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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 34
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 34 |
I've been using BiaB since 2014 and in 2019, purchased the latest version on an external hard drive which included the prior versions. With the 2020 update being purchased and added since that time and with addition of other paks (Xtra paks since version 1, multipaks, etc), I've basically run out of space on the 160 GB drive that was provided. Since I'll wish to update to the 2021 BiaB version (whenever that drops), I'll need to consider purchase of another larger external HD.
I'm wondering if I should invest in a SSD (Samsung external) rather than a regular portable external (WD or Seagate). The SSD would be a good bit faster, but the cost does rise as well.
Am I thinking overkill with the SSD making the file access faster or will the regular external drive work as well for BiaB program access without the need for the faster speed?
Would appreciate any opinions/feedback.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,122
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,122 |
Any common computer port will operate at a speed more than sufficient to run Band-in-a-Box externally. An external storage drive, be it a SSD or HDD, can only be as fast as the computer port and the drive enclosure interface card. A USB memory stick or SD card will also work.
Jim Fogle - 2024 BiaB (1111) RB (5) Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,629
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,629 |
An SSD can increase the speed at which BIAB can access the files, though in practice it's not usually a noticeable speed difference due to the compression of the Realtracks. I've even run BIAB from a USB 2 port instead of USB3 and while BIAB boots much slower I otherwise don't notice much change. I'm probably more patient than most though.
An SD card might be way too slow though (depending on both the card speed and card reader speed), and could cause BIAB to pause or freeze, so I wouldn't recommend it. Same with a USB flash drive. If you want to go this way, make sure you get a good card/USB drive with high read and write speeds, and in the case of SD card you'll have to hope that your card reader is fast enough.
I work here
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 34
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 34 |
Thanks, Jim,
When formatting the external drive, should I leave it in ExFat or format in macOs Extended (Journeled) or APFS (Apple File System)?
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 34
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 34 |
Thanks Simon,
I'm going to purchase an SSD drive, which may be overkill, but I have a lot of files from 2014 to the present, and will also be purchasing BiaB 2021 when it comes out and likely some other Paks.
Should I format the drive in ExFat, MacOS Extended (Journeled) or APFS (Apple File System.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,192
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,192 |
…An external storage drive, be it a SSD or HDD, can only be as fast as the computer port and the drive enclosure interface card. No… unless you're referring to USB 2 and then accurate enough. A SATA III SSD is almost as fast as a USB 3 port — SATA III being the limiting factor but not by a noticeable amount. An HDD is a lot slower but fast enough for BIAB — that is correct. USB 2 is a lot slower for data transfer. With most systems, still ok for BIAB, I guess, as long as I'm not the end user. Last year (year before?) I tested this and posted the results but I don't recall where. I run BIAB Audiophile on the System drive of my iMac Pro with Real Tracks and Real Drums streaming from a SATA III SSD over Thunderbolt (though no faster than USB 3, the connection is rock solid and never goes to sleep on me). For kicks and giggles, I compared it to running BIAB from the HDD supplied by PG Music and running it from my System Drive while streaming the libraries from the HDD. Both other ways were slower—as expected—but not by as much as could be and that was a pleasant surprise. Running BIAB from the HDD was the slowest but not unacceptably so. Then I swapped in a USB 2 cable—yikes! A USB memory stick or SD card will also work. It depends on the speed which varies greatly. Many of those don't even run at USB 2 speeds. Those newer, high capacity sticks rated at USB 3 should be fine but I've not tested them.
BIAB 2023 Audiophile, 24/60 Core M2 Mac Studio Ultra/8TB/192GB Sonoma, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer 11, LogicPro
Finale27.4, Dorico5, Encore5, SmartScorePro64, Notion6, Overture5
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520 |
Well this is all PC stuff but I spent a ton of money on the latest and greatest Intel processors and on board SSDs. Yes it is faster than the old I7 intel but the speed is not as useful as I thought it would be. I put a audiofile HDD on a Samsung SSD but the additional speed was not that great. The issue is the SSD now days is pretty affordable to begin with.
The thing can run faster than I can think to begin with...lol
At the end of the day I have never been unhappy buying better stuff.
Billy
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,192
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,192 |
Well this is all PC stuff Huh? Reread my post. I was specifically referring to the Mac ...but I spent a ton of money on the latest and greatest Intel processors and on board SSDs. Yes it is faster than the old I7 intel but the speed is not as useful as I thought it would be. I put a audiofile HDD on a Samsung SSD but the additional speed was not that great. The issue is the SSD now days is pretty affordable to begin with.
The thing can run faster than I can think to begin with...lol
At the end of the day I have never been unhappy buying better stuff.
Billy You'll see that I agree with you 100% when it comes to BIAB. But, having also spent a ton of money on my rig, it has paid for itself with other apps and AV where I make my living.
BIAB 2023 Audiophile, 24/60 Core M2 Mac Studio Ultra/8TB/192GB Sonoma, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer 11, LogicPro
Finale27.4, Dorico5, Encore5, SmartScorePro64, Notion6, Overture5
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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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