|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753 |
For the past 6 - 7 years I’ve done all my work on a now 7 years on Windows laptop Asus K55. It’s done quite well with its limitations. I have around $500 US budget and I’m looking for a Windows desktop. Don’t really need a monitor, mouse, keyboard so I don’t want to pay extra for them in a package deal but if a good desktop deal includes them that would be okay.
Main purpose: BIAB, Reaper, recording, mixing, multi tracking, midi tracks, audio tracks, multiple VST and VSTi running at the same time, rendering, etc,... probably should have plenty of USB ports.
Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,945
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,945 |
Are you looking for sources or specs?
For sources, Staples and Best Buy sell just the CPU box and often have good deals. I like being able to view the back of what I will be buying (although this does not apply to me; I have built all my own computers since 1983).
For specs, this is the rank of importance for what you want to get, and where you should budget your money, ranked STEEPLY from most to least important: CPU, disk (must have an SSD), RAM (8 GB or more), laser mouse, Graphics. I'm assuming you will use Windows 10; Home version is sufficient unless you have an extensive home network.
If you ask a more specific question, I and others can give better answers. Cheers.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,741
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,741 |
tobias. REFURBISHED ALL THE WAY. if you dont believe me. ask on the reaper forum. (i'm a reaper/biab user.) i was on the reaper forum other day and noticed yet another user extolling virtues of refurbs. he said will last another 20 years. its so powerfull. just start a thread on the reaper forum "what do you think of refurbs ?" ive seen perfectly good i5 refurbs go as low as 200 buks. xeon beasts for 700 buks with ssd's. eg https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/hp-z440-workstation-xeon-e5-1620v3-3-5ghz-4-cores-16gb-ram-512gb-ssd-quadro-k2200-4gb-win10-pro-refurbished/14348023just needs a second ssd. three CAVEATS. 1. try and test with realband in store. if they let you. my store will. in rb action. >> test audio performance. i get with i5/ssd 191 traks reported in rb. my system cost couple of hundred buks. 2. get a warranty for a year. 3. make sure you can return pc if probs. eg your audio interface dont like it. if you anticipate heavy cpu use libraries and slews of plug ins. get the most powerfull processor you can afford. i7 or xeon. best. muso. ps search pg forums for more of my comments on refurbs. eg in the mac threads.
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 11/28/20 07:27 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753 |
Okay, to be more specific; What do I need? It will be a DAW machine. I don’t know much about specs. That’s why I’m asking. I can use my current mouse and keyboard and monitor and have spares of those. I have an Audio/ Midi interface. I’ve done around 80 with BIAB and around 30 of those have gone into Reaper for adding audio tracks, editing, mixing, etc. I’ve been recording on and off for 35 years or so. Started way back on 2 track Reel to Reel, then many 4 track cassettes, then big console to ADAT, then to DAW some 18 years ago.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,038
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,038 |
I agree with the refurbished option. I have purchased a number of them for others from TigerDirect with no problems. Out of around ten purchases only one was DOA and TigerDirect immediately replaced it. All have warranties and you get a more bang for your buck withe refurbished computers.
My goal this weekend is to move just enough each day so that no one pokes me to see if I'm dead or not.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,945
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,945 |
The most important spec by far for BIAB will be the CPU. justanoldmuso mentioned an Intel i7 CPU, and I agree.
For Reaper or another DAW, the speed and size of the storage drives becomes very important. I recommend an SSD for Windows, and I use a second SSD for certain programs including BIAB, audio editing, DAW and video editing. Then I have a very large fast Western Digital Caviar conventional drive for storage, plugin libraries, etc.
Your comment about recording for 35 years made me realize I've been recording for 55 years.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,533
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,533 |
The most important spec by far for BIAB will be the CPU. justanoldmuso mentioned an Intel i7 CPU, and I agree.
For Reaper or another DAW, the speed and size of the storage drives becomes very important. I recommend an SSD for Windows, and I use a second SSD for certain programs including BIAB, audio editing, DAW and video editing. Then I have a very large fast Western Digital Caviar conventional drive for storage, plugin libraries, etc.
Your comment about recording for 35 years made me realize I've been recording for 55 years.
Jeezzs Matt, and I thought I was getting old!! You still got a Intel 4004?...lol Happy Holidays Matt
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753 |
Thanks, after some research I think I'll be looking for;
SSD Solid State Drive 500 or bigger.
Intel Core i7
16 gb or more memory
Might go refurbished.
Anything else important?
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,533
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,533 |
With a budget of $500
Refurbished Dell
i7 Intel processor
8 gigs of at least DDR3 ram
250 gig SSD with a SATA 500 gig drive (best case would be a new Samsung 1 TB SSD and whatever the computer came with)
some sort of interface to plug a guitar or mic into.
I looked on Amazon...
From Amazon for $429. This looks likes a pretty solid machine. Needs a bigger drive. Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-76E1T0B/AM) on sale, black Monday $99.
