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#47558 12/08/09 10:33 AM
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I'm trying to decide whether to get my 2010 upgrade on DVD or USB HD. I'm tempted to get the USB HD but I'm not sure how best to back up such a large amount of data. I only have one USB port available so I can't connect 2 USB drives at the same time. I do have a 250 GB LAN drive but the connection via wireless is pretty slow for doing backups of this size.

The thing is, with DVD's I don't have to worry if something goes south since I can just reload from disc. If the USB HD goes south I'd be out of luck.

So how do you guys protect your purchase on USB HD?

Any other good reasons to choose the HD version?

Thanks in advance.


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*Pick up a USB hub expander, they don't cost much.

You should select one that has its own Power supply, though, in order to run the drives.

Use another USB drive to make a backup.

If your machine has internal SATA drive connects, the drives PGMusic have sent me have all been SATA on the inside, but the connect is laptop SATA, you would need a powered adaptor to connect directly to desktop internal or external SATA. I'd go with USB hub for the sake of simplicity anyway. Anyone with only one USB port certainly needs a USB hub.

DVD is very slow.

But it can be of advantage to those who live in countries that charge big TAX on "computer hardware".


--Mac

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Maybe seems a bit obvious but here goes ... why not copy the data from your new USB drive to C:\BB and use BIAB from there? Your new USB drive then IS the backup and can be safely put in the drawer out of harm's way. Even with Vista, it would take only a few hours to copy this much data from a USB drive to an internal hard disk...

Brian

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pwarren Offline OP
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Thanks for the idea. I should have mentioned that I don't have enough HD space for BiaB AND the RealTrack/Drums. The way I have set things up is to have BiaB on my HD and RT/D on a LAN drive. There's enough space on the LAN drive but it is really really slow to copy over the wireless.

Thanks anyway. I decided to go with the DVD's for now.


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I do what Fifer does except when I get a new one like I just erase the old one and use it as a normal backup drive. When I get 2010 160g drive I'll erase the 2009.5 drive. Then Ive got a spare 80g & 160g drive to store songs on.


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Yes, HD is the way to go, for the UltraPlus or Everything Pak.

In fact, we're going to remove the DVD option, from the online oredering anyway. If someone "really" wants to oder the DVD version, it can still be done by phone, where the sales staff can verify that the customer would prefer getting 20 DVD's, and installing them one by one, compared to a HD option that is pre-installed, for the same price.


Have Fun!
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wow - 20 DVDs!!!

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I have never used a USB hard drive before so please bear with me. Is USB really fast enough for multitracking MIDI and wav files? I suppose they must work fine or people wouldn't buy them.


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Quote:

I have never used a USB hard drive before so please bear with me. Is USB really fast enough for multitracking MIDI and wav files? I suppose they must work fine or people wouldn't buy them.




Plenty of fast, in my experience anyway.

Cheers,
Mike


Cheers,
Mike

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most users will not exceed the bandwidth of USB. just don't use a USB hub unless it's a powered hub and you'll likely not even notice a difference between internal and external USB hard drives.

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Personally I prefer the DVDs still. I just like having them in case something goes wrong. I guess its just a matter of getting confident with a new media type.

The other thing is the time required to back up the data, copy my 3rd party styles to the new drive and get all my personal settings copied will take much longer than simply installing the programs and the 3 new RT sets.

I have had problems in the past that required reinstalling a program or a RT/D set. If that happened with the HD version I'd have to restore everything back to the HD which would take a lot longer.

Perhaps you could sell a version with the HD and DVD backups? You could require entering the SN from the HD as proof of legitimate ownership before using the DVDs. If this were offered I would be happy to pay media and duplication costs above the standadrd price.


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I was considering the DVD's as well ... but 20 ??? I don't think so! LOL!

Cheers,
Mike


Cheers,
Mike

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Unless your a first time buyer you only need to install 4 discs. The program disc puts BiaB and RB on your HD and three discs install the new RT/D. I have to admit though, 20 discs would be a pain for a first time install.


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Well, 4 is not bad ... I'd be upgrading from 2009.5 ... so ... but, I read that they will take that option away and you must call customer service to arrange for DVD's. Be nice to have an extra backup like that. I have 2009.5 on the USB drive, on my C drive (where I run it from) and another copy (downloads) on a 1TB drive ... talk about backup??? LOL

Cheers,
Mike


Cheers,
Mike

My Music * Asus ROG Strix G15CF 32 GB DDR4 4TB HDD + 1 TB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Win 11 AKAI EIE PRO Sound Interface. BIAB/RB 2024 UltraPak Build - Latest
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I have a 250GB LAN drive for backup but it's accessed over a wireless connection making it too slow to handle BiaB and all the RT/D. It would take around 24 hours to copy everything and I'm not confident it'd even get through everything without any errors.

The LAN drive can also be connected via USB which is faster but still around 4 hours. Compared to installing 4 DVDs it's still too long. Even if I had to install all 20 it wouldn't take much more than that. Not to mention that I don't have to install everything in order to use BiaB again.

I guess I still prefer the DVDs. When PGM stops selling the DVDs I'll have to bite the bullet.


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Quote:

Perso

The other thing is the time required to back up the data, copy my 3rd party styles to the new drive and get all my personal settings copied will take much longer than simply installing the programs and the 3 new RT sets.




?

Copmpared to DVDs, copying hard drive-to-hard-drive, even with USB in between, is like lightning...


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Thanks guys, I figured it would be OK but I just wanted to hear from those who have used it.

I just placed my order for the UltraPak USB upgrade from MegaPak 2009.5 DVDs.


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Quote:



?

Copmpared to DVDs, copying hard drive-to-hard-drive, even with USB in between, is like lightning...


--Mac




I wasn't refering to the actual copy speed rather the time to plan and research what files to move and checking each stage to be sure it's correct. I don't have all the steps memorized.


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I wasn't refering to the actual copy speed rather the time to plan and research what files to move and checking each stage to be sure it's correct. I don't have all the steps memorized.




The hard drive comes with its own Installer program. Use that and follow the prompts, it is much easier than doing that DVD by DVD.

I think you are just looking for reasons to convince yourself on this issue.

The USB drive solution is really a far, far better deal all around.


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Mac, maybe this is self evident, but if the USB drive includes the programs, all tracks, styles, etc., then I simply copy my songs to the BB folder of the USB drive to become completely upgraded. Songs of the same name are overwritten and others are added incrementally. Some initial setup and a new shortcut and that's it? The program will look to the USB drive for songs, styles, and styles automatically? This is too easy. There must be some trap somewhere I haven't thought of.
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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!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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