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Hi all,
I am just about to buy BiaBand I also have to need a new PC at the same time.
I would normally just got a mid range laptop.
Hi
Howeverf in light of my purcahse of BiAB are there any recoomendations, such as I should get a Desktop with a better Soundcard, more memory etc, ris a mid range laptop fine.
As to usage: I want to use BiaB for playing my guitar with a backing band through an HD500PX Pod - which is MIDI compatible, not orchestrating a 5o piece philharmonic arrangement. LOL
Any help much appreciated.
Play on maestros ...
Cheers
Andy
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Welcome to the forum.
For BIAB, the most important component is the speed of the CPU. Next would be adequate RAM. One thing that is NOT important is graphics. Also, you can run BIAB fine from the supplied USB hard drive, so the size of the internal drive isn’t as important. I would get a SSD boot drive if at all possible.
I would not worry about the laptop sound, either. Instead, get a USB interface for your audio and MIDI, since you’ll need one for MIDI anyway. For example, many of us use a Focusrite Scarlett. Get the model that supports the number of inputs you need.
Hope that helps. You are wise to ask before purchasing.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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I would also add to Matt's recommendation that you purchase a Focusrite with the new drivers- not NOS from somebody's stock. The second generation drivers are much better.
Regards,
Bob
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Yes they are; Bob is correct.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Welcome to the forum, Band-in-a-Box and RealBand!
Do you have a spot you normally go to when your creating music? If so then I suggest purchasing a desktop tower instead of a laptop. Desktop hardware is cheaper than the equivalent hardware in a laptop. A desktop is also easier to maintain, repair and expand than a laptop.
If you decide on a desktop think about having two storage drives. Consider getting a 250 to 500 gigabyte (GB) solid state drive (SSD) to use as the primary (C) system drive and a 1 or 2 terabyte (TB) mechanical hard drive for use as a secondary drive. Two drives means less wear and tear on the drives plus your computer will boot up MUCH faster than you're presently accustomed to. A 500 GB solid state drive is less than $100 US and 2 TB hard drives are available for $60 US.
The computer operating system will likely be 64 bit Windows 10. If given the choice between the Home or Pro editions, choose Pro. One of the main issues with Windows 10 Home is you have little control when updates are applied. Windows 10 Pro gives you more control over when updates are applied. Likewise if given the choice between 32 or 64 bit, choose 64 bit. Every 32 bit application I'm aware of, including Band-in-a-Box and RealBand, work fine in a 64 bit operating system.
Last, 8 GB of system ram memory should be the least amount of memory you consider.
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I'm with Jim in the desktop group. I think you have greater flexibility with a desktop.
Soundcards in laptops lack a lot to my ears. Parts and upgrades are generally cheaper and more plentiful.
And welcome to a wonderful group of friendly, helpful, and very knowledgeable musicians and songwriters who will never criticize you for asking questions. The only dumb question is the one never asked.
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Welcome to the most friendly site on the web. Also we can never have too many guitarists!
I also are in the desktop computer camp for all of the reasons given.
You have received great advice on computers and audio interfaces but no one has mentioned speakers yet. Laptop speakers are the worst. Computer speakers, those you buy and plug in, range from bad to mediocre IMHO. You will need some near field monitors and depending on either how much you want to spend or how deep you want to get into recording will determine how much you want to play. If you are going to record directly from your POD HD500X then you will need near field monitors IMHO.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Wow, what an amazing reponse  I usually have an amp, headphones, the pod and my guitar so everything else is new to me. I've been messing about for years and never really getting anywhere (I'm 50). I only discovered band in the box about 12 months ago and its just what I need. So the help is fabulous and much appreciated. I'm sure I'll be back for more if you don't mind!
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Very good.
Get some advice about the right external interface to connect and record your guitar along with BIAB tracks.
By the way, you’re bringing the average age here way down.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Wow, what an amazing reponse I usually have an amp, headphones, the pod and my guitar so everything else is new to me. I've been messing about for years and never really getting anywhere (I'm 50). I only discovered band in the box about 12 months ago and its just what I need. So the help is fabulous and much appreciated. I'm sure I'll be back for more if you don't mind! If you have any questions feel free to ask. Myself, as have many guitarist on this site, have recorded guitars either direct input, through an amp sym, and/or via miking an amp. Some of us use BiaB while others use a DAW. I am in the DAW camp. A DAW offers a lot more than BiaB, like more tracks for multiple recordings that you can cut and paste into one track. If you have the Windows' version of BiaB you already have a DAW called RealBand. It is included with your BiaB purchase.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Wow, what an amazing reponse ... So the help is fabulous and much appreciated. I'm sure I'll be back for more if you don't mind! Be informed that you are joining the most amazing and friendliest forum ever, with like-minded people, a wealth of ideas, and a common interest. Welcome aboard. Trev
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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As a newbie myself I can confirm all the good things about this forum. Without the help that I've received here I would probably have given up, but because of the help I've now made 7 backing tracks and loving the process.
Narayano
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just an FYI: my last email to support contradicts the recommendation - you CANNOT run BIAB directly from the USB. You can keep the files on it, but the main program will not work if not transferred to main computer's disc drive.
Second, my MacBook only has 250 gigabytes. I cannot install all of the Real Tracks. Get a 1 TB drive!
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just an FYI: my last email to support contradicts the recommendation - you CANNOT run BIAB directly from the USB. You can keep the files on it, but the main program will not work if not transferred to main computer's disc drive.
Second, my MacBook only has 250 gigabytes. I cannot install all of the Real Tracks. Get a 1 TB drive!
Would you mind sharing what Support said? I don't agree with what you wrote, but perhaps the difference is in the details. You certainly CAN run BIAB from the USB drive, and many do it. But you must first install the program and yes, some things do go onto your computer's hard drive. But the install process gives you four choices. One of the four involves copying the RealTracks to your hard drive but you do not have to do that! The minimal install does not take up much room on your hard drive. You should not have to buy anything to run BIAB on your computer unless your computer's hard drive is totally full (in which case you have a bigger problem). ps Warrenton is a really nice place. Great Mexican in El Agave.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Perhaps mine is a unique situation, but I noticed a general slower program launch and file seeking when running from the USB Drive. It wasn't terrible but noticeable. I then used the option to run everything from my C: drive and the problem was solved.
I have a 1TB C: drive so space was not a major concern.
The program loads very quickly now. =/~5 seconds.
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Hi Mefree When you say you can not run the program from the usb . I think you are talking about the method of purchase as an installable copy on a usb stick . this is for folks that don’t have a cd drive and don’t want to download If you purchase on a usb hard drive you certainly can run from it as it is pre installed and only needs minimal files on your system hard drive see bottom of purchase page for an explanation of destitution methods. http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.packages.htmthis link takes you to biab for windows but will suffice Mike
Last edited by Mike Head; 08/14/18 08:35 AM.
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
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In addition to all this valuable advice, you might want to consider one of those super silent fanless systems available these days. With an all SSD system you won't even hear otherwise spinning HDDs. Check it out, it's a whole different experience - whenever music sounds are silent that is.
BiaB even runs perfectly well on tablet systems such as a Surface Pro - completely installed with all RealTracks and stuff on a 400 GB SD card.
Martin
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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!
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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®.
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Season's Greetings!
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Team PG
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