Dell Optiplex Gaming PC 3020 SFF Computer - Core i7 4770 3.4 GHz, NVIDIA GT 1030 2GB, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, HDMI, DVI, VGA, DVD-ROM Drive, Keyboard, Mouse, WiFi, Windows 10 Professional(Renewed)
This will run most anything and there are ways to deal with the limited amount of ram.
Cheers,
Billy
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,945
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,945 |
Those look like just about what i use, that is four years old. It will be fine.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,533
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,533 |
Changing out the RAM for 16 gigs of DDR3 ram would be about $50
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,647
Product Manager
|
|
Product Manager
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,647 |
I mostly agree with what others have mentioned. In the case of using BIAB, best bet is to prioritize the CPU, followed by SSD. In the case of using any other program you have, RAM first. I've personally got 48gb of ram for my music machine - the more the better.
As others have mentioned, refurbs are a good bet. I've got an 11-year-old computer that runs BIAB perfectly. Certainly a newer computer could do better, but because I was able to maximize my RAM and install an SSD, it's MUCH faster than even many brand new computers.
I work here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,192
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,192 |
I mostly agree with what others have mentioned. In the case of using BIAB, best bet is to prioritize the CPU, followed by SSD. In the case of using any other program you have, RAM first. I've personally got 48gb of ram for my music machine - the more the better.
As others have mentioned, refurbs are a good bet. I've got an 11-year-old computer that runs BIAB perfectly. Certainly a newer computer could do better, but because I was able to maximize my RAM and install an SSD, it's MUCH faster than even many brand new computers. Ditto ... I run 32gb and that allows me to keep BiaB open (and other apps) while running multiple instances of effects on Logic tracks. And a long mastering chain. Bud
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,533
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,533 |
The issue with all of this is the cost. 32 gigs of RAM is generally more useful than 16 gigs. Not all RAM is created equal...better RAM more money. Faster processors, more money. In terms of BIAB and DAWs in general only a certain amount of RAM/Processor speed is useful. Core i7 4770 3.4 GHz, and 32 gigs of fast DDR4 and pro SSD is what I have in my current machine. You can still buy that same i7 new today. I can have more stuff open than I can deal with.
The OP mentioned a budget of $500.00. There is an obvious limit to what can be had for that amount of money.
In considering what to use in a new machine I want to build I am finding going to a Intel Core i9-9900k 8 cores with clocking up to 5.o GHz does not result in better performance in my DAW than an i7-9700k 8 core 4.7Ghz. It would only result in better performance in video and gaming. I don't play games at all and I am not doing a lot of video stuff so it is a bit hard to justify the additional cost.
A pretty good refurbished machine can be had for five or six hundred dollars. That machine will run BIAB and any DAW without issue. It will not let you have your DAW, fifty vst's 100 tracks deep, BIAB all open at the same time. It may be possible to get 100 tracks deep with that limited of a machine if you know how to manage resources.
Cheers,
Billy
Last edited by Planobilly; 12/01/20 05:16 AM.
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,319
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,319 |
In considering what to use in a new machine I want to build I am finding going to a Intel Core i9-9900k 8 cores with clocking up to 5.o GHz does not result in better performance in my DAW than an i7-9700k 8 core 4.7Ghz. Why the performance to the eye is not any better, the processor is not working as hard to accomplish the same task. Why buy lesser and overclock when you have the resources to buy mo' bettah? My 4 cylinder turbo Jeep Renegade can keep up with the Corvette next to me as we both go 90, but that Corvette's engine isn't working nearly as hard to do it. And if you can afford the Corvette, you can also probably afford the speeding tickets and higher insurance costs....
I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.
1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271 |
I'm running a Core i7 4770 3.4 GHz (had it for a lot of years) and 16 gigs of ram. I've never had any problems running BIAB. I can't remember it ever crashing. Where I do have problems once in a while is in Cakewalk by Bandlab. Reaper is a lot more stable but even that has crashed, but rarely. I've just recently started using just vsts - SampleTank 4, Addictive Drums 2 - and blame that for the odd glitch. I'm using these vsts because I can't figure out how to get my Ketron SD 2 working. What's supposed to be a simple hookup has given me many frustrating hours. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,533
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,533 |
In considering what to use in a new machine I want to build I am finding going to a Intel Core i9-9900k 8 cores with clocking up to 5.o GHz does not result in better performance in my DAW than an i7-9700k 8 core 4.7Ghz. Why the performance to the eye is not any better, the processor is not working as hard to accomplish the same task. Why buy lesser and overclock when you have the resources to buy mo' bettah? My 4 cylinder turbo Jeep Renegade can keep up with the Corvette next to me as we both go 90, but that Corvette's engine isn't working nearly as hard to do it. And if you can afford the Corvette, you can also probably afford the speeding tickets and higher insurance costs.... There is actually a lot to be said for your comments. You are definitely on track Eddie. I have rarely if ever been unhappy with buying "better" stuff" no matter if it was computers or cars. I have a new Honda that gets about forty miles to the gallon and a 2008 Nissan Titan with 160,000 miles on it that gets 12 MPG. If I go to the store tomorrow I will drive the truck. Why, because I like the truck...go figure. I think you have helped me make a decision I have been vasalating on for a while now. So thanks. Cheers, Billy
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,319
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,319 |
I have a new Honda that gets about forty miles to the gallon and a 2008 Nissan Titan with 160,000 miles on it that gets 12 MPG. If I go to the store tomorrow I will drive the truck. Why, because I like the truck...go figure.
