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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143 |
I am using BiaB for many years. I use it at home. I am not a professional musician. I play piano and use mp3 files generated by BiaB on my desktop PC. I like to use a laptop with BiaB installed to use just the basic features: typing the chords, using realtracks and realdrums, playing thru my audio active monitors via mixer.
The laptop will not be used for other things than BiaB. I like to know what the requirements are to use BiaB for above mentioned tasks.
Thanks,
Jan R.
piano: Hammond Skx Pro
guitar: Ibanez LGB30
guitar amp: Boss Katana 50 MKII
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,069
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Jan, since BIAB 2015, the program has three activations each year. This allows you to install it on both your desktop and your laptop.
There is no ‘basic’ version of the program. The program is the same; the differences in packages is the number of RealTracks and styles you get.
Most laptops have a smaller hard drive but if you bought BIAB on a USB drive you can just move that between computers.
When connecting a laptop to monitors, I recommend a USB sound module instead of plugging into the headphone jack.
If I misunderstood your question and this isn’t the info you needed, write back. For example, are you looking for the minimum requirements for a laptop to be able to run BIAB?
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143 |
Thanks Matt,
Yes, if you can give me an idea of the minimum requirements? Because I will not use the laptop for normal PC activities I don't like to spend to much money.
Last edited by J R; 03/11/19 03:59 AM.
Thanks,
Jan R.
piano: Hammond Skx Pro
guitar: Ibanez LGB30
guitar amp: Boss Katana 50 MKII
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,069
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,069 |
OK. I think the best way to put it is that BIAB requires more computer power than most programs. I would not skimp on the laptop if it were for BIAB and you want a satisfactory experience. To my knowledge, the most important factor in regenerating RealTracks is the CPU. After that, a fast hard drive to load them. Finally, you should consider having more than the minimum memory. The display is the one thing that doesn't matter. A good way to measure a computer's fitness for BIAB is the free utility, Geekbench 4. Report the single-core speed. I realize that the minimum specs given by PG Music are far lower than what I'm describing. Here is what it says: https://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.requirements.htmOne more thing: if all you want to do is play back MP3 files you make on your desktop and copy to the laptop, then any laptop will do. Playing back audio files is almost no load on a computer at all. I use a little SONY recorder that takes MP3 and WAV files and plug that into a PA. For that matter, playing back frozen BIAB songs also requires less computer power, because they are already converted to audio. It's just (re)generating the songs that takes the power.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143 |
I copy MP3 files to a usb stick. But the reason I want to use BiaB on a laptop is that I can easy change instruments or styles and that I can follow the chords.
I will look for a laptop with adequate specs.
Thanks for helping.
Thanks,
Jan R.
piano: Hammond Skx Pro
guitar: Ibanez LGB30
guitar amp: Boss Katana 50 MKII
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,069
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,069 |
That makes sense. Changing instruments for melody or soloist tracks doesn't matter, but changing styles means regenerating the song and my comments above apply.
Good luck!
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,735
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Jan R,
If you do not want to spend a lot of money, my suggestion, get a pre-owned Lenovo Thinkpad i7 quad core with 8-16GB of RAM and at least 256 GB (preferably SSD drive) ThinkPad T430 might be a good option. They are build like tanks (military specs, not your average electronic shop laptop) and are very easy to maintain (upgrade ram or hard drive). You can get them for $200-$300 used. Parts are cheap if something breaks. Should run BIAB well and should last for years.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143 |
Thanks for the information. I like to go for new. I will look for the two laptops you suggested.
I found a HP laptop:
screen: (1920 x 1080)
Processor: Intel Core i5-8250U
memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD
Video: Intel UHD Graphics 620
I think the extra 1 TB hardrive is a nice option. I can store all the Realtrack en Realdrum files on.
Thanks,
Jan R.
piano: Hammond Skx Pro
guitar: Ibanez LGB30
guitar amp: Boss Katana 50 MKII
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,069
Veteran
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,069 |
Jan, that’s almost exactly what I have as a laptop. It will be fine!
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143 |
Matt, using ssd 256 GB for the program + hdd 1 TB for realtracks and realdrums, is that combination slower than all the data stored on 1 ssd of 512 GB?
Thanks,
Jan R.
piano: Hammond Skx Pro
guitar: Ibanez LGB30
guitar amp: Boss Katana 50 MKII
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,382
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,382 |
Hi Jan,
I'd say having everything on the SSD would be faster. The difference will be even bigger if the 1 TB HD is an external USB drive, since USB is so much slower than the SATA connection used by internal drives.
Thanks
Kent
PG Music
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,261
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Posts: 5,261 |
Packing everything on some SSD sure would be faster. Yet for all practical purposes stuffing RealTracks onto some HDD would be quite ok. I even have a complete BiaB UltraPak installation running smoothly from a 400GB *SDcard* with an i5 tablet PC here.
Martin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,069
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,069 |
Jan, your question has already been answered well. You would be fine with BIAB on a standard hard drive. A SSD is much faster than a hard drive, which in turn is faster than a drive running under USB.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143 |
Yes, thank you all for your respons and advice. I will go shopping for a suitable laptop.
Thanks,
Jan R.
piano: Hammond Skx Pro
guitar: Ibanez LGB30
guitar amp: Boss Katana 50 MKII
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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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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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- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
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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.
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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