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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 88
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 88 |
I have decided to take the plunge and upgrade my equipment, well, only my laptop really. Are there tips and advice out there? I am really quite committed to Windows and it is quite expensive to crossgrade BIAB, so I'll probably stick to Windows. Asus seems to be punted a lot, but Lenovo also looks good, but then again Dell seems to be OK, and HP's been in the game very long. If Asus, what model, or.....aaaarrrrrgggh!!!!!
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
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Joined: Dec 2013
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That's kind of like saying, "What kind of car should I buy?". LOL. If you could put in some requirements of things you want it to run and be able to do, BIAB and other software, that would make it easier for us to assist. If you want BIAB only, you could get pretty much anything. If you want it for more hard core audio recording, you'll need something better. Let us know! 
 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,799
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I agree with Steve. In order to better answer your question we need more information and this will depend on your needs. If you are only going to use BiaB and RT only then like Steve said just about laptop will work. But if you are going to get into things like better MIDI sounds, pro DAWs, large loops, sound design, etc then you will need a more powerful computer.
Also what else are you going to using on this computer? Things like photography (both saving pictures and using photo software), movie watching, etc, will need a better computer.
Also include in your budget things that you may need for the above mentioned processes. You may need a good mic, near field audio monitors, audio interface, 7200 RPM hard drive, a Solid State Drive, etc.
So let us know what your needs are today and what you might need in the near future.
My guess for a starting point for a Win 10 music generation computer would be 64 bit, and 8 gigs of ram. The included on mother board video is OK as is the 5400RPM HD if you are going to only use BiaB/RT. A computer with a Solid State Drive would be faster for all operations.
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 88
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 88 |
Thank you for your responses. Well, at the moment I use it pretty much for PG Music only. Would like to use it for gigs and some post production. Video and photography and gaming not so much, other than perhaps being able to extend the display to an external monitor; but I would like it to be likely up to the job in another 3 to 5 years time also. So I guess the string is as long as a lowish budget. These things are pretty expensive in South Africa!
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,799
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,799 |
If you want to add another monitor to a laptop you will need a USB to VGA adapter as described in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei58JE63jcwUSB to VGA adapters are around $10 to $20 USD: https://www.amazon.com/SYTIVE-Adapter-Monitor-Converter-1080-1-5M/dp/B077CXGSXX/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1528833747&sr=8-3&keywords=usb-to-vga+adapterYou can add this at any time in the future. Based on your last message I would suggest that you get the fastest CPU and largest monitor you can afford along with 8 gigs of RAM, and 500GB HD (any speed). You can always convert the 500GB HD to a 500SSD at a later date if you wish for faster load times. The above fastest CPU suggestion is my main thing when I get a new computer. I have found that the faster a CPU the longer the computer's life span.
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
For safe measure - especially if your new computer is going to be for Band-in-a-Box exclusively - don't forget to pay mind to our system requirements for the Windows version. http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.requirements.htm
Cheers,
Deryk
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 88
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 88 |
Thank you for all the advice. I bit the bullet and ordered a Lenovo Y520. It's sold as a gaming computer, but isn't that what we are doing here?
I'll keep you posted!!!!
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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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