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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 32
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 32 |
I have an Intel Core i3 Windows computer with 8GB of RAM, which I purchased back in 2020. The main thing I use the computer for is running RealBand to generate RealDrums and RealTracks backing tracks for songs I write and sing and play guitar with. I do this as a hobby, not as a professional, though I take the hobby rather seriously.
I'm considering buying a new PC that has the latest generation Core i7 processor and 32 GB of RAM. Clearly this is a more powerful machine than the one I currently own. However, the BIAB/RealBand system requirement imply that my existing i3/8GB RAM setup will suffice.
My question: if I get the new i7/32GB RAM system, would the performance of RealBand be noticeably better than what I've experience on the i3/8GB RAM system? Or would it feel/perform more-or-less the same?
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564
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Yes, you should feel BIAB is more ‘peppy’ feeling. If you get an M.3 SSD drive for BIAB, that will make an amazing difference in file and RealTrack loading. Next to that is the CPU speed for regeneration of songs.
Just knowing i3 versus i7 doesn’t guarantee a performance increase. There are lots of speed levels and number of cores in each line. I’ve seen an i5 blow the doors off a lower spec 17. So, compare the processor speed ex. 3.7 GHz and then look at the number of cores. Sites by Intel and third parties like Geekbench can compare CPUs you might buy.
I just went from an i7 that was good seven years ago to a mid-spec i9. It does feel faster overall in everything I do.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: May 2000
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I'm not Matt but, if these are standard on the version you intend to buy, yes it *should be noticeably faster. The MINISFORUM NPB7 Mini PC is equipped with Intel 13th Gen Core i7-13700H(14 cores/20 threads/up to 5.0GHz) Processor. With Intel Iris Xe Graphics eligible (the graphics frequency up to 1.50GHz), it offers an excellent performance of Internet and Office applications, Monitors, Projects and TVs. This Mini Computer comes with DDR5 16GBx2 memory + M.2 2280 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage (up to 2TB). Though your previous computer did have an SSD hard drive (which is fast), M.2 is supposed to be even faster .. plus you appear to be getting 8X as much hard drive space and many more processor cores/threads and better speed .. It doesn't specify NVMe (which makes these M.2 drives even faster), just how much faster could be arguable .. could be marketing not mentioning it or intentionally hiding it .. but still likely faster and larger storage than previous machine Oh wait! it does mention PCIe 4 .. so yes, it should be a fast machine for your intent .. NVMe might be overkill for your needs (and cost more)
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 32
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Posts: 32 |
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564 |
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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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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XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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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!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
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:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
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