Plus.... trucks are cooler! My best male friend just bought a Chevy Avalanche 4WD with the Z71 package. He bought it from his brother in law's boss, who is a finnicky guy about car care and that trucks has been treated better than a lot of children for its whole life. Oil changes done 500 miles EARLY. 6 month inspections. Bedliner, tonneau cover, front grille and headlight protective bumper, chrome running boards. Absolutely beautiful. He stopped by with it Sunday and it is so quiet I didn't even hear him pull in. But he left as I was taking the dog for a walk and when he stuck his foot into it, it ROARED. He needs a truck to pull a rather large boat. (We get to fish again this year!!) Same logic. Instead of buying minimum, he spent a few thousand more and overbought. I believe in overbuying. That flied directly into the face of my cheap Slovenian heritage, but there's a time to save and a time to spend.
I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.
1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,533
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,533 |
In considering what to use in a new machine I want to build I am finding going to a Intel Core i9-9900k 8 cores with clocking up to 5.o GHz does not result in better performance in my DAW than an i7-9700k 8 core 4.7Ghz. Why the performance to the eye is not any better, the processor is not working as hard to accomplish the same task. Why buy lesser and overclock when you have the resources to buy mo' bettah? My 4 cylinder turbo Jeep Renegade can keep up with the Corvette next to me as we both go 90, but that Corvette's engine isn't working nearly as hard to do it. And if you can afford the Corvette, you can also probably afford the speeding tickets and higher insurance costs.... Well, if it makes you feel any better I just ordered a i9-9900...lol Also a Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard LGA1151 (Intel 8th 9th Gen) ATX DDR4 DP HDMI M.2 USB 3.1 Gen2 802.11AC Wi-Fi plus other stuff I probably don't really need. It's called transcendental consumption, and while it does exist in other cultures it is a basic American idea...lol Billy
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,319
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,319 |
You will be happy in a year when lesser components become obsolete and yours don't!
I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.
1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box User Video Tutorials!
If you've reviewed our Support page, you've probably noticed the Videos page, which separates our Band-in-a-Box® tutorial videos by category: Overview, VST DAW Plugin, Setup, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and there's even an Archive category to go down memory lane... (You'll also find these videos on our YouTube Channel.)
It's always great to hear how other Band-in-a-Box® users create their songs, especially when they explain in detail what they're doing. Like Henry Clarke's YouTube Channel, Henry Clarke - Senior Musicians Unite! There you'll find his ALL Band-in-a-Box Tutorials playlist with over 50 videos! His top-three most watched videos include "How to Get Started with Band-in-a-Box," "How I use the Audio Chord Wizard in Band-in-a-Box," and "How to Create An Effective Solo Using Band-in-a-Box" - however he touches on many other topics and also demonstrates his own Band-in-a-Box® songs in the Band-in-a-Box Created Songs playlist!
You're guaranteed to find some helpful videos when you visit Henry Clarke's channel!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Italian for Windows is Here!
Ci siamo dati da fare e abbiamo aggiunto oltre 50 nuove funzionalità e una straordinaria raccolta di nuovi contenuti, tra cui 222 RealTracks, nuovi RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 3, Playable RealDrums Set 2, due nuovi set di "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 e altro ancora!
Tutti Pacchetti | Nuove Caratteristiche
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 French for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 apporte plus de 50 fonctions nouvelles ainsi qu'une importante de contenus nouveaux à savoir : 222 RealTracks, des RealStyles nouveaux, des SuperTracks MIDI, des Etudes d'Instruments, des Prestations d'Artistes, des "Morceaux avec Choeurs", un Set 3 de Tracks Jouables, un Set 2 de RealDrums Jouables, deux nouveaux Sets de "RealDrums Stems", des Styles XPro PAK 6, des Xtra Styles PAK 17 et bien plus encore!
Tous Packages | Nouvelles Fonctionnalités
Video: Making a Song with Band-in-a-Box®, ChatGPT, and Synth V
Take your Band-in-a-Box® project to a whole new level when you incorporate ChatGPT and Synth V to add lyrics and vocals to your song!
We wanted to demonstrate how this is done with our video, where we show you how to go from nothing to a finished "radio ready" modern pop song by combining the features of Band-in-a-Box®, ChatGPT, and Synth V!
Listen to the finished song, so you get a listen to the finished product: https://demos.pgmusic.com/misc/behindthefame.m4a
If you like it, watch the video. Either way, let's hear your comments!
Henry Clarke: Revolutionize Your Band-in-Box® Tracks with Regenerating Function
User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!
Paket | Was ist Neu
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,952
Posts739,317
Members38,625
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean