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While I can see the simplicity of a unit like the Tascam, there are so many tools that are available to you in a computer that is not there in a stand alone system hence why it cost $45,000 to record, heck some of that could have been soaked up with BiaB and some cool RTs.
Imagine if you replaced about $20,000 of that how much quicker you break even or break into the black ink on a project.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Zoom Livetrack L-8
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Check out the original post. He has nice powered Yamaha HS8 monitors already......
 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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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: May 2019
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3-BUT to improve RT sounds you will definitely have to replace your computer speakers with near field monitors. Near field monitors can be expensive. But even a pair of Presonus Eris E3.5-3.5" Near Field Studio Monitor (Pair) (E3.5) for $99 USD would sound a lot better than those computer speakers: https://www.amazon.com/PreSonus-Eris-E3-...0665&sr=8-6MarioD, Regarding item #3: Currently the output from BiaB is going directly from my laptop to a set of old Altec Lansing external computer speakers. My piano on the other hand is going directly into a pair of Yamaha HS8 studio monitors. Once I get some type of interface my plan is to connect all of my sources to the interface, and then connect the interface to the Yamahas and/or my Sennheiser headphones. I'm guessing that addresses the issue you bring up with monitors and RT sounds in #3. Am I correct? Thanks. Oops, sslechta beat me to the punch in clarifying the monitor situation.
Last edited by KLB; 12/14/19 02:46 AM.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Dec 2003
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3-BUT to improve RT sounds you will definitely have to replace your computer speakers with near field monitors. Near field monitors can be expensive. But even a pair of Presonus Eris E3.5-3.5" Near Field Studio Monitor (Pair) (E3.5) for $99 USD would sound a lot better than those computer speakers: https://www.amazon.com/PreSonus-Eris-E3-...0665&sr=8-6MarioD, Regarding item #3: Currently the output from BiaB is going directly from my laptop to a set of old Altec Lansing external computer speakers. My piano on the other hand is going directly into a pair of Yamaha HS8 studio monitors. Once I get some type of interface my plan is to connect all of my sources to the interface, and then connect the interface to the Yamahas and/or my Sennheiser headphones. I'm guessing that addresses the issue you bring up with monitors and RT sounds in #3. Am I correct? Thanks. Oops, sslechta beat me to the punch in clarifying the monitor situation. You are right! You already have good monitors and yes that does address this issue. I just missed that part, old eyes plays tricks again. Sorry for any confusion.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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KLB,
What Zoom recorder do you have?
As Charlie mentioned earlier, the Zoom R8, R16 and R24 can be used as USB audio interfaces and as standalone recorders.
No need to spend money on a USB audio interface if you already have one.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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The Altec speakers designed for computers are not the way to go. Sound quality, as you know, is horrible.
Unfortunately, you are going to have to spend a couple hundred dollars. Start with a solid interface running ASIO. Include good quality pre amps, phantom power, and at least 2 inputs for audio and outputs as well to match what you need. Focusrite is a great brand and I have used one now for over a decade. I started with it on my laptop. From the interface, run a pair of 5" self powered monitors. I have a pair of Mackie MR 5 studio speakers.
All told.... $400 to $500 gets you in the game. Don't cheap-out on the interface. A good one will last you for many years. Same thing goes for the speakers. You will never regret buying good quality gear.
Personally, I don't have an amazing system by comparison to some other folks I know, but I still have a couple thousand into the gear and software. It's worth every dollar because it does what I need.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Actually all he needs is the interface as he has a set of monitors attached to his keyboard. As herb (guitarhacker)said spend on the interface. I spent a pretty penny for mine several years ago and while it’s old enough the software is no longer developed it still give me rock solid performance. Even when I switched to win 10 it doesn’t skip a beat. The ability to have 8 inputs, and 8 outputs and the ability to route signals where I want is very powerful.
All my software works flawlessly with it. I also love the sound of the preamps they are clear and crisp.
Last edited by Rob Helms; 12/17/19 07:06 AM.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Zoom Livetrack L-8
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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After pondering the options for a while I decided to try a mixer rather than the audio interface. Although a really cheap mixer probably would have been adequate for my current needs I sprang for something a little better and picked up one that has USB. It's the Yamaha MG 10Xu. Undoubtedly overkill for my needs, but what the heck, it's Xmas. I'd welcome any comments on the appropriateness of my choice. Thanks again to everyone who has weighed in on this topic.
Hopefully not to overburden you folks, but my next question on a related, but different topic, involves the MIDI/Audio Drivers settings in BiaB, and whether or not I can improve the sound quality I'm getting from BiaB by somehow utilizing my Roland RD as an external MIDI device. I'll post a new question regarding this topic so it doesn't get all intertwined in this thread. Thanks!
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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<<< While I can see the simplicity of a unit like the Tascam, there are so many tools that are available to you in a computer that is not there in a stand alone system . . . >>>
Actually, every single tool that is available on a computer is also available in the Tascam stand alone recorders, even the least expensive ones such as the Tascam Dr-05 which is also a 2x2 in/out audio interface. Multi-track units like the DP-24 don't have the audio interface feature but rather function the same as external memory flash drives and audio files are easily transferred back and forth between all DAW's and the DP-24/32. They provide the benefits of both genres, DAW and stand alone.
BIAB 2026:RB 2026, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Here's a product that wasn't around for the consumer, as far as I know, when I first got into digital audio, not all that many years ago, '05 something like that: https://101audio.com/daw-control-surfaces/ This speaks to one of the great advantages of the porta studio, manual faders. I have three contents, Guitar, Vocal, and BiaB, eight tracks and two inputs, A and B. The tracks are assigned as follows: A-B-A-B-A-B-A-B. Any two can record at the same time. 7 & 8 are always BB. 1 & 3 & 5 allow three guitar takes. 2 & 4 & 6 permit three full vocal takes. The control surface linked to above will permit that kind of work flow using the DAW. Others no doubt have found different solutions.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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I as you chose ran my system thru a Yamaha mixer into a delta 24/96 sound card and got decent results. If you are going to run through a mixer it is very important to make sure your sound card is up to the game. When I switched to a dedicated interface I was surprised how much noise it eliminated my delta card was great, but the mixer was not pristine in its preamps like my Presonus interface is.
Signal chain is the key in recording. Most mixers are designed for live music where a little bit of noise is acceptable since there will be a lot of links in that signal chain. Some tips to make it better is don’t be cheap on cables and connectors. Keep cable lengths short, and route them properly.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Zoom Livetrack L-8
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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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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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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Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
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