Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#104318 02/02/11 12:31 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 68
P
Phestus Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
P
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 68
I am setting up one of my old computers for music use only. It is a desktop machine and has the XP operating system. I am looking for recommendations for a quality sound card to use with the system, either internal or external. Any information and suggestions I can get will be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks.....


Phestus

Phestus #104319 02/02/11 01:31 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 68
P
Phestus Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
P
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 68
After posting my first query, I got to thinking that I also have an older HP laptop that could be used for my music efforts. It also has Windows XP. An external sound card would be required. Again, thanks for any info you can share.


Phestus

Phestus #104320 02/02/11 01:42 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
For stability, the desktop with a PCI card (like a Delta) would be suggested.

Laptops; some people find one card works well, while others find another works well.
M-Audio external units do not play nice with BiaB we are told, but work with Realband.

Some say Tascam units work well for BiaB and RB, others don't care for Tascam support.

I'd stick with the desktop for now if its up to the job, unless you need the mobility.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Phestus #104321 02/02/11 01:42 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
What's your budget?


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.
rharv #104322 02/02/11 05:06 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 68
P
Phestus Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
P
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 68
Thanks for the input, rharv. Good info. I thought about the external card/audio interface only because it can be used with either desktop or laptop, then I wouldn't be limiting myself to home use only.

Matt, if I could I would like to limit the cost to $150.00 or less. I will be using a GEM Genesys keyboard, a guitar, and a mic. The keyboard has midi in/out and I have a cable which turns that into usb. So, I would need a unit which has usb in for the kybd and usb out to connect to the computer. The computer will have BIAB 2011 and Sonar Home Studio 4. I look forward to hearing from you and any others who may be able to suggest something based on this additional info.


Phestus

Phestus #104323 02/02/11 05:14 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,120
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,120
I use the Yamaha Audiogram 6 here and love it. It has xlr (phantom power) and 1/4" inputs and is a USB connection.

I use 2 USB slots on my laptop. One for my keyboard and one for soundcard. I connect my keyboard via the 1/4" plugs and the USB midi driver drives my Tyros. Easy to mix with Biab etc . . .

Trax

Last edited by Muzic Trax; 02/02/11 05:20 PM.
Muzic Trax #104324 02/02/11 05:55 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 68
P
Phestus Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
P
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 68
Thanks Trax. I'm gonna collect info for a few days then make up my mind. I just know the sound cards that come already installed on computers don't provide the quality sound that is needed to determine if the recorded input is adequate, bad, or excellent. Gotta keep looking.


Phestus

Phestus #104325 02/03/11 01:01 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,013
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,013
I just don't get it! I have 3 M-Audio devices i)Delta 1010 ii)Audiophile USB and iii) Fast Track Ultra 8R.

Each and every one of these sound cards has never given me any problems with any computer or Windows operating system, 32 or 64 bit. Not even the scratchy sounds under 64 bit Windows that everyone is talking about. Maybe the M-Audio models I have are immune to the problems although the Fast Track Ultra 8R has been mentioned.

I can use ASIO drivers with BIAB with no problems but generally use MME as I work with two programs open - say BIAB and Reaper. Reaper runs with ASIO and BIAB with MME then I can drag and drop parts from BIAB to Reaper with no problems. Both programs run on their own screens on a dual display system.

Kevin

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
I am glad to hear it, Kevin. I still have the 8R on my wishlist.
I was just repeating what PGmusic staff has said here in the forum. Come to think of it they just said fastTrack, not the ultra by name.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
rharv #104327 02/03/11 07:29 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
I know a fellow who uses the Fast Track Pro with Biab and Realband on his Toshiba laptop and gets the work done. At first he had problems that we could not solve and as it turned out, the problem was solved for him by Toshiba Support, which pointed the finger at the laptop and not the softwares. Can't recall what that solve involved it was more than a year ago.

Bottom line is that there is so much that is important between laptop design, OS, BIOS and setup for this kind of work, can't really make equivocal statements as to whether or not a certain choice would flat out work with a certain machine or not.


That said, the OP may not really need the external sound device for working with the laptop when away from the studio. I found that I don't. That means I can use a PCI card in the home studio desktop and just rely on the internal soundcard in the laptop for those moments when away. But I don't attempt to do an hairy audio recording with the lappy like that. The playback side of today's laptops is really very good spec as compared with the past, this because of the large consumer interest in playing music, DVDs, etc.


--Mac

Phestus #104328 02/03/11 07:33 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Quote:

...So, I would need a unit which has usb in for the kybd and usb out to connect to the computer.




Hi Phestus,

USB connect doesn't work that way.

Both physical USB connections would have to connect to the computer.

Some may require insallation of proprietary Drivers, some are Class Compliant, meaning that they will be instantly recognized by Windows with no need to install their own drivers. It is more likely that you will find that the keyboards can be Class Compliant but the Audio device needs its own drivers installed, but not always. In all cases, the USB connects go from each device to computer, though.

Routing is accomplished via the software chosen.


--Mac

Phestus #104329 02/03/11 12:21 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 241
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 241
I have a real old Dell Laptop with XP operation system. I also have Soundblaster Audigy 2 plug-in sound card which works real well. I use my (old) 2010 BB Everything via USB plug-in and use it for guitar practice and teaching. Hope this helps.

David Walker #104330 02/04/11 12:23 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 68
P
Phestus Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
P
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 68
Mac and Dave,

More good info and I really appreciate it. As you might gather from my questions and assumptions, I am new at this stuff, and I think the members of this forum will provide me with a good education. I'll gradually get it all figured out. In the meantime, I am enjoying reading all the posts and some good books I have checked out of the library. This stuff can get pretty complicated. Thanks again to all of you who have provided answers to help flatten out my learning curve.


Phestus

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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

Join the conversation on our forum.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,397
Posts778,669
Members39,648
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Parsinux, Mike McVay, misha pelt, Slick Locrian, daveg68
39,648 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 133
DC Ron 111
WaoBand 110
rsdean 83
dcuny 82
Today's Birthdays
sanityblues
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5