Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
D
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
I have been dragging BIAB 2013 tracks (mostly audio) to Sonar X2 Producer by having both windows visible, grabbing the BIAB instrument at the top (such as Guitar) with the mouse and dragging it to the Sonar window. I can't figure out how to control which track in Sonar the BIAB track ends up on. It often overlays a Sonar track that already contains a recording.

I have tried dragging to an empty place in the Sonar track view clip area. I have tried dropping it on an empty Sonar track, but it still often ends up on another track where I don't want it. I also tried activating the DAW Plugin before dragging, but the same problem occurs whether I use the plug-in or not. I have read the BIAB help file for Drag and Drop but still can't figure it out.

Is there a way to control which track in Sonar that the BIAB track ends up on?

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,598
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,598
I have what you have, but have not experienced this problem. That is probably because I drag the Combo button rather than individual tracks, and SONAR creates the new tracks it needs.

However -

Have you tried creating a new audio track first in SONAR, then dragging the BIAB track to it?


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
D
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
..........

Have you tried creating a new audio track first in SONAR, then dragging the BIAB track to it?




Yes, I've tried dropping it in the clip area of the empty track and also dropping it on the track header (both in track view).

Thanks for the tip about dragging the Combo. That avoids the problem with the initial set of tracks since they all go over to Sonar at one time into separate tracks. With that much of the problem solved, where I now have the problem is that sometimes I change the style for the song that I just transferred to Sonar to a similar BIAB style, and then want to drag an instrument from the new style to the same Sonar project. For example, the first style may not have had a harmonica part, so I choose one that does and then drag the harmonica to Sonar with the intent of adding that track to ones that are already there. Or I may want to add another guitar that is different from the one in the first style.

To test this, I just drug a Combo over to an empty Sonar project, which created 5 Sonar tracks and it all looked good. Then I added an empty audio track in Sonar (track 6), changed the style in BIAB, then drug an instrument from the new style to the empty Sonar track 6 (dropping it on the track header). That worked; it deposited the BIAB instrument into the empty track 6. So far, so good. Then I added another empty audio track to Sonar (track 7). I drug another instrument from the 2nd BIAB style into the new empty Sonar track 7. But it placed it in track 6 instead and overlayed the instrument I had just drug over a moment before.

So... problem solved except when I want to do more dragging and dropping after doing the initial drag-drop of the Combo from the 1st style. Your tip on using the Combo helps a lot though, so thanks for that.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,598
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,598
As a SONAR user, are you on the Cakewalk SONAR Users Forum? It is a known problem with X2 that sometimes moved tracks do not wind up where you want. I've had this happen and it's quite annoying, especially because it's inconsistent behavior. Possibly your trouble is not anything about BIAB at all. We are anxiously awaiting either an X2b patch or, more likely, X3 to see if this gets fixed.


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 457
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 457
Interesting post. I thought BIAB users had to first drag to the green (upper left corner) DROP box and then drag from there to Sonar. Do I understand correctly that this isn't necessary, and all one needs is to drag the Combo button directly to Sonar, and this will generate the correct audio tracks with labels? That would save a lot of time and effort if true.

BTW, using the drag to Drop and then drag to Sonar, I've never had any issues with moving audio from BIAB to Sonar X1.

Best regards,

Bob aka jazzwombat aka DrFillsJazz

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,942
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,942
I do it differently.


I set up a folder for the song on the desktop or in my "Song tank" folder......

Then I export the audio from Real band or BB into that folder.

Then I simply go into Sonar and select the track and choose "import audio" and choose the track to import.


I have dragged some midi stuff out of BB/RB into X1 on occasion but prefer to use the export/import path.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,598
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,598
Bob, yes, you do not need the DROP box with SONAR. I remember when we were beta testing this new drag 'n drop feature, we discovered some DAWs needed it, some didn't. SONAR does not.


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Sometimes it may work to first drag n' drop the BB track to a Windows Explorer folder, then drag the copy that you just made in the Explorer folder to the track in your DAW, such as Sonar.

I don't know why that is the case, but use it to solve the same kind of problem here.


--Mac

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
D
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Thanks, everyone. I'll start using Windows Explorer folders for subsequent drag and drop when I need to transfer additional tracks after doing the initial drag and drop of the Combo.

Matt, to answer your question, I am a member of the Cakewalk Sonar forum but rarely go there. Glad to hear that it is a known X2 problem. I thought I might be doing something wrong, or might need to change a preferences setting.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,598
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,598
When two SONAR tracks accidentally (and incorrectly) wind up one on top of each other, you can usually just drag one down to an empty track you created below. One of the two will be on top, so to speak. That is a bit more annoying to recognize in this case, however, since all of the BIAB dragged tracks will be exactly the same length. You have to know to look for this as a possibility.

Last edited by Matt Finley; 09/20/13 09:08 AM.

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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,942
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,942
Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
When two SONAR tracks accidentally (and incorrectly) wind up one on top of each other, you can usually just drag one down to an empty track you created below. One of the two will be on top, so to speak. That is a bit more annoying to recognize in this case, however, since all of the BIAB dragged tracks will be exactly the same length. You have to know to look for this as a possibility.


Absolutely... I've had that happen and a simple drag the top one to a new track works fine.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
TBH I find this method (below) usually works out quicker and safer for the final audio and placement. Especially if multiple tracks are involved......

Save the song in BIAB, then open it in Realband, then go to AUDIO - Save All Tracks to Individual Files WAV MIDI

This creates a new folder with all the audio ready to do with it as you please. I then open Sonar and use the import audio function.

The bonus of this method for me anyway, is that if I do happen to stuff up an audio track in Sonar, the original is always there to re-import without the need to fire up BIAB again.

Just a suggestion smile

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
Just on the "tracks getting placed on top of each other" thing..

If you delete all the tracks so the track window is empty - then import the audio, Sonar will automatically assign each audio part to a separate track.

I actually have a template set up for just this, so it is (in Sonar) File Open (ctrl O) select New, then the template. Easy peasy smile

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,598
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,598
On my system, at least with my settings, dragging the Combo button to SONAR X2 will actually ignore blank audio tracks already in SONAR and just create more tracks at the top. The annoyance comes after that, when as the OP said, you try to drag one more track.


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
This is why I use the Realband route to get audio from BIAB to Sonar, safer, easier and for multi tracks perhaps just a tad quicker. Even though it may seem not to be. I did a timing once for a song - 4 audio parts via the drag and drop -v- RB method. RB method was about 8 seconds quicker smile

Further, it seems that when "dragging" from BIAB direct to Sonar, BIAB re-generates a part (even if freeze is on) whereas I have found RB generally loads in the tune as created and saved in BIAB.

Not saying your way is wrong (far from it) just saying is all smile

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
When I bought X1, X2 was being released so I got it for free. I have only been using X1 since I'm new to Sonar, I wouldn't even appreciate the differences between X1 and X2 yet. I've had no problems dragging tracks into Sonar from BIAB. However, I usually drag mostly midi tracks and record them to audio in Sonar and do my mixing there. I like to use the clip envelopes to adjust sound levels on the audio tracks. I've a long way to go before being competent in Sonar.


Cornet Curmudgeon
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
I agree, NO dramas with MIDI operations in Sonar -one of the best DAWs in that regard smile

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,598
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,598
Joden, avoiding the regeneration is a very good point.

Stan, X1 does not seem to have this problem, only X2.


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 108
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 108
I have my own way I would like to share.

I set up a folder in C:\Cakewalk Content\Audio Library
and name it my waves and midi.

Next, from biab i drag whatever tracks or songs i want into that folder.

Then I go into Sonar and insert a wave or midi track, then go to my media tab on the browser and I can simple place either the wave or midi into the desired track.


Biab 2019 ultra pack
Dell laptop I7 running windows 2010
Midi keyboard
Roland BR600 8 track recorder
Sonar X3 producer
flstudio 20
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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.

Holiday Weekend Hours

It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:

Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Regular hours
resume Tuesday, May 19th!

Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!

Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!

Don't wait - order today!

Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!

Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.

Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.

If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!

202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!

With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!

Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.

Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.

The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
  • Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
  • Playable RealTracks Set 5
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
  • RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
  • SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)

Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,390
Posts804,217
Members40,110
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
sgsdgsg, bill.mccall, SuperMario20, Jonas Karlsson, Johnj
40,110 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 125
rsdean 93
DC Ron 84
vicarn 81
WaoBand 78
dcuny 66
Today's Birthdays
Gudrun
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5