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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2
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Posts: 2 |
I've been a BiaB user since the DOS days and have always loved it except for one annoying feature or problem depending on how you look at it. When I leave the program and have forgotten to Save after previously having made changes and Saved As in the same format (.sgu), a dialog comes up and asks if I want to save, if I hit yes, (now the problem), BiaB brings up a Save As box where you have to save and then overwrite your old file etc. 99% of the Windows programs in the world will just save it and let you exit. Same if you try to open a file without saving first, the Save As box appears and you have to overwrite your current file.
Is this intentional? Can it be changed to follow the Windows standard? I don't know any other Windows programs that work like this but it has been like this as long as I have been a user.
Aside from this minor annoyance, I use this program continually in giving guitar, bass and ukulele lessons to print out charts and make play along CD's for my students. I would hate to teach without it!
Thanks,
Michael
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340
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Welcome to the forum. You sound like an experienced and thoughtful user. There is one case that surprised me the first times it happened that is a bit different from other programs: BIAB treats songs without melody .SGU and songs with melody .MGU differently. When you have been working without a melody and then add one, it becomes a new file. Could this be what you are experiencing?
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: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
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I think I understand what you have said. I get it when I quit BIAB without saving the song first. Your right, these boxes are unnecessary, BIAB should present one screen "do you wish to save?" that's all.
Also, If my system crashes, or Biab crashes, the RGB numbers in the display get set to Zero, leaving a black chord screen. I have to go into display and load the display template again
Z
Last edited by ZeroZero; 06/02/15 07:43 PM.
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844
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I've been a BiaB user since the DOS days and have always loved it except for one annoying feature or problem depending on how you look at it. When I leave the program and have forgotten to Save after previously having made changes and Saved As in the same format (.sgu), a dialog comes up and asks if I want to save, if I hit yes, (now the problem), BiaB brings up a Save As box where you have to save and then overwrite your old file etc. 99% of the Windows programs in the world will just save it and let you exit. Same if you try to open a file without saving first, the Save As box appears and you have to overwrite your current file.
Is this intentional? Can it be changed to follow the Windows standard? I don't know any other Windows programs that work like this but it has been like this as long as I have been a user.
Aside from this minor annoyance, I use this program continually in giving guitar, bass and ukulele lessons to print out charts and make play along CD's for my students. I would hate to teach without it!
Thanks,
Michael Yep, the Save/SaveAs functionality is not right! I have been using BIAB only about 2-3 years and every version has had this problem. It has been discussed here but dunno if they will ever fix it.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844
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And as far as I can tell it has nothing to do with .SGU vs .MGU. Here is a simple test I just did,
1) open BIAB
2) keep the styles that are loaded (prolly from your last use)
3) leave the C in the first bar
4) Save As YourFilename
5) add one more chord anywhere on the screen
6) quit BIAB
7) as you would expect, it prompts to see if you wish to save
8) say Yes
at this point, any standard Windows program will save the file using the name you used previously in your SaveAs in step #4 above and exit the program.
BUT BIAB instead pops up the SaveAs dialog and if you attempt the save with the same name it then warns you about overwriting, which is, of course, what Save should do and exactly what you wanted it to do!
Last edited by JohnJohnJohn; 06/02/15 08:56 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 207
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 207 |
I often want to do a new arrangement of a song, but keep the original arrangement.
In that case, I use the "save as" function, and change the name of the song.
If there was only one save function, I would not be able to do this.
So for me, having the two save functions (save and save as) makes perfect sense.
Mike Laatz
Cape Town
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,588
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This is a known problem, has been noted here several times,but it was never solved
Latest BIAB version, latest build.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2005
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Not a problem or bug as Mike and John have stated. Can't understand why you think otherwise.
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,588
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Not a problem or bug as Mike and John have stated. Can't understand why you think otherwise. Please, read JohnJohnJohn's post above. Other examples of this odd behavior have been reported in this forum over the last years, and, if I remember correctly (95% sure), Peter himself recognized the problem and said that he could fix it easily a couple of years ago.
Last edited by Cerio; 06/07/15 08:07 AM.
Latest BIAB version, latest build.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844
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I often want to do a new arrangement of a song, but keep the original arrangement.
In that case, I use the "save as" function, and change the name of the song.
If there was only one save function, I would not be able to do this.
So for me, having the two save functions (save and save as) makes perfect sense. Mike, we are not suggesting they remove either the Save or the Save As features...those are standard Windows features and should be kept! What we are suggesting is they make them work the way they are supposed to per the Windows guidelines!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844
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Not a problem or bug as Mike and John have stated. Can't understand why you think otherwise. Ray, you may have learned to work with these as they are programmed in BIAB but they are definitely not working correctly according to the Windows interface standards. And this means it makes the program a littler less user-friendly. If you want to understand this try the following simple test with the simplest Windows application there is, 1) open Notepad 2) type a word 3) use Save As to save your file 4) type another word (but don't save) 5) quit Notepad It asks if you wish to save and if you click the Save button it saves the file using the same name you assigned it and then exits. It does NOT pop up a Save As box! This is the correct behavior for a Windows program in this scenario and that is what needs to be fixed on BIAB. And if for some reason you like it working differently than the Windows interface standards, well, good for you! But most folks would prefer it work consistently with other Windows programs so according to standards, yes indeed, it is a bug!
Last edited by JohnJohnJohn; 06/07/15 08:13 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,384
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It's not really a 'bug' (I think it's intentional), but I agree; having it act like standard Windows programs would be nice.
I don't notice this in RB, but if it is this way in BiaB it should be changed IMO.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
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It's not really a 'bug' (I think it's intentional), but I agree; having it act like standard Windows programs would be nice.
I don't notice this in RB, but if it is this way in BiaB it should be changed IMO. I'd disagree and say if you break a standard, even intentionally, it is a bug. 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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I'll support your efforts as much as I can. I do (and did) agree it should conform to the standards .. I guess our interpretation of a bug (vs complaint) may differ I'm OK with that.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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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 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 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 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 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.
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