104. When I render a song to wave, why does the rendered wave file play back silently or with only the audio track?

There are three methods you can use to render your song to wave:

  1. You can record the MIDI performance in real time as a stereo .WAV file ("Re-Render to WAV file").
  2. Rarely used anymore: You can "Direct Render" the performance to .WAV using the RolandED VSC-3 ("Render [Save WAV] w/Roland VSC").
  3. You can Direct Render to WAV using a DXi synth ("DXi-Direct Render [save WAV file]")

In this particular case, you almost certainly used method 1, but you didn't select the correct input in the Record Control panel. Therefore, you have recorded a wave file that has nothing in it. Click here to read our tutorial about rendering to wave and follow the instructions there for method 1 to resolve the problem. Alternatively, use one of the other two methods to render your song to wave.

Note that the goal (for method 1) is to get your sound card to record what's being played by the MIDI Output device you have selected in Band-in-a-Box®. Usually this is a simple matter. You may be getting your sound card to record its MIDI synthesizer (as is the case for sound cards that have a built-in MIDI synth) or you may be getting your sound card to record its audio output (if you are using a software synth that uses the audio portion of your sound card).

With some sound cards and audio interfaces (for example some M-Audio, Terretec, and Tascam cards) you may need to connect an audio cable from the audio ouputs to the inputs on that sound card. If you are not sure how to do this, consult the documentation for the card or contact the manufacturer to find out how you can get the sound card to record itself.


Alyssa - PG Music