Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 265
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 265
I use a Dell laptop with BIAB; it's 2-3 years old, running Windows 7, and the latest build of BIAB 2015. I don't use this computer for any other purpose but music; I do use the Chrome browser occasionally just to listen to YouTube music to help me with programming songs in BIAB. No external midi hardware, just BIAB, using mostly RealTracks. No issues with the program - that I know of. But there is a mysterious problem I would like to solve and I hope someone on this wonderful forum can help me.

I leave this laptop set up on stage in my place of worship all the time, hooked up to the PA, and I have had the same routine for several years. Early each week I select and tweak the songs I am going to use the following weekend and save the set which I will play using the Jukebox. Then during the praise & worship, I repeat the set as planned. Again, no problem with BIAB - that I know of.

Here is the mysterious problem that only began a few months ago, maybe a year ago at the most. Every time I turn on the computer and the sound system and, after giving the laptop plenty of time to boot up and open BIAB, when I start a BIAB song (any song), I hear no sound whatsover. BIAB is playing the song and the cursor is moving through the chord chart, but there is no output to the mixer. The laptop's headphone jack is connected to the mixer, but there is no signal coming out - until I disconnect the cable from the headphone jack, then start a song with it disconnected, and then reconnect the cable to the headphone jack after it begins playing through the dinky little laptop speakers. When I do this procedure, it works every time and it will then work normally for the rest of the session, but I didn't always have to do that. It used to just work without having to disconnect and reconnect the cable.

I suspect it may be a Windows issue that began after a Windows update, but I have checked all the settings and just cannot figure this one out. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Jim


Jim
Psalm 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.

BIAB 2018 build 519; Dell Inspiron N4110, Windows 10 64 bit, Intel Core i3-2350m running at 2.29 GHz, Memory: 6 GB DDR3, SDRAM 1MHz
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
mmm is there any settings in the audio panel, you may have realtek if so there should be an orange speaker icon in the taskbar or the control panel look at jack detection settings - can you try hibernating the laptop and see if it's still working when you start it up again.
Windows could of updated the audio driver, if so you can try and install a previous one.
Hope this helps.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
Its not BiaB causing that.

it sounds like the sound driver selects the improper output or "forgets" which one it's supposed to use when it goes to sleep while it's setting there not being used. Removing the jack and plugging it back in again reminds the computer again which output to use.


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: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,918
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,918
Hi Jim,

You may have a power supply, grounding or electrical issue. My suspicions would be (1) laptop power supply breaking down or (2) mixer power supply has a loose capacitor connection or a capacitor starting to electrically break down. Way back in third place is a power issue either at the circuit breaker panel or bad extension cord.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1217) RB (Build 4) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,338
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,338
Three words I always hate to read are "laptop headphone jack".

Those 1/8" jacks are notoriously bad. If they don't break, they are intermittent and noisy. I recommend an inexpensive USB sound card such as a Focusrite 2xx unit that would give you a reliable connection to your church PA.


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 265
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 265
From what I have read, I believe the problem is that for some reason, the laptop's sound driver is not detecting the plug in the headphone jack when I power up but then unplugging it and reinserting it "wakes up" the driver to recognize it. An updated driver might fix that problem.

Regarding Matt's suggestion to use a USB sound card, I already have this Edirol interface:
UA-1EX USB Audio Interface. Will it work okay?

I used this interface a few years ago with an older laptop that had a lot of digital noise coming out of the headphone jack along with the BIAB signal. I stopped using it when I got my current laptop 2-3 years ago because the objectionable noise wasn't present in the newer computer and the sound quality seemed as good or better. I guess I can go back to using the interface. (Is that the same thing as the USB sound card that Matt suggested?)

Finally, do you think there would be any noticeable difference in sound quality between this Roland/Edirol interface I already have and the Focusrite interface Matt suggested?

Thanks again!


Jim
Psalm 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.

BIAB 2018 build 519; Dell Inspiron N4110, Windows 10 64 bit, Intel Core i3-2350m running at 2.29 GHz, Memory: 6 GB DDR3, SDRAM 1MHz
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,338
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,338
Originally Posted By: 1manband

Regarding Matt's suggestion to use a USB sound card, I already have this Edirol interface:
UA-1EX USB Audio Interface. Will it work okay?

Yes.

Originally Posted By: 1manband
Is that the same thing as the USB sound card that Matt suggested?

Yes, same sort of solution. Notice the RCA jacks for output in addition to a headphone jack; the RCA jacks are MUCH better.

Originally Posted By: 1manband
Finally, do you think there would be any noticeable difference in sound quality between this Roland/Edirol interface I already have and the Focusrite interface Matt suggested?

Not really for going into a PA system. The inexpensive Roland interface you already have should be fine.


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 265
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 265
Thank you so much, Matt!


Jim
Psalm 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.

BIAB 2018 build 519; Dell Inspiron N4110, Windows 10 64 bit, Intel Core i3-2350m running at 2.29 GHz, Memory: 6 GB DDR3, SDRAM 1MHz
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 110
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 110
Totally in agreement with Matt. I use a similar set up in church and connect my laptop to the PA through a Presonus audio interface. Works great and is very reliable.


Rich

Windows 10, 64 bit | BIAB 2019 PlusPak | Studio One 2 Artist
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
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!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

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!

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

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.

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 Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac 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.

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.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,294
Posts790,648
Members39,854
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
StratMan1965, CPIA2002, janhardo, Minstrel, Deb D
39,854 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
jpettit 321
MarioD 217
DrDan 214
Noel96 163
DC Ron 145
Rob Helms 127
Today's Birthdays
Kara Music Production, Алик
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5