I have Band-in-a-Box, Cakewalk by Bandlab and Audacity on my computers. But, as my signature suggests I also have a Zoom digital 8 track recorder with a built-in microphone as well as drum and bass machines. Each serves a purpose and I'd hate to be without any of these tools.

I enjoy playing with the digital recorder drum machine while I'm sitting on the steps. It inspires me. When an idea strikes I can use the bass machine to get on key and sing or hum into the built-in microphone to capture the moment.

Any audio I create is recorded on my digital recorder. That eliminates the need for an audio interface, ASIO drivers and latency issues.

Cakewalk by Bandlab is my audio production classroom and playground. I learn about loops, VSTs, virtual instruments, effects, editing and mixing.

Audacity records internet audio, performs file conversion and trims audio files.

Band-in-a-Box provides session musicians.

Since I import my audio into the computer I can have Band-in-a-Box, Cakewalk, Audacity and internet audio all going at the same time without driver or latency issues.

The recorder gives me the freedom to be creative away from the computer and eliminate computer driver and latency issues. Love my computers but love my digital recorder too.

In some ways this discussion appears to advocate the choice is limited to either computer or digital recorder. There is room for both.

Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 8) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home