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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
People are using 64 bit now even with budget machines, its BIAB that is behind in this respect, as people have said BIAB cant access more than just under 4 gig of RAM.
As soon as you can I would recommend getting a faster machine, especially if you do other things on it, however, if you need to stick with your machine at present, adding RAM is probably the best thing you can do, up to a max of 4 gig for 32 bit. I did rthis with a dell inspire netbook and it really improved everything BIG time.
Its not hard to do open the box find the slot, click and your done.
Z
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123 |
Yes it is good to know that anything over 4 GB memory will be wasted space. I'll probably wind up getting that and maybe a second HD, and getting the 2014 Biab/RB upgrades. Then just stay with Windows 7 32-bit till Microsoft stops supporting it. That's what I did with XP all those years.
That will be adequate for making Real Tracks/Real Drum backing tracks to use for my solo guitar act.
BiaB 2024
Reaper v7.15
Melodyne Essential 5.3
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,624
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,624 |
I'd still prefer Win7 64 bit if I had a choice.
Although BiaB is 32 bit, the rest of the system can still benefit from the 64 bit OS.
Anything over 4 gig may be 'wasted space' for a 32 bit app, but everything else that is running at the same time may benefit. Just my opinion.
In your case upgrading from 2 to 4 gig of RAM would be the first step I'd try. Likely make the biggest difference on the current system. It'll be recognized and used, and doubles your current RAM.
However the investment will not carry forward to your next system due to DDR2 vs DDR3 (or 4). DDR2 is on its way out.
However, IMO your best bang for buck would be the additional RAM .. for now. Depends a lot on how long you hope the current system continues to serve you.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123 |
rharv Yeah it turns out I can't put another drive in there anyway....My new dual monitor card arrived today and while I was putting it in I noted that although there is physical space where I could put in a 2nd HD, I would have to unplug the DVD drive.
At least I have two screens now to look at something while I'm waiting.
BiaB 2024
Reaper v7.15
Melodyne Essential 5.3
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,624
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,624 |
I'd unplug the DVD drive. I'd rather have a hard drive.
Are there any other SATA or ATA connections on the motherboard?
Usually SATAs are crunched together and can be easily overlooked.
If its the old wide PATA connections you likely only have 2 to work with, and like DDR2 these connectors are fading into history.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 175
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 175 |
I upgraded the memory on my Dell Inspiron 8600 a couple of years ago, following a suggestion on this forum that memory (1 GB) might be limiting the performance.
Doubling it to 2 GB made absolutely no difference to the time taken to generate a RealTracks song.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123 |
rharv- nope, only the two.
Good news though, I looked through my stuff and found my old Lite-On external DVD drive and hooked it up, it still works fine. The main thing I would use it for is either loading software or burning CD's and it still seems to do both. In other words I could live without the internal optical drive as long as I don't have to buy a new external one.
foxylady- I know the extra memory won't speed up real track regeneration so if I buy it I won't be disappointed on that front. It might help somewhere else. A little.
What a fool I've been! LOL.
In a couple more weeks, I'll get the use of both arms again (cast comes off from broken radial bone Oct 14) and I can go back to playing. I think the deal breaker is going to be this new "User Tracks" feature if I'm remembering the right name for it. Once I get the 2014 upgrades, the 1st thing I want to try is making a few of my own using my own guitars and amps. If I can't do that satisfactorily I'll probably pick up a gamer box at wal mart or something.
BiaB 2024
Reaper v7.15
Melodyne Essential 5.3
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492 |
You probably could find a computer with a 64-bit processor for about 350 bucks. It will not be a machine that is future oriented, but it will be sufficient for quite some time.
A new processor of the most current families is about the price of what you want to/can spend.
For the machine of yours four GB of memory is the best you can do and those RAMs are rather cheap nowadays. (Depending on your point of view it is a worthwile investment or a waste of monetary ressources.) Then save some money to buy a current model later. Some software starts to be issued in 64bit versions only. I won't be long before you can not update software that you already have.
Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123 |
Sorry guys, not to beat a dead horse, but....
I have another desktop box I bought a while back for the kids to use (I have 4 kids ages 7-14) so they would stop asking to borrow their mom's laptop or our Kindles. They play their MineCraft and Animal Jam and what not on it. My younger son is Autistic too and sometimes he clicks on things he shouldn't. It's had viruses and we've had to go in and clean a lot of junk out of it from time to time but it's still pretty much running ok, well enough for them to take turns doing their thing on it. As long as we don't hear anything about it, it is a non-issue for us other than refereeing who's turn it is etc.
Well I checked and without getting too deep into it, it is running Windows7 64 bit and already has a 500Gig HD and 4 MB ram. Would you believe the HD is half full of crap, and there is no music or pictures stored on there? God only knows what all they have in there. The outside of the tower is sticky with fingerprints and so is the monitor but that will clean off.
I think I know what the answer will be, but should I maybe think about swapping?
Oh the only other thing, the processor speed is only 2.2 Ghz vs my box's 3.4 ghz AND just at a glance (even though Jazzmammal says not to go by it) the Windows 'Experience' rating is only 4.3 vs my box's 4.7. I haven't had a chance to download Geekbench on that box yet, but the score on mine was embarrassingly small (<2,000).
BiaB 2024
Reaper v7.15
Melodyne Essential 5.3
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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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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®!
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-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
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- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
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- 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
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XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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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.
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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.
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.
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