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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 2
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 2 |
Hi everyone! My ASUS ZENBOOK (2019) i5 , 16 g ram, 512 g hard drive has given up the ghost. I need a new laptop to run BIAB 2022. My ASUS often produced distorted sound from my BIAB 2022 and sometimes crashed…. Any recommendations for upgraded hardware or specs ? I like the 2-in-1 format for using the pc on a music stand, but could adapt if the recommendation is a trad laptop design. Thanks in advance for your help! Brian
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,870
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,870 |
Practically all modern computers will do just fine.
HOWEVER....
You need to invest in an interface such as the Focusrite Scarlett or something similar. Distorted sound and other glitches such as pops, clicks, audio drops, latency, and crashes are symptomatic when you use the factory sound card and the default driver in a laptop or, for that matter, a desktop. Running an interface that uses the native ASIO driver will give you the best performance from any computer when you're working with audio and midi synths in the manner that we do with BB and other DAWs.
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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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,267
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,267 |
"My ASUS often produced distorted sound from my BIAB 2022" Sounds like buffer/driver issue. While I use ASIO interface, BIAB works more stable for me, when I select WAS (Wasapi) mode, in upper tab Audio->Audio Drivers/Settings (instead of native ASIO).
A number of people here mentioned that selecting MME is most stable (in that BIAB Audio driver settings)
Your computer should handle BIAB just fine. Try selecting different driver mode combinations, whatever works. Even an onboard Realtek sound chip, if you don't have dedicated interface, should handle BIAB OK.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,758
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Joined: Jun 2020
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I agree with Guitarhacker. I would just add that in my opinion and per my understanding a desktop will give you more options in terms of number and type of USB ports, number of internal hard drives and maybe memory expandability. The way I think about this is that in terms of design tradeoffs, you are giving something up in favor of obtaining the miniturizing and portability of the laptop form factor. But if you absolutely need the laptop form factor, then you need it.https://www.techradar.com/news/laptop-vs-desktop-which-should-you-buyAnother point is that unless you are a computer specialist, you might consider purchasing the premium tech support from the manufacturer. I recently purchased a Dell desktop and have needed to call for tech support a few times.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621 |
Laptops are a poor choice for a whole host of reasons including poor cooling and extremely limited USB ports. Unless you really need to be mobile you are better off with a desktop.
Me, even if I was mobile, I would still get a desktop and rack mount it.
Byron Dickens BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency. https://soundcloud.com/athanorsoundlabs
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 2
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 2 |
Thanks for the advice everyone! I will look into the sound card alternatives - and I have a better idea of tech specs for my next computer.
Cheers Brian
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,044
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Joined: Apr 2017
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Laptops are a poor choice for a whole host of reasons including poor cooling and extremely limited USB ports. Unless you really need to be mobile you are better off with a desktop.… I can't really agree, Byron, unless you mean, (Inexpensive) Laptops are a poor choice for a whole host of reasons… In that case, oh yea, 100%. Too many people running impressive studios off of laptops nowadays — but they're hooked up to hubs and peripherals that give desktops a good run for the money. My desk has a powerful, up to date desktop computer and my mobile rig is powered by an 11 year old laptop that is rock solid and doesn't do anything else. Again, I do agree with you. An inexpensive, new desktop usually has lots of ports and slots for expansion. If not powerful enough when one gets it home, expansion is easy (talking Windows, not Mac, of course). Here in the Silicon Valley, it was a sad, sad day when Fry's closed.
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: Nov 2003
Posts: 621
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621 |
Too many people running impressive studios off of laptops nowadays — but they're hooked up to hubs and peripherals that give desktops a good run for the money.
So then what's the point of having a laptop when it is tied down to a desk like that?
Byron Dickens BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency. https://soundcloud.com/athanorsoundlabs
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,044
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,044 |
Too many people running impressive studios off of laptops nowadays — but they're hooked up to hubs and peripherals that give desktops a good run for the money.
So then what's the point of having a laptop when it is tied down to a desk like that? Easy answer: Unhook the laptop and take it on the road — as many producers do. Those producers aren't I, however—nor you, either. I already stated that I do not agree with that practice.
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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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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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
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Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
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Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
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Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
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