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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
People are using 64 bit now even with budget machines, its BIAB that is behind in this respect, as people have said BIAB cant access more than just under 4 gig of RAM.
As soon as you can I would recommend getting a faster machine, especially if you do other things on it, however, if you need to stick with your machine at present, adding RAM is probably the best thing you can do, up to a max of 4 gig for 32 bit. I did rthis with a dell inspire netbook and it really improved everything BIG time.
Its not hard to do open the box find the slot, click and your done.
Z
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123 |
Yes it is good to know that anything over 4 GB memory will be wasted space. I'll probably wind up getting that and maybe a second HD, and getting the 2014 Biab/RB upgrades. Then just stay with Windows 7 32-bit till Microsoft stops supporting it. That's what I did with XP all those years.
That will be adequate for making Real Tracks/Real Drum backing tracks to use for my solo guitar act.
BiaB 2024
Reaper v7.15
Melodyne Essential 5.3
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,464
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,464 |
I'd still prefer Win7 64 bit if I had a choice.
Although BiaB is 32 bit, the rest of the system can still benefit from the 64 bit OS.
Anything over 4 gig may be 'wasted space' for a 32 bit app, but everything else that is running at the same time may benefit. Just my opinion.
In your case upgrading from 2 to 4 gig of RAM would be the first step I'd try. Likely make the biggest difference on the current system. It'll be recognized and used, and doubles your current RAM.
However the investment will not carry forward to your next system due to DDR2 vs DDR3 (or 4). DDR2 is on its way out.
However, IMO your best bang for buck would be the additional RAM .. for now. Depends a lot on how long you hope the current system continues to serve you.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123 |
rharv Yeah it turns out I can't put another drive in there anyway....My new dual monitor card arrived today and while I was putting it in I noted that although there is physical space where I could put in a 2nd HD, I would have to unplug the DVD drive.
At least I have two screens now to look at something while I'm waiting.
BiaB 2024
Reaper v7.15
Melodyne Essential 5.3
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,464
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,464 |
I'd unplug the DVD drive. I'd rather have a hard drive.
Are there any other SATA or ATA connections on the motherboard?
Usually SATAs are crunched together and can be easily overlooked.
If its the old wide PATA connections you likely only have 2 to work with, and like DDR2 these connectors are fading into history.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 175
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 175 |
I upgraded the memory on my Dell Inspiron 8600 a couple of years ago, following a suggestion on this forum that memory (1 GB) might be limiting the performance.
Doubling it to 2 GB made absolutely no difference to the time taken to generate a RealTracks song.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123 |
rharv- nope, only the two.
Good news though, I looked through my stuff and found my old Lite-On external DVD drive and hooked it up, it still works fine. The main thing I would use it for is either loading software or burning CD's and it still seems to do both. In other words I could live without the internal optical drive as long as I don't have to buy a new external one.
foxylady- I know the extra memory won't speed up real track regeneration so if I buy it I won't be disappointed on that front. It might help somewhere else. A little.
What a fool I've been! LOL.
In a couple more weeks, I'll get the use of both arms again (cast comes off from broken radial bone Oct 14) and I can go back to playing. I think the deal breaker is going to be this new "User Tracks" feature if I'm remembering the right name for it. Once I get the 2014 upgrades, the 1st thing I want to try is making a few of my own using my own guitars and amps. If I can't do that satisfactorily I'll probably pick up a gamer box at wal mart or something.
BiaB 2024
Reaper v7.15
Melodyne Essential 5.3
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492 |
You probably could find a computer with a 64-bit processor for about 350 bucks. It will not be a machine that is future oriented, but it will be sufficient for quite some time.
A new processor of the most current families is about the price of what you want to/can spend.
For the machine of yours four GB of memory is the best you can do and those RAMs are rather cheap nowadays. (Depending on your point of view it is a worthwile investment or a waste of monetary ressources.) Then save some money to buy a current model later. Some software starts to be issued in 64bit versions only. I won't be long before you can not update software that you already have.
Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123 |
Sorry guys, not to beat a dead horse, but....
I have another desktop box I bought a while back for the kids to use (I have 4 kids ages 7-14) so they would stop asking to borrow their mom's laptop or our Kindles. They play their MineCraft and Animal Jam and what not on it. My younger son is Autistic too and sometimes he clicks on things he shouldn't. It's had viruses and we've had to go in and clean a lot of junk out of it from time to time but it's still pretty much running ok, well enough for them to take turns doing their thing on it. As long as we don't hear anything about it, it is a non-issue for us other than refereeing who's turn it is etc.
Well I checked and without getting too deep into it, it is running Windows7 64 bit and already has a 500Gig HD and 4 MB ram. Would you believe the HD is half full of crap, and there is no music or pictures stored on there? God only knows what all they have in there. The outside of the tower is sticky with fingerprints and so is the monitor but that will clean off.
I think I know what the answer will be, but should I maybe think about swapping?
Oh the only other thing, the processor speed is only 2.2 Ghz vs my box's 3.4 ghz AND just at a glance (even though Jazzmammal says not to go by it) the Windows 'Experience' rating is only 4.3 vs my box's 4.7. I haven't had a chance to download Geekbench on that box yet, but the score on mine was embarrassingly small (<2,000).
BiaB 2024
Reaper v7.15
Melodyne Essential 5.3
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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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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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-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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
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- 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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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