|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,580
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,580 |
I'm planning to get a new excellent desktop computer. My current "old" setup has utilized an external Creative Audigy sound card and it has done great but I'd like to get away from an additional box taking up desk space.
I know there's been tons of discussion about sound cards, but I'm hoping to hear any very latest info about a sound card (i.e., an internal sound card) that would be ideal for a desktop setup. I have BIAB, PT2010, RealBand, and Sonar 8.5 Producer....the only goals are: 1) to record and 2) to listen to music. I also already have a Behringer mixer....but wouldn't mind eliminating that as well. OR, maybe there is some fantastic external setup (because of its quality) that is out there as well....just hoping for any recent excitement about such on the part of anyone!!!
Thanks much,
cchallum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199 |
IF your computer has a PCI slot, hands down, get the M-Audio 2496.
IF your computer had a PCI slot, and you want to go to a totally mixerless enviroment, go to a M-Audio 1010LT and hook everything up to the card.
I recommend the 2496 and sticking with your mixer.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,730
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,730 |
I also have the 24/96 card and love it, 8 years and going strong. I have a Yamaha mixer on it, after having a smaller Behringer to start with. I understand the free up the desk thing, but you need preamps in front of the card, and a nice mixer to adjust stuff and get a great mix. The otehr option is to use a good preamp in front to save space.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,580
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,580 |
Gary and Robh,
The info you've provided is precisely what I needed to hear about.
Thanks very much,
cchallum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,504
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,504 |
Hi cchallum. Good advice from Gary (as always) about the M-Audio 2496. Like Robh, I have one (in my backup machine). No problems; it just works.
Interesting aside: I went to my regional Guitar Center last week to get another one. They do not stock ANY internal soundcards now! It's all online orders only.
There is a purist school of thought that external break-out boxes serve to get the sound out of a very electrically-noisy environment - the inside of your PC - but certainly, current internal soundcards have ridiculously low noise levels.
One question for Gary. I think he may have meant to say, if you have a PCIe slot (PCI express), get a card for that. I'm pretty sure that's the form the M-Audio card comes in now. It is very likely your new PC will have a few PCIe slots, but maybe only one or two (older) PCI slots.
Last, I know some here get solid results with Behringer mixers, and that's great. All I can say is, in my experience, they are noisier than Mackie mixers, which I use now. It was a noticeable difference on recordings. Or maybe my Behringer was defective...
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199 |
Matt,
I reviewed my post, and then I went back to M-Audio. At this time, M-Audio is not producing a PCI-e based sound card. If you need a PCI-e sound card, Creative is making one, I have an Asus Xonar D2X which I'm not really using for audio, but for standard computer stuff, and it's very good. You can also go very high end and look at Lynx and RME for both PCI and PCI-e.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,539
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,539 |
For multitracking the M-Audio Delta 1010lt is still going strong here, as long as you get the PCI slot.
I thought they were fading away (PCI) but last week bought a win 7 64 bit machine with a couple PCI slots in there, so I guess they'll be around for a bit longer (happily).
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840 |
In looking at motherboards on NewEgg, I notice most of them still have at least a couple of PCI slots.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,580
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,580 |
Again, thanks to each of you.....I'm soaking this up!!! It's greatly appreciated.....
You make this the "greatest forum possible"!!!
ccchallum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,504
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,504 |
Gary, many thanks for checking. I just looked up the card on Sweetwater, and it says this:
"Works with PCIx-equipped Mac and PC"
I thought the "x" meant it was for the PCIe generation of slots. That may be a wrong assumption. I don't think PCI and PCI express cards are compatible. Or could this just be a typo in the product description at Sweetwater?
Does anyone here know if there is any advantage, sound-wise, to a PCI express card over a straight PCI? Or is it just data transfer speed?
The RME card I would love to have, the HDSPe AIO, is PCI express only. That was a surprise.
Bob & John, yes, I agree PCI should be around for awhile. Let's hope so, anyway, for the sake of equipment we already have.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
PCI, PCIe, no real gain as to audio spec, that is a function of converters, etc. As for bandwidth, PCIe has the capability to do more, but so far I haven't seen one that actually does more.
I use the AP2496 card here in one machine also.
You get not only decent audio specs, but a level of simplicity that is nice.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,047
Posts799,298
Members40,015
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean