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Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 86
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 86 |
'Tis the season of giving - but if you're anything like me, a few gifts for yourself sneak into your gifts for others !!!
Is anyone planning on gifting themselves any musical goodies, like
- lessons with a great music teacher
- online video streaming lessons
- any kind of music books
- a day off from work (or from your usual retirement routine) just to play, practice, or listen to your favorite music
Best,
Joe
BB/RB 2025
Windows 10
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,697
Product Manager
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Product Manager
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,697 |
Absolutely there will be some self-gifts under my tree! First and foremost, I'm giving myself more opportunity to play the drums - I bought a drum kit earlier this year that I haven't had much opportunity to use yet, so I'm going to book some regular time at a practice space. As well, I'm going to try and squeeze in an electric drum kit if I can. Secondly, I started a small collection of nice headphones recently, and I might add to that - I've got a few nice pairs of open-backs, and might spring for a nicer pair of closed-back cans  What are you gifting yourself?
I work here
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eddie1261
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eddie1261
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Absolutely nothing! In my case both the giver and the receiver are incredibly cheap, and If I give myself a gift, then social protocol says receiving me must them give a gift to giving me, and that sets up an endless loop of giving/receiving and receiving/giving that led to me have 8 guitars I don't pay and 8 keyboards I rarely play (I could do with just the Kurzweil I have down here in my office area.) and a rack full of synth modules.
Plus I am also a grouch (or in this case, grinch) and I don't do holidays.
But to all of you who do get involved with this kind of thing, don't be cheap and buy yourself something nice!!
For you, Simon, I suggest a set of Sony MDR7506 phones. $90 at Walmart, or $130 from Sony if you want to feel like you are splurging!! I have 2 of these, one upstairs and one downstairs, and they are great.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621 |
Nothing here. My 14 year old Nikon left us and moved on to that great photoshoot in the sky so all my pennies have to go towards funding a replacement.
You think plugins are expensive....
Byron Dickens BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency. https://soundcloud.com/athanorsoundlabs
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eddie1261
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eddie1261
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You going to buy a DSLR or a film model? (Do they even make those anymore?) I picked up a Canon EOS Rebel T6 with a 50mm fixed lens in a pawn shop for $200 a couple of years back. Then added a 75-200 zoom lens, an 18-55 zoom, a remote shutter switch and a monopod. A few accessories, like a body cap and some lens covers because to ones that came with the lenses we non good, and I brought the whole system in for about $500. I don't use it much, but it does a nice job for me. ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/Cp6pYim.jpg) This duck was about 300 yards from me at Salem Lake in NC when I was down that way for Herbfest in 2022. I know a lot of people prefer film, but I just wanted to share what I picked up as you search for your new stuff. I also know a few Nikon people and they will use nothing else. Like how I used to be a Gibson snob in my day and thought the Les Paul was the only guitar in the universe.
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,057
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,057 |
Well, BIAB 2024 of course. The best Goodie out there. I did just buy a luxury item: a Lokius by Schiit Audio (a Texas company). It's a small six-band tone control that sits right in front of me, instead of my reaching for the old multiband equalizer over in the rack spaces. When I listen to music, this little device allows me to tune in, or tune out, the bass etc. to help make hearing individual parts much easier to transcribe. https://www.schiit.com/products/lokius
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,330
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,330 |
Besides BiaB 2024, I've already purchased a few Xtra paks and styles that I need to complete my collection.
BIAB & RB2025 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
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,574
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,574 |
I was inspired by a friend who said he wants to put more of himself into his music, a sentiment I share. So I recently got a good deal from my gear advisor for a drum sampling pad; the kind you play with sticks.
This thing is awesome and provides endless fun and growth. I'm looking forward to using it to add percussion to the BiaB songs I write.
And BiaB 2024 is on order.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2025 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Off-Topic
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,697
Product Manager
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Product Manager
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,697 |
For you, Simon, I suggest a set of Sony MDR7506 phones. $90 at Walmart, or $130 from Sony if you want to feel like you are splurging!! I have 2 of these, one upstairs and one downstairs, and they are great. I've considered the 7506's, but I've already got a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50's which are pretty similar to the Sony's. I've also got Sennheiser HD 380 Pro (which desperately need new earpads), AKG K7XX, a pair of 1970's K240's, and (currently my favourite) Grado SR60E. Considering a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 770's though, quickly demoed them at a store recently and liked what I heard. I did just buy a luxury item: a Lokius by Schiit Audio (a Texas company). It's a small six-band tone control that sits right in front of me, instead of my reaching for the old multiband equalizer over in the rack spaces. When I listen to music, this little device allows me to tune in, or tune out, the bass etc. to help make hearing individual parts much easier to transcribe. https://www.schiit.com/products/lokiusI always suggest having things like that at your fingertips. Years ago I built a studio monitor controller, mostly because I needed switchable inputs and a big volume knob, but I also added in a Mono switch and a Polarity switch, and dang do I use both of those religiously when checking a mix. Good thought about a tone control though, I wonder if I can add that and still keep the design passive... Well, BIAB 2024 of course. The best Goodie out there. Besides BiaB 2024, I've already purchased a few Xtra paks and styles that I need to complete my collection. And BiaB 2024 is on order. Onya mates 
I work here
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,057
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,057 |
Simon, I now use Beyerdynamic 770s. They are great. I also have the Sony 7506 which is good to wear when recording.
For mixing long periods, I use Alessandro open headphones. Your Grados were modified by Alessandro. Both are comfortable, neutral and clear.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Off-Topic
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,697
Product Manager
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Product Manager
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,697 |
Simon, I now use Beyerdynamic 770s. They are great. I also have the Sony 7506 which is good to wear when recording.
For mixing long periods, I use Alessandro open headphones. Your Grados were modified by Alessandro. Both are comfortable, neutral and clear. See I've heard a lot of good things about the 770's and practically nothing bad, that's why I'm leaning towards those. And absolutely, these Grados are incredibly comfortable and clear, though like everyone I'd appreciate just a little more bottom end. Anyway, good to have a handful of nice cans in my line of work
I work here
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,826
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,826 |
…. I also have the Sony 7506 which is good to wear when recording.
…
. The MDR 7506 is an industry standard. I can count the number of basses in the section of a well recorded orchestra. If only the cords used a jack instead of being hard wired. I dislike that the ear pads fall apart after a couple years or so. I found some Genuine Sheepskin Leather Earpads over memory foam replacements about six years ago and couldn't be happier. They're a little tricky to install but, if I can do it one-handed, anyone can do it with two. Like any new leather gear, it takes a few hours for the leather to break in and become comfortable. Recently, the lip that fits into the groove became too flexible and the cups fell off my most used pair. A small bead of silicone over the groove fixed that and will be easy to remove if these cup pads ever wear out in my lifetime (still looking good). Anyway, all of my 7506s sport these now. I now do critical mastering with the Steven Slate Audio VSX system and those 'phones are incredibly comfortable but I don't use them for anything else. I have an old pair of Grado open air for casual listening but I rarely do that anymore. Because of my limited mobility, I prefer to crank up the speakers nowadays but certain old recordings including anything with Joe Osborne or Chop Douglas on bass just sound like magic on those Grados.
BIAB 2024 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,697
Product Manager
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Product Manager
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,697 |
If only the cords used a jack instead of being hard wired. There are a few websites that offer headphone modification service or DIY parts for that sort of thing - not sure if any of them cover the Sony's though. I dislike that the ear pads fall apart after a couple years or so. That happened to my M50's and my HD 380's - just replaced the pads on the 380's actually and they're like new again. I didn't like the stock pads on the M50's that much, so on a recommendation I used a set of Shure pads on them and they feel incredible now and so far have lasted a lot longer. I also may swap the pads on my K7XX's, they're a bit firm for my liking, although they're also easily the most comfortable big headphones I own. I have an old pair of Grado open air for casual listening but I rarely do that anymore. Because of my limited mobility, I prefer to crank up the speakers nowadays but certain old recordings including anything with Joe Osborne or Chop Douglas on bass just sound like magic on those Grados. Similarly I prefer speakers, but yeah dang my Grados are magical like you say. I can hear new things in music I've been listening to for decades! Honestly headphones for me are mostly for fun and for outdoors - I mix through studio monitors whenever possible. For listening at home I've got my original HR824's and my home theatre which consists of a Marantz receiver and a pair of medium size 1970's Technics speakers - both systems sound fantastic.
I work here
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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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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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