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bowlesj Offline OP
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Hi, I just noticed that BIAB seems to want to change the extension part of the file name when I change a style and press ctrl + S to save the file. Is there a way to keep the file name including the extension of the file name the same. If not it means I have to go back and delete the file. It seems like work that the user really should not have to do so I am thinking they must have programmed a way to make it easier for the user.

Thanks,
John


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John,

I take your post to mean that your file starts out with an SGU extension and then it gets changed to MGU. Is that correct?

If so, MGU is the normal extension if there is midi data on either the Melody or Soloist tracks. SGU is the standard extension for a song that only has backing chords and nothing on either the Melody or Soloist tracks. This is normal behaviour.

If you want a file to save as SGU, you will need to delete whatever is on the Melody or Soloist track. (Sometimes changing styles will add data to these tracks.)

Hope I've interpreted your post correctly,
Noel


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Noel is correct, and what he describes is normal. There are also numbers that you might see used in the file types. If that's what you are asking about, let us know.


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Hi guys. Thanks for the info. I can't remember exactly what the original extension was and the new extension was. I just tried changing one which was MGU and it kept it. I tried another and it did not change it. I tried changing an MG1 to a waltz and it created an MGH.

So I guess the answer is there is no option to force BIAB to always keep the same file extension name. I guess for some it is not a problem but it is unfortunate for me since this creates a lot of extra work (I won't bore you withe details as to why unless you ask). What I will probably end up doing is almost never change a style because to be honest with you I won't have the time to deal with all these extra files which it will leave kicking around and which are never again used.

Last edited by bowlesj; 03/13/16 02:11 AM.

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From the Help:
Explanation of the Extension that Band-in-a-Box adds for you

- If the song has a melody, the extension will begin with M (otherwