Upgraded to 2019 PlusPak today following the install procedure correctly, also installed the required patch. BIAB 2019 32 bit version is what loads when using the desktop icon. Is there another part to the install that will load the 64bit version? and where is it located?

You are correct, the default installation loads the 32-bit version of BIAB 2019. But the 64-bit version is also already installed. One way you can load it is create your own Windows shortcut. The file you want in your /BB folder is bbw64.exe (not bbw.exe). Make a shortcut of this file and while you're there, set it to Run as Administrator.

Note: if you haven't created a shortcut in Windows before, just right-click on an empty area of your Windows desktop. You'll see the option to create a shortcut under New, Shortcut.

You probably already have a shortcut from your older version of BIAB that goes to bbw.exe which will now load the new 32-bit version. So you'll have two similar-looking shortcuts.

Let me know if any of that explanation is confusing.

See Biab 32 64 Shortcut Icons

The easiest way to create the shortcut is to find the bbw64.exe file in your BIAB installation folder. Then just right click on the file, and in the popup menu select "Send To, Desktop (create shortcut)". Once it appears on the desktop, I suggest right clicking on the new desktop icon and in the window that pops up, select the "Compatibiity" tab and check the box next to "Run as administrator".

I assume, once purchased, the new version (2019) can be downloaded via the download manager from withing BIAB 2018?

Mike, if you mean from the Help > Utilities > Run Download Manager, I'm not sure. I tried it, and got an 'incorrect serial number' error. I'm running 2019 64bit.

You should receive an email from PGM with links, but you can also go to your account on the PG Music main web page and download updates from there.

Thanks, VT. I've got it sorted.

I have the 64 bit version running now but was wondering about the Plugin BIAB DAW feature, is that optional? Would like to have an indication on the plugin GUI simply to know what is running should there be issues.....thanks for the input guys...

When you installed BIAB, you should have been asked where you want to install the BIAB VST plugin. Make sure that same folder is in your DAW's scan folder list (so it can pick it up). Launch your DAW and select the Band-in-A-Box DAW Plugin (it should show up as an instrument plugin) from available plugins in your DAW and load it onto an AUDIO track (even though it's an instrument plugin, it won't load onto a MIDI track, only an audio track - at least that's the way it is in Cakewalk by BandLab). This will pop up the BIAB VST plugin. From there, you can enter chords, or load an existing file, select a style, and generate the arrangement. After the arrangement has been generated (all the tracks have a green dot next to them, you can either drag individual tracks onto your DAW (existing or new tracks) or using the master track blue dot, drag all the individual tracks in at one time.

thanks for the feedback and yes I installed the .dll into the correct folder which allows me to use BIAB DAW as a plugin. When I installed 2019 i was prompted to choose a folder for the plugin.dll which i did and all is good but the desktop shortcut created by the program during installation was 32 bit and i preferred 64 so as suggested by our forum users I located the 64 bit exe made a desktop shortcut and now use that to launch 64 bit standalone all is well.The the other part that i don't understand as of yet is which one of the two OS has BIAB placed in my DAW plugin folder by default? Does the installation automatically put 32 bit into the chosen plugin folder or 64 or both? I Would like to know as I don't like using software in bridged mode when most developers offer the option of 32 or 64..thanks for your informative reply

The DAW plugin is only 64-bit; it is not 32-bit.

Bridging (with jBridge) is really just to support the ability to use plugins for where you don't have the correct version. Whether you like it or not, a lot of developers still have 32-bit only plugins (which won't run in any 64-bit DAW unless bridged). Sometimes, it looks like it is doing it automatically, but in reality, the program is bridging in the background.

If you don't, know you need to understand which are 32-bit and which are 64-bit VST/VSTi plugins. When I install plugins, I make sure to carefully install them to specific 32-bit and 64-bit folders (or, when not given the option, find out where they got installed and move them to my specific folders). That makes management of them much easier.

The rules are different for DX/DXi plugins. 32-bit DX/DXi is only going to work with 32-bit DAW's/Audio Apps; 64-bit DX/DXi is only going to work with 64-bit DAW's/Audio Apps.

This is Windows only AFAIK.

Find the BiaB shortcut on the Desktop or the Start menu.
R-click it and choose More -> Open File Location. Repeat if Necessary.

In the BB home folder, you'll see BBW64
R-click and drag it to Desktop, select "Create Shortcut"
R-click the new shortcut "Rename"? then "Pin to Start"

I just added '64' into the Target file name in the desktop shortcut icon right click properties.

Me, too. It’s helpful to have shortcuts for both versions, at least for awhile longer. I also changed the icons to those generously provided by user Pipeline.