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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Hi
I'm looking for some advice. I've been using Band in a Box and Realband for a couple of years. Using them on a desktop with Windows Vista Home Premium / 1GB Ram / 3.00 Ghz processor / a lexicon Lambda. Really like both products a lot but do get various problems which seem to be associated with Vista (e.g. neither program ever closes cleanly, no matter what).
I'm planning to buy a laptop to use with BiaB and RB and am wondering if anyone can advise me on the best laptop/best laptop spec/ best operating system (should I try to go back to XP or buy Vista Professional or something?).
All advice gratefully received...
Thanks
Dennis
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Hi Dennis - welcome to the forum!
I run everything on HP laptops under Win XP Pro. No problems.
What's your budget?
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812
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Hi Dennis,
There are some great Netbooks out there now. The main thing is the OS issue, I can't recommend Windows 7 highly enough. It's working great for me, I would never go back to Vista! Almost any new Netbook you buy now will have Win 7 preinstalled.
Until you are ready to migrate to a Macbook Pro and Snow Leapord, this is the way to go.
Just my 2 cents,
Ed
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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You are also going to be hard pressed to find a laptop with a stereo line-in connector; you may have to consider an external USB alternative. Most of the major brands now offer only a monophonic microphone input; some do allow you to reconfigure this to be a stereo line-in (I have heard), but it seems that many laptops have completely abandoned stereo line-in.
If you require stereo line-in, then be sure to ask before you buy.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
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Re stereo line-in: get a TASCAM US-122 USB or better
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,274
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labrys/WienSam:
This is what Musician's Friend has noted for the Tascam product:
"We're sorry, this product has been discontinued."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2008
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I've got a Toshiba Qosmio...very expensive but very cool. Only problem is that I took it to a computer tech (?) to have the DC adapter male-socket replaced, and $80 bucks later he said..."your computer unfortunately is trashed. The power-on light now blinks, and that's a bad sign. Also I found you had spilled something in it and that's probably the straw that broke..... BS, when I brought it in it only had a display prob, thanks to the Toshiba receptical for the adapter in need of being replaced. I am determined to work on it myself and bring it to life...or I'll create a real Frankenstein out of it and lead it back to this stupid tech's shop. I swear to God, he'll hear about it if I am able to clean it up and get it running, cause it's such a beautiful computer with XP-Pro inside. I heard today that Nokia, the phone company, is striking back, with ATT's help with a new razzle-dazzle netbook with Windoze 7. Because they're marketing Nokia's entry into the netbook market, the cost will be extremely low, altho it'll cost about $120 bucks annually for ATT isp service....it'll be as cheap as some of their new phones that are loaded with the new razzle-dazzle music/networking software and will easily sync everything--your internet/phone/music/broads.... Hey, maybe it'll be worth the 50% off suggested retail!? http://www.abc3340.com/news/stories/1009/668164.html 
Yamaha...Motif ES-8, Motif Rack, CS6X
Korg...Karma,Triton Classic, PA-80, M-1+
AkaiSampler-S5000, Roland.. X5080 Rack/G-1000 Arranger
Various Guitars/Basses Amps Pedals Rec.Equip.
Plus, BIAB 2015 and Sonar Platinum 2015 Upgrade from Cakewalk's Sonar X-3
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
labrys/WienSam:
This is what Musician's Friend has noted for the Tascam product:
"We're sorry, this product has been discontinued."
I know. It has been. It has been upgraded and updated - go to TASCAM's website to find the latest
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
I've got a Toshiba Qosmio...very expensive but very cool.
Only problem is that I took it to a computer tech (?) to have the
DC adapter male-socket replaced, and $80 bucks later he said..."your computer unfortunately is trashed. The power-on light now blinks, and that's a bad sign. Also I found you had spilled something in it and
that's probably the straw that broke.....
BS, when I brought it in it only had a display prob, thanks to the Toshiba receptical for the adapter in need of being replaced. I am
determined to work on it myself and bring it to life...or I'll create a real Frankenstein out of it and lead it back to this stupid tech's shop.
I swear to God, he'll hear about it if I am able to clean it up and get it running, cause it's such a beautiful computer with XP-Pro inside.
I heard today that Nokia, the phone company, is striking back, with ATT's help with a new razzle-dazzle netbook with Windoze 7.
