Just reminisce mainly for the kiddies who didn’t navigate through these connections. Who here doesn’t remember using the game port for MIDI? That is, before they bought a dedicated MPU-401 or clone thereof. Early days you had to program “them there UARTS” as well as remembering if your MODEM needed a stop bit before dialing up your BBS to ask - LOL
I still have a box with all those connectors and adapters of “one to the other,” especially RS-232 stuff. I still have external gear that use RS-232, SCSI and Roland gear with RBus.
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
I wondered if the zip drive would get a shout out. Those changed my life at the time. Found memories. I would ask if that was odd; but hey, y'all seem to get it.
I remember have a love/hate relationship with firewire. The spped (at the time) was great; but it was so finicky. A lot of plugging and unplugging, trying again, and it felt a bit like I never could remember when you had to add the "eye of newt" to get it to work. It felt like...
Great thread! Lot's of memories.
Last edited by HearToLearn; 10/06/1902:58 AM.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
Before USB everything was incompatible with everything else.
I remember MPU-401, Zip and Jaz drives, RS-232, Centronics, 5.25" floppy disks, Turtle Beach Sound Cards, DOS, SCSI, and quite a few other things long tossed in the recycle bin.
My old Atari/ST had an external 40M hard drive. They called it a Winchester. It was huge, bigger than the box new computers come in. When started up, you could hear it whirring as it took about a minute to reach speed before it would work. But having 40M of RAM was a dream in those days.
I remember when programs came out in floppy disks because CDROM hadn't been invented yet, and when you backed up your computer you needed a stack of floppies.
I also remember when BiaB came in DOS.5, Atari, and Mac (Motorola CPU) versions with only 4 instruments, 24 built in styles, no user styles, no shots, no holds, and no endings.
A lot of things got better and easier to use.
I hadn't thought about those things for years, thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Bob, I remember that old Atari HD! It was huge wasn't it.
I also remember having to save everything on tape. Talk about slow loading; it could take up to 10-15 minutes to load a program. It was really a PITA when at the 14 minute mark you would get an error and had to start all over again. Thank God things are so much easier these days, and cheaper also.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor. It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
It was really a PITA when at the 14 minute mark you would get an error and had to start all over again.
Amen to that on the Commodore 64. I thought I was the sh%$ when I upgraded from a cassette to a 5 1/4" floppy drive. That 14 minutes shaved down to a minute or two....
Yes lots of memory's there. I started on a Timex Sinclair to a Commodore 64 with cassette tape and moved to a 1541 disc drive. I soon went to work for Wiser Electronics an Atari Dealer and organ repair shop in Las Vegas repairing Atari computers and game machines. I remember making printer cables for the ever popular Epson 9 pin dot matrix printers. Them were the days indeed. Now I work on these printers
BIAB 2025 Ultrapack- Studio One Pro 7 Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio
My TI99 used cassette tapes. I forgot all about that. Thanks for reminding me. (I think.)
The programs also came on cartridges, plug and load. But the computer didn't do much of anything worthwhile. Too slow, and not advanced enough. But I taught me BASIC, which was a nice introduction to the art of coding.
I consider the Atari the first 'real' computer, the TI was a toy.
One nice thing about the Atari was the OS was burned in ROM, so a virus couldn't get to it. Of course that meant it couldn't be upgraded with new features either.
I bought Master Tracks Pro as my first sequencer on the Atari. When the first edition came out for Windows, I bought that. I still use it.
When I went to a computer shop (remember those) to buy a Win95 computer the owner gave me a deal if I have him my TI99. He wanted it as a collector's item.
While we are looking back, does anybody remember Computer Shopper magazine?
Still a UK publication with that name, You seem to be a guy that might like reading mags like that Bob and more general as well, check out Readly website usually do an offer of 99p for one month for five digital devices, great digital reading material in there, I have it now for about 18 months.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
My first computer was a Tandy Coco that saved to cassette and I learned to code Basic on it. My first real computer was an IBM PC Jr. I used it for years. I still have two 286CPU with floppy disk drive and 1 meg ram and 10 meg HD desktops that work. (at least they did the last time I fired them up - several years ago They're in deep storage in an outdoor shed...
Like some of you others, I have boxes filled with every imaginable adaptor and cable. I have internal and external zip drives but no disks. I finally discarded all of the old CRT monitors a couple of years ago to make room for the 'newer' flat screens.. Last time I looked, there was still a box of dot-matrix 3-sheet carbon copy paper that comes out of the box in one long strip and you tear off each page at the perforations.
It was a video game that included a form of basic computing language. It did not have a keyboard but it had a keypad where some keys contained commonly used basic commands like if, then goto, etc. I had three games published in their newsletter.
I learned Atari basic and programed a video golf game but did nothing with it. It was thrilling at that time but today seeing a golf ball go blink-blink-blink across the screen does nothing for me
Then I discovered those weird looking input sockets and my programming days came to an end. A bought a Korg DS-8 keyboard, learned MIDI, and that has developed into one expensive, but fun, hobby. I did use MIDI in my wedding band. I bought and still use a Casio strat and MIDI controller combined and had three tone generators that I used on stage.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor. It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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