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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
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OP
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65 |
I just installed the 2013 UltraPlusPak on my Windows 7 PC from the USB hard drive that was FedEx'd to me (amazing delivery speed by PG Music -- ordered Thursday evening and got it Friday morning in Indiana, USA. Thanks!)
I chose installation option 4 and told it to install Real Drums and Real Tracks to a hard drive other than my C drive (which is a small SSD). There was a third component that it also allowed me to direct the installation to a non-C drive, which I did. I don't recall which component that was.
Nevertheless, BB ended up using more than 10GB of my small SSD. It seems to me that much of what was installed there could have been installed on a different drive, but there was no option to do so. I am referring to things like Styles, demo songs, tutorials, etc. I would want the actual program components (exe, dll's etc.) installed to the C drive so they can be included in a weekly back up of that drive. But for all the other items, seems to me, the user should be offered a choice of where to install them, just as it does for Real Tracks and Real Drums. Many people are using small SSD drives for their boot drive, so offering such an installation option would seem to be beneficial to many.
Anyone have any thoughts on this - pro or con?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
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I understand this observation, as I also use a SSD boot drive. You could post this idea on the Wishlist and I'll give it a +1 there.
Technically, if only the .ST2 and .XT2 files (which are related to RealTracks) could be moved to the same drive as the RealTracks, that alone would free up a great deal of space on drive C very quickly.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
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OP
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65 |
Thanks, Matt. I posted to the Band in a Box wish list as you suggested. If you want to add something about the .st2 and .xt2 files, feel free. I don't know what those are, so I didn't mention them.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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FYI, The total size of all .ST2 and .XT2 files in my bb folders equals a little under 3.3MB. There's a bunch of 'em, but each one is relatively small in size.
Don't know if that's really worth the effort, but hey, The Wishlist Forum exists for a reason, right?
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65 |
Hi Mac,
I was not familiar with .ST2 and .XT2 files, but after Matt mentioned them, I checked the BB program folder on my SSD and there are 7.67 GB of .ST2 and 296 MB of XT2 for a total of about 8 GB. I wonder why mine take up so much space and yours so little?
In addition to the ST2 and XT2 files, there are 1.65 GB of Real Tracks demos. Added to the 8 GB of .ST2 and .XT2, that's about 9.6 GB, and that's not even counting the tutorials and other "content". If these could be installed elsewhere it would save over 90% of the 10.2 GB of space that the BB program folder now takes up on the boot drive.
I can perhaps manually move the Real Tracks demos, but I don't know what the implications are of moving the ST2 and XT2 files. The program might not run properly.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683 |
Yes, this is why I mentioned them. On my audiophile system, they would indeed save 90%. But I don't think the program would work if they were moved manually (not sure I want to try).
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & 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 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
Hi Mac,
I was not familiar with .ST2 and .XT2 files, but after Matt mentioned them, I checked the BB program folder on my SSD and there are 7.67 GB of .ST2 and 296 MB of XT2 for a total of about 8 GB. I wonder why mine take up so much space and yours so little?
I wouldn't sweat it, all I did was a quick Windows search for the wildcard and two suffixes and had Windows add the total found. I do keep BB 2012.5 around in a differently named folder, maybe that is what I had it count. Or maybe I just managed to screw it up. In any event, the total size is still rather small, comparatively speaking.
Quote:
In addition to the ST2 and XT2 files, there are 1.65 GB of Real Tracks demos. Added to the 8 GB of .ST2 and .XT2, that's about 9.6 GB, and that's not even counting the tutorials and other "content". If these could be installed elsewhere it would save over 90% of the 10.2 GB of space that the BB program folder now takes up on the boot drive.
It might be apropos for you to run the whole shebang from USB drive at this point. I do that with my laptops anyway, it allows me to have just one bb folder with all my songfiles in it, I found out a long time ago that attempting to work with the program on desktop and laptops while everything is on c drive was a nightmare in keeping things up to date, show up to a performance or recording date somewhere only to realize that my precious songfiles were still on the other puter. Use of the USB drive has eliminated that for me. The only things that need to be installed on c drive are the Fonts, Plugins and any softsynths needed.
Quote:
I can perhaps manually move the Real Tracks demos, but I don't know what the implications are of moving the ST2 and XT2 files. The program might not run properly.
I don't know for certain but have always figured the same thing. Likely bb looks in the bb folder for them when they are needed. But Peter G himself or somebody from pgmusic should confirm that or let us know if it can be done otherwise, of course.
Running from the pgmusic supplied usb hard drive works pretty well, actually. I think that is because there really isn't any realtime disk streaming going on, all that gets loaded into RAM when you hit GENPLAY and plays from RAM. Or so it seems here. Loading of realtracks songs is seemingly a tad slower here using usb drive, but nothing I can't live with.
If your machine can take a second standard hard drive, that would be the way to go, and install all of bb on it.
Anybody into music making on the puter should have that second drive anyway, especially if also trying to do multitrack DAW work using programs other than BB.
--Mac
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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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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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