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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Feb 2023
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On a PC, could I still create great singer-songwriter recordings (and Sade-type instrumentation), with Ableton?

Eventually I want my songs to have similar instrumentation as Sade... like to use that sound as inspiration. Use the same instruments / etc.

Would it be way more beneficial to switch to a Mac Mini M4, to run Logic Pro on it, to achieve that sound?

Or is it still pretty doable with Ableton on a PC?

(The reason I ask is I need to use a PC for many programs, and wondering how much more difficult it would be to achieve that sound if I stick with a PC + Ableton).

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A PC should be at least as good as a Mac for producing BiaB backing tracks. FWIW BiaB for PC and BiaB for Mac are separate products, so you'd have to buy a 2nd version if you jumped to Mac from a PC as far as I know.

Ableton is a capable DAW. There are at least three versions though, and the lntro version will have some limits on things like # of tracks is 16 max. Nothing that will prevent you from producing backing tracks though. Lots of passion about DAW choice here. But there are folks using the most basic DAW and making the most amazing music. It's really more about you and how you USE the DAW than the DAW itself IMHO.

Am only vaguely familiar with very early Sade and songs like "Smooth Operator" and "Sweetest Taboo". I haven't explored this style of music in BiaB but I believe there are sufficient styles to build this style of backing track in BiaB.

Others will have different and perhaps better opinions.

Good luck!


DC Ron
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I doubt that one platform over another will change the actual results. Both PC and Mac can deliver the goods.

There are several Sade Styles in BIAB that might work.
The Sax part is challenging to do with MIDI, but not impossible. However, if you can find a Real Style with Sax, that might be a better starting point.
I listened to demo samples of
_TALK (2024/06 Xtra Pak 18)
_COSTA (2023/11 xPro 6 pak)
_QUETZAL (2023/11 Xtra Pak 17)

All could work with Sade style music.

BTW, are you actually using BIAB or are you intending to create your music inside your selected DAW?

Anyway, hope this helps.


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Most DAWs are cross-platform but a few are not.

BIAB for Windows includes RealBand, unavailable in the Mac version.

GarageBand is included in the macOS and LogicPro X is only available for the Mac.


BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
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Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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