|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 123
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 123 |
Hi There folks, Greetings, I would appreciate some feed back and advice here. I am considering whether to buy a hard disk recorder (either The Korg D888 or The Zoom HD16CD both of which are 16 track recorders and cost $699 each) or whether I should purchase another PC. My Budget is just about $800, My home set up includes a Yamaha Motif Es 7, a lexicon Omega interface, Cakewalk Sonar 4 (studio edition) running on a Compaq Presario Pc (Windows XP Pro, 1.8 Ghz Athlon processor, 1 gig of Ram, and hard drive space capacity of 37 giggs). I bought this Pc at Walmart back in 2003.. My question is, should I just buy me an external hard drive (250 Giggs) to hook up to my Pc and then purchase one of the above hard disk recorders to integrate into my system or should I buy me a new computer like a Dell or..umm I dunno? By the way, the zoom HD16CD really caught my eye with all those features and a whopping 80 Gigg internal hard drive plus a CD burner onboard, control surface capabilities http://www.zzounds.com/item--ZOMHD16CD. Again, just my thoughts huh !!! I know that scenarios differ; however, I would appreciate some feed back here from y’all on some advice etc as to what decision to make here. ReeeeesPEKK !!!!
Jacobins
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,628
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,628 |
You going to want to be doing any recording in other locations?? That's the big advantage..
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 123
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 123 |
Well yes, maybe I will want to do recordings at my church. I have a choir of 7 singers and myself on keys so, maybe I will want to record our Tuesday evening rehearsals and burn to CD to give all the singers so that they can further review and prepare for the Sunday service. Any thoughts on my previous posting in light of that?
Jacobins
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I'm PC.
For onlocation I use my laptop and the EMU1616M. Took a lot of learning, tweaking, installation of an aftermarket internal 7200rpm/16mb cache hard drive, 1g ram, plus an external FireWire drive, again, 7200rpm/16mb cache and the knowledge of knowing how to set PT's Temp Stream to that external drive to pull this off, but with the addition of an inexpensive Berry A-D box, I can record all 16 channels into the laptop at 24/48 without probs.
I think the biggest difference lies in the type of person you are.
If you are a techno type, or are willing to become one, the PC offers sheer flexibility and ability to upgrade and try new things as they come out.
But I have a neighbor who records his band using a dedicated hard disk recorder, they sell the CDs at the gig, nobody can listen to them and tell you what they were recorded on or how they were recorded, his sound is pro -- and he is not a techno, "tweak the pc" type, you see. He had enough of a time learning how to use the dedicated hard disk recorder and now that he knows enough about it to get tracks in the can, that's all he wants and that's all he does.
Ya gotta know yourself, then.
Either platform can be great, or could be a disaster. If a disaster, look inward first. Because others are obviously successful.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 123
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 123 |
Hi Mac,
Thanks. I know you have been in the business for a while and you are very experienced. Some of what you said are like Grreeeek to me, a musician, acustomed to "live" jazz giggs and now getting into the home studio vibe..so ummmmmm but thanls anyways. I did some research on a few of the things you mentioned and now understand a bit what you said. I guess, it's a continual learning process huh. Mac, have you checked out the Zoom HD16CD? take a look at it and tell me what you think, in terms of integrating it with my home studio set up as a control surface and more and also in terms of doing a quick rehearsal at my choir practices and burning CD copies of the rehearsal on the spot.
Hit me back again, mac !!1
!
Jacobins
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I don't see why anyone couldn't do production from scratch to pro quality CD with the Zoom stuff, my aforementioned neighbor is still using an older Zoom product, I forget the model. Or maybe its a Roland. I forget that kinda stuff.
Any way you choose there is going to be a learning curve, but at least with the dedicated recorder things don't change literally from day to day, so what you learn only has to be learned once. The dedicated recorder has that advantage and for many it can be a big advantage. The tradeoff is that once you buy it, it will be stuck in time, as it were. That's not necessarily a kill, either. You have to weigh those things and decide which tradeoffs are for you, man.
Yeah, I didn't start out to become an ubertechnogeek, all I wanted to do was replace my old large and expensive 16 track analog studio. I actually thought it would be a simple task, silly me.
Bam.
You been hit.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
You already have an external soundcard with the Lexicon Omega - a Laptop would be ideal to use with it. That way you can do remote location recording, and also do stuff at home, and have the familiarity of the PC recording environment. You should be able to find a new or used laptop with better performance than your desktop PC for the budget you are looking at.
I do this with my PreSonus Firebox - use it at home most of the time, but I've used it also with my laptop for field and remote recording - I even used it with Freq-a-scope for a spectrum analyzer for a live sound setup at our local Jr. High to help tune the system.
Quite handy.
-Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Quote:
I'm PC.
For onlocation I use my laptop and the EMU1616M. Took a lot of learning, tweaking, installation of an aftermarket internal 7200rpm/16mb cache hard drive, 1g ram, plus an external FireWire drive, again, 7200rpm/16mb cache and the knowledge of knowing how to set PT's Temp Stream to that external drive to pull this off, but with the addition of an inexpensive Berry A-D box, I can record all 16 channels into the laptop at 24/48 without probs.
--Mac
Mac, what A/D converter is that? I'm looking to get just a stereo A/D so that I can also use the SPDIF input on my FireBox. I'd like to use something that works for sure.
-Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
That Berry is 8 channels for ADAT, Scott. No Spudiff.
The EMU1616M, like so many cards, has 16 digital inputs, but only 8 are analog, you have to go into the ADAT to get those other 8.
The Berry's converters don't match the fine converters in the EMU, but used judiciously, like on the drums and stuff, they get the job done without breaking the bank.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 123
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 123 |
Hi Scott,
Got your message re using the laptop with the Lexicon Omega, however, here is what I am thinking re the Hard Disk Recorder, notably the ZOOM HD16CD. How about recording my Praise Team (7 singers and myself on keys) directly on the zoom, and I don't have to worry about interface, just hook up the mics directly thru 7 XLR inputs and my keys on one. Just have to check the levels, and then.....hey, let's RECORD TO A WHOPPING 80 Gigg hard drive......then do a some quick mixing...and then burn to CD's.....AND GIVE ALL MY SINGERS A DEMO CD copy for them to go home, listen and fine tune their act. Don't ya think that this would be more convenient instead of a laptop plus loaded on software and plus an interface?
Any thoughts on that?
Jacobins
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
See the other thread to see what Mac has to say about that.
Then follow your star, man.
--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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
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!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,290
Posts802,790
Members40,081
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean