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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 123 |
Hi Folks It's me again here with a question. I play keys (A roland Clavinova) on the Praise band at my church along with a bass player and drummer. I am wanting to experiment with some additional orchestration by purchasing ABLETON LIVE 8, and adding some live sequences for play back and send a click track out via head phone to my drummer so that we would be all in sync and then I would have additional Horn parts etc playing in sync with us. In that way, I would be able to call up verse, chorus, bridge etc on the fly while playing. Now, I would need a good laptop to run ABLETON LIVE 8. I already have a Dell Latitude 610 Laptop with a 2 Ghz Pentium Single Core processor, 2 giggs of Ram, 60 gigs of hard drive Space running Windows XP Pro. I read on ABLETON LIVE website that they recommend a multi core processor for PC users. I have about $885.00 in my budget right about now and a good friend of mine told me that it is best that I purchase a new Mac book from www.powermax.com for $899.00 because I can never go wrong with a Mac for any kind of Music purpose. On the other hand, Walmart is gonna have a big pre and post Thanksgiving sale soon where they’ll be offering a $298 notebook, the Compaq Presario CQ60-419WM, complete with a 160GB hard-drive and 3GB of RAM. This particular Laptop has a 2.10GHz multi core AMD Sempron processor, NVIDIA GeForce 8200M graphics and a DVD burner, together with WiFi b/g and a 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 display. So I am like hmmmmmmmmmm for just $298.00, this looks like a powerful laptop and then I will have money left over to purchase ABLETON LIVE 8. I need some advice here. Not sure which way to go......THE MAC...or the Compaq Laptop for what I would like to do and possible some studio work at the house now and again. Hit me back y'all. One more thing. I am wondering if my Dell Latitude Laptop just may be sufficient. Any feed back thoughts, Tech advice, and insight y'all have for me, I'd much appreciate it. Looking forward to Y'all's feed back in this scenario.
Jacobins
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
There are many legal ways to get a 'lite' version of Live which would likely suit your needs just fine and probably play fine on your existing lappy. Look for an audio interface or controller that has it bundled. Many M-Audio products from a couple years back came bundled with some version of Live lite - even cheaper stuff like an Oxygen 49 keyboard (I picked one up at www.audiomidi.com for around $100 and it came with a version of Live Lite.) I also recently had a M-Audio Fast-track given to me and it's got Live Lite (I think version 5) in the box on CD. Here's Live 7 LE for $150 at audiomidi.com http://www.audiomidi.com/Live-7-LE-P10991.aspxOr go for the controller from Akai that was recently announced and has Live 8 (a cut down version of some kind) that's designed for triggering Live sequences. It's 400$ and there's a comment about a patch for a free full version of Live. http://www.audiomidi.com/APC40-Ableton-Live-Controller-P11924.aspx
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,439
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,439 |
I don't really want to get into an argument about Macs and PC's. I guess what you really need to do is:
a) choose the software that does what you need (you've done this step)
b) find out what platforms it runs on (I guess you've done this too - MacOS and Windows
c) determine the pros and cons of each platform for the product (E.G. Windows BIAB has more functional features than Mac BIAB - for now)
d) if there are differences then pick the one that suits you best, if there are no differences then:
e) find out which platform it works best on (probably the one it was initially developed on)
f) if there is no real difference in e) then look for the best price. Always bearing in mind that the cheapest thing you can do is always buy the best quality you can afford*.
*Here comes the argument bit - IMHO there is now no real difference in quality or hardware features between a modern Mac and any of the mid to high grade IBMC systems out there. Lets face it, the modern Mac is now an Intel box running a hacked version of unix. You're really getting the same hardware either way.
If you are likely to have a need or even a use for other software then the Windows platform gives you more choice.
--=-- My credo: If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing - just ask my missus, she'll tell ya  --=--You're only paranoid if you're wrong!
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,840
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,840 |
The arguement has and is that Mac's are better for music, since Mac has less crash and burn issues. Also Mac are not as prone to viruses. All probabily true, but There are tons of folk running PC's here with little or no problems. When i look at the Mac forum there seems to be issues there as well. So to me it comes down to price and value. I can get far more PC for the money, and i do not have problems so far. Plus i can run far more software for the PC.
I am tinkering around with Linux on a second Box now, i love the look, and the fact it loads fast and easy, but really it does nothing that my windows can't do. It will not see my wireless network card. So i have to BUILD the driver. Build i said. Great! For windows i go to the net and download a driver double click and bam it works. For linux i download the driver read four or five read me files that only half explain it, no not even half explain.
Basically it says add this line of code thru terminal, if that does not work, try adding this, oh you might have to run this script, and if no joy try this one or this one. So far i have spend three evenings searching the net and downloading crap, and still it says i have a wireless card, and it sees the strength of the router, but hey still will not connect. So back i go to the net to research and low and behol;d on about the 10th page i read, it says Ubuntu does not like that card. Super! the poster suggest trying Red hat fedora! No freakin thanks. I will use windows i have no hatred for Bill Gates, and no desire to program my computer. I just want to play music in my spare time.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Off-Topic
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992 |
Jah_Musician123
before buying any laptop make sure you test it out first.
also read my tips in the tips n triks section with a link to
dpc latency checker. use it to test any lappie prior to purchase.
to be very frank, and mebe youll luck out...some have..
but i'm not a fan of lappies right now,
i feel they need more re engineering.
and another development cycle for power users particularly.
google various recording forums and youll see lots of people haveing problems.
as for macs...just be aware.
1. unlike desktop pc's , if you get a problem you have to send it out to be fixed.
2. i'm sure some mac fans are gonna jump on me..so be it..
(and i'm no lover of win either..) BUT..lol...
i have a feeling lots of mac people are gonna be very upset as the low end dual core macs
become obsolete. be very aware the pc industry moves very fast mate.
more and more cores processors are fast approaching. 8/16/god knows how many cores in the next
few years.
the basic prob i have with macs is the not insignificant upfront investment,
and i'm always worried bout obsolescence.
at least with a desktop pc you can upgrade it easily.
eg if a new motherboard and whizz bang multi core processor comes out.
for your 800 buks , if it were my choice i would be buying a quad core intel
desktop with lotsa memory, and two 32 mb cache 7200 rpm drives with win OS.
see if you can find one with xp on.
but if your dead set on a win lappie...for goodness sake test it carefully prior
to purchase.
all the best.
retired puter engr....powertracks on amd......NICE !
"what is the black art of audio engineering ?"
my silly songs...motagator.com/bmanning
see my tips in the tips section.
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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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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
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Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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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
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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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
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Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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