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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2016
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I've been trying to use Band in a Box from time to time for years now. But with each try, I'm going more and more mad. So here's just one simple question, one example out of many:
How am I supposed to open a song from song picker?
There are two apply buttons, and I can double click a song title. Some of that sometimes works once or twice, then at best again after closing and reopening the program.
Obviously, I get something fundamentally wrong here (and everywhere else). Can anyone guide me to some helpful introduction to fundamental workflows, please?
BTW, it's 2025 on Windows.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I see not many are jumping in to help with this issue!
I am afraid "open" is classic BIAB workflow - multiple ways of doing the samething, some work and some which don't depending on what your objective is. The justification generally given is that PGM wants to provide any and all options imaginable so there is a redundant menu items and multiple shortcut key codes to accomplish all things for all people. As you are seeing there are individual open function depending and where you want to open the song files. And remember song files in BIAB are defined as "mgu, sgu or "*.?g?*). If you are trying to "open" any other form of extension, then there are different menus.
So if we are only talking song files ("mgu, sgu or "*.?g?*), I suggest you create a single directory and place your song files all in one place (this will be the "home" folder). By the way, I have 1000's of BIAB songs. That eliminates all the different folder locations which have their own "open" menus. Better yet, look for the "SongPicker", new to BIAB2025 as the starting place for finding and opening a song file. Then as you experiment on which "open" button you push, you will see options to default to the "home folder".
And one final warning. When ever you think BIAB is not doing what it should be doing, go to Return to Factory settings to reset the app and then try again.
Good luck and don't get hung up on this item. There will be bigger hills to climb.
Dan
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, 1TB WD Black NVMe SSD, 2TB WDC Blue SSD, 1TB WD Blue, 2 TB SK NVMe, 6 TB External, Motu Audio Express 6x6
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Welcome to the forum. I think we might find it easier to respond if you listed the steps you took, and described what happened and why it wasn’t what you expected.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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@Matt: Start Band in a Box, click Song (left of the Display for song title and style) - that opens the song picker tab in the multi picker - select a song title and double click, press return, click some apply button or what else: most of the times, nothing happens.
Should something happen? I'm not sure at all.
@DrDan: I'm not totally new to Band in a Box - as I said, I tried to use it many times, mostly to have some background changes while practicing guitar, e.g. just bass and drum of a ii V I sequence in different styles.
But as you say: They want to provide every possible way to do everything that might be possible, and that's just overwhelming, especially with this 'historically grown' user interface. But I don't want to open that debate here...
Concerning the song files: I somehow found out (with help of this forum) how to populate this list. As the preinstalled song files didn't make sense to me - I probably got something wrong here as well -, I packed it with the free files Bob Norton provides: The Realbook for BIAB and the files from the Independent Users Group.
And for your 'final warning': I'm extremly bad at distinguishing between misapprehensions on my side, bugs and weird features.
Anyway, I'm really thankful for your jumping in (I mean both of you)!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Seems like I had shuffled some files in the songs directory without rebuilding the database. Some kind of error message for not finding files would have been helpful.. BTW, as you mention closing the window: I'm grateful that all those dialogs aren't modal any more; I would be even more grateful, if the multipicker would go to the background when passive, now that they got rid of the prevalent Ok and Cancel buttons  Now, having done the reset, I'm lost again with that other display option. I've seen it before after installing the whole thing from scratch on a new computer some weeks ago, but forgot how to get back. Would you mind giving me a quick hint? My general question remains: Are there tutorials for fundamental workflows? Not the kind under Help -> Help Topics -> Tutorials where you basically have to know the way to do something and they tell you: To open a file, click File -> Open or press this or do that or ... for every possible action. Rather something like: To set up a song for practicing ... here's one common way to select a part for looping ... and here's a common way to loop that part until you stop it. I think you get the idea. But probably that question should go under another header. At least, now I know which synth to choose Thanks alot for your patience.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2016
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Hello,
For the display, if you would like to toggle between the modern view and the classic view, you can use CTRL + T. How often do I need that? If I'll ever get to learn keyboard commands, then I'll start with those I use more than once. Or is this setting back to factory settings the most common operation? I'm inclined to think that - it's the third menu entry, following the hardware settings, not buried as deep as all the other stuff dumped to the so-called 'preferences'. BTW, meanwhile I found that really small grey button amidst some other small grey buttons, one of them saying in the hint 'DAW plugin mode', below some grey field which I can't imagine what it does, next to a button with a hint saying 'DAW plugin mode', all in the left upper corner, near the spot where people that read from left to right and from top to left usually look first. Do you really switch that often between having started Band in a Box as a program or as a plugin? How is it possible to switch that at all???? The first 'tutorials' that aren't related to installation or errors are titled 'List of...' One is about DXi, so maybe I'll find out there way that Coyote thing that I probably wanted after factory reset didn't say anything. The first titles concerning making this or that are about UserTracks, RealDrum styles, and so on. Those really don't seem like fundamental workflows to start with to me. The manuals are just lists of 'to do this you can click here ... or there ... or press this key ... or that three keys ...'. Even the so called tutorials in the help menu are like that. I must admit, I'm too old and too slow for video tutorials; maybe I'm just not used to them. Did the developers ever try to use their product? Sorry for the rant. As I said, I really didn't want to get into that here.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Re: Using Control-T How often do I need that? If I'll ever get to learn keyboard commands, then I'll start with those I use more than once. I rarely type Control-T. I only ever use the new user interface. Control-T only allows you to toggle between the older original interface and the newer interface. So this is not a matter of continual switching. Every function is available via both user displays. Choose and stay with the one you want. I hope this clarifies.
BIAB & RB2025 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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Sorry, seems like I have been unclear in my frenzy Re: Using Control-T
I rarely type Control-T. That was the point I tried to make: I will rarely use it. How am I supposed to remember that meaningless key? So this is not a matter of continual switching. That was the next point I tried to make: Why does such a rare function take such a prominent place? I would never look for it there. And you didn't either, I suppose, or why else would you burden your mind with Ctrl-T?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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About the general questions, are you aware of the video tutorials? Some folks learn better that way.
About the Ctrl+T, you don't need to remember this, because there are two places you can click to select one or the other view. Look directly above the first data cell in the Chordsheet view, and you will see two small boxes called Minimal Screen Mode and Normal Screen Mode (these names will appear in a tool tip when you hover over the boxes). As AudioTrack mentioned, just look at each one, pick one, and stay with it until you are more familiar with the program. It's not a matter of function; it's a matter of personal preference about how much you want to see on the screen. I would think it might be easier when starting out to use the Normal mode.
Also about the Ctrl+T, there are tons of software packages out there that use many dozens of keystroke shortcuts. Power users find this to be the most efficient way to work, once you learn them. My music notation program has two full pages of keystrokes that do specific tasks; BIAB by comparison is much less. You will notice that BIAB usually provides more than one way to do things, and once you discover them, you can choose the workflow preferences you like. Ctrl+T is only one example of this.
Finally, my suggestion is to make one thread for each question. You can ask as many as you need to, and we will answer them as we go. You'll get there.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,627
Product Manager
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Product Manager
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Re: Using Control-T
I rarely type Control-T. That was the point I tried to make: I will rarely use it. How am I supposed to remember that meaningless key? T for Toolbars. So this is not a matter of continual switching. That was the next point I tried to make: Why does such a rare function take such a prominent place? I would never look for it there. And you didn't either, I suppose, or why else would you burden your mind with Ctrl-T? Because at the time the new interface was introduced we expected some long-time users would struggle to become familiar with it, so we added an easy-to-remember shortcut key to switch back and forth. It made sense at the time.
I work here
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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About the general questions, are you aware of the video tutorials? Some folks learn better that way. I'm aware of them but I don't learn at all that way, really. They just overwhelm me. Concerning the 'small boxes': That's what I finally found. Concerning the interface mode: I've been 'using' (in a minimalistic sense) Band in a Box for about 10 years and am very conservative about user interfaces: I'll stay with what you call Normal Mode! Also about the Ctrl+T, ... Power users find this to be the most efficient way to work, ... I'm rather a casual user, and presumably I'll never aspire for more. Finally, my suggestion is to make one thread for each question. You can ask as many as you need to, and we will answer them as we go. You'll get there. Full ack. I'm absolutely surprised that I kicked off such a multifaceted discussion with my act of desparation ... that meaningless key? T for Toolbars. ???  Both of them have toolbars, just arranged differently. Because at the time the new interface was introduced we expected some long-time users would struggle to become familiar with it, so we added an easy-to-remember shortcut key to switch back and forth. It made sense at the time. Did you ask any user whether it made sense to him at that time? Or if it makes sense any more? Or where they would expect that toggle (general preferences or display options, for example)? I suspect, this is a severe case of the developer thinking I alluded to above. Something like, I'm so proud of this, I'll put an extra button for it on the screen and give it one of the very rare one letter controls! But as Matt noted: That's another thread.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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About the general questions, are you aware of the video tutorials? Some folks learn better that way. I'm aware of them but I don't learn at all that way, really. They just overwhelm me. You might try Henry Clarke's BiaB tutorials on YouTube. I find them easier to digest.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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??? Both of them have toolbars, just arranged differently. Yes - Ctrl-T toggles between two sets of toolbars. I was simply explaining the logic behind the developers choosing Ctrl-T for that shortcut. Did you ask any user whether it made sense to him at that time? Or if it makes sense any more? Or where they would expect that toggle (general preferences or display options, for example)? I suspect, this is a severe case of the developer thinking I alluded to above. Something like, I'm so proud of this, I'll put an extra button for it on the screen and give it one of the very rare one letter controls! Yes. Multiple beta testers indicated that they wanted the old toolbars exclusively, and many others indicated that they wanted to work with the new UI but still have easy access to the old UI. Our users commonly ask for this as well - it's a very common request through tech support. If it was a case of something the developers were proud of they wouldn't have added an easy shortcut to go back to the old UI - they would've forced users into the new UI instead. Looking to the future, we are planning UI enhancements, and we will consider removing the keyboard shortcut. Typically our decisions are shaped by response from our beta testers and by users requests in our Wishlist forums, so if you have any suggestions that would be the best place for them.
I work here
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks for the link. I like the man, and I like his concept, 'for seniors' But as with all tutorial videos: I don't get along with them. The first one wasn't about what I thought (backing tracks for music production instead of practicing), and he is so busy, always moving, talking without a pause - it's kind of cognitive overload for me. Another one I watched, about style picker, was easier to digest for me, but he essentially made one recommendation in 20 minutes: To find a style to an existing song, type the song title into style picker. I have heard that before (seems to be the main feature of band in a box...). Just to illustrate my general problems with that kind of videos.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I was simply explaining the logic behind the developers choosing... Exactly. Yes. Multiple beta testers indicated that they wanted the old toolbars exclusively... Here's another suspicion I've had for some time now: Your beta testers (I read about them before) are long time power users, they know your program inside out. I would rather call them co-developers. How about an UI expert sitting next to a novice user, watching him, for example? ... Wishlist forums, so if you have any suggestions that would be the best place for them. Thanks for the link, I'll probably give it try. That's gonna be a full time job
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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If videos present a learning challenge, try reading the manual or using the help feature as you go. Everything is in the manual, and also the integrated help.
Many functions include a Help button that takes you immediately to help on the particular function. Try it out.
My suggestion is not to try to fast-track and bypass the essential details. Small steps are useful.
BIAB & RB2025 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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Thanks for the link. I like the man, and I like his concept, 'for seniors' I think the "for seniors" bit is just primarily where he's targetting, but the videos are good for anyone who wants to learn BiaB. It wasn't obvious to me whether you post was being overwhelmed by videos generally or the PGM ones in particular ... for me that have too much padding, too much music and then go through the too quickly through the bits in which I'm interested.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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It wasn't obvious to me whether you post was being overwhelmed by videos generally or the PGM ones in particular ... Both of it. ... for me that have too much padding, too much music and then go through the too quickly through the bits in which I'm interested. I just gave them another try and watched the first beginner tutorial, Audio Input Monitoring: The first third of it tells us what that is (use headphones....); the last half tells us how to search for errors (turn on phantom power...). The short middle part more or less just says: Turn it on by clicking some VU meter... I had to hit pause twice to decipher the writing at the bottom - the styles of the background music. BTW, it did not say were BiaB takes the input from - not ASIO, apparantly. Your description fits my impression quiet well... I tried to keep quiet, but you started it
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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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Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano
Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!
Bonjour à tous,
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation
Voilà, enjoy!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Stay up to date—get the latest update now!
Update to RealBand® 2025 Build 5 Windows Today!
Already using RealBand® 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 5 now from our Support Page to ensure you have the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Get the latest update today!
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 is here! This new version introduces many features, including VST3 support, the ability to load or import a .FLAC file, a reset option for track height in the Tracks window, a taller Timeline on the Notation window toolbar, new freeze buttons in the Tracks window, three toolbar modes (two rows, single row, and none), the improved Select Patch dialog with text-based search and numeric patch display, a new button in the DirectX/VST window to copy an effects group, and more!
First-time packages start at only $49. Already a PowerTracks Pro Audio user? Upgrade for as little as $29!
www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm
Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.
Band-in-a-Box® for iOS® :Summary video.
Check out the forum post for more information.
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