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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20
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Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20 |
AMD has their x6 processors out now. $200 at www.newegg.com. They have gotten rave reviews. They also overclock very nicely if you want to squeeze a little extra speed out of them.
Jeff
Custom built computer
I7 920 processor over clocked to 3.8 ghz - water cooled
Win 7 64 bit
6 gig memory
2 tb raid 1 hard drive
40 inch monitor
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 48
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 48 |
Peter, you've got a great program, and I'm having a fun time using it, and exploring all of the features. You've packed a huge number of features in BiaB and Real Band, and many of these are challenging my musical knowledge. On the threading, all of these features show up as generally about 20 active threads (it varies from 10 to 30 or so) at any one time. I think the only time a programmer would really try to intervene is when you know a subroutine is going to be a resource hog, so you try to give it priority and its own core (or 'hyperthread' = fake core) or memory until if finishes. I generally am scared of second guessing the compiler or operating system. It's not so much that you can't do better, but the odds are stacked towards you getting in completely wrong.
Jazzmammal, I think there is some real street cred in recycling your old cases -- I take pride in the fact that I didn't even buy this case; it was given to me by a friend who had already used it for a few years. I'm going to see how long I can keep it on the road.
Jeff, I had seen the write-up on the AMD 6-cores (Thuban was their internal code name) which have L1/L2/L3 cache and DDR3. The two core Phenom II uses the same cores (the K10 cores) and basically salvages rejects from the 4 core chips (chip harvesting) with two cores disabled. Because of this, you get a real discount ~$85 wo fan. And you get that same 6mb L3 cache shared by two rather than six cores, which should help predictive execution for a single program (but who knows). And they all clock at 3-4Mhz.
But I think just as important is the memory access -- I'm guessing that RT/RB are really memory intensive; probably the sequencing part as well. On my monitor, BiaB is the biggest memory consumer (around 200 MB out of 2GB or 10%) of the active programs besides the system. And I suspect the read/write activity is pretty high. So having DDR3 (twice the transfer rate of DDR2) and a 64-bit fetch (which you can have on Win7 and Mac) is perhaps just as important as cores. And I like to have a lot of onboard memory (at least 4GB) so the disk can page into the memory.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 48
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 48 |
BTW Jeff, the best deal, if you wanted to go the AMD Phenom II X6 processor route is to buy Dell's Studio XPS 7100 which has this processor, a Foxconn board (produced to Dell specs ... a good deal), CD R/W, 1TB HD power supply, onboard ATI graphics (AMD owns ATI) and nice box all for $799. Don't add anything, but just buy your extras from Newegg. I have the forerunner of this (with Athelon II X4) which was about $600. You can't build them for this price.
Chris
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 48
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 48 |
Just a quick note on my setup. I've installed my memory (the Corsair, which is OK but not great) and the AMD chip and Motherboard:
ASUS M4A88TD-M ATX Motherboard $98
AMD Phenom II X2 3.2 GHz 2x512 KB L2 + L3 Cache Dual-Core $89
I figured I try out an option I'd seen on other forums of unlocking the cores on the AMD. AMD basically makes one chip -- a 4-processor Phenom II x4 ... if they disable the l3 cache, they call it an Athlon (dropping 30% off the price); if they disable one or two cores, they call it an x3 or x2 (knocking 25% to 50% off the price). It's all marketing so they can address different markets and pricepoints. Blackbox chips can be overclocked (the 3.2Ghz can be made higher ... in the extreme, they've gone up to 7GHz with this chip); blue and green box can't.
Fortunately, Asus has motherboards (e.g., M4A88TD-M) that override AMD's settings -- just flip a physical switch on the MB or go to the startup menu. It takes no time at all. I was able to turn on all four cores and overclock to ~3.5 GHz within a few minutes and everything is stable.
Realtracks and Realdrums compile in <3 seconds, even if I have RealTracks on all of the sequencer tracks. I checked and all four cores are being used about equally during this process -- I think that Win 7 does most of the load balancing and assignment of cores.
Anyway, if you are looking for a quick upgrade on the cheap, this is a great way to do it.
Last edited by westland; 10/24/10 11:58 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
That is a very good report, thanks!
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Great report, thanks Chris!
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 48
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 48 |
Thanks John and Bob ... here are some pictures ...  From the Store  This old cabinet  This is what's in the boxes Removed my old board and DRAM  New MB assembled  Bolted into the freshly vacuumed case (amazing how much dust these accumulate in a couple of years)  Finished, almost, I need to neaten up the drives 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 48
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 48 |
Here is the final Win7 performance comparison of the hacked $200 ASUS/PhenomIIX2 system versus a commercial budget Dell (the Dell counterpart to my hacked system is now about $800) 
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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 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
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