|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 219
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 219 |
I run my BIAB, Real Band and Power Tracks on a home built desk top PC (Windows XP Pro) but it is now seven years old and very under powered. It certainly struggles when importing Real Tracks with BIAB version 2009. I do have a second desk top PC but I am considering buying a laptop so that I can practice along with my BIAB files anywhere in the house and am not tied down to my music room. I would also like to record my practice sessions at a friend’s house, for later analysis.
I have been looking at models with Pentium Dual Core processors, 4GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive and perhaps a 17” screen to make reading music easier whilst standing up playing. I appreciate that the MIDI side of things will not be as good as my Edirol SD-80 plays them on my desk top, but I will be using Real Tracks anyway.
I would probably buy an M-Audio Fast Track to record to the laptop via USB as recommended by Mac (9th April).
So my question is, what sort of laptop memory and power would you recommend please? I prefer to buy a machine with an eye to the future as far as forthcoming PG demands on such a system may require.
Richard (Stan's Fan)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
*Always buy the fastest machine you can afford at the time. This is as much "future-proofing" as we can reasonably expect.
*I typically avoid package deals that already have a lot of RAM installed, as the price of one with less RAM and purchasing and snapping the extra RAM into it yourself is usually a cost savings to be considered. But not always. Right now, the economy is forcing lots of great deals, so do your homework on that front.
*If at all possible, I'd go for a machine that comes with XP installed and not Vista at the moment. Simply makes for an easier-to-use machine for music programs at this point in time. XP Home or Pro doesn't matter, either will do the music programs identically.
*The M-Audio Fast Track also includes MIDI connect on it if I'm not mistaken. A plus for when you do want to hook up something MIDI.
*Stay way from Dell brand name. Too many reported problems over time with music programs and aftermarket sound devices. IMO the same goes for Toshiba, although they have been getting better at it. A good deal on a newer Toshiba, I'd consider it now.
*HP, Acer, those are two brands that I've recommended to people I know and they are generally happy with pgmusic products and those brands. But there are other brands that are out there to consider as well, don't think these are the only two.
*The pgmusic USB hard drive with all programs on it and the ability to change from machine to machine with the same copy of the program and all songfiles of your own is priceless.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 219
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 219 |
Mac,
Thank you once again for your good advice. I will certainly take all the points into consideration. Thank you for the Dell warning too.
Richard (Stan's Fan)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 9
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 9 |
Umm..okay. Some better advice for you. Don't buy anything that runs Windows. Period. It's garbage and no one knows where Microslop is headed since the Vista debacle. You want to risk getting caught up in one of their software control schemes to force users to switch from Xp to something else? They're dropping support for it, you know. Developers right now are all confused about what to do with Windows 7 right around the corner to boot. And who knows what kind of problems Wimdows 7 will bring with it?
You can get a Mac and run BB using Crossover for $30. You don't even need a Windows disc. I only mention this because Petey's been dragging his feet for five years on a new Mac version of BB.
Just sayin'...stop being a silly perpetual Beta tester for Microshaft. You'll be happier.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Your bank account will be a lot lighter than it has to be too...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 235
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 235 |
And less software choices...
I'll be back...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 219
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 219 |
WesLong, Thanks for that . Yes I also have read about Microsoft stopping support for XP once Windows 7 gets going.
Mac and abaudio, messages received too.
Richard (Stan's Fan)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 235
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 235 |
A pity that some Mac users are so stubborn in putting their issues as a general users issue. I never had any real trouble with windows. I won't say it is perfect, neither I would say a Mac is (and I worked with that as well for many years). Both have their (dis)advantages and neither is better or worse in that way. It is the user in the end which makes the computer crappy or good. Well enuff said about it, since I would end up in a Mac-Windows discussion that is in fact really not my attempt.
