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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 123 |
Hi Folks, Thanks to Mr Mac (The Team Veteran) and Ryzard (The expert) for some really awesome advice and recommendations and replies to my inquiries about purchasing a Laptop for my home studio set up. See? That's what I appreciate about this forum. You get good advice and lots of things are said to make you think before you go out and buy the wrong kind of gear. I like that precaution. Like I always say, I am a gigging musician just beginning to read and research on gear and software re the home studio recording vibe. Anyways, I was looking at the Compaq Pressario CQ61Z-15 inch Laptop from HP. http://www.dancewithshadows.com/tech/hp-...p-pcs-launched/ It is powered by a MD Sempron processor and has 2GB RAM and 160GB HDD running Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. Other features include built-in Nvidia graphics, six-cell lithium-ion battery, and a CD/DVD burner. The HP Compaq Presario CQ61z will be available at a price of $399. However, my research shows that the AMD sempron processor is known to not be able to handle multi tasking and heavy stuff too well such as music production. Now umm, Ryzard recommended the Toshiba - Satellite Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor - Midnight Breeze http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?...d=1218122295053 and I am seeing that Best Buy has it now for $529.99. I love the specifications on this Toshiba laptop. It is a Pentium dual core and looks steady and quite a power house, suitable for a home studio. My good buddy here in Columbus, Georgia who lives next door advises me to get a Apple White MacBook from sweetwater going for $899 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MB213Wh/And yes, I know how great a Mac laptop is for music...........but ummm, I am thinking to myself, most of my software are windows versions (Finale 2007, Band in a Box 2008, Power Tracks Pro audio 12, Cubase Sx3, Sonar 4 and then the TOSHIBA Ryzard recommended is $529.99 with powerful specs versus an $899.00 Mac Book..hmmmmm !! I would again appreciate your feed back and comments. One last thing though. The Toshiba comes Windows 7 pre installed. Mr Mac recommended that I researched thoroughly the issue of Windows 7 drivers for the software and the Lexicon Omega interface I currently have and the M Audio Fast Track Pro interface I am considering purchasing in the very near future. I did a google search and further searches, didnt find much vibe on this, however, I came across a forum where at least 4 home studio users who had recently purchased good Dell, Acer and Hp Laptops were Lamenting and crying..........that they are having driver issues with Windows 7. I am like Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr !!! Hit me back with some more feed back y'all. Does the Toshiba look like a good enough purchase? I am wondering how soon will the Windows 7 driver compatibility issues for software and interfaces BE WORKED OUT AND BE GOOD TO GO. This is scary stuff. Looking forward again to your replies.
Jacobins
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900 |
If it was up to me, I would stay away from the Mac - all my software is PC. As to which laptop, I have 4 and they are all HP. HP every time for me
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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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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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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