|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 51
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 51 |
What gives with the program help systems in BIAB and RB? I can never get any satisfaction there. I don't care about the new features available in whatever version. I went for help in RB about the De-ess function, which is a menu item under Edit/Autio Effects/De-ess. It has it own help button which gave me a window that said:
The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn't included in Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1. For more info, go to the Microsoft Support website.
Not only that when you look to the RB help system and search for de-ess it returns 'no topics found'. Gees, isn't that a menu item? No help?
I find this more and more with this program. The help system needs to be helpful. Not frustrating.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 51
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 51 |
I will have to advise that I downloaded a piece of software from Microsoft to solve one problem and now the help button works on de-ess. However doing a search for that within the RB help system finds 'no topics found'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,161
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,161 |
Odd, I didn't find anything under Audio Effects either. However, if you wish to read the help for this Audio Effect then open the Effect Panel and select the Help button. This doesn't explain why the Search function is so limited.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 51
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 51 |
Thanks LynB
The buttons in the help panels didn't give me anything but the error message that I referred to above. In order to make them functional as you indicated I had to download and install the Windows help program from Microsoft. The Microsoft page indicates that it is the Windows Help Program (Winhlp32.exe). The actual name of the file that I installed was:
windows8.1-kb917607-x64.msu
I guess this is for 64 bit systems. It's probably different for 32 bit.
With that installed the help buttons work fine.
However searching the help system still has a great deal to be desired.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071 |
Windows Help System is actually extremely powerful, as the search filters are fast, data is indexed, and multiple search strings can be used.
As an example you can type the two words: color note
And you are returned all help pages containing those two words (and some derivatives also), in any order, and it is not necessary for the words to be adjacent.
Conversely, we use a separate software product that used to use Windows Help. To save costs, the developers decided to produce the 'help' file as a PDF document. Searching for answers became an immediate disaster. Strings had to match perfectly, or the results were always zero. The search has to wade through 2000 pages on non-indexed data each time. Slow and cumbersome.
You almost needed to know the answer to successfully ask the question.
It may have been a cost saver for the developers, but a massive time waster for all users.
PG Music should be congratulated for retaining Windows Help format. It's more labor intensive to setup and maintain, but usability is generally excellent.
My 2 cents
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Try doing a Bing search on "De-Esser" as well, look for a basic description of what a De-Esser does and how it accomplishes the process, what and how the controls work, etc.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 51
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 51 |
I have to agree that a help system that pulls up the user manual as a pdf isn't very useful or helpful. I've a few programs like that and don't like it one bit.
I just found it very frustrating that even with a windows help format, a search returns no help topics for a menu item. I realize that some of the audio effects are external programs, so that may be some part of what is going on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 51
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 51 |
Thanks Mac. I've done just that.
Last edited by nichollstj; 02/01/14 08:37 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,052
Posts799,456
Members40,021
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean