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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333 |
This seems to be one of my all-time fave subjects here.  He's back again! Well I need to re-install BIAB again and could use a little help before I screw things up. My goal is a minimal installation, but not the one PGMusic describes in their "Read Me First" file. Their minimal install is one where almost everything is left on the installation USB drive. I want to use Option 2, "Install Band-in-a-Box© on your computer hard drive, leave RealTracks on the USB drive (35 GB disk space required)" Once that is done I will just copy over the RealTracks I need (very few) to c: drive. So I tried to start on this journey but got a screen right away that I don't know how to proceed from: Normal / Custom / Full Installation ? And then below that are check boxes for various things including Real Drum etc. These choices are NOT what PGMusic tells me about in their "Read Me First" file. I was ready to see as a FIRST CHOICE: Option 1. Option 2. Option 3. Option 4. that was outlined in the "Read Me First" file. Please advise how I should proceed with the installation? Thanks!
A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333 |
Well I got off the phone with PG Music a couple of hours ago and got some help.
Unfortunately the Tech line was not open so I had to call Sales.
The fellow was nice but really didn't know much about installations and had to keep putting
me on hold while he tried to get help answering all my questions.
PG Music should really revise their 'Read Me First' file that comes with the installation package.
It is far off from what you actually see when you try to install BIAB.
It also does not explain what boxes need to be checked during the installation.
Well to cut to the chase, I chose Option 2 when that screen finally presented itself.
I asked the fellow why BIAB installs to c:\bb when 95%+ of all programs install to
c:\Program Files or c:\Program Files (x86). He couldn't explain why.
I installed RealBand to d:\ because it seems PG Music forces you to install it somewhere.
I didn't see an option not to install it.
Now that it's installed can I delete it? I never use Real Band.
c:\ is using 27 G space. Of that 17G is being taken up by Soloists.
I think I know what Soloists is for but just want to check. It's used to play BIAB solos correct?
Can I delete the Soloists folder now?
When I was doing the installation there were 4 or 5 files that BIAB said had errors and it couldn't install them.
They were all Soloists files. I don't think that was important right? I made note of which files they were.
A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,909
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,909 |
If you don't want the soloists, I wouldn't delete the Soloists folder, but perhaps the content only.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333 |
If you don't want the soloists, I wouldn't delete the Soloists folder, but perhaps the content only. Thanks AudioTrack, that makes sense.
A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,397
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,397 |
I’m not stepping in here because for decades I’ve done my own installations on auxiliary computers. Only my production machine has the complete audiophile version.
Other computers just have enough RealTracks that i can do some scratch compositions when the spirit strikes.
I’m reluctant to give guidance because:
1) If you mess up, I would feel responsible, and
2) BIAB has files all over the place and it’s impossible for us users to find any tutorial as to what has to be where, for everything to work. I requested advice on what could be deleted after the new GUI was introduced in 2018 and the folder structure of BIAB was substantially revised. I’ve identified some files that I’m convinced are no longer needed yet are still taking up space. I still think a revision to the Cleanup utility would be helpful.
I think i have it all figured out but I won’t take any chances with anyone else’s files.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333 |
I’m reluctant to give guidance because:
1) If you mess up, I would feel responsible, and
2) BIAB has files all over the place and it’s impossible for us users to find any tutorial as to what has to be where, for everything to work. I requested advice on what could be deleted after the new GUI was introduced in 2018 and the folder structure of BIAB was substantially revised. I’ve identified some files that I’m convinced are no longer needed yet are still taking up space. I still think a revision to the Cleanup utility would be helpful.
I think i have it all figured out but I won’t take any chances with anyone else’s files. Thanks Matt for weighing in on this. BIAB certainly is a mysterious program at times. I have found that over the years BIAB caters to a "one-size-fits-all" type of user. Unfortunately I don't fall into the "one-size-fits-all" camp. My use of BIAB is quite fringe in terms of making use of its functions. 95% of the time I only use bass and drums. The other 5% of the time I may add a piano or organ etc. And so you can see why I prefer not to install all of the other bells and whistle instruments/soloists etc. This time I have made note of the installation process (hoping it works out as is) and the next time should go smoothly (fingers crossed).
A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,268
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,268 |
Hi BIABman,
I wouldn't delete the Soloists folder. As I understand it, most of the ST2 files in that folder are basically instruction files for Realtracks, Realdrums, MIDI Supertracks, styles, etc. That's why there are so many files in this folder.
--Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,909
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,909 |
BIABman, please take Noel's advice. He definitely knows his way around some of these trickier options better than I do.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,621
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Joined: Jan 2015
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And so you can see why I prefer not to install all of the other bells and whistle instruments/soloists etc. This time I have made note of the installation process (hoping it works out as is) and the next time should go smoothly (fingers crossed). FWIW, I now try to not fight BiaB too much ... it can lead to a lot of heartache. An, e.g., 500GB SSD doesn't now cost much, is usually easy to fit and avoids breaking BiaB by removing something it needs.
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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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 202
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 202 |
Thanks, BIABMan.
We will look into updating that readme today!
Please do not delete the Soloist folder.
Best,
Catherine
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,909
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,909 |
...
An, e.g., 500GB SSD doesn't now cost much, is usually easy to fit and avoids breaking BiaB by removing something it needs. Good advice.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333 |
Thanks, BIABMan.
We will look into updating that readme today!
Please do not delete the Soloist folder.
Best,
Catherine Thanks Catherine, that should prove helpful for future installations. I will be keeping the Soloist folder.
A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333 |
Thanks folks for your advice, I will be keeping my Soloist folder intact.
A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe 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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Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
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