Looking into a new PC with BIAB in mind. It obviously will have BIAB loaded but possibly a third party DAW, and any other music related software but that is all I intend using this PC for. No Word, Excel, CAD, etc etc
Looking at either a out the box laptop or build another PC from the ground up?
Not so fussed on the price side of things more on what will give better interoperability.
Is there any advantage in having multi screen displays with BIAB or is it only a single screen engine?
I plan on having a USB interface for mic and guitar so I am not seeing any major benifit in analog I/O on the computer, am I missing anything here? I would assume you run you monitor speakers and or headphones from your USB interface.
What screen size are people using and is there a sweet spot as far as that goes? Given most laptop screens are 15.5" to the higher end 17.3" would they be a comfortable size or do you need a larger size to operate BIAB comfortably?
I have an open mind as to which way to go, would really value your input and experiences to help guide me in the direction for the best BIAB user experience.
Hi. I don't even have BIAB on my laptop, though many here do and are happy with it. Likewise I have not felt the need for multiple monitors for BIAB though again, many here are happy with them. There are occasional comments how BIAB windows could be managed better on multiple monitors, but I don't know specifics.
A desktop is cheaper for the same power, and upgradable so much more easily. I build all my own desktops, too.
If you are really optimizing for BIAB, then put your money into the CPU and the sound interface, and don't worry as much about the video, or even the RAM unless you use soft synths extensively.
My monitor is a standard 24". I recall a few comments by those with monitors much larger that there are occasional dialog boxes where the text is smaller than they would like, and yet changing the default Windows size larger than 100% causes its own problems.
You'll get tons of differing opinions here, no doubt. Hope this helps a little.
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
I have BIAB on both my laptop and desktop. It runs fine on both.
Having it on my laptop, however, lets me take it with me when I go on travel, so portability is a big plus. In those cases, I just use the onboard sound card (which on my laptop works fine with ASIO4ALL)
At my desk, however, I use my USB interface and I have a second monitor. I don't need a second monitor for BIAB, per se, but you can open up VST/VSTi effects/instruments on the second monitor, so you can still see the BIAB screen while working with the effect/instrument.
On the desktop side, as Matt pointed out, upgradeability is much easier on a desktop and there is more space for things like additional hard drives. The desktop will be cheaper while giving you more power.
Both can have essentially the same processor and RAM, for me, it really comes down to portability.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
I used to run BIAB on a laptop, with increasing age looking at a small screen for hours became tiring. Switching to a desktop with a 24" monitor was a welcome change, albeit losing portability which I find I can live without.
The biggest change for me was switching from a 24" monitor to a 27" monitor. Using Windows "split screen" where I can have two windows with separate apps running side by side has been a real plus to my productivity.
Just wondering how you're using the split screens? I can get both my big TV screen and my monitor to switch between 3 virtual screens but not two together using the button on the bottom left next to the Windows 10 search box, but I can't get it to show two screens simultaneously. How did you do that? Is it in settings?
I've got Windows 10 Creator version and I have 2 monitors so I can run different programs on each screen. Sometimes they open on the wrong screen or messages appear on the wrong screen , but once you figure out how to throw programs to the left or right and mouse cursor to the right or left all is well.
Last edited by lambada; 05/23/1703:29 AM.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487 BIAB 2021 (Build 818) Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi) VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
Have to say my need for portability has long gone since I have retired. My iPad is all I need when I travel. I've always have had, well it seems like for always that I have had a laptop.
Of course, depending on your budget, the two aren't mutually exclusive. You could have both. And most music production applications allow you to run on both a laptop and a desktop.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
I would choose to go with a desktop because it is easier to perform upgrades in the future. Even if it's nothing more than adding RAM it's easier to upgrade a desktop than it is a laptop.
I have both and see no real advantage to the laptop. I shave dual monitor sysetem and use only the one monitor for bIAB. I don't hik you;ll go wrosng with either or both.
Dell 610 dual Monitor, win 7-10, Sonar Plat, ProTools 10 & 11, Reaper 4, BIAB/real Band 2022, Easy Drummer, Superior Drummer, Kontact Essentials, Personnel Orchestra, Korg Legacy Analog & Digital
Lambada....using Windows 10, just grab the current window at the very top while holding down the left mouse button. Then drag the entire window either left or right to the very edge of your screen. Let go of the left mouse button and the screen will "pop" to the right or left side and fill half of the screen. Open a new window or app and do the same thing, pulling that window to the opposite side of your screen. Then you will have two screens, each taking up half of your screen. You can do this with up to 4 screens or apps at the same time by dragging the open screens to the corners of your monitor but the size of each screen will then only fill 1/4 of your monitor...that's getting pretty small...at least for my eyes on a 27" monitor.
Thanks. Too easy. I just did this with a tab in Mozilla and it put the individual tab in a Mozilla screen. Now I'm typing and watching a video on Elon Musk simultaneously. Very Cool.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487 BIAB 2021 (Build 818) Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi) VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
You get exactly what you want, the OS you want and you end up with more machine for less green.
I built a custom DAW about 10 years ago now. i5 quad core processor and it was designed to do music and nothing else. I borrowed the specs from a well known custom DAW builder on line.
It screams and now, 10 years later it is still rally fast. I keep it off line except to authorize any new software I buy. But I rarely do that now. It works well and there's no need to buy more stuff. No updates and no problems.
Planning to go to dual monitors shortly. Whether BB can do dual screens, I don't see why not.... but if not, run BB in one and your DAW in the other.
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.
BIAB is fine in dual screens. I just tried it. It works best if you put the mixer in its own window. Then you can throw it on to the other screen. I added the guitar window as well as an example and my screen recording software (NCH - DEBUT) to take the photo, so ignore that. (They look as if they're side by side, but in reality it's two separate screens. It's just an easy way to show it using DEBUT.) Three screens would be cool.
Edit: Just noticed that in BIAB 2017 you can throw screens onto your second monitor (outside BIAB screen), but in RealBand you can't. It looks like it uses the same screens, so it should be easy to make RealBand do the same as BIAB. Might be a good wishlist option? I'm only starting on Realband, so not in a position to make that kind of call.
Last edited by lambada; 05/26/1710:12 PM.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487 BIAB 2021 (Build 818) Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi) VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
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.