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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,675
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,675 |
Re Mac Mini with m class cpu. Ive been reading on the number of trak n plug in counts users are getting with the mini. Impressive. Then i’m reading a mac article bout possible m2 for mac mini.
If this comes to pass at a under 1k price point and with a good no of usb c ports and ability to run 2 hi speed ssd’s i would have to seriously consider a move from win. Its not that i would need a ton of traks/plug ins (i dont overproduce)... But it would be nice to know the reserves of power were there if needed. It would be nice if Realband ran on such. Then i could use my current production Combo of biab/rb/reaper on a mini.
I have to say apple silicon is starting to get mighty interesting.
Does any pg user have real life current mini m1 performance stats ? Ie base model ? Ie stats like how long to boot from cold ? any feeling of max plug in /trak counts.... Assuming low cpu usage plug ins ? how long to boot from desk top into logic or studio one or other daws eg a song with 40 traks and 30 plug ins ?
I’m not gonna plonk down 2k for music studio given the silicon might change ... but a mini with m2 could be very interesting at an under 1k price point. Particularly as ive just read a report that lots of songwriters are lucky to make 67 bucks a year selling their songs on the net !!
Any performance stats/info on mini appreciated.
Best om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 03/31/22 03:18 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,104
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,104 |
You can do quite a bit with the M1. Realkband requires a Windows emulator, of course.
I'll be purchasing the new Studio Ultra with 8TB storage sometime before the summer for a lot le$$ than I paid for my iMac Pro.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,675
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,675 |
Mike. I’m really glad apple went to its silicon because its going to engender more competition ie lets see how intel and amd respond to the M series. Another reason i’m happy is because processor capabilities // power had plateaued for so loooong. Particularly at the budget processor level. so much for moores law being beaten by the laws of physics. Frankly i’m disappointed in the tech industry i used to work in. It was very boring before apples M series came out imho. Particularly the processor power plateauing aspect. So i’m glad if the M series has shaken things up.
From my tech marketing background i feel Apple have a major strategic opportunity,with the M silicon. I reckon they could sell a zillion mac minis if they brought out a mini ... under 1k with following specs. ..M2 cpu ..3 usb 3 slots ..2 m.2 ssd slots ..16gb ram upgradable to 64 gb. Huge world sales would ensue imho. Particularly from small project studios. “But” if they adopt higher pricing schemes…then it forces smaller studios like mine to stay with win because for example i can build a very very nice desktop pc with a intel 11400 processor , a few ssd’s and lots a ram for less than 1k cost. And this pc will allow me loads of traks//plug ins. Certainly enough for large projects.
The other problem for Apple if they keep prices high, it will force people who need Power // flexibility to go the refurb route eg refurb HP Z workstations which are beasts For project studio work. i cant believe some musicians continue to buy puny one drive budget laptops unsuited often for serious studio//plug in work..when lovely high power off lease beasts like HP Z refurbs are available for so little money or refurb lenovos. Frankly its pc laptops that are due a major shake up imho mike. ie lack of ssd slots//flexibility. I reckon if people could get a pc laptop running At 4ghz with 2 ssd solts and 32 gb ram for a under 700 buks price…i for one would be interested.
Anyhoo the above is my perspective.
God bless/happiness. Ex chorister om.
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 04/03/22 07:09 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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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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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
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- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
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