Since the last Windows10 update crashed my PC, I eventually installed Ubuntu and found substitutes for nearly every app I use, except of course BiaB. I started experimenting with wine using the PlayOnLinux implementation. Midi is working even in two alternativ solution, passing midi either via alsa to the Linux soft synth timidity, or, after post-installing DirectMusic using winetricks, also with the DXi-plugin Coyote.
Unfortunatelly RealTracks are not working. I suspect that the MME implementation in wine does not support multi-channel-mixing. I also tried to install the wine asio driver wineasio.dll.so. It seems to be installed and registered correctly, but BiaB does not recognize it. So I'm stuck and rather clueless now.
Is anybody out there who had more success with the combination BiaB/wine/Linux? I would appreciate gratefully any hint.
When you mention "RealTracks are not working", can you be more specific? What part doesn't work? Are they not found, are the selectable - but no sound, etc?
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
I did find this article, which you may have already reviewed. Not sure if it helps.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Thanks for the link. I already knew it and it describes how to play midi using Linux means alsa/timidity). But midi is uncritical since Coyote works as well, as I said above.
The problem is that RealTracks cannot be heard. When starting a song, I can see in the title bar that the Realstyles are retrieved correctly (from my external HD). In mixed Midi/RealTracks styles only the midi part is then to be heard.
As far as I understood, both, soft synth output and RealTracks are routed to the same audio driver which is in my case MME.
Thanks for the feedback And I have to presume that the program can find the RealTracks folder then OK? (but just in case)
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
I think so. I assigned the Drums and RealTracks folders manually in the respective settings. I can select a RealStyle for a song and when I press the play button, Biab starts generating the song without complaining, and I can see in the title bar the progress when Realtracks are retrieved. So yes, this seems to be configured correctly.
As far as I know, both, sound output from Coyote and ReaTracks sound are passed to the MME interface and then from MME down to the low level drivers, in my case either pulseaudio or alsa, whatever I configure in wine.
I wonder whether there is something special with RealTracks what the wine MME implementation cannot deal with. If I would know, I could perhaps ask the wine guys whether this could be fixed.
Google/bing playing WMA files in Linux and you will find a lot of people having problems. There are a few suggestions on how to get them to play that some people have had success.
I have dabbled in Linux but only for the Internet and Photography but never for music.
Good luck
PS - if you have already done this then sorry for the redundancy.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Here's something to try. Just do it with a couple of RT's to test it (this assumes that the issue is with WMA's). Maybe convert some of the RT WMAs to WAV files and see if that works, instead. My understanding is that the program will use a WMA file for the RT unless there is a WAV file present (much like what happens with the Audiophile version). Of course, the WAV file takes up much more space, but it's probably worth the short test to see if the problem is with the WMA files.
Just a thought.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
Hey, thanks Mario and John, this has been the key hint. In order to play WMA it is necessary to install Windows Media Player and the related Codecs within PlayOnLinux. That did the trick!
Now both, RT and Midi are working like a charm.
I will make a few more tests, e.g., to find out how to replace MME with ASIO, and whether everything else works fine.
Some programs work well with wine and some Don't. BIAB does not work well on linux using wine. I've found that what works for me is to duel boot between Windows and Linux. Problem solved.
Sure, but I really want to get rid of Windows. And now that sound is basically working I am rather confident that Biab will run sufficiently, at least for my purposes. Can you please share your findings of shortcomings or what is not running?
Now you have it all working under Lin you should put a guide in the tips n tricks forum - see how it goes with real band as well and you can put them in winehq as it needs updating. The other thing is you can't use 64bit vst's but you can do without them. I know others looking to make a jailbreak also and I hear reaper works well under wine. So it will be good to hear the results.
Yes, will do. The wine appdb entry for BiaB is rather outdated (ends with BiaB 2009), I will post my findings also there. BTW: I installed version 2012.5, because this was the full version I purchased then. I start now to install the updates up to 2016. I read somewhere, too, that 64bit apps seem to be problematic under wine. That is why I started out with a 32bit version of wine.
I hope that when MS starts charging monthly for Win 10 that more companies start porting their programs over to Linux and that Linux becomes more popular. Also that Linux will become more user friendly also.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I hope that when MS starts charging monthly for Win 10 that more companies start porting their programs over to Linux and that Linux becomes more popular. Also that Linux will become more user friendly also.
We can all dream sir..... As much as I would like that to happen....
I see that this is an old post. However, BnB and PT both are working fine on my install of Mint 17.3 (XFCE). Just install as normal using wine and then start Qsynth before you start BnB or PT. Point BnB to Qsynth for midi. The midi files will work fine using whatever soundfont you choose in Qsynth, but the "Realtracks" won't work. No loss as far as I am concerned. Actually an older version of BnB works better and is easier to use than the latest version.
... Actually an older version of BnB works better and is easier to use than the latest version.
You didn't mention 'with fewer features as well'
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
This is a useful and informative post. Perhaps you might consider adding it to the Tips and Tricks section of the forum?
Thanks!
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 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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Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Hey, thanks Mario and John, this has been the key hint.
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