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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 34
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 34 |
I've been using BiaB since 2014 and in 2019, purchased the latest version on an external hard drive which included the prior versions. With the 2020 update being purchased and added since that time and with addition of other paks (Xtra paks since version 1, multipaks, etc), I've basically run out of space on the 160 GB drive that was provided. Since I'll wish to update to the 2021 BiaB version (whenever that drops), I'll need to consider purchase of another larger external HD.
I'm wondering if I should invest in a SSD (Samsung external) rather than a regular portable external (WD or Seagate). The SSD would be a good bit faster, but the cost does rise as well.
Am I thinking overkill with the SSD making the file access faster or will the regular external drive work as well for BiaB program access without the need for the faster speed?
Would appreciate any opinions/feedback.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,015
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,015 |
Any common computer port will operate at a speed more than sufficient to run Band-in-a-Box externally. An external storage drive, be it a SSD or HDD, can only be as fast as the computer port and the drive enclosure interface card. A USB memory stick or SD card will also work.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,766
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,766 |
An SSD can increase the speed at which BIAB can access the files, though in practice it's not usually a noticeable speed difference due to the compression of the Realtracks. I've even run BIAB from a USB 2 port instead of USB3 and while BIAB boots much slower I otherwise don't notice much change. I'm probably more patient than most though.
An SD card might be way too slow though (depending on both the card speed and card reader speed), and could cause BIAB to pause or freeze, so I wouldn't recommend it. Same with a USB flash drive. If you want to go this way, make sure you get a good card/USB drive with high read and write speeds, and in the case of SD card you'll have to hope that your card reader is fast enough.
I work here
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 34
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 34 |
Thanks, Jim,
When formatting the external drive, should I leave it in ExFat or format in macOs Extended (Journeled) or APFS (Apple File System)?
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 34
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 34 |
Thanks Simon,
I'm going to purchase an SSD drive, which may be overkill, but I have a lot of files from 2014 to the present, and will also be purchasing BiaB 2021 when it comes out and likely some other Paks.
Should I format the drive in ExFat, MacOS Extended (Journeled) or APFS (Apple File System.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,004
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,004 |
…An external storage drive, be it a SSD or HDD, can only be as fast as the computer port and the drive enclosure interface card. No… unless you're referring to USB 2 and then accurate enough. A SATA III SSD is almost as fast as a USB 3 port — SATA III being the limiting factor but not by a noticeable amount. An HDD is a lot slower but fast enough for BIAB — that is correct. USB 2 is a lot slower for data transfer. With most systems, still ok for BIAB, I guess, as long as I'm not the end user. Last year (year before?) I tested this and posted the results but I don't recall where. I run BIAB Audiophile on the System drive of my iMac Pro with Real Tracks and Real Drums streaming from a SATA III SSD over Thunderbolt (though no faster than USB 3, the connection is rock solid and never goes to sleep on me). For kicks and giggles, I compared it to running BIAB from the HDD supplied by PG Music and running it from my System Drive while streaming the libraries from the HDD. Both other ways were slower—as expected—but not by as much as could be and that was a pleasant surprise. Running BIAB from the HDD was the slowest but not unacceptably so. Then I swapped in a USB 2 cable—yikes! A USB memory stick or SD card will also work. It depends on the speed which varies greatly. Many of those don't even run at USB 2 speeds. Those newer, high capacity sticks rated at USB 3 should be fine but I've not tested them.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,741
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,741 |
Well this is all PC stuff but I spent a ton of money on the latest and greatest Intel processors and on board SSDs. Yes it is faster than the old I7 intel but the speed is not as useful as I thought it would be. I put a audiofile HDD on a Samsung SSD but the additional speed was not that great. The issue is the SSD now days is pretty affordable to begin with.
The thing can run faster than I can think to begin with...lol
At the end of the day I have never been unhappy buying better stuff.
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,004
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,004 |
Well this is all PC stuff Huh? Reread my post. I was specifically referring to the Mac ...but I spent a ton of money on the latest and greatest Intel processors and on board SSDs. Yes it is faster than the old I7 intel but the speed is not as useful as I thought it would be. I put a audiofile HDD on a Samsung SSD but the additional speed was not that great. The issue is the SSD now days is pretty affordable to begin with.
The thing can run faster than I can think to begin with...lol
At the end of the day I have never been unhappy buying better stuff.
Billy You'll see that I agree with you 100% when it comes to BIAB. But, having also spent a ton of money on my rig, it has paid for itself with other apps and AV where I make my living.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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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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