Well I finally got rid of that crappy laptop I had for many years and upgraded to a Ryzen 9 3950x and a Asus ROG B550 mother board with 32gig of DD400 memory, all donated to me by my son as he upgraded to who knows what.
Sweet system for sure.
It got me thinking about BIAB 2025. I understand that it will utilize multiple cores now for doing all the work behind the scenes. If my CPU has 16 cores, will BIAB 2025 utilize all of them if necessary or is it limited to a certain number by software design. More of a curiosity question then anything else. I already know that programs I currently use do utilize all if them if necessary.
BIAB2026 Windows 10 Pro (Never Windows 11!) WA6NCB
see my tips in pg tips forum re useing a new pc for music production as well as performance tests you can run on your new pc. though your cpu is a tad older it was often called a 'beast'. properly set up and optimised for music production it should eat up win boots and bb and rb. my lesser ry cpu boots into win from cold and bb and rb in a few secs. and here bb track gens are nearly 'blink of an eye'. i note your ry has a good single thread score from stats ive seen... not the best but certainly way better than many people have. this is important for music production.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 05/12/2505:02 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.)
I did a test with Open Hardware using a song I already had made up.
Song had 6 choruses, 54 bars long and had 5 Real Track instruments.
I first measured how many cores were used with the frozen track I had, then I changed it to 12 choruses and measured it generating the song. I finally changed it up to the maximum of 40 choruses and measured it generating the song. Even with the maximum generation going on, BIAB never used more then 5 cores to any degree.
See the attachments
BIAB2026 Windows 10 Pro (Never Windows 11!) WA6NCB
Interesting. I noticed that you are using Win 10 pro while I am using Win 11 pro. If you could upload that song that song in this thread or on the free Dropbox I while check it out, but as it has already been indicated there is nothing we can do about how many cores BiaB uses.
Waitress "How did you find your steak sir"?
Me "I just looked next to the potatoes and there it was"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Start BiaB playing a looped song then start the open hardware monitor and it will show you how many cores are being used.
Hmmm ... my first thought was "I thought task manager already did that", but I couldn't find it ... maybe it's Linux only? Nope. Found it.
On task manager, click "Performance". then right-click on the CPU graph and select "Change graph to"->"Logical processors" and you'll get a use plot for each core.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Hmmm ... my first thought was "I thought task manager already did that", but I couldn't find it ... maybe it's Linux only? Nope. Found it.
On task manager, click "Performance". then right-click on the CPU graph and select "Change graph to"->"Logical processors" and you'll get a use plot for each core.
Thanx Gordon. I didn't know about the right click on the graph. There is a lot more information there also.
Waitress "How did you find your steak sir"?
Me "I just looked next to the potatoes and there it was"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Hmmm ... my first thought was "I thought task manager already did that", but I couldn't find it ... maybe it's Linux only? Nope. Found it.
On task manager, click "Performance". then right-click on the CPU graph and select "Change graph to"->"Logical processors" and you'll get a use plot for each core.
Thanx Gordon. I didn't know about the right click on the graph. There is a lot more information there also.
BTW, I think this must be 'Threads' rather than 'Cores' as I have 12 graphs but only 6 cores. That terminology has always puzzled me because I think of 'threads' are different. I guess it just means each core has two sets of working registers. Or something.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Hmmm ... my first thought was "I thought task manager already did that", but I couldn't find it ... maybe it's Linux only? Nope. Found it.
On task manager, click "Performance". then right-click on the CPU graph and select "Change graph to"->"Logical processors" and you'll get a use plot for each core.
Thanx Gordon. I didn't know about the right click on the graph. There is a lot more information there also.
BTW, I think this must be 'Threads' rather than 'Cores' as I have 12 graphs but only 6 cores. That terminology has always puzzled me because I think of 'threads' are different. I guess it just means each core has two sets of working registers. Or something.
Yes I caught that also. But mine says 10 cores but only 16 graphs labeled Local Processors. It is very confusing for sure. Googling local processors wasn't much help either.
Waitress "How did you find your steak sir"?
Me "I just looked next to the potatoes and there it was"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
BTW, I think this must be 'Threads' rather than 'Cores' as I have 12 graphs but only 6 cores. That terminology has always puzzled me because I think of 'threads' are different. I guess it just means each core has two sets of working registers. Or something.
Yes I caught that also. But mine says 10 cores but only 16 graphs labeled Local Processors. It is very confusing for sure. Googling local processors wasn't much help either. [/quote] There often seems to be a few fewer threads than twice the number of cores ... I imagine they're related to the performance cores, not the efficiency cores. Not the kind of processors with which I'm most familiar, so I'm guessing a bit here.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Unfortunately I think all of those articles are describing threads as I know them best, but in that context one can have many threads per core. All the processor specs I see list a fixed number of threads that is usually double or often a few fewer than double the number of cores.
I don't really know for sure what they're trying to tell us other than "mine's bigger than yours".
Some processors I've used in the past have multiple register sets that can be exchanged almost instantly, allowing a context switch in nearly zero time to a different set of data and probably code. I suspect what they're telling us is that some of the cores can do that because they have two sets of registers.
'Traditional' threads and/or processes would require most or all of the register content to be swapped in and out of those registers, costing time. Bu there's no inherent hardware constraint to that, so I think that's not what they mean.
I guess I could go and do some proper research on that, but I'm unlikely to much care now ... I no longer write operating systems.
Edit: if anyone cares, there's an explanation of Intel's 'hyper-threading' on Wikipedia, which says something akin to my "exchanged registers" above: Hyper-threading
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 05/14/2509:51 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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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.
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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This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
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
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
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
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
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What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
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Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
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Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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