My BB is the Windows version. I use BB to enter the chords of a song into the chord sheet, so I can play back the chords to accompany my sax playing. It is the simplest possible setup.
I have not used Audio, because I don't know how it functions vis-à-vis my setup. Recently I've begun to suspect that Audio might make a positive difference somehow, but before I decide to add Audio to all my songs, I would appreciate any info or advice regarding this.
I won't pretend to understand all of it (to put it mildly), but it certainly helps me to have the relevant Audio settings.
I would very much like to hear your opinion as to whether or not it might improve my songs to add Audio to my settings, in view of how I described my use of BB?
In BB, under the Audio menu, there is an option saying “Render song to audio track (and mute tracks).” Why would one do that? What is gained by doing that?
I can see what happens in the Chord Sheet mixer: the Audio track slider is activated, and the other tracks become inactive, though this doesn’t seem to affect the music (?)
So, other than making it possible to control the volume in one place (the “Master”), instead of having to adjust each track separately, what is the purpose of “rendering the song to audio track”?
I know I’m missing something important, and I’m sorry for being so ignorant. If you could enlighten me a little I would really appreciate it.
In BB, under the Audio menu, there is an option saying “Render song to audio track (and mute tracks).” Why would one do that? What is gained by doing that?
My understanding is that it simply creates an Audio Wav file of the BaiB performance that could be used separately without requiring the use of the BiaB program.
If I follow your requirement correctly, this video may assist:
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
In BB, under the Audio menu, there is an option saying “Render song to audio track (and mute tracks).” Why would one do that? What is gained by doing that?
Good question. I export audio all the time and never knew that option existed. Here's what the manual has to say:
Quote:
Render Song to Audio Tracks (and mute tracks): Use this to render all tracks to the Audio track and disable track generation.
Un-Render Song from Audio Tracks (Enables tracks, erase audio track): Use this to erase the rendered Audio track and restore track generation.
So the idea is to change the project into an audio snapshot that will be what you hear when you hit play, because everything else has been frozen and silenced. Note that this does NOT export audio files for use by another application, and prevents further non-audio development unless reversed.
So I also wonder: Why offer this option? I guess somebody asked for it, but why?
My best guess is that this feature is for those who use BIAB in a 2-stage process, (A) generating and perfecting the band tracks then (B) post-processing the audio result without leaving the application. It’s like: OK, time for the DAW, but the DAW is still BIAB, and if you eventually export to audio files that's to save a final playable product.
To the OP: If you can arrange and hear music, you aren’t missing anything. =8^) If you’re looking to export audio for sharing or further processing, that another matter, but it sounds like you aren't, and even if you are it probably won’t involve that particular menu option.
The intention is to combine all of the existing tracks (RealTracks and MIDI tracks) into a WAV file and automatically place it on the Audio Track. This WAV file is then played instead of the data on the other tracks.
Note that while there are other export methods available, the produced WAV file from this action is a physical disk file and can definitely be used by other applications if required.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Does the Windows operation prompt for a file name? If it does prompt, obviously disregard my previous statement.
I can't test my own statement, as the operation doesn't exist on the Mac in that form, at least it isn't labelled that or explained that way. Here's what it does have, with the manual note:
Quote:
Render Song to Audio File (WAV,AIFF,M4A) opens the “Render to Audio File” dialog which lets you convert the song to an audio file.
The operation automatically creates a WAV file with the same name as the song file (but a .WAV extension). It also produces this message, and of course, places the WAV file on the Audio Track:
Last edited by AudioTrack; 04/11/2211:55 AM. Reason: Added Mixer screen capture
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Copy that, it appears I was wrong about the export.
But then what does the "un-render" operation do, does it actually delete that file?
Yes. It asks for confirmation, then removes it from the Audio Track and deletes the .WAV file from disk. (It also changes some naming conventions in the mixer, not sure why this is.)
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
There's a "gotcha" here, because within BiaB, that audio file will now play at the same time as the song tracks, causing some confusion. In practice it's probably better to render to some other location and/or name.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. Kawai MP6, Korg M50, Ui24R, Saffire Pro 40. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11; Win8.1: Scarletts BIAB2022 UltraPAK, Reaper, a bunch of stuff.
There's a "gotcha" here, because within BiaB, that audio file will now play at the same time as the song tracks, causing some confusion. In practice it's probably better to render to some other location and/or name.
Yes, good point, and I agree. However, the documentation states:
Quote:
You can Render Song to Audio Track, which mutes the individual tracks and plays the rendered audio wave, or you can UnRender Song from Audio Track, which will erase the audio track and play the individual tracks again.
Now despite the statement about muting, the jury is still out on whether it mutes the individual tracks. It's supposed to, but from my tests, I'm not so sure...
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
OK, more tests. These three images show the mixer information before the render, after the render and after the 'un-render'. I don't know why the drums changed from RealDrums to MIDI drums. More tests to follow...
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
OK, I'm back. Here's the interesting bit. Despite the mention of muting, nothing actually shows that the tracks have been muted in the mixer (see previous post). However, further testing I found that if any tracks were frozen before the render to audio was selected, they are not muted and also show as playing in the mixer, as can be seen in the screen capture...
So I don't think this works in the way it is described in the documentation.
I'll report it.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
So I don't think this works in the way it is described in the documentation.
I'll report it.
I think it's behaved like this for quite a while. I'm one of a number of people who have rendered a file, then found that I still had the old version after a regenerate. Henry Clarke mention it in one of his BiaB videos, advising first to create a subfolder for the audio.
The other related gotcha, now I think about it, is that the mixer may also have the audio track hidden.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. Kawai MP6, Korg M50, Ui24R, Saffire Pro 40. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11; Win8.1: Scarletts BIAB2022 UltraPAK, Reaper, a bunch of stuff.
This discussion has been very informative and helpful! Audio definitely has functions that I can use, so I'll use Audio from now on, at least from time to time.
This discussion has been very informative and helpful! Audio definitely has functions that I can use, so I'll use Audio from now on, at least from time to time.
So, thank you all!
/Bent
Thanks for marking it as 'Resolved' and I hope it is the correct successful solution for you.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
In BB, under the Audio menu, there is an option saying “Render song to audio track (and mute tracks).” Why would one do that? What is gained by doing that?
This a very old feature that was used before the freezing tracks was possible.
In BB, under the Audio menu, there is an option saying “Render song to audio track (and mute tracks).” Why would one do that? What is gained by doing that?
This a very old feature that was used before the freezing tracks was possible.
That being the case, and especially if it's buggy, it might be best to simply remove that menu item.
That being the case, and especially if it's buggy, it might be best to simply remove that menu item.
Mark, I have reported this to the developers and suggested it should be removed, especially if it is essentially an obsolete function, and there are multiple other ways to create audio output.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!
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.
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!
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!
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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean