I'm currently running BIAB and RB 2017 (Ultra Plus Pak plus and add on styles paks 1,2,3, and 49 from the PG supplied USB external drive. Used space now 121 GB of the reported 149 GB on the drive). Doesn't seem to leave a great deal of space for future expansion packs
If I wanted to transfer everything from the PG USB drive to say, a 1TB USB (Western Digital Passport) ext. drive to allow plenty of expansion room, can I just clone the PG drive to the WD drive and should BIAB/RB then run happily from the new drive (assuming the new drive is allocated the same drive name F:) or is it more complex than that? (Licensing etc?)
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
That will work. It's always recommended that back-up drives are created so that if anything happens to the main drive, there is a fall back. What you are doing is simply that.
If you clone the present drive, that will include setup.exe and all the associated programs that you need to install. So all is good.
Lastly, if you choose to use the cloned drive as your main drive, it should work fine. Because BIAB/RB registration is computer-specific, as I understand it, there should be no need to register again. If you do find that it's necessary to register the program once more, it would pay to plug in your old drive, de-register it and then plug in your new drive and re-register (this will maintain the 3 registrations that PG Music give).
What Pipeline said; otherwise it won't work. I learned that the hard way when I first tried to do this and couldn't figure out why I was having problems. Turned out to be that datalist.asc file.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
If you follow the clone route, everything should get carried across.
If you follow the copy route, before you copy, simply make sure that the "Show hidden files" option is active. This is found in "Control Panel | Folder Options | View" (see the graphic below). Then when you copy, any hidden files/folders will also copy.
Which ever path you take, if you are using the program on the same computer on which it is already installed, I imagine that it will not be necessary to re-install since the computer is already set for the program. That said, you might need to re-set the paths for Realtracks and Realdrums.
It's easy enough to work out if you need to reinstall. Just run the program. If it doesn't behave properly then a reinstall is most likely needed.
FWIW, my datalist.asc looks nothing like the example Pipeline showed, but it works fine, so don't worry if the content of that file doesn't match. The Clone should carry it over anyway, so no problem.
My datalist file shows the path to various add-ons, but not the path for the main program executable files (as in Pipeline's example). Not sure of it's purpose, but I wouldn't alter it if it looks different, as you could lose some 'extras' you have added over time. Just thought I'd mention this.
Also, it doesn't exist at all on the main OS drive I installed BB/RB to, only on the shipped external drive, so likely only needed during the actual install procedure. ^^ just my hunch/guess.
Last edited by rharv; 07/30/1707:54 AM.
Make your sound your own! .. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Thank you Noel and Rharv. I think I will go down the clone route just to be as sure as possible I don't miss anything out.
I will be using the same PC. The larger drive is just to allow some future expansion space. I decided to go for a 500GB USB instead of a 1TB as I think that should give enough headroom for now and will just dedicate it to BB and RB.
Thanks to all who replied.
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
What I did, on both desktop PCs, is buy a separate hard drive just for BIAB and I put only the RealTracks and RealDrums on it. Then I go into Options, Preferences for each and set the custom locations.
The program itself (and admittedly a ton of related files) is installed to a separate SSD drive, so it loads and runs as quickly as possible. Before PG Music optimized the loading time a few months ago, this made more of a difference loading than it does now.
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
Thanks Matt, When I'm as confident and know as even a fraction as much about BIAB/RB as you the other guys here maybe I might experiment with alternative options like yours. I think for me the clone to bigger USB drive will provide enough scope for damage at present but many thanks for your suggestion. LOL
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
I cloned my basic WMA version to a 500 gig drive also, and it has plenty of space years later after saving many beta/upgrade files on it, plus saving some additional SEQ and BiaB files there (as well as images I post on the forum).
500 gig should last a while unless you upgrade to the Audiophile version which needs over a terrabyte. All the audio files are bigger on that version.
Make your sound your own! .. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Thanks again Rharv. For my purposes I'm more than happy with the Ultra Plus Pak + Style PAKS 1,2,3 and 49 for now and think it unlikely I will make the jump to Audiophile so hopefully the 500GB will last me for quite some time.
If I keep the original PG ext USB drive intact I presume that any BIAB/RB updates or add on packs can be saved to both drives... one at a time so they retain the F: drive label when downloading (until the space on orig drive runs out of course)?
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
Well...it was all going to plan.....I cloned the from original PG drive (labelled F:) to my 500GB USB (labelled as G: during the process). All seemed successful.After disconnecting the PG drive and the 500GB drive , today I thought I would try to use the new USB to run BIAB and RB which it did!! Great....but I noticed that Windows was still allocating the label G: to the new drive even though the old PG drive was not connected. I had expected that the system would allocate the label F: (which would be the first logical free drive label as there was no F: drive connected ?? Not sure why it is skipping a drive label? (I have C: as OS drive - 1TB SSD...also internal 1 TB D: drive for data and backups. E: is the CD/DVD drive . Anyone any ideas why system is missing out F: ? On the assumption that I have to accept the G: allocation each time for the new drive (which appears to be running BIAB and RB fine) will the G: label make any difference (apart from updates etc. from PG having to be directed to G:)?
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
Since you cloned it (versus copied it), I suspect Windows saw the signature of the drive as the same as the previous drive, and so allocated the same drive letter.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
Thanks John. That's kinda what I was thinking....but..... The original PG USB disc always had the drive letter F:....new 500GB one is called G: I also assumed that if the PG drive was not connected Windows would issue F: as the first available label....but Windows skipped that and calls the new drive G:? I could probably use Disc Manager in Windows (7 - 64bit) to force the G: disc to take the label F: but don't know whether that would be the right thing to do.
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
hi Maybe you have previouly reseved that drive letter in windows Below is a copy of a post I made a while back may help
At the end of this post is a link to that thread
Hi Yes indeed USB drive letters are allocated depending on the order they are inserted So to say if your USB HD is drive j today when you install . Then you take it out for some reason and insert another usb device say usb mem stick .if you now switch of and reboot the memory stick will be the first device seen and may get the letter you used for the USB HD, making it K this will break the links to where windows thinks BIAB is Two ways round this don’t unplug your biab hard drive or reserve a drive letter for that drive, Z is a good one¬ Mike. Here is alink on how to do this. https://www.howtogeek.com/96298/assign-a-static-drive-letter-to-a-usb-drive-in-windows-7/
Hi Mike, Many thanks for your reply. I'll try allocating Z: to the 500GB drive (instead of G:)as per your suggestion. Should I do the same thing to the other PG drive independently and allocate Z: instead of F: ?
My object is to retain the PG drive as a clone backup and to keep each one updated. The two drives will not be plugged in at the same time so am I right in assuming that the same drive label of Z: can be reserved for both?
I have no BIAB links or shortcut from my C:drive I just run BIAB/RB direct from the USB drive.
As I'm using up 4 of my 6 USB ports for other items (printers, wireless keyboard, audio interface etc.) I prefer to unplug any USB drives and only plug them in when needed to one of the remaining 2 ports. That may be part of my problem? Maybe there has been an odd occasion when I switched off the computer before unplugging the BIAB drive.
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
I would also suggest going in an reassigning it to whatever drive letter you want it to be. My experience is the next time you plug it in, Windows will remember and use that assignment (not always, and definitely not if another drive got plugged in and used that drive letter), but worth a try.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
My experience is the same as John's, including the "not always" part! I just leave my BIAB external drive plugged in all the time. Don't change USB ports, either.
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
Should be ok to use it twice providing only one is plugged in, as John says. Let us Know how you get on Drive Z may not be the best choice always as some programs set up temp virtual drives and often use Z Also such programs as virtual CD/DVD ISO image readers and such that can be used for mounting this type of file,
I personally favour something up around the M. N. P, area as this is likely to be well clear of usb mem sticks web cams etc depends a bit on how many you normally have in use. I guess P for Pg music is a nice association You can not use B for BIAB as it is still reserved for floppy along with A Have fun Mike
The reason they allow various drive letter assignments is so you can use them. In my experience assigning each drive to a different drive letter and leaving them alone (still connected) is most reliable. If you disconnect/re-connect drives the letter is prone to change .. but simply knowing that makes managing them much easier. I'd rather they shutdown when not needed and keep the drive letter assignment .. but that's just my POV. So I leave them connected/reserved whenever I can.
Make your sound your own! .. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Thanks Rharv. Yes ......you're right. I changed both drives to the label P: The first drive I changed came back as P: when plugged in again (Great!). Disconnected that one and re-plugged the original PG one and that reported as F: again even though I had also labelled that as P:! Looks like I'll just have to live with it. When updating I'll just have to make sure I direct the update to the right disc label
One thing I did note was that the PG disc was not as full as I originally thought. When looking at the partitions there was a fair amount of unallocated space left which I merged into the main PG disc partition using a partition management program. So I actually had more space than Windows was reporting.
Presently investigating USBDLM V5.2.8 - USB Drive Letter Manager for Windows to see if this will facilitate renaming both drive labels more permanently.
Kind Regards Kev T.
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
You seem to be fairly well on top of this sort of thing using partition manager etc So I am sure you will be fine..
However I am not certain exactly what you mean when you use the term Clone If you mean a disc image as in Norton ghost or similar . And you take an image of say a 300 G drive it will contain all the FAT etc so when you put it on a 500 g drive it will make that drive only 300 G as that was the extent of the format and fat of the original.
I suspect that is the way Pg get their stuff on hard drives as a ghost image so you finish up with a drive size to suit the original image size not the physical hard drive size,
So to this end these days I usually format the whole drive or maybe split into 2 partitions if it is very large ( this makes for quicker back ups and defrags if not so much surface area to cover) Then I copy my whole directory structure files and folders including hidden to the new drive or partition , This way the rest of the drive is available to me . Which it would not have been if I used a ghost image. Just my take on this. Best regards Mike
Hi Mike, I know enough to be somewhat dangerous I suspect!!
Cloning provides a mirror copy of the original disc creating an EXACT copy of its contents, including the master boot record (MBR), slack space, and any unused space.
I used a FREE program called: EaseUS Todo Backup Free 10.5 to clone the PG drive. Wouldn't say it was quick (about 3 hours for transfer of BIAB) as I took the option to copy sector by sector and just have USB2.0, but the results were excellent as far as I can see. As in above posts the only problem was with me trying to give both drives the same label letter. The actual cloning worked a treat!
I used another free program AOMEI Partition Assistant to merge the unallocated space on both drives.
Thanks again for your valuable input.
Kev
Last edited by Kev T; 08/05/1708:21 AM.
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
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Thanks Matt......better still!! 
Thanks Matt, When I'm as confident and know as even a fraction as much about BIAB/RB as you the other guys here maybe I might experiment with alternative options like yours. I think for me the clone to bigger USB drive will provide enough scope for damage at present but many thanks for your suggestion. 
LOL
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