BandTrax FAQ - GENERAL QUESTIONS

 

I can't get the demos to play. Can I save them and listen to them later?

Why do the demos sound great thru my MIDI player or keyboard but sound awful thru my computer sound card?

Why do you show things like "Single Mix" or "Album Version" etc. in the catalogue listings?

What is the quality of your MIDIfiles?

What do you think about free files available on the Internet?

Will you sell or give my contact information to another company?

Can I get a complete catalogue?

How much is a trax?

Do you make MIDIfiles that are not listed?

 

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I can't get the demos to play. Can I save them and listen to them later?
  The demos will play by left clicking on the DEMO icon. By right clicking on the DEMO icon you can save the demo file for evaluation later in your favorite MIDI playback device.
To enable playback from your PC you must have Windows Media Player or some other form of media playback software installed correctly. You should find Windows Media Player on your PC at "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPLAYER.EXE". You can get the current version of Windows Media Player from www.microsoft.com.
Windows Media Player also needs to be associated to MIDIfiles to enable playback. If you are not confident in making changes to your system, please do not attempt the following changes as you may disable other media playback devices. Get someone who knows what these changes can do to help you. We will not be responsible for things going wrong. If you are confident in making system changes, follow the guides in the link.
www.bandtrax.com.au/faq2016/playdemos.htm
 
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Why do the demos sound great thru my MIDI player or keyboard but sound awful thru my computer sound card?
  We recommend that you use a Sound Module or external sound generator rather than the computer sound card for our MIDIfiles. Sure, there are some quite good sound cards these days, but MOST are cheap cards thrown in on a package computer deal. These cards have a very basic GM sound set and a rather average dynamic range. Remember that these cards are primarily designed for games, NOT for full midi arrangements. When checking our demos, it may be worthwhile "right clicking" on the demo and saving it for further listening on a higher quality MIDI sound device.  
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Why do you show things like "Single Mix" or "Album Version" etc. in the catalogue listings?
  We have learnt the hard way that an artist may release different versions of the same song through out the world. For example, an artist may release the single version in Australia with a solo, yet not include the solo in the U.K. or USA release. There are also variations in what is actually the single or album version. Some territories may use the album version for single airplay, while others use a separate mix single airplay version. There are now also differences between some AM versions and FM versions and video versions, video versions and promo versions of the same song. Here are just some examples:

You Sexy Thing by Hot Chocolate - The U.K. version has a 16 bar intro NOT on the Australian release.

Key Largo by Bertie Higgins - The USA version has an extra verse & chorus NOT on the Australian release.

Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry - Some releases include the key change before the end of the recording.

Midnight At The Oasis by Maria Muldaur - The guitar solo is different in the U.K. release than that on the Australian release.

If Tomorrow Never Comes by Ronan Keating - There are two single releases. One is CD1 and the other ... CD2. Both have the single release that is slow. There is also a different up tempo version included on both single releases, however the slow version is the considered single version.

Shania Twain - The album Come On Over was released twice, about 12 months apart. The original release was more a "band" version, where as the tracks on the second release were more "electronic" with dance mixes included. The song listing on both albums is the same. Many of the single versions from both album releases are different from those on the albums.

Sex Bomb by Tom Jones - There are three distinct version releases. The U.K. single version is a down mix of the album version. The album version is same as the Australian single version. There is also the "Peppermint Disco Radio Mix" included with the single release in Australia and some other territories.

Underneath The Radar by Underworld - The single release is much shorter than the album version, however the album version is considered the normal version as it is this version that is used in clubs.

I Say A Little Prayer by Diana King - The single and album versions are completely different in arrangement, tempo and feel.

Most People I Know Think That I'm Crazy by Billy Thorpe - There is a single version that does not include the solo (or part of it). The album version is considered the normal version.

On A Night Like This by Kylie Minogue - The album version is the Australian single version. The video version in the U.K. is a different arrangement with more drums/percussion included in the mix.

Young Hearts Run Free by Kim Mazelle - The album version is longer than the single version. The album version is considered the normal version as it is this version that is used in clubs.

500 Miles by The Proclaimers - At least two different versions. Differing arrangement lengths.

Keep A Knockin' by The Everly Brothers - There are two different versions of this.

A Little Less Conversation by Elvis Vs JXL - So far we have found 7 different versions. Everything from the original 30 seconds Nike commercial thru to the 6 minutes 20 seconds Extended Mix. The version at about 3 minutes 10 seconds is the most common airplay version known as the radio edit, however all versions are included in, or came from the Extended Mix.

Kylie Minogue's "Love At First Sight (US 7' mix)" At the time of programming this title, here's the info. about this one from someone who knows. "This track hasn't been released on any CD format in the world. It seems that this track was on the promo Vinyl issued to Dj's and made it's way onto the internet and this is how it got onto radio. The only commercial release (at this point in time) of this track is on Vinyl out of America through Capitol Records (catalog number 8777241). As Festival Mushroom Records will not be importing this, nor will EMI (who distribute Capitol Records) the only way you are going to be able to get this is if you import it."

Mickey by Toni Basil - The version from the Album has an extra line of "chants" at the start and in the middle.

Way Out West - The Dingoes. It's the old "airplay" and "album" version problem. Basically, the airplay (BT1266) has the bridge after the second verse, with the third and fourth verses after the bridge, and the last two verses on the album version cut. Maybe the "booze and fight" verse wasn't a good idea for airplay in those days. The la,la,la,la,la,la, bit starts earlier (over the harmonica) on the airplay version and repeats 3 times with a guitar solo end. There is also some different instrumentation. The single version has mandolin where the album version has marimba in the bridge. The album version is around 40 seconds longer without a solo out at the end. Also, the airplay version originally faded out. The album version ends clean.

Also be aware that many long time acts have changed members and re-recorded their "hits" over the years. The Platters are a good example of this. There are numerous versions of their songs that have been recorded over the years with different member line-ups and therefore slightly different arrangements.

What we're really saying is this. If you think that we've "guessed" the arrangement of the MIDIfile, we haven't. We have programmed it from some original recording. It may not be the same recording you have, but it is from a real original recording. Where possible, we attempt to specify this, but we can't be expected to know of every version released world wide. Put it this way ..... we DON'T intentionally produce incorrect arrangements of titles.
 
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What is the quality of your MIDIfiles?
  When you purchase MIDIfiles from BandTrax you are getting:

Top-quality First Generation files.
Legally licensed music reproductions.
Four discreet Formats available to suit all hardware & software. GS & GM in either Format 0 or Format 1.
All files, GS, GM, Format 1 and Format 0 are supplied from our master files.
All files come with LYRIC sheet and TRACK sheet.
All files are mastered thru discreet mastering software to enable a standard within all files.
All files are secured directly from the authorized programmer/producer.
Prompt, secure, personalised service.
Full after sales support.
Our ELITE Users should give an idea of where and who they're being used by.
 
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What do you think about free files available on the Internet?
  MIDIfiles obtained from the Internet are fine....if you don't mind unreliable quality, unpredictable arrangements, important information missing, non-standardisation, and worst of all....POSSIBLE STOLEN PROPERTY and POSSIBLE VIRUS contamination. It is coming to our attention more and more, that some unscrupulous MIDIfile sellers are actually downloading FREE poor quality files from the Net and then on-selling them as their own. BandTrax will NEVER be involved in this activity for many reasons....it's illegal, misleading, we DO have pride in our work, and there is no way we would ever allow any "possibly infected" data obtained from the Net to be included with our productions (for obvious reasons). Remember, any files obtained from open access public areas that are zipped or included with an executable file CAN carry a virus. Worse still, if they are E-mailed to you there is a good chance of getting a virus with the E-mail. BandTrax endeavour to obtain the latest E-mail virus checkers to overcome that problem, however many others don't. We have seen a "MIDIFILE Virus" and it plays havoc with ALL midifiles. Basically it messes with the SysEx side of things and all of your files will no longer work like they once did. This virus also has a "partner" that attacks the FAT (File Allocation Table) of your DOS disks, both floppies and hard drives. The suggestion is, that if you obtain files that you think are not genuine, either by the inaccuracies, or the errors and problems they produce, contact the supplier and ask that you be given contact information of the programmer or a fix to the problem. If this can't be provided easily, we suggest that you don't get your files from there in the future.  
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Will you sell or give my contact information to another company?
  We have been in business for many years and plan to be in business for many more. Selling or providing customer information to a third party is in direct conflict with our ideals. All transactions are handled by the National Australia Bank or PayPal and are NOT connected to any of our computers or on-line systems. The National Australia Bank receive only information they require to verify and authorize your credit card. They are under strict obligation to keep your personal information private.  
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Can I get a complete catalogue?
  You may download a complete catalogue from www.bandtrax.com.au/filelist.htm  
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How much is a trax?
  Current price details are in the price list.  
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Do you make MIDIfiles that are not listed?
  Yes and no. We do not do "one-off" productions due to the cost. If we need to stop everything for a day and work for you, it isn't cheap or recommended.
It is recommended that you add your requested title to our suggestions list. This way we can see the popularity of various titles and judge the worthiness of producing that title. If done, it will be added to the catalogue with normal pricing.
 
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