I try not to normalize at all. For the most part the exported BIAB tracks have decent levels and work well in Reaper. For my own tracking I try to max around the sweet spot for Reaper again, (-12 on the indicator), so have no problems "gain staging" in the box. I used to normalize stuff in the DAW before mixing but found that, on occasion, the increased noise floor was a problem and it was an unnecessary step. I suppose it also depends on whether it's a revisable process in your DAW.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I don't normalize in BB but I probably have the "Normalize Tracks" turned on by default. Generally if the track is well recorded, normalizing it in not required.
After I have mixed and exported my track, I always open it in a Wave Editor and trim the silence from the start and end and.... I will run the normalize function on it at this point. The amount of normalization used varies depending on the level of the file. The goal is to not need to use normalize but I have no problems with using it.
If you have an anemic looking wave, you did something wrong and rather than fixing it with Normalize, you should go back to your process and see what you're not doing correctly.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add 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.
You may find the issue is not that you need to normalize an audio file, which changes the file's volume level, but instead need to make the waveform height bigger so the waveform display occupies more of the track height.
Some DAWs have a feature that allows a user to change the apparent displayed waveform height in a track without changing any waveform values. Both Audacity and Cakewalk by Bandlab make the display change by allowing the user to change a track's volume scale. Cakewalk also has a maximize waveform height command.
I try not to normalize at all. For the most part the exported BIAB tracks have decent levels and work well in Reaper. For my own tracking I try to max around the sweet spot for Reaper again, (-12 on the indicator), so have no problems "gain staging" in the box. I used to normalize stuff in the DAW before mixing but found that, on occasion, the increased noise floor was a problem and it was an unnecessary step. I suppose it also depends on whether it's a revisable process in your DAW.
If I use the Biab Trak Injector it will use the source files direct without any processing or added fx, these can be instantly changed to Direct Input or with the amp fx keeping the same riffs.
Disclaimer: I don't normalize during BIAB export because I try to get the individual levels as close as possible to what I want in BIAB to save some work in my DAW.
However, if you REALLY want the mathematically best audio quality, it's best to normalize during the BIAB export so as not to lose any digital information. Not that anyone could actually hear the difference (...if you had somehow reasonable levels in BIAB).
I try to get the individual levels as close as possible to what I want in BIAB to save some work in my DAW.
Interesting but I'm a fan of exporting with no EQ, No Reverb, No panning & NO level change so that I have all options available in REAPER which is easier to use as well.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I try to get the individual levels as close as possible to what I want in BIAB to save some work in my DAW.
Interesting but I'm a fan of exporting with no EQ, No Reverb, No panning & NO level change so that I have all options available in REAPER which is easier to use as well.
Of course, this is the best option in terms of sound quality.
But I'm a lazy person as long as it doesn't affect the sound too much. But I'm only talking about the levels, reverb, EQ and other processing I do only in my DAW. There are so many inexpensive and good plug-ins on the market that it would be stupid to rely only on BIAB.
And IF the levels are too low, I sometimes normalize in BIAB.
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!
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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.
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