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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 41
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 41 |
It's unfortunate that there is no way to compare the .WMA Realtracks to the full fidelity .WAV Realtracks before you buy. I'd really like to A/B a few realtracks to hear the difference.
Now...most songs end up as MP3s today anyway, but if you export the .WMA realtracks to Sonar, for example, and then add true .WAVs tracks for some other instruments, and then export it to an MP3...you get some twice-compressed tracks in there...RIGHT?
And if you compress a .WMA track, I am going to assume it "loses a generation of fidelity".
Anyone here with a recording/mastering background and experience who knows for sure?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,890
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Some random reactions:
True, you do not want to compress the same file twice. I think that's different from using a compressed track in SONAR, where a project is saved in an uncompressed format (basically, non-destructive editing), where you then might compress the whole project to MP3. Another way to think of it is that, when a compressed file is imported into DAW software, it is uncompressed. It won't get any better, but it shouldn't get worse. I also use SONAR. I would not even think about this question unless the track in question were an acoustic guitar or piano, or a drum track, AND the song in question had only a very few instruments where they were very prominent in the mix.
About your first query, there is little audible difference between the .WAV files and .WMA files as supplied by PG Music. There are good threads on this subject every so often. You will only hear the difference if you have good ears, good equipment, and a quiet listening environment. Further, the only time I have noticed any significant difference is in mixing many .WMA tracks in the same project, since noise (however little) is additive in a mix.
I recall a post by someone who bought the regular version, and called PG Music to upgrade to the audiophile version. PG Music worked something out that satisfied that customer. To my knowledge, no one has posted a demo comparing the two types, because normally a file posted on the Internet is compressed to MP3, and you would be hard pressed to hear any difference.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 41
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 41 |
Matt, Thanks. Do you have the audiophile version then, that you use for your CDs? I make CDs as well, and I was thinking that a WMA on there could be a problem. Of course, we know that "in the mix" you don't always need, or even want, certain instrument tracks to be at their peak fidelity. It's all about the final mix. I use BIAB as my session players for the rhythm section, basically. I play any lead instruments, and I also like to play the pads and such. PGMusic says they'll sell me the audiophile version as a $299 upgrade, and they will take it back in 30 days if I don.t need it...but I'll pay shipping both ways, and that will be $42. I just wish they would have some downloadable WAV files and the parallel WMA realtracks for comparison. --- Glenn http://www.reverbnation.com/GlennGalen(all of the songs on my site have a BIAB foundation).
Last edited by Glenn in Minneapolis; 06/02/11 08:32 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,890
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,890 |
Quote:
Matt,
Thanks. Do you have the audiophile version then, that you use for your CDs?
Glenn, yes, I have had the audiophile edition almost from the beginning of RealTracks, as soon as they were made available as an option. After paying once, the update price has been more than fair to keep up. You still get the .WMA versions of files (although you can delete them to save space) along with the .WAV versions, and BIAB knows to use the .WAV files if present. With version 2011, the quality difference between .WMA and .WAV is less than it used to be.
I use BIAB extensively to produce composer's demos, before a concert or studio session. However, my CD, and other CDs for which I used BIAB to prepare, are still recorded by live musicians in the studio. Time is money, though, and I come to a studio very well prepared as a result of using BIAB for composing and arranging.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!
Paket | Was ist Neu
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
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Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
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Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
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