About the support being stopped for XP I would like to say: so what? I got an old computer running even with win98SE ( a stable 48 tracks with quite some effects and dynamics processors on a 1200 Mhz system), just because my old setup just runs great with it. My XP systems also run smoothly, so there is no need to be scared for that. Just get all the important updates and that system can run for many years after, unless you like to change hardware and software all the time, buying the newest stuff...
For windows 7 I can't say a thing, but I do not put it down up forehand. That is just a matter of wait and see I guess...
I'll be back...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Well I run both a Dell and a Toshiba. Someone's old discarded lappies. Total Invested for both $250 for new drive, 2G ram, & cost of buying the Dell. Still run Win2K on both. I think the big difference is the Dell is internet etc. the Toshiba is just Biab, RB etc. I little maintenance also goes a long way. If you dare do this:
Do this and you'll see a marked improvement. I had ALL SORTS of leftovers from AVG, AVIRA, you name it.
DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING UNLESS YOU'RE SURE IT'S NO LONGER USED ON YOUR MACHINE.
When you install a device driver on a Windows XP machine,or Win2K the operating system loads that driver each time the computer boots regardless of whether the device is present—unless you specifically uninstall the driver. This means that drivers from devices that you have long since removed from your system may be wasting valuable system resources & causing conflict issues.
Follow these steps to view and remove these unnecessary device drivers:
1. Right click MY COMPUTER---> Properties to bring up the System Properties dialog box.
2. Select the Advanced tab and click the Environment Variables button.
3. Click the New button below the System Variables panel.
4. In the New System Variable dialog box, type devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices in the Variable Name text box and 1 in the Variable Value text box.
5. Click OK to return to the System Properties dialog box and then click OK again.
6. Select the Hardware tab and click the Device Manager button.
7. In Device Manager, go to View | Show Hidden Devices.
8. Expand the various branches in the device tree and look for the washed out icons,(light Grey) which indicate unused device drivers.Mostly under non-plug & Play drivers.
9. To remove an unused device driver, right-click the icon and select Uninstall.DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING UNLESS YOU'RE SURE IT'S NO LONGER USED ON YOUR MACHINE.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504 |
I have a few IBM/Lenovo ThinkPads, and they have been very dependable (although the Lenovos are slightly less dependable than the IBMs). Still they seem to do better than the competition.
As far as the Mac vs PC thing is concerned, my friend when through the same problem when OSX was first introduced as people have with Vista. It's just the nature of the beast. The cutting edge is the bleeding edge.
Anyway for me, nothing beats a ThinkPad for durability and value.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
I've got an Acer netbook and even with the internet running and running band in a box from the external hard drive it came on it's just a second or two slower rendering realtracks than the XP quad core 6 gig 1 terabyte monster in the 'studio'.
That said the one downstairs is Vista sp1 and I should upgrade it. I'm just waiting for some more time to pass.....never the first to upgrade unless it's to band in a box.
Think with the Acer Apsire, it's like $300, runs xp, and if you have a suit coat with a large pocket you can unplug it and not leave it out during breaks, although no one would touch it most places I play.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199 |
I just bought an HP laptop at WalMart. Cost was $499. An AMD 64X2 processor running at 2GHz, 3 GB of RAM, Vista Premium 32 bit, 250 GB hard drive, 15.4" screen. No PCMCIA slot, so I can't plug in a PCMCIA sound card. Not an issue, buy an Edirol UA-1X for $80 from PG Music. I upgraded to Windows 7 Ultimate 32. I would have upgraded to 64 bit, but there were some programs I wanted. I may switch to 64 anyway, just to get it to run faster. The programs are replaceable with others I have. What I'm saying is that you can do an awful lot at a lower price today. Of course, if you want, I also have a Toshiba with a 3.2GHz Pentium IV, 2 GB of RAM, 80 gig hard drive, 15.4" screen, XP Home, and a new reinstall to factory settings, AND a color laser printer with more than half the toner left, $550, cash only, you pick it up!  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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,219
Posts802,027
Members40,070
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean