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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 7
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 7 |
Running BiaB on Windows 10, at the moment recording what comes out of the computer via a USB Sooundblaster Play 3, I think it is. I want to improve the sound quality of both the midi track and the realtracks and presumably need an external box to plug in via USB.
I don't need to record vocals or instruments via this as I do that directly into a Tascam DP24 digital studio, I just want to get the best possible results from the backing tracks BiaB produces.
I can't make head or tail of whether stuff like the Steinberg UR22 or the Focusrite stuff will do this. Can anyone advise? I know there is a thread about this, but it's nearly ten years old.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: May 2000
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I want to improve the sound quality of both the midi track and the realtracks and presumably need an external box to plug in via USB. That depends, many times the MIDI sound issue is best solved elsewhere (the synth being used). What does this device hook up to, that you actually hear sound from? That could also be part of the issue. Realtracks should sound OK through this, unless the headphones/speakers you are using are lacking or mismatched.
Make your sound your own!
.. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,326
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,326 |
Running BiaB on Windows 10, at the moment recording what comes out of the computer via a USB Sooundblaster Play 3, I think it is. I want to improve the sound quality of both the midi track and the realtracks and presumably need an external box to plug in via USB.
I don't need to record vocals or instruments via this as I do that directly into a Tascam DP24 digital studio, I just want to get the best possible results from the backing tracks BiaB produces.
I can't make head or tail of whether stuff like the Steinberg UR22 or the Focusrite stuff will do this. Can anyone advise? I know there is a thread about this, but it's nearly ten years old. Arthur, Anything "soundblaster" is screaming for an upgrade. Yes, getting a dedicated audio interface is a good idea. Focusrite is a fine product to use. I've been using the same Focusrite interface for a good 15 years. Personally, I used to use a digital studio made by Korg very much like the DP24 but when I discovered the quality I could get and the convenience as well, using the focusrite by itself, I switched totally to Cakewalk Sonar DAW software and sold that Korg and never looked back. To get the best quality from BB/RB I believe you should be working in a DAW and not in the DP24. All the music both audio and midi is handled by the audio interface, in and out of the computer. IN addition, I have discovered, as have others that the tracks created in BB & RB including the real tracks are excellent tracks, but they can stand to be improved. That is done by using plug in VST/FX that is easier done in the DAW. Programs like Ozone that allows you to master with compression, EQ, reverb, and a few other tools that can easily make a huge difference in the quality of the sound of the tracks. Those DP24 kinds of recorders are handy for throwing some ideas together quickly, but when it comes to getting the best out of them, that, in my opinion, is another thing altogether. Not impossible, just not the best way.... again in my opinion. IN my current studio, my interface is the DEFAULT sound card for everything. I do not use any sort of mixer board. Everything goes straight into the Focusrite inputs for recording, and the focusrite send the output to my studio monitors. All the studio software is in the box.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 11/18/20 07:11 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,629
PG Music Staff
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An audio interface likely won't make a significant difference to your sound quality, and won't make the type of difference that I think you're talking about. An audio interface will improve the sound over your Soundblaster, but it won't fundamentally change the sound. What kind of changes do you want - better instrument sounds?
What I think you would want to do, for the MIDI tracks at least, is load up your favourite VST instruments in Band-in-a-Box (or export the MIDI to a DAW for that same purpose).
For the Realtracks, you could use EQ or compressor plugins on them to adjust how they sound, but as they're audio recordings you won't be able to use instrument plugins on them.
I work here
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,326
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,326 |
An audio interface likely won't make a significant difference to your sound quality, and won't make the type of difference that I think you're talking about. An audio interface will improve the sound over your Soundblaster, but it won't fundamentally change the sound. What kind of changes do you want - better instrument sounds?
What I think you would want to do, for the MIDI tracks at least, is load up your favourite VST instruments in Band-in-a-Box (or export the MIDI to a DAW for that same purpose).
For the Realtracks, you could use EQ or compressor plugins on them to adjust how they sound, but as they're audio recordings you won't be able to use instrument plugins on them. Yep.... digital is pretty much digital. The big differrence is that the old soundblaster cards used the windows default synth which had some horrible sounding midi patches in it. And the soundblasters are not designed to run a good audio driver and mostly rely on MME as opposed to allowing ASIO to be used. The problems show up when one is trying to run a few softsynths and audio at the same time. The soundcard or interface is like the foundation to the house. Everything working and running properly is based on that foundation. I like to encourage anyone who is serious about recording music in their computer to make the investment in a solid interface. It makes everything so much easier and enjoyable.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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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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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!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
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."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
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