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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Hi, I’m thinking of getting a mini pc for my music rather than upgrading to a better laptop. Anyone use them. Basically just want to use it for Band in a Box, and my piano vst’s which I use in stand alone mode. Any thoughts? ( not sure if I’ve posted in the correct part of forum 😁)


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rikki

BIAB 2025
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Yamaha sx900
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Short answer yes, some have a mini-PC as their main system
It's all about the specs & usually mini-PCs have SSD or NVMe drives


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
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I've been using a mini PC instead of a laptop for three years and it works great.


BIAB 2025,RB 2025,PTA 2024,Windows 11,Studio One PRO 5.5.2,Melodyne Studio 5.4.2.006,Sibelius 8.4.1,Acoustica 7.4.14,Notion 6,Progression 3,Harmony Assistant 9.9.5c,RX9,Ripx DeepAudio 7.5.1,Kontakt 7.10.7,DeCoda 1.3.2,Synthesizer V Studio Pro 1.12.2
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Unfortunately, I can't change the current SW status on the profile:
BIAB 2025,RB 2025,PTA 2024,Windows 11,Studio One PRO 5.52,Melodyne Studio 5.3.1,Sibelius 8.4.1,Acoustica 7.7.5,Notion 6,Progression 3,Harmony Assistant 9.9.5c,RX9,Ripx DeepAudio 7.5.1,Kontakt 7.10.7,DeCoda 1.3.2,Synthesizer V Studio Pro 1.11.2 and others.


BIAB 2025,RB 2025,PTA 2024,Windows 11,Studio One PRO 5.5.2,Melodyne Studio 5.4.2.006,Sibelius 8.4.1,Acoustica 7.4.14,Notion 6,Progression 3,Harmony Assistant 9.9.5c,RX9,Ripx DeepAudio 7.5.1,Kontakt 7.10.7,DeCoda 1.3.2,Synthesizer V Studio Pro 1.12.2
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Quote
Unfortunately, I can't change the current SW status on the profile:
Click on your name at the top-right of the form (next to the envelope icon) and select the 'Edit Profile' item. Then scroll down to the Forum Profile section, and edit your Signature details.


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
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This is not possible like this and I will have to contact PGMUSIC support. The problem is that I logged into the Forum under a different account with a different email than I do today with the new email. I had two accounts because I wanted to transfer the records of my purchases that I had on the original account to the new account and only then cancel the original account. The transfer of purchases was successful with the help of PGMUSIC support, but on the new profile I had and still have the original email as verified. I wanted to change it before, but the verification email that I was supposed to confirm apparently came to me as spam and I did not confirm it and after a month the email was deleted as spam. I do not have this the verification email in my email account. I started solving this problem recently, when after more than two years I wanted to change the list of my software and the profile changes were not accepted with a refusal that the change is not possible, that there is an account with another user under this name (my original account). I am not even allowed to verify the email address again. This problem is here on my forum account, but the account for purchases at PGMUSIC is fully functional. And I log in to the forum through the new account and can communicate here. I will have to contact - support PGMUSIC via email, because the AI communication here will not solve it.


BIAB 2025,RB 2025,PTA 2024,Windows 11,Studio One PRO 5.5.2,Melodyne Studio 5.4.2.006,Sibelius 8.4.1,Acoustica 7.4.14,Notion 6,Progression 3,Harmony Assistant 9.9.5c,RX9,Ripx DeepAudio 7.5.1,Kontakt 7.10.7,DeCoda 1.3.2,Synthesizer V Studio Pro 1.12.2
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Hi Gause,
Sorry for your issues.
It would be worthwhile contacting PG Music support directly. Your issue is not directly related to using a Mini PC with BIAB, so others might become confused.


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
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I already solved it by logging into the original account and making changes and verification, and it was also displayed in the new account.


BIAB 2025,RB 2025,PTA 2024,Windows 11,Studio One PRO 5.5.2,Melodyne Studio 5.4.2.006,Sibelius 8.4.1,Acoustica 7.4.14,Notion 6,Progression 3,Harmony Assistant 9.9.5c,RX9,Ripx DeepAudio 7.5.1,Kontakt 7.10.7,DeCoda 1.3.2,Synthesizer V Studio Pro 1.12.2
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I apologize, especially for the fact that after announcing that I am successfully using a miniPC, and then I noticed that I had outdated software in my profile. I am 74 years old and so I did not realize that I could mislead other users.


BIAB 2025,RB 2025,PTA 2024,Windows 11,Studio One PRO 5.5.2,Melodyne Studio 5.4.2.006,Sibelius 8.4.1,Acoustica 7.4.14,Notion 6,Progression 3,Harmony Assistant 9.9.5c,RX9,Ripx DeepAudio 7.5.1,Kontakt 7.10.7,DeCoda 1.3.2,Synthesizer V Studio Pro 1.12.2
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All good, Gause!. There is definitely no need to apologize, but thank you for letting us know that you have resolved your issue.

Keep having fun with music, that's the most important part smile


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
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I use an HP mini PC - an Elitedesk 800 G5 DM with i5-9500 (6 core with 32gb ram), which is slightly smaller than a Mac Mini (well, the older Mac Minis). I also have a small stack of Mac Mini's ranging from Core2Duo to quad-core i7 to 8-core M1. I use all of them for music production.

Some mini PC's use "laptop hardware" meaning they use a lower power CPU and other parts, while some use the faster desktop parts. In my experience there are advantages and disadvantages to both - the more powerful stuff needs better cooling, meaning you'll more often hear the fans kicking in while the less powerful stuff would be near silent, but I also haven't really run into performance issues with the less powerful stuff, so that would be what I'd aim for. Look up the model of CPU both for benchmarks and to see how many watts it uses - the less watts used while offering good performance, the better.

For example, take a look at the chart here: https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/3444vs6112vs5852vs5719/Intel-i5-9500-vs-Intel-i7-14700T-vs-Intel-i7-14700-vs-Intel-i7-14700K

The leftmost one is my current CPU, which works great for music production. Even the lowest power of the current i7 chips is more than triple the speed. But look closely at the TDP row, that's how many watts of heat they can produce - and it's MUCH easier to cool a 35w CPU than a 125w monster. My previous machine used an i9-9900K which is only 95w, but it was difficult to keep quiet.


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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.

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