Because they're marketing Nokia's entry into the netbook market, the cost will be extremely low, altho it'll cost about $120 bucks annually for ATT isp service....it'll be as cheap as some of their new phones that are loaded with the new razzle-dazzle music/networking software and will easily sync everything--your internet/phone/music/broads....
Hey, maybe it'll be worth the 50% off suggested retail!?
http://www.abc3340.com/news/stories/1009/668164.html
I hear you brother, I hear you.
You have to be your own techie these days or they will rip you off! Know what I mean?
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2008
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OP
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Hi. My budget limit is around £1500 (I'm guessing that's about $2,000?). Dennis
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Newbie
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OP
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Hi Ed. That's useful to know - cheers - Dennis
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Thanks for that. I think I'll try to steer clear of that Computer tech guy but maybe have a look at the Toshiba Qosmio (which I'd not heard of before). Dennis
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 32
Enthusiast
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Take a good look at the Dell E6400 (or the wider screen in this line - "Latitude"). I moved to this Dell from years with HP because this model has a BACKLIT KEYBOARD. As far as I know, it's the only full key laptop that does ... and it's such a change to be able to see those keys in low light. The E6400 and other Latitude models can be configured just about any way you want them.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992
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Joined: May 2005
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labrys i gotta be frank mate. ive been testing a ton of lappies from /for friends, and i know some will disagree with me.. but frankly with most the problems are many. for example slow drives and poor firewire chipsets. if your serious bout a laptop i would suggest getting one built specifically for daw audio work. eg adkproaudio.com. these have proper drives and chipsets. TI for example. but they cost of course. all lappies i'm trying right now are failing the dpc test and need tweaking. RUN THIS TEST BEFORE BUYING !! http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtmlyoull get red spikes..i guarantee it. haveing said that some folks get away with useing a cheap lappie... often by luck rather than carefull planning. i personally am staying desktop for now cos i feel lappies need to go thru another round of re engineering. sorry for my strong feelings on this topic, but my opinion will not be swayed. ive seen too many folks get problems. particularly as trak counts rise .
Last edited by manning1; 11/05/09 05:17 AM.
retired puter engr....powertracks on amd......NICE !
"what is the black art of audio engineering ?"
my silly songs...motagator.com/bmanning
see my tips in the tips section.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Dennis - take a look at www.wstore.co.uk They are in the UK and I always buy direct from them now (they will even ship to Austria). I have also recommended them to friends and nobody has ever had a complaint whom I know of. Personally, I have bought 3 HPs from them over the last 9 years or so - all of which are still running with no problems. I should say the most important thing is the RAM, particularly if you want to use it specifically as a DAW with PG software. Personally, I always go for HP and have never had any problems with them. You can try out all sorts of combinations online of screen size, HD size, RAM, CPU, etc. The Compaq 610 Notebook is on special offer on the front page there at the moment and looks like a nice job and a third of the price you are willing to pay, with next day delivery. For what its worth, I have a top-of-the-range EliteBook which cost just under 3 grand in May but there is an EliteBook 2730 available at 1,503 exc VAT  As to the OS, stay with XP Pro. I have
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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One word.
ThinkPad
The ThinkPad I bought in 2002 is still running. I play one-nighters for a living, and it bounces in the van, bounces on the keyboard stand, goes from hot to cold, and generally takes abuse.
Well, the CMOS battery did fail after 7 years of faithful service (new one cost a couple of bucks at RadioShack) and the tech who installed it said that the ThinkPads are simply the best laptops on the market.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Notes, I'm sure you have put your ThinkPad through some real tests. That's a very good recommendation. However, you say that it's 7 years old? Machines have changed a lot since you bought yours. The ThinkPad of today might be vastly different from yours. Now, I don't actually know that's the case, but I know that it's true for the Toshibas. The problem for all of is, that the new computers haven't been through 7 year tests.....yet.
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2002
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I've had a Toshiba Satellite Laptop that I bought about 8 years ago when Win XP first came out. It's slow but it still runs great.
The harder I work the luckier I get.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Donsta. I have one too, but my wife's has a few more features. Mine's not as old as yours. I like it but I think that I probably need a better sound card. Since mine works okay, I'm just going to hold out as long as I can. I'm not upgrading to Win 7 either.
stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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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®!
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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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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