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Joined: Jul 2000
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Joined: Jul 2000
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I've been gigging with an IBM ThinkPad since 2002. Really -- this thing is built like a tank.
It bounces around in a hot minivan getting to the gig, then it bounces around on a keyboard stand in a cold club (or sometimes outdoors in more heat) then back in the minivan. A few nights per week.
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First problem:
Years ago the hard drive started making a mechanical noise. On stage I quickly switched the USB to the spare computer (always up and ready) and finished the night. The next day I replaced the drive.
Second problem:
I went to turn the computer on two weeks ago. Splash screen came on, then an error message "System battery dead".
Took it to a computer repair tech, who told me I could get the battery much cheaper if I went to Radio Shack and deliver it to him (about $5.00). So I did that and he installed it. It failed on Sunday, and was back by the next Wednesday. Since then it hasn't missed another gig, and it's been humming perfectly again.
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For a laptop to take this much abuse and only fail in those things you expect to fail (hard drive and eventually battery), I would strongly recommend ThinkPads for those who want something reliable on stage.
The 2002 computer has never even crashed once. But I do not have many applications on it. I play my mp3 backing tracks with Windows Media Player, I also have Master Tracks Pro and BiaB on it (just in case I need them) and the VSC. No office, no Internet, no anything not necessary for music on stage.
BTW, my spare ThinkPad bought a few years later is still running, and Leilani's bought about the same time is doing fine also. They don't get the hard drive workout that the 2002 computer does as they are only usedd as music/lyric books and in some cases soft-synths, but everything is installed to replace the main computer if ever needed. The show must go on.
I have affiliation to IBM/Lenovo and am just sharing my experiences.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Joined: Sep 2003
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"I have affiliation to IBM/Lenovo and am just sharing my experiences."
Should I tell you to be negative somewhere there?
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Joined: Sep 2007
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I was introduced to IBM-brand computers during their PS2 days. I have always been impressed by their design, construction, and operation. Their machines were designed as systems, both to last and to be serviceable. I still have two portable 386s, 1990-vintage P70s, which I picked up at yard sales. I think they had 20-Mhz CPUs, 8 Mb RAM and 20 Mb hard drives--but they were 32-bit MCA (Micro Channel Architecture) machines. (They had been worth $10K apiece new. Software was extra.) I could swap the hard drives in less than five minutes, without tools. I used one as my software reference library when I was doing medical transcription and kept the other as a spare. They ran fast enough that QA on the night shift would come to me with some medical questions, 'cause I could find the answers faster than they could with their extensive paper library, and not slow myself down in the process. "IBM compatible" means something, and is a good thing . "IBM", in my book, is great. But you might wanna think about replacing that puppy now.  R.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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I am going on 4 years or so with my ThinkPad at around 75-100 gigs a year plus endless hours of arranging in-between gigs and while I have had to go to an external hardrive (for more space only) fingers crossed while knocking wood I have not had issue #1. Of course if it blows tomorrow I will blame you Notes for getting me to boast of my good fortune!   Later,
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I gave my ThinkPad away, to my step father, for use in the field with a GPS and Streets and Trips to help him get to those out of the way job sites. As far as I am aware, it's now used to plan trips on the boat. But, still works just fine.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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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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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."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
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