestions...but now as pg's realband has received some interesting upgrades i use rb mainly. sadly rb is only on pc otherwise i would get a m4 mac mini as well as my pc. which brings me to a question...when your running reaps on your mac do you see a line at the top of reaps tracks view showing latency etc etc ? (we get that info on pc.) just curious what info is shown on that reaps top line...and what it says for your mac. reason being i can compare with my new pc which shows around 4 milliseconds latency. in addition in reaps can you record tracks in the flac format like i can ?? thanks.
happiness.
om
Thank you.
1 I've already run the app multiple times with the 'safe mode' preferences. So if default settings produce the error, and tbh I don't use the default settings, the error is not being caused by something in the settings - THAT SAID, there are a TON of settings, so it is possible in theory. BUT, if a setting is causing it, I would consider that a bug.
2 yes, something is afoot with my loops and/or the loop script for BIAB Mac 2024/2025 (I've not used BIAB 2023).
3 good question, and I did consider this but again, multiple restarts and clean installs, and triple checking/monitoring i'm running at 44.1Khz don't point to this.
Re Reaper, I'll try it tomorrow. I'm in the UK currently, and it's late. : ) thanks again.
(ps i'm a brit pomme as the aussies like to say...lol.)
ok heres a shot in the dark.
in bb...
1..set the tempo eg 120....now...
2..is your selected loop way off from this tempo ? the bb picker (F7) has all the loops tempos...
thus if song tempo is 120 and loop tempo is say 150... maybe this is the issue ?? myself i go no more than 20 percent below or above the song tempo when selecting a loop. SO...if song tempo is 120 my bounds are 120 minus 24 as the low for the loop and 120 plus 24 for the high loop when i'm selecting a loop. sometimes one needs to lower the bound loop values. just experiment and see if the 'busy bees' go away.
in summary one shouldnt select a loop thats way way outside the song tempo.
happiness.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 08/03/2504:34 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
If you simply open one of the wave files into Band-in-a-Box i.e. File | Open, or Audio Import to the audio track, does it play?
Thank you. No, a loop added/imported does not play. Not from the picker, not from the file menu. Also, tapping LOOP from the GUI to open the LOOP picker. Tapping PLAY for a loop in that window freezes up the BIAB app and I have to force quit to use it again. I presume that is not normal?
Outside the BIAB app all of the LOOP WAVs play fine, the WAVs are not faulty.
I looked at the other 2 files that typically accompany the WAVs. For example...
... which brings me to a question...when your running reaps on your mac do you see a line at the top of reaps tracks view showing latency etc etc ? (we get that info on pc.) just curious what info is shown on that reaps top line...and what it says for your mac. reason being i can compare with my new pc which shows around 4 milliseconds latency. in addition in reaps can you record tracks in the flac format like i can ??...
Yes, Macs can record tracks in the FLAC format I am happy to report.
Not sure about the latency question. Do you mean overall, from the driver? or latency per track? Plugins can report its latency, most DAWs do that. And overall latency is dependent on the HD speeds, audio engine, and sample rate used. That make sense?
(ps i'm a brit pomme as the aussies like to say...lol.)
ok heres a shot in the dark.
in bb...
1..set the tempo eg 120....now...
2..is your selected loop way off from this tempo ? the bb picker (F7) has all the loops tempos...
thus if song tempo is 120 and loop tempo is say 150... maybe this is the issue ?? myself i go no more than 20 percent below or above the song tempo when selecting a loop. SO...if song tempo is 120 my bounds are 120 minus 24 as the low for the loop and 120 plus 24 for the high loop when i'm selecting a loop. sometimes one needs to lower the bound loop values. just experiment and see if the 'busy bees' go away.
in summary one shouldnt select a loop thats way way outside the song tempo.
happiness.
om
Thank you.
The problem occurs with any loops from the XTRA PAKs, on and around the same or ballpark BPM.
i tried RUMBLE and SHIFT styles. worked fine. (note i dont have some of the xtra styles you have.)
i tried various wav's ...same deal played fine.
is it only xtrapacs that buzz ??
happiness.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 08/04/2503:24 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
... One thing I would suggest you do is run the build 806 patch installer again (select the appropriate hard drive) which will fix any permissions problems ...
Thank you.
What can you tell me about permissions? I know what they are and how to change them, should all of the LOOP folders and files have the exact same permissions? I have inspected and they don't. But there's no correlation of permissions between folders containing those that play or don't play either.
Last edited by No Xtra; 08/04/2511:21 PM. Reason: added thanks
i said up thread i was on win. to clarify...much as i like the apple m series silicon...unfortunately i cant run my primary daw pg realband on it. although i can run reaper...which ive been a user of since its coming to market....but reaper doesnt has certain rb features.
the other aspect for me even tho' i like the m series processors is as i'm a tech i want to see how far apple strategically can take the m series processors in terms of processing power viz the limitation of the laws of physics which is 'the elephant in the room' for tech companies.
as to your 'buzz' issue.
as another poster said up thread if this was happening to lots of users then there would probably more people complaining about it.
if you post a list of styles that are regular styles in bb (rather than xtra styles) that are 'buzzy' i'll be happy to try them out.
HERES AN IDEA !
one can run bb DIRECT by connecting the shipped drive direct to your mac i assume like we can on win. (check with pg). ie no install needed. this is what i do. just hook up the pg drive and run bb direct from the pg drive. reason being the pg drives now being ssd are very fast. here bb tracks generate in a 'blink of an eye'.
it might be an interesting TEST to just hook up the pg drive direct to the mac directly and see if you STILL get the 'buzz' when bb is run direct. if you DONT then...and i might be wrong...but i suspect a setting on your mac. its all a process of elimination.
@PG...am i correct...if i have a mac i can hook the pg drive up direct to the mac...like i can on pc and run bb direct from your drive ? i would like to know in case i go over to the dark side. actually for me i would run both mac and pc. (i love my pg rb/bb pc set up.)
i dunno if the above helps much but just an idea to try.
happiness.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 08/05/2505:09 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
i said up thread i was on win. ... ... as another poster said up thread if this was happening to lots of users then there would probably more people complaining about it. ... ...
if you post a list of styles that are regular styles in bb (rather than xtra styles) that are 'buzzy' i'll be happy to try them out. ...
HERES AN IDEA !
one can run bb DIRECT by connecting the shipped drive direct to your mac i assume like we can on win. (check with pg). ie no install needed. this is what i do. just ...
Thank you.
I did think you were on a PC, I wanted to check. So no Mac experience with BIAB?
I've stated (enough times) that this is somewhat unique. I have read people are saying similar things about files not playing on the Mac forum, just not using the 'buzz' word. I am completely 'ok' with a solution my end, however, given I'm working every day (almost) with audio in a professional capacity, and my own work computers are often running playback live on stage, this is perplexing.
I've listed Styles and specific loops that won't play, in this thread, and supplied many more to support. The audio all plays fine outside the BIAB app. So it is the app that is at fault. Or the default installation.
There is no drive supplied unless you order one, at least not for Mac.
Re your question to @pg, the PC and MAC apps are unique, and I am not aware that on a PC you can run the BIAB app from a non OS drive, only to access the content from an external drive. It is possible with 'portable apps'. However the requirements for PC BIAB is a Windows os, and Windows doesn't run (afaik, could be wrong) on external drives. I suspect what is happening in your external HD case is that the content is being accessed from the external drive, but the app/program (BIAB) is running from the computers internal HD. Does that make sense?
Last edited by No Xtra; 08/05/2509:54 AM. Reason: for clarity
i hope you get things sorted. i gave it my best shot.
happiness.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
I will do the generate/save. Shall I do it with the SAFE MODE preferences in place? Or back to my preferences?
I have a number of machines for testing, both Intel and ARM and with a variety of macOS versions up to the macOS Tahoe beta. I was not able to duplicate this problem on any of them. Safe mode shouldn't make a difference when saving a file.
Originally Posted by No Xtra
I can tap the FREEZE button on all of the tracks, but playing back after doing it, both LOOP tracks's freeze buttons 'turn off'.
That's normal - as Loops do not generate different information on each generation, they do not freeze. I didn't think of that when asking for a frozen file earlier, it's something I do by default now.
Originally Posted by No Xtra
But I'm almost certain it is caused by loops not looping properly.
I agree.
Originally Posted by No Xtra
I have purchased 2025 Mac, and I'm preparing for a total re-install (again) next week, and it would be a huge relief if the issue is solved. I am perfectly happy to re-install, and also to accept whatever reason is the cause.
I think that might be worth trying. Is BIAB installed onto internal storage or external? If external, what type of drive - solid state/SSD or hard drive/HDD? If possible do you know the drive format - APFS, EXFAT, HFS+/Mac OS Extended? Is the format "case sensitive"?
Originally Posted by No Xtra
Support have not acknowledged I've sent what they've asked for. Neither Andrew or Simon replied to my simple followup questions that would help to rule out certain specifics. I'm trying not to be too disappointed.
Apologies, it was a long weekend here and we were both away from work.
Originally Posted by No Xtra
Can you send me your TEENAGE save, and your preferences, and let's see if it still happens my end, yes?
I will do that. My preferences wouldn't make a difference, but fresh preferences might - close BB then rename the Preferences folder to Preferences2, then launch BB and try again.
Originally Posted by No Xtra
Lastly, can i try an older Mac BIAB? What's the oldest I can try, are they available to download? I'm on Sonoma across 6 Mac now, the onstage Macs.
The oldest version of macOS supported by BB 2025 is El Capitan (macOS 10.11.x). Are all the Macs you tested on running Sonoma?
Originally Posted by No Xtra
What can you tell me about permissions? I know what they are and how to change them, should all of the LOOP folders and files have the exact same permissions? I have inspected and they don't. But there's no correlation of permissions between folders containing those that play or don't play either.
Permissions should be set to allow read and write to all users. Can you set the main Band-in-a-Box folder to allow that, then click on the "..." button below that and choose Apply To Enclosed Items? Might take a little while to do that as there are up to 400,000 files in the BIAB folder.
Even better, if everything is on an external drive, you can set the drive to "Ignore Ownership" - if you Get Info on the drive that option will be below the permissions section.
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