|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 20
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 20 |
If I were to build or buy the ultimate Band in a Box PC, what should I focus on?
Or, better yet what would the ultimate config be?
Accessories?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616 |
For performance, production, etc?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 20
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 20 |
I've been tinkering for a while. Finally decided to get serious and record my songs. I have a Fostex mr 80, vocal harmony, professional recording mic. Now my pc seems to be suffering. Takes a long time to render any RT styles. Planning to get 2013 (I still have 2008). Thinking of the audiophile version.
Guess it would be production.
Ideas?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
During the beta testing, I ran BB2013 from the USB drive on an aging XP laptop, on a Win7 Desktop and two sessions back to back on a brand spankin' Win8 laptop.
All performed remarkably well, the only exception being a slightly longer loading time for Realtracks when using the older XP machine. Don't take this the wrong way, the wait state is bearable, I'd say averaging about 20 secs (guesstimated, not timed) at most to load an all realtracks demosong.
Things just kept running this year, no crashes, freezes or the likes.
That said, I wouldn't recommend going with a bottom end economy puter, but I don't think you have to have a supergamer i7 either, although such is icing on the cake.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,921
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,921 |
See my basic specs below. I built it specifically to run Propellerhead Reason 6, but it manages BIAB quite handily. Closely based on a design from iBuyPC.com,* I built it from components. Price for equivalent performance now would be a little better than the +/- $1,000 it ran this past spring. (Or you could spend the same money and blow me out of the water.)  Anyway, decide on a budget and go from there. HTH, Richard *They build primarily for gamers, but with the right sound card they're great for music production. All PCs are burned in and guaranteed for 3 years(!). Spec a silent case and liquid cooling for added value as a music machine.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,342
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,342 |
CACntryGuy, welcome to the forums!
My box is close to what Ryszard has -- slightly faster i5, no SSD, different flavor of graphics card -- and everything's running golden. More to the point, my previous computer (sitting here until I clean out some space in the bedroom for it), with a lot less RAM, a lot slower CPU, and less than half the GPU, also ran it just fine.
Seriously, I think the most important thing would be a decently fast and roomy hard drive. As long as the rest of it is anywhere close to at least lower-mid-range, you should be just fine. Better sound card than mobo is optional but preferred; note that Creative cards have really lousy luck with 64-bit Windows.
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2024 • Reaper 7 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 20
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 20 |
Awesome info guys.
I was figuring more memory and a high end sound card would be the biggest contributions to the best machine. But, the higher speed hard drive makes sense.
"Mr Immediate" (me) was looking for 'immediate' RT rendering. So, I could see the memory and harddrive having the most effect at least lessening the rendering time.
Thanks for the advice!
Also, thanks for the welcome. Been a long time BIAB tinkerer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Your assumptions about ram and hard drive are correct.
The hard drive store the raw realtracks, but when a song is generated and played, the results are pulled off of the hard drive and stored in ram and then played back from ram.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,545
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,545 |
You would want to install the whole BB install to your PC's internal drive (likely c:\) The Everything Pak is 65 GB. So you'd need to have that much space available. Most PC's come with at least 250GB, so that shouldn't be a problem. But some come with Solid State Drives - great drives, but only 80-120GB in total. So I wouldn't get one with a SSD as an "ultimate BiaB PC", unless there was another drive on that PC as well. Other than that, CPU horsepower is good - faster the better. And fast hard drive is good too. Of course you'd want the latest goodies, like USB 3.0. If its a laptop, the quality of the built-in speakers would be important too - since you would be using that a lot. You can measure the speed of your PC by a geekbench test (free http://www.primatelabs.com/geekbench/ ). Most new PC's are above 2000, and the real screamers are up around 8,000. I program BB Windows on a MacBook Pro (running Windows 7 under Bootcamp) and its' Geekbench is about 3,500. I also test it on my older XP laptop with a geekbench of 1,100, which works, but obviously things are slower.
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 204
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 204 |
Peter thanks for the link. I ran the Geekbench test and this is what I came away with. I have an HP pivilon dv7 64. The free version will not read 64,only 32. My final score is 7991. What does this tell me ,if anything.  Leon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
Peter thanks for the link. I ran the Geekbench test and this is what I came away with. I have an HP pivilon dv7 64. The free version will not read 64,only 32. My final score is 7991. What does this tell me ,if anything. Leon
While you're waiting for Peter to weigh in, I'll tell you that AFAIC that's an impressive geekbench score, certainly your machine should run Band in a Box quickly and efficiently!
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,545
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,545 |
<<< My final score is 7991. What does this tell me ,if anything.
Smokin' !!!!
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,875
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,875 |
More than three times my score (four year-old Core 2 Duo, which works fine with BIAB).
Smokin' is putting it mildly.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
My newer unit doubled to ONLY 6000, but very happy with it
and the ATI grapics built into the APU.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 204
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 204 |
Mac, It is very quick. My wife has a toshiba i5 all in one and it is much slower. My question was about Geek Bench not reading 64 units. It could be that these #'s are not correct. Never the the less it is fast enough for my needs, which at 73 years are few, if you get my drift.  -Leon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,342
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,342 |
For what it's worth, I just got 9607 on my i5-3570K in 32-bit mode, which is apparently right on track, and the chart for 64-bit mode says it'd get around 16K. Agreement with everybody, you should have no trouble running BIAB at speed.
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2024 • Reaper 7 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!
Paket | Was ist Neu
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,657
Posts735,497
Members38,527
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean