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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60 |
Looking for comments on anyone using a laptop with the AMD processor. Have you had any problems running BIAB and RealBand?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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I've been happily running BIAB/PT/RB and a lot of other music programs for over four years now on my HP "business model" nx-series AMD powered laptop, XP Pro.
That said, I think that just about *any* of today's brands and models that are "mainstream" should be able to do the job for you. John even speaks very highly of the smallish Acer laptop and BIAB, plus I know of at least one other fellow that speaks the same for his HP mini of the same size. I think both of those run the Intel Atom processor, though, but it goes towards how compat BIAB is.
I'd recommend stearing clear of 64 bit OS, simply because aftermarket soundcard drivers for 64 bit Vista are still kind of iffy. 32 bit would be the way I'd go right now.
And PLENTY of ram. On the subject of physical ram, it is often a better deal to simply purchase a lappy at the better price, not being all that concerned about ramcount and then immediately purchase aftermarket ram upgrade and stick it in there than it is to purchase a laptop that comes from the factory with a lot of ram. But you have to evaluate each deal separately on that count, there are some loaded values out there.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 493
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 493 |
I don't think anyone will have a problem running BIAB and RB due to an AMD processor being used (unless you are buying a very old and slow used system). You should be more interested in the memory on board, hard drive space, I/O options and audio capabilities than the processor. The operating system is also something to consider as there are some issues with various flavors of Windows, which are well documented elsewhere on the forum so I won't repeat them.
Just about any new laptop, even the small netbooks, should run the programs just fine with adequate hardware.
Good luck.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
Watch for refurbs from Micro Center. I got a Toshiba Satellite L305-S5937 with Intel T3400 dual-CPU, 4 Gb RAM, 300 Gb HD and Vista Home Premium (okay) 64-bit (definite issues per Mac's description) for less than $450. I think that was about half the price of the new machine. Most other machines in that range had a max 3 Gb; it was a major factor in selecting that machine. XP machines can be had from $300-350 up. One sales-related issue: MC WILL NOT ship refurbs as they insist on seeing your physical plastic (credit/debit card). Read: You have to go to the store, or know someone who can. But they give plenty of information online, so it is easy to make an informed decision. I get 90 days of support for the machine and Windows through Toshiba. R. P.S.: Yes, they have AMD-fueled machines, too.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60 |
Thanks for the great info everyone. That makes the buying decision a lot easier.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,193
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,193 |
I purchased an HP laptop at WalMart, $498. It has an AMD Dual Core, 250gb hard drive, 3GB of RAM, DVD burner, 15.4" LCD screen, it had Vista Home Premium on it, but I put Windows 7 RC on it. It runs BIAB with Real Tracks just fine.
The ONLY issue I have with it is that I have an external D/A converter connected by USB. The Vista and Windows 7 USB Audio produces very bad crackling and static noise which is near to impossible to get rid of. It also does this on my main computer.
I have an Acer Aspire One, with the 1.6gHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, 160 GB of hard drive space, and it will also run BIAB with Real Tracks, albeit a lot slower than my HP. However, it has Windows XP and DOES NOT have the static and crackling issue. That is a problem with Vista and how they redesigned the USB Audio.sys for it.
One of these days, I'm going to experiment with it, and see what happens when you replace the new usbaudio.sys with the file from XP, which I've read you can do.
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!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2003
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WalMart is now selling laptops that come with a Win7 upgrade.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,193
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John,
WIth a firm release date for Win7, it's expected that everyone is getting the free upgrade, which is pretty standard for MS these days. I just bought a new Compaq for the office, and it has a coupon for the free upgrade as well.
I bought my laptop before that was released, so I didn't get it, but I had the RC, so it was easy anyway. Besides, I have a source inside MS, so I'll get the full versions anyway when they come out.
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!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60 |
Thanks for all the great advice.
I plan on running BIAB/RB from the harddrive I got with the upgrade and buying an additional small 80g one to put all the BIAB songs on.
If I do that, would the music sound better if I also bought an edirol or ketron sd2? Is there a difference between them?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 604
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 604 |
Quote:
Thanks for all the great advice.
I plan on running BIAB/RB from the harddrive I got with the upgrade and buying an additional small 80g one to put all the BIAB songs on.
If I do that, would the music sound better if I also bought an edirol or ketron sd2? Is there a difference between them?
I sold my Edirol and bought a Ketron Sd2, then immediately put it on eBay and upgraded to the SD-4. The Edirol was king of the hill for many years, but the SOUNDS of the Ketron are FAR superior. The Saxes alone were enough to switch. I think the Italians just sample better instruments played by better musicians than the Japanese.
Unfortunately the SD-2 has no built-in USB interface like the Edirol, so you will need some kind of MIDI adapter for your PC. The SD-4 has one, but is much larger and much more expensive, but can be used on gigs without a PC tethered.
Both the Edirol SD-20- and Ketron SD2 have only the most bare-bones controls.... not even patch change without a PC..
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The SD-2 shares many of the patches that the more expensive SD-4 has in it.
SD-2 works well with PGMusic products and sounds superior to the majority of other MIDI synth options out there right now IMHO.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60 |
Thanks for the advice from everyone. After I buy my laptop I look into getting the sd-2.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60 |
Thanks for the advice everyone. After I buy the laptop I will look into getting the sd-2.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 189
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 189 |
I'm also 'dreamin' of moving to a laptop instead of my present desktop PC.
One concern in my mind (i.e. re choosing a laptop) would be that I wouldn't want find myself with the scroll glitches I continue to have with long pieces on the deskop PC - yeah, yeah, probably video driver issues.
Any recommendations / awful warnings in this recpect ?
Ian G.
Late-developing enthusiast for jazz / blues. Principally pianist
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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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Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
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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!
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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
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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.
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-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
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- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
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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!
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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!
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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.
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