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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 223
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Hello
Under what circumstances would I want to use BB in 64 bit as opposed to 32bit?
Thanks
Rally
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
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If you plan to use 64-bit plugins in BIAB, then using the 64-bit program would make sense.
As for me, I alternate between the two and at no time have I been hampered by which version I have in use at the time.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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As Noel96 indicates the answer depends more on the effect and plug-ins you want to use than program capability.
While there are no differences between the programs each selects a different midi sound module to playback the Hi-Q Instruments associated with MIDI SeperTracks. The 32 bit program uses Plogue Sforzando while the 64 bit program uses Synthfont64.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Yeah, 32 vs 64 bit is a long story with me. 64 bit means absolutely nothing to anybody if they've spent the ten bucks for JBridge. That allows the 32 bit version to use all the 64 bit VST's and it works perfectly. Other than saving the ten bucks there's no reason to use the 64 version. 64 bit computers have been able to run 32 bit programs for...forever?
The functions are exactly the same.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 223
Apprentice
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OP
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Posts: 223 |
Thanks guys! 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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A few added thoughts.
When BIAB 2018 was first released, the older PG Music plugins were only available in 32-bit. But they released 64-bit versions, so there shouldn't be any difference.
A 64-bit app can address more memory, and use all available memory in a PC beyond 3.1 GB, but that limit was solved with the JBridge utility as Bob mentioned.
Use whichever you prefer, as long as your Windows is 64-bit. If it's a 32-bit operating system (use Control Panel, System to check), you would be limited to the 32-bit version of BIAB anyway.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
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So, if I was building my DAW computer today, I would be installing a 64bit OS. I'd use J-bridge to keep my 32 bit plugs working.
As I understand it, JB will bridge 64 to 32 and 32 to 64 without any issues. It also bridges 32 to 32 for whatever reason that might need to be done.
Since I have a 32 bit OS...and it works well and is solid.... I'll stay where I'm at for now in that regard but I might have to check into this JB thing so I can get the newer 64 bit plugs and VST's to work in my software.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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WinBB only went to 64bit because apple forced MacBB to 64bit.
jBridge requires Windows XP/64 bit, Windows 7/64 bit, Windows 8, Windows 10 and higher (64 bit OS only, so that 64 bit plugins would work).
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
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It seems the same with bits as with money ... the more the merrier?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Well, to be fair there is a marketing angle to this. A lot of people think if you have a 64 bit OS then you need 64 bit programs. That's not true but many think it is so now that Biab is 64 it makes it look like they've made the jump into the modern world. 64 bit computer, 64 bit program. It looks good for marketing.
I have nothing against it my complaint was and still is there are a ton of enhancements that have been talked about for years that have not been addressed. It looks like they spent all their time working on 64 bit while ignoring all those other things.
I did not know that it's Apple that forced this? I know nothing about coding but I know Apple is dropping 32 bit and going 64 bit only. So, making Biab for Mac 64 bit also forced them to do a 64 bit Win version because they must share a lot of the same coding?
That would be a good answer for why they've had to ignore all the other things we've posted about for years. That sounds like a pretty big project and it's still going on from what I've read in the Mac forum.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Bob, we don't know for certain, but yes, the move by Apple is a good motivator. I mainly use the Windows version of BIAB, but I also have a Mac version of BIAB 2018 which, like BIAB 2018 was, is 32-bit only. The current OS on a Mac gives you a warning that at some point, 32-bit apps will no longer be supported.
We hope that PG Music is developing code that can easily be ported from the Windows 64-bit version to a Mac 64-bit version; such cross-platform development would make obvious sense. Whether that happens this year or later, it still will be a lot of work for PG Music to go to 64-bit on the Mac version. We also do not know if there will be a BIAB Plugin for the Mac version, and as you recall, much effort went into that for the Windows version and is still continuing.
The effect of these substantial program changes forced by the operating system on other reported issues, is not known by us users.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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