Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49 |
I have an Ultra pack running from its USB hard drive. I was thinking of installing the contents on a Seagate, 7200rpm, firewire Free Agent Pro type hard drive, to keep the USB as a backup. Firewire is supposed to be better for transfer of audio files but other than getting back my 2 USB ports and having the original as my backup copy, is the any benefit to load speed or performance in the move to a firewire external hard drive? Can someone who has tried this say how it worked out for you? Thanks.
PowerSpec Tower, Intel Quad Core 4GB RAM, XP pro 3 500 GB Hard Drives Tracktion 3, Sonic Cell, QY 100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,057
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,057 |
I have tried it.
Although theoretically Firewire 400 is a bit faster than USB 2, in practice I did not notice any difference. And if you don't have a firewire card or controller with Texas Instrument chips, I don't recommend firewire anyway for audio.
If you are talking Firewire 800, or USB 3, then the answer is different.
As I understand it, this is the order from slowest to fastest: USB, USB 2, Firewire 400, Firewire 800, USB 3.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I haven't noticed much difference if at all either.
While it is true that FireWire still holds the slight upperhand when it comes to Streaming Audio, especially Multitracked streaming Audio, thye loading and playing of RealTracks is not quite the same issue at all.
So the answer is that you could stay with the USB drive if your only goal is higher performance in terms of load speeds. Just always make sure that the USB port you use is USB 2.0 and not USB1.1 - most computers have both types on them these days, typically more 1.1s than 2.0s.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49 |
Thanks Matt, I was wondering if there was any added performance boost. My USB Ultra Pk was from Dec. 2008, the slim profile, Chinese made drive, that has sometimes been a bit touchy starting up. I have been recording audio with my tower so I have two dedicated f/w 400 cards, with the TI chipset. The Seagate Free Agent Pro can be USB 2 or f/w400. If you have tried storing BIAB over f/w400 to HD and it workes just as good as USB2, then because I use many MIDI extras, I would like to get back those 2 USB ports it uses. To do the change over to another HD, would I just copy and paste to the new HD location (and not run the installer again - UltraPak setup.exe)? As I said my USB Ultra was 2008, but I upgraded to 2009, then updated that to 2009.5, so the copy I make should be correct and up to date for what I have ? Thanks for your assistance.
PowerSpec Tower, Intel Quad Core 4GB RAM, XP pro 3 500 GB Hard Drives Tracktion 3, Sonic Cell, QY 100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,057
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,057 |
It depends on how you installed the program.
If you installed it to your tower's boot drive, then I would recommend you do what I did: copy the Real Drums folder and Real Tracks folder to the firewire drive, but leave the program where it is. Just go to Opt, Preferences, Real Drums and Real Tracks and set the new custom path to the firewire drive. Also make sure you duplicate the correct folder hierarchy.
[Truth be told, I copied only the folders of Real Track instruments that I knew I might use. With the audiophile version, that saved a lot of space.]
But if you run the program from the external drive, you will need to use the Setup.exe to reinstall the entire application to another drive. If I recall correctly, the 2009.5 setup file gave you the same choices it does now with 2010.5.
ps there have been a lot of other improvements since version 2009.5.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49 |
Thanks Matt and Mac for the input. I just got back to BIAB, since caring for Family members and a move, with my system torn down. When I first got my Ultra in 2008, I just got rolling when I had to stop for lifes issues. Now that I'm back I'm already in high gear discovering many new sides of BIAB & RB. I can't believe the quality of the songs I've made...I'm lovin'it!! So if there are improvements in 2010.5, I've got some reading to do to catch up. (and I just printed out many chapters of the large 2009.5 guide)...
If the USB HDs have gotten better, an upgrade to 2010.5 on HD may be in order.
PowerSpec Tower, Intel Quad Core 4GB RAM, XP pro 3 500 GB Hard Drives Tracktion 3, Sonic Cell, QY 100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
... Chinese made drive, that has sometimes been a bit touchy starting up. ....
The USB enclosure is made in China. The drive itself likely comes from Singapore, where ALL the hard drives come from regardless of brand.
You may be able to cure the "touchy startup" by opening the enclosure and reseating the drive into its connector inside. If you have the black PGMusic supplied enclosure with the Band in a Box logo on it, there are two little tabs on the side of each end -- push those tabs inward slightly using a small jeweler's screwdriver or the like and the end caps will come out. The rest should be self-explanatory, simply disconnect the disk drive itself from that end connector and then connect it again. This action can physically clean the contacts as well as reseat them as sometimes the connector becomes loose inside the case. Then pop the end caps back on.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49 |
Hi Mac, thanks for the tip. I have the older style, silver colored housing, saying "2.5 SATA - External Case". The USB end cap has two small jewelers screws, which I guess must come out to release the cap. I will then follow instructions to reseat the connector, then close it back up. But, since I'm going to look at a 2010.5 upgrade, it sounds like there may have been some improvements to the HD units, from the 2008 style. Is it just a housing change or have the internals improved also?
PowerSpec Tower, Intel Quad Core 4GB RAM, XP pro 3 500 GB Hard Drives Tracktion 3, Sonic Cell, QY 100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,809
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,809 |
jb you have a treat waiting for you when you upgrade - make sure you get the 101 Rts they are cool. i have had the same life issues, a move , new studio, got it all running, got 2010.5 plus started jsmmiung its great! wwbr up a cherry tree yesterday, staning on top of this ladder reaching up for those top sweet cherries... i know what you thinking, but no, i got down safely enough...
it was when i was standing on the lawn i fell backwards and brije my left arm
Anyways.. few weeks off work to praxtuce my right hand...
00:() Som etimes life can not quite be that bowl ofd cherries...lol
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49 |
Hi ZZ, yes I love the RT I have now. Just having a track or two in a song really bring up the fun level! I am looking forward to more bass & B3 that are in the new ones. Hope your arm mends quickly, so you can get back to the cherry bowl!!
PowerSpec Tower, Intel Quad Core 4GB RAM, XP pro 3 500 GB Hard Drives Tracktion 3, Sonic Cell, QY 100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 312
Journeyman
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 312 |
Quote:
I have an Ultra pack running from its USB hard drive. I was thinking of installing the contents on a Seagate, 7200rpm, firewire Free Agent Pro type hard drive, to keep the USB as a backup.
Well the most obvious advantage is the fact that you will have backed up the USB drive. Luckily I installed the BIAB executable from my pgmusic USB drive to my main PC just before it's quirky behavior got worse. It crashed within a month or two.
There's an interesting comment in the post about the newer drives having better reliability but I try to make a firm policy of not throwing more money after bad when it's not a boat.
If you're going firewire, USB, or NAS don't worry about the spindle speed. Maybe if you're looking at a Gigabit NAS and it has high performance reviews.
If someone is using the realtracks then I would recommend having those files on an internal disk, if you use BIAB frequently. Attached drives are good for backups, shared materials (for NAS storage), and large files that are used infrequently. Attached drives, with the exception of eSATA, have a significant performance hit.
Finally, I have found a cool signature with sufficiently dry humor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
Join the conversation on our forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,391
Posts778,618
Members39,644
|
Most Online25,754 Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|