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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 122
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 122 |
I am taking the plunge and moving to Nashville next week. I like to write my lyrics using a program called Masterwriter which I will likely need to take with me from time to time for cowrites, etc. I will also be using my BIAB 2010 for basic demos and such. As a result, I am looking at purchasing a new laptop.
I currently use a Presonus Digital Audio input box w/firewire for my vocals and occasional guitar so I will obviously need at least one firewire port. Outside of that, do I need a special soundcard for the new computer or will it have whatever I need? My desktop computer doesn't having a special soundcard other than what is on the motherboard and I have been happy. I mostly use the realtracks though so I don't know if that matters. To be honest, I don't even know what a soundcard is or does. The less I have to drag around, the better so if things can be installed internally, that is better unless it doesn't sound as good.
As regards the computer itself, any caveats regarding brands or operating software? (FYI, I am a PC guy and have been using a desktop computer bought from a small computer store.) Any minimum hardware or software specs I should look for in regards to optimal functioning of BIAB/RB? I generally get the best I can afford, but there are so many options now that the same price point can get you a multitude of configurations.
Thanks to everyone for your input and advice.
Ricky
________
Songwriter-Artist
RickyHarris.com
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
Hey Ricky,
Good on ya moving to Nashville, many great musicians and a good vibe there. I lived in Brentwood for a while, I enjoyed my time there very much, although I was working in the IT field and didn't have the time for Music related projects.
I wanted to point out one thing that I saw on your post that made my alarms go off.
Regarding needing a Firewire port>You should know that as of late, no new models are being made using the Texas Instrument Firewire chipset. This is a problem, as it is known that non TI chipsets will give you pops, clicks and other "Issues" with your audio tracks. One possible workaround would be to purchase a Belkan Firewire Express card adaptor, which would give you 3 FW inputs.
Which brings up another related point>
It's been shown that sharing the FW buss on your computer can cause "issues" with your Digital Audio stream. So, for example if you are using a FW Hard Drive, AND a FW interface, they should NOT be used in the same hub, or adaptor.
The other point I'd like to make is that the USB 3 devices are just now coming and perhaps if you are willing to wait a month or two, you could get a machine that has USB 3. There are adaptors coming that will convert from Firewire to USB 3 also.
Hope this helps,
Ed
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,574
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,574 |
+1 for Ed's statement about using TI chipset with firewire devices.
As far as running BIAB, any new laptop for sale will run it. My little 1 GB Toshiba netbook is even fine. Having said that, we have deduced that Real Tracks generate faster with higher CPU speed, and secondarily, faster hard drive throughput, so those are the two places where I would concentrate.
Not to do with music, but spend a lot of time trying out the keyboard layouts and feel. They differ greatly and make a big difference in how much swearing you will have to do in the future. I chose Toshiba primarily for this reason. Your fingers and typing style may differ.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 122
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 122 |
"Higher CPU speed" and "faster drive throughput" - not sure exactly what those terms mean. What specs am I seeking? What are the mins I am seeking?
As for the firewire issue, I am cool with waiting to get the computer if it really matters. But in two months, will there be some other new thing I should then wait another couple months for?
With the current firewire issue or USB 3 deal, what is my best workaround? Belkan Firewire Express card adaptor? USB 3 adaptor? Buying a new digital interface? Are there laptops that have XLR plugs built in?
Thanks for your help!
Ricky
________
Songwriter-Artist
RickyHarris.com
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
Ricky, I can't speak for Matt, but I THINK he was talking about how fast the Processor is in your computer. 2ghz is going to be faster than 1ghz and so on. If you have the money and want a really fast machine, consider the new i7 laptops. Load times are super low. The faster Real Tracks/Real Drums load, the more you get done.
By "Faster Drive Throughput, I think Matt was talking about drive speed and type. Since you would want a drive with "fast" specs (low seek time, etc) you should look for a Hard Drive that has 7,200rpm. Why???.......because the drive is able to access data at a much faster rate. The down side is that you will need to use an external power supply. The other thing you should look for is a large cache buffer. Although 16mb is ok, 32mb is much better.
Again, IF you have the cash, you should look into getting a Solid State HD. These units are super fast, don't produce heat, and are now claiming 25-30 year data security specs. In fact, the OCX Vertex series has a 250mb per second read rate, 160-200mb per second write rate, and 25 year data cycle before failure. Even the fastest eSATA 10,000rpm units don't come close to that. Check out the Youtube videos of Laptops booting up with the latest SS HDs. Amazing. The caveat is the price. The 60GB Vertex is $200. I'm sure this will come down in time.
Last, you can wait to see about USB 3, try to get a Belkan TI FW chipset Express card, or change your interface. I just ordered the Echo Indigo Express card Interface, because all the reports I have are of very low latency, great drivers and converters. The down side is you can't record as there is no Mic input.
What I bought last month was the M-Audio Fast Track II USB. Very nice unit, I have no real complaints, works well with Windows 7. For $120, it's well worth the money!!!
Good luck, let us know which direction you are going and how things work out!
Ed
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,574
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Veteran
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What he said. (Thanks, Ed.)
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
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If you don't have the cash I can attest to the netbook thing. Mine has been great and if it died I'd get another rather than a bigger one. Unless you want to do a lot of gigs with a computer.
If you eyesight is bad don't buy one.
If you are impatient don't buy one. ( It does take 8 or so seconds longer to render all real tracks songs.
On the other hand we travel and it fits into the wife's purse and we can stop in the parking lot at Motel 6 and send the kids pictures of where we are and stay someplace else. (They have wi-fi...just do a drive by..!)
And if the Acer has only 1 gig and you have Windows 7 stick in an 8 gig memory stick and let it use that to speed things up, I have vista and can't do that but someone else might try it.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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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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XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
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Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
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Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
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