Wow, this list of posts has really got me thinking. I have used only midi background on stage for years and I was about to buy BIAB 2010/Real Band when it comes out next week. Now I have to wonder if that is the best thing to put into a new on-stage laptop for files that are real track audio or that combine midi and real track audio because of the suggestion that the real tracks take up so much space and may create some reliability problems during performances. I have tried to keep my system simple and reliable: laptop, roland SD-20 sound module, reverb unit, and mixer. But the laptop is old with windows 98 because it is the latest operating system that plays Cakewalk Pro - whose Play List feature is something that I just love on stage.
Now I am thinking about updating to a new, much faster laptop dedicated just to my music, mostly country and standards. I just don't know how to invest my limited funds. I would really appreciate any recommendations from the wonderful posters I have been reading on these forums. Thank you very much, Scott.