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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 756
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 756 |
Hi, So I'm looking for a really cheap option for a PC to use for light office work, but all the "heavy lifting" will be for music production, mostly BiaB-and who knows? I might even have the ability to run RB smoothly. There are so many features in RB that I would love to explore and experiment with, but every action I try in there right now takes half a minute to execute so I just give up in frustration :-( I'm also just discovering the wonderful world of Native Instruments (Kontakt, Traktor, Reaktor, Guitar Rig, et al) and would love to be able to run multiple plugins on multiple tracks in Reaper, both audio and MIDI simultaneously). Basically right now I'm using a totally inadequate laptop (i-3 6006U) and someone posted in the local second-hand board a used Dell OptiPlex 990 with an i-5 2400 for REALLY cheap. http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i3-6006U-vs-Intel-Core-i5-2400/m214467vs803I hope this question doesn't come across as stupid, as, on paper, the benchmark comparisons are clearly in favor of the i-5. However, given that the i-5 was released in 2011 vs the one I have now which came out at the end of 2016, I'm worried that maybe I'm missing something(?). Any advice/feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Band-in-a-Box 2021 PlusPAK w 2019 Bonus Pak. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,858
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,858 |
That’s good you are looking at benchmarks, as it is the only way to get a practical comparison of total performance on two machines. Yes, a good i3 is better than a modest i5, and yes there are many other considerations. The RAM and hard drives would matter the most after the CPU.
Interestingly BIAB is processor-intensive more than most programs. A DAW would need fast drives, for example.
Good news, the graphics are not important at all for digital audio programs.
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
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 756
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 756 |
Thanks, Matt.
Yeah, I'm a big believer in benchmarks. In fact, on a somewhat related note, I was watching a video on YT quite some time ago regarding how to optimize your workflow when using multiple instances/layers of instruments in Kontakt, and the guy went into a short segue regarding how various DAWs, VSTs, and plugins utilize cores vs threads and how the whole 32-bit vs 64-bit thing is significantly affected by that.
I remember at the time thinking about how there is so much carping in the BiaB forums about it still being 32-bit and realizing that this is not an issue that simply disappears with a $10 JBridge utility. Would you care to comment on that aspect? (I confess that when it comes to computers I still have much to learn...)
Thanks again!
Band-in-a-Box 2021 PlusPAK w 2019 Bonus Pak. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,475
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Joined: Jun 2000
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Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 756
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 756 |
Yeah, I just watched a number of similar videos specifically addressing the CPU in the PC I'm contemplating purchasing. It's really amazing how some components really hold up after nearly a decade whereas others become virtually obsolete within a few years.
Band-in-a-Box 2021 PlusPAK w 2019 Bonus Pak. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,687
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A really big part of this is how hard are you going to push it? Most folks on this forum including me have pretty modest requirements even when using a DAW separate from using Biab.
By modest I mean I only work with a few instrument tracks while a lot of YT users talk about doing symphonic stuff that can run to 50-75 or even 150 instrument tracks and plugins.
Typically I may create a few different bass tracks, maybe 3 or 4 drum tracks a couple of guitar tracks etc. Total tracks before I start culling the heard might be 12 or 15. That does not require a super robust computer even if you're running Kontakt. But if you're using a big softsynth like Kontakt and running 75 tracks at once, that's a totally different strain on the CPU. Effects plugins add up too. An amp sim, delay, a Leslie for organ all count as a separate track or thread or whatever. It can add up. Still for me anyway I do small band stuff. Guitar, bass, keys, drums and maybe live sax and vocals. Each of those might have a few comp tracks. Not a lot of CPU strain there.
And don't forget the very old but still valid trick of rendering to audio. If your PC starts choking from running too many VSTi's in real time just render some of it to audio. Problem solved. That's how people were producing pro level tracks 25 years ago using an ancient 486 machine.
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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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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