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Hi Gary

I have to correct some mistakes. My iMac has has a 1000 gb hard drive, 4 gb ram and 3.06 dual processors, - so there's plenty of space and enough raw power. You don't have to worry about drivers and software, since most of the reputated audio moduls and software are written for both Mac and Microsoft OS. I use the firewire connection for my TC 24 DKonnekt. I also use a lot of different (music) software and all of it is delivered for both Mac and PC. I only use Windows for BIAB, but of course I'm waiting for the full version for Mac. Thats the pro's, - and you're right, - its very pricy and I would not recommend it for private use. But for pro and semi pro use it's the choice.
Least of all I want to start a 'war' between PC and Mac users.

Kind regards
Lindbjerg


Musiker. Har lille musikproduktions virksomhed (nodeskrivning, undervisning, studie, oversættelse af bl.a. BIAB). Hvis du synes Band-in-a-Box er vanskelig at komme i gang med, kan jeg tilbyde undervisning via Skype, - også i Cubase. Se min Facebook profil Lindbjerg Musikproduktion
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Lindbjerg,
You won't start a war with me, because I respect the Mac. I was looking at the low end spec iMac, which sells in the U.S. for about $1,200US, or about the same price as the PCs I was showing to Mick. Starting price on the Pro is about $2,400US, or twice the amount. Price was my consideration.

The reason I have a problem with a single drive is that your OS, the emulator, the Windows OS, and the audio data if you're using Real Tracks all need to be accessed from the same drive at the same time. At some point, there's going to be a conflict, and something, most likely the audio, is going to lose, possibly causing drop outs. That's why the MacPro, with multiple hard drives would be the way that I would want to go, but then you get into the cost being almost double what the iMac is, and what the spec'd PCs were.

Gary


I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Quote:

It's all pretty confusing....
32 bit vs 64 bit? Core2 vs Dual core vs quad core? Intel vs AMD?
Integrated sound? DDR2 vs DDR3?
Forget Vista!! How much RAM can XP see?
SATA drive?

Any ideas would be appreciated!!

Thanks,
Mick




You got the forget VISTA right!! My opinion on it is unprintable. It's huge, bloated and slow and the new interface is a pain int A for anyone who is very used to XP. The new icons look too much alike and you have to relearn them too -another tremendous waste of time. Vista is often compared to Windows ME by professional computer people. Corporate sales of Vista machines (business versions) are actually downgradeable to XP and in fact usually are.

Ask anyone who has run Vista and XP on the same exact piece of hardware, as I have done.
Huge bloated means if you do an image backup (which is the most useful kind of OS backup there is) you will be wasting both time and space. It is also troublesome with many serious 3D applications and high end hardware. For example Vista users of DAZ Studio (a wonderful free 3D graphics program) installs often have serious problems with default installations under the PROGRAM FILES directory. The solution is to make a separate folder outside of PROGRAM FILES and your weird problems go away. You never see this problem w XP 32 or 64 bit.

As far as the claim by an earlier poster that you cannot find drivers for XP 64bit. That used to be true 4 years ago, but not in the last 2 years. It was a problem and is still a problem for Vista as well for very old scanners, printers, and stuff like that. In any case if you have any particular hardware that you want to use -check the manufacturer for drivers, so you know the facts.

I recommend XP 64bit. It's very stable (built on 2003 Server code) and supports memory over 4 Gb. Lots of newer motherboards have 8 slots which you can populate w 2Gb DDR2 which are very cheap these days.

XP32 can only use nominal 4Gb (which works out to only about 3.5 or a bit less), so 64bit is far better. I recommend putting in 8Gb. I find XP64bit rock stable, far more than any computer I have ever used. I build & repair computers for a living so my sample size runs in the hundreds and I personally have 6 machines in my office right now.

I'm pretty certain all the current music/midi software runs fine with XP64bit if not in 64bit, then in the x86 32bit mode. Band in the Box 2009 certainly runs fine on my XP64bit, (as does Photoshop although not officially supported in 64bit mode).
As far as SATA goes, you bet. All current motherboards are designed for SATA2 and you generally only get one IDE port if any for DVD-RW drives. Look for external SATA connectors if possible (eSATA) or you can put one in yourself. Any external SATA drive you hook up to your machine will run at the same high speed as the internal SATA HD, which is quite a bit faster than USB 2.0 or Firewire. Great for extra space and of course rapid backups.

Intel vs AMD -there is no clear winner here. AMD systems will cost less overall and other than for certain applications like games and possibly video transcoding, will be pretty competitive, but will not win the speed crown. Get Quad core in either case. For AMD the new Phenom II 940 Black Edition 125 watt is a very good choice. For Intel the i7's are all good just be sure to buy in the mid range. Newest fastest processor are usually very much over priced.

DDR2 vs DD3 - AMD's generally only work with DDR2 which are cheaper in any case. Unless you want to spend a lot of money and have very high power there is no great advantage to DDR3 at this time. In any case is probably the least important factor today.

As far as the integrated sound cards are concerned. You can certainly use them and see how things sound. If you don't like it, then you can buy a better one later.

You will probably have trouble finding XP 64bit at Best Buy or most other retail places, but you can get it at any built to order place.

That's about it.

Best,

Dan

Last edited by Dan Tong; 03/11/09 08:20 PM.
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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.

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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

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  • 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
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

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Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.

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