I was using BB 2018 build 507 and I happened to notice it launches a process called System - 'NT Kernel & System' that hangs around 25% cpu usage continuously in Task Manager. I installed BB 2018 build 508 and it does the same thing. This causes my System Idle Process to be around 73% whenever BB is running. The bbw.exe process is showing 0% cpu utilization during the entire time.
I see the same process launched when using RealBand 2018-4-0 even if the program is minimized and not being actively used. I never noticed this constant CPU usage before and just wondering if it is something new in the 2018 versions? If I close BB or RealBand my system Idle process returns to 98%.
I'm using Windows 7 on an AMD quad core CPU.
Perhaps it has always done this and I just never noticed it before. I would appreciate it if someone could verify this happening on their system.
What Audio driver? Could be that an ASIO 'always On' driver or such has been initiated by launching the program.
For what it's worth I often use a W7 64 AMD based system also and I have never seen that. I would notice something using 25% processor right away.
I'm one of those that, when it is time for music, I make sure all un-needed processes are removed/killed and often leave Task Manager open for a few, even if just to see how long it takes to truly settle down. In recent Beta testing this was normal for me to watch what was happening, performance wise, for both load and unload as well as while running it.. don't recall seeing that behavior at all..
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I checked the audio driver in BB and it was set to WAS, 'Output always on' was also checked. I unchecked the output always on and tried changing the audio driver to MME for both input and output audio but this didn't change my CPU utilization. As soon as BB is closed, the CPU goes to 99% idle.
Realband was set to WAS also and output always on was checked. I tried unchecking 'Output always on' but this had no effect. Something did change though when I set the audio output driver to Microsoft Sound Mapper. Then the CPU utilization went to 99% idle with Realband running. It stays this way until I check the 'output always on' box, and start playing a song in Realband. As soon as I hit the play button I see the process NT Kernel & System jump to 25%. It stays at 25% if I stop the song playback and minimize Realband.
If I leave the audio output driver set to MME and uncheck the 'Output always on' box, then the NT Kernel & System process goes to 25% while the song is playing but drops to near 0% when the playback is halted in Realband so this seems to act a little different than it did in BB.
Easiest way to find out what's using CPU cycles, start Task Manager, go to Processes tab, sort by CPU. You can also get even more information from Resource Monitor:
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Thank you VideoTrack, Yes, that is the method I use also. The image below is what I see in Task Manager when running RealBand. The Realband application is open but doesn't have a song loaded and is minimized. Audio Driver set to MME and 'Output always on' is checked. The second entry in Task Manager shows 25% utilization and it will stay that way until I uncheck the 'Output always on' box when the output audio driver is set to MME.
No feedback loops that I can detect, everything sounds normal. I'm using a USB mixer as I always have into the PC, the only way I can get the System NT Kernel & System utilization to drop down is if I change the output audio driver to MME and uncheck the 'Output always on'.
I tried the factory reset method and that didn't do anything for me. I tested recording audio and playback and that worked fine
Update: after the factory reset on Realband, now it doesn't matter what I do with the audio drivers. Even setting it to MME with 'Output always on' unchecked does not get rid of the 25% utilization of System NT Kernel & System.
Update: This issue seems to be with my system and not with Realband. I tried some other audio playback sources on my PC and each one of them showed the same CPU utilization. Sorry to bother the forum with this, I had myself convinced it was due to the upgrade.
Rharv, You pointed me in the right direction concerning the audio driver. After 4 days of testing I finally figured out it was an audio driver from another piece of software called sound tap by NCH. The driver that was causing the problem is stdriverX64.sys I used ProcessHacker software to figure out which driver was causing the issue.
I uninstalled the Sound Tap software and now my CPU is running about 93% idle with Realband.exe taking about 5%.
Thanks also to VideoTrack for your suggestions, I appreciate the help!
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
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!
Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean