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Anybody have one of these? I'd love to hear a review from a street level user rather than a test bench jockey. Those guys tend to get mired down in 6 decimal place benchmark numbers that don't really apply to real world usage. I want to hear about screen readability, keyboard tactility, how much clack it has, reliable network cards... not that the Intel runs .000342 faster than the AMD Ryzen.
Last edited by eddie1261; 09/19/22 04:24 PM.
I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.
1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.
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Eddie I do indeed have a Surface Pro 7 and I do use it for music. Mine is an i5 and has plenty of punch for VSTi's which I play live. The screen has a resolution of 2736 x 1824 which is too small to read (for us older generation).This is easily fixed by scaling up to 150% which is close enough to 1920 x 1080 (give or take a few pixels). The keyboard is fine for typing on. It is similar to most laptop keyboards these days in that it has the chicklet type keyboard. It give enough tactile feedback to know when keys are pressed. it is simple enough to use the surface with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse as I do as the keyboard in the cover can be removed. Networking is fine with its inbuilt wireless. I do tend to use it with a USB3 dongle which has an ethernet type plug on it. I think knowing what I do now, I may have gone for a larger storage option if I bought again. Mine has 128Gb which is fine and I can have most of my software installed on it. It has an SD card slot that I have populated with a 256Gb card and this means that I can install some software on that if need be. As SD cards get bigger (and prices more reasonable) I may increase the size of this card. It has 8Gb of memory installed which is fine for most programs. This and the storage are not upgradable. I run Cubase 12 with no problems. I have just acquired Steinberg VST Live which is great for playing live without other musicians and the Surface handles it well with backing tracks and live VSTi instruments and live input such as microphones plugged into my external sound interface. Band In A Box is no problem either as I run it on the external drive. I tend to use BIAB to generate tracks which I then play in VST Live. If there is anything more specific you would like to know - just shout. Kevin 
Last edited by Kevin Woolley; 09/19/22 09:54 PM.
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Eddie. just some 'non nerdy' suggestions. SO please dont jump all over me..lol. as follows.... 1.. given your needs eg keyboard etc etc, i dont think you can beat visiting some computer stores and see if you like the keyboards etc. 2.. the problem buying new computers is adware/bloatware.that drive people crazy. ive had friends buying new have this problem often. lots of info on the net eg… https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-rid-a-new-pc-of-crapwarethe other aspect is that normal retail new pc's are not optimised for music production. just a couple of reasons i love refurbished off lease pc's. all the junk has been removed. there are many other reasons also. (note compared to new ive never ever had even the tiniest prob with a refurb. no windows probs nothing/zilch/nada. also note one of microsofts own employees pete brown with a big recording rig…if you read his blog has interesting comments re laptops viz desktops. link below. ) https://devblogs.microsoft.com/windows-music-dev/author/petebrown/3.. if you dont mind spending big buks over 1k then i would suggest you look closely at custom builders of laptops and desktops for recording studios that are optimised for music production. (See gearspace.com for references etc etc ) with that i wish you the best. and i kept it non nerdy lol. om out.
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I have a Micro Center near me and I think I may run up there tomorrow and see what they look like in person. Given that this would be computer #7 it is not a particularly high priority, though I have said that before about other things and they seem to follow me home anyway. As far as money, meh. I put it on a credit card, then transfer that balance to a different credit card that has a 0% interest for 12 months balance transfer offer, so I pay 2% of the total once rather than xx% until it's paid off. Something that may approach $2000 would probably take me 6 months to pay off (and not stress out other cards that are my daily driver cards used for things like food and gas), so I would essentially be getting it for 0% interest. A $2000 purchase would cost me $40 to transfer the balance, WAY better than paying interest. What makes this unique is that it's not like instruments. I can sell a guitar or keyboard for close to what I paid for it. Trying to move an out of date laptop would bring me a ridiculously low return. If I got a Surface it would replace a Dell that I would wipe clean and donate to a shelter for either veterans in need or abused women who escaped their situation. Fortunately I am rather adept at all of the techie stuff (My house. Oh, you should see my house. I use 32 IPs here.) and can handle that recycling myself. The Dell I am losing is an old i3 that does nothing more than run security camera software so I can watch some cams on an old 26" monitor. So, we'll look at a Surface really soon. 
I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.
1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.
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Eddie. that's a nice pic of your rig. re budget // 'meh' then i would definitely look at a company that specialises in turnkey music production pc's at that spend level…. on gearspace ive read soo many threads from studio owners very happy with this option. in fact ive seen comments like ' its boring.. this pc just keeps on going year in/out, on recording sessions'. before making a decision i would give thought to this option. or start a thread on gearspace like 'what custom builder of music production laptops do you like' and get references. the beauty of this approach is they install everything including music software and interface etc etc if the user wishes, and all you do is just press the power button and away you go into song production land. yes this option is more expensive but ive seen posts on gearspace about the years of service this option has given to a studio.. if you want a list of a few companies in building studio pc's..just go on gearspace. heres two of many vendors… https://www.adkproaudio.com/and another..of many. https://pcaudiolabs.com/rok-box-daw-pro-audio-computers/(in case your wondering i have nothing to do with any company at all. ) (i guess another option is apple. but i guess you dont wish to go this route. for the first time i'm very very excited about what apple is doing cos of their new M series processors. ) happiness. om ps heres a laugh for you. one frustrated pc user / friend of mine….. i suggested he pay a few hundred buks for a 'refurb beast' …a desktop tho'. he phones me next day lol…yelling 'blinkin heck' 'best pc ive ever had' he was yelling n' screaming how happy he was. made my day/week. lol.
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 09/20/22 07:22 AM.
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One of the things I didn't mention earlier is that the Surface Pro is not a heavy tablet and as such can sit on a keyboard music stand without straining it. If you have pdf lyric sheets then this is a good solution for viewing them. As I said I control my whole performance from this one computer which sits on my keyboard stand. Kevin
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The big boss figured IT was going mobile, so our department was an early adopter some years ago.
There was a heat problem with them, and over time the screens buckled on many of the machines - mine included.
I didn't like the small screen, the flat keys or the touchscreen.
So I locked it in my cabinet and connected a full size monitor, keyboard and mouse to it.
I'm sure the hardware defects have been resolved by now, and it seemed like an adequate machine for the tasks. It just wasn't a good fit for me.
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This wouldn't be a music making computer. Just a nice new toy to maybe lay in bed and browse on as I watch TV. I truly have so many excesses and repetitions that I don't know why I am even thinking about this. I have all these toys I don't need and I rarely use most of them. I think it's because I lived so poor for so long that now I can afford toys so I buy them. My living room TV almost never gets powered on anymore since 2019 when out of boredom while laying in bed after knee replacement, with a laptop and a credit card (bad combination) I decided that $268 was a great deal on a 50" Android 4k flat panel, so I bought one to replace the 32" that was in there. That 32" became my studio monitor. The old studio monitor came down here and is now that monitor I watch the security cams on. That 32" is not the TV in the spare room I made up there and the studio PC has a new HP 27" monitor on it.
And it gets worse. I keep adding, changing, tweaking... I have a computer connected to the bedroom TV with movies and concerts and such. For internet usage, wireless worked just fine, but no no no. I had to have it on the 1gb ethernet network so I needed a switch. I also have the TV and the Roku plugged into that same switch. That cable runs under the floor and into my router. This bench has 4 computers and a printer, all plugged into another switch that again runs under the floor and into my router. My outside cameras performed like pigs on wifi so I bought an 8 port switch for the garage and a 100 ft CAT6 cable that I ran into the house and again to the router. It's a mess, and probably 75% unnecessary. But like most nerds...
Because I can.
I have given away a half dozen lesser quality tablets and digital cameras to people with small grandkids who otherwise would have no tablet or camera at all, taken in sick PCs and repaired them for donation, often adding RAM and video cards. Once again...
Because I can.
I think donating things is how I justify it in mind. If I buy a Surface that will turn into a laptop I can donate to the Veterans temporary housing facility out in Kent when I replace the 5 year old Dell i3. Shelters of any kind always need computers so people can job hunt and such.
It's truly a sickness. When I think of how much money I have wasted.. LOL!!!
I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.
1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.
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GAS isn't just for guitars. 
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GAS isn't just for guitars. AMEN brutha!!! Always looking for the latest, greatest, mo' bigga, mo' betta...
Last edited by eddie1261; 09/20/22 04:49 PM.
I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.
1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.
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A Surface is a nice toy.
I recently got an HP Envy but would trade it in a heartbeat for a Surface.
We had programmers running those many years ago, running Visual Studio and SQL server locally (which is a task on any system) .. and they were still using them for many other things at home like streaming etc. Seem to be nice workhorses to me. Especially the portability aspect.
You can take it over here to this room, hook it up to a couple monitors and a mouse and away you go.
/I still prefer mouse over any touch pad I've used, but that's probably just me being old.
//I still am not used to the touch screen aspect of the Envy or other stuff I have here.
If you are thinking of a Surface, I wouldn't talk you out of it. My experience with them (and from others that use them) has been positive.
How's that for not scientific??
Last edited by rharv; 09/20/22 05:28 PM.
Make your sound your own!
.. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
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I've got a Surface Pro. I purchased the add-on keyboard and prefer a mouse over the touch-pad, just like rharv.
It really is a nice unit, but you need to adjust your driving style.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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Just buy it Eddie and enjoy it, earlier in the year I wanted a Quest 2 VR headset, despite the research that a new one was coming out next year and I should wait, I thought to myself, God knows where anyone will be next year. So I just bought it and don't regret it, using it every day, the sweetner is as well that I got it before it increased £100 in price. Just buy that Surface and enjoy it!
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Decided to hold off on this until I get a few other things paid off. Maybe there will be a sale around Christmas and Santa can buy it for me.
I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.
1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.
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Hey Eddie, there's a nice classic DX-9 waiting for you in Illinois..... hehe
 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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Soon, now that gas doesn't require a 2nd mortgage!
I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.
1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.
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I have been researching more about these and despite almost every photo showing that little magnetic keyboard that is an extra 200 bucks. We'll be sticking with my Dell 2 in 1 for a while.
I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.
1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.
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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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