Does CPU use hit 100% during generation (or when it starts to play but is still generating)? That's a good thing! It is generating as fast as it can.
If it is at 100% other times though, that's not good. I'm not sure they focused on CPU use for 64 bit, I think it was more to allow use of all available RAM. 32 bit was stuck at 4 gig RAM. It could still use multiple cores though. It depends a lot on the processor; some do most of the work on the main core and let the rest of the cores pick up the interruptions. Some balance the load better.
That RAM increase alone may ease the CPU work (larger workroom for it, instead of trying to build a house in a closet; build this piece, set it over there, build this piece, set it over there, assemble it all later ... so to speak) That said in RB playing a SEQ file with 29 tracks (mostly audio tracks) my CPU seems pretty light and balanced. (Ryzen 6 core/ 12 thread if that matters) TBH, 16 or 32 core seems a bit of overkill to me. RB reports I can run 1900+ tracks with 6 cores .. unless you are doing video work too or something.
Last edited by rharv; 06/10/2111:36 AM.
Make your sound your own! .. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
I do think the answer is known, based on some comments I read a few months ago. I'll try to find the info, but perhaps PG Music staffers will see this.
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
No one could tell me how many cores are used. I even tried sending snail mail to PG Music, but I got no reply. So...
After analysis, it appears that version 2021 of Band-in-a-Box uses 1 core only, so high CPU core speed and a lot of RAM are required to get the best performance.
Plug-ins use any remaining cores. FYI, REAPER (DAW) will let you assign the number of cores it uses, PLUS which ones to actually use. (Unusual to say the least)
2022 Band-in-a-Box may be different. I will start using it soon, and get back to update this when I do.
I decided to use the shotgun approach to solve my problem, which is exacerbated by many plug-ins.
An 8 core 16 thread AMD CPU, with 4 GHz base and 4.3 GHz boost, 32 GB of Hi-Speed RAM, and two NVME SSDs.
I don't know. I think I recall reading that BIAB did use more than one core, but I don't know what version that applies to. I also recall watching my CPU load at one time recently (I have 2022) and thinking that multiple cores were being used.
Perhaps a PG Music staff member will be able to respond.
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
Matt, I think I remember something about 2 cores, but I cannot recall what is processed by each core. It was something like most of the music processing on one core and something else on the other.....
I just tried this on my backup machine, an older i5 with four cores.
All four showed a jump in activity when loading BIAB, when loading a song, and when exiting.
All four showed activity when regenerating a typical song, although after about 30 seconds (when I think the song would have been fully generated in the background), cores 3 and 4 dropped way down. Core 1 showed the most activity, and core 2 about half that.
The whole time it peaked at only 38%.
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
I also forgot that I've used a FREE tool called Process Lasso.
Since I have the large number of CPUs I was testing assigning certain CPUs to like Firefox and Microsoft Edge. Ex. Firefox Cores 1-10, Edge Cores 2-20, etc.... After playing with that for a while I found that Windows does a good enough job assigning those cores to not have to micro manage that.
You would probably be able to run this while running BIAB to get a live look at the core usage with a little more detail than Task Manager.
Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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