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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464 |
I am about ready to buy a new computer. A few questions for you folks:
Do BB and RB work the same with an AMD or an Intel processor?
If so, does it matter if it is i3, i5 or i7 if the processor speed is the same?
Can BB and RB take advantage of speeds above 3.0? I have found several desktops that hit 3.6 or more ghz (one of them is an i3). But if the software can't use it, it doesn't seem worth paying for.
I know a few of you build your own. Where did you get the information to know what to order and how to do it?
Any guidance? Thanks.
2b
i5-3210 laptop. Win 10 Home. 2.5ghz, 64 bit. 6gb RAM. Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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A faster computer will not have an affect on your tempo but it will affect processing. That is the faster the processor speed the faster the processing. Thus a song's generation will be faster with a faster computer. I have an i7, 3.40 GHz CPU, 64 bit system that is fast.
The difference in i3-i7 is the number of processing cores. The more cores the faster your multitasking processing. Some programs like my Sonar DAW uses all 8 cores. I believe BiaB and RT will use multiple cores.
The question is how are you going to use the computer? Are you going to use it just for BiaB, RT and the Internet? Do you have or will you ever purchase a powerful DAW, or other software like Kontakt, large VSTis, or photographic processing software. If you are only going to use it for BiaB, RT and the Internet then you don't need the most powerful computer and the i3 with 8 gigs of ram should be fine.
Personally I would buy the largest 64 bit, i version with 16 gigs of ram that I could afford. From what others have posted BiaB and RT sound great with large 64 bit VSTis like Kontakt, Sampletank 3 and other.
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Great advice above from Mario.
I can't comment on AMD; haven't used it in decades, dating back to when there were software compatibility issues (which I think is not the case now).
I have built all my PCs since 1983. You can see what I'm using in my signature below.
If I recall correctly, an i3 with a slightly faster processing speed may still be slower than an i5 with a slower processing speed. The number of cores, whether they are real or virtual, and the amount of cache memory are a few considerations, especially if the software is written to take advantage of them. Same for moving from an i5 to an i7. In other words, there is more to the architecture than just processing speed. As I understand it, having an i7 that runs slower than an i3 or i5 is actually good, as it may draw less electricity and thus generate less heat. However, this is all relative and not of a great deal of consequence in today's PCs. My laptop is an i5 and I'm very happy with it.
There are two main things that determine speed using BIAB:
The first is the choice of disk drive, to load the program and then to load RealTracks. I have the program on an SSD, and the RealTracks and RealDrums on a fast (10,000 rpm) hard drive by themselves. About loading the program, PG Music recently (this spring) sped up the loading time dramatically, so this no longer matters: we're talking only a few seconds difference now. It does make a difference loading the RealTracks.
The second is the choice of processor. This determines the speed of regenerating the RealTracks. The faster the processor, the less wait you will have regenerating a song. This probably makes more difference in using BIAB than anything else, if you change your song often. I'm a composer and I'm always regenerating, so I have a fast i7.
To put all this another way, things of less consequence for BIAB are RAM and graphics. The exception for RAM would be, as Mario said, if you like to use a lot of software synths or effects. But I tend not to use any of that in BIAB, and do my processing in my DAW (SONAR).
If you really want to consult an expert who builds custom PCs for musicians, then contact Jim Roseberry. He can be found on the SONAR forum. You can have him build you a PC and load all your software (and stand behind the purchase), or just hire him to give you specs of components he knows work well together (and there are plenty that do not).
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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The difference in i3-i7 is the number of processing cores. Found this description on the web. - The CPU frequency and thermal output (TDW) is largely not determined by the Core i_ name
- Core i5 and i7 both have Turbo Boost while the i3 does not
- Core i5 and i7 CPUs have 4 cores, while i3 CPUs only have 2
- Core i5 CPUs lack Hyperthreading
- Core i7 CPUs have more Smart Cache than i5 CPUs, which in turn have more cache than i3 CPUs
- Core i5 and i7 CPUs have the same graphics, although the speed of that graphics will depend on the individual CPU. Core i3 CPUs have variable graphics depending on the price-point of the CPU.
So while i7 CPUs do have overall better specifications than i5 CPUs, there is actually quite a bit of overlap between the two except that i5 CPUs do not support Hyperthreading. Especially in terms of frequency and thermal output, the two lines really are not very different. For i3 CPUs, the main difference is that they only have two cores, a smaller cache, do not support Turbo Boost and have overall lower thermal output than i5 and i7 CPUs.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2024/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464
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OP
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Posts: 464 |
As always, you guys are so helpful.
As far as DAW, I think I am going to add Reaper and process the way Noel does. BB to RB to Reaper.
Thanks again to all of you.
i5-3210 laptop. Win 10 Home. 2.5ghz, 64 bit. 6gb RAM. Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Let us know what you decide. I would tend to put the most money you can afford into the processor (and required motherboard). You can always add RAM, or upgrade a disk or graphics card.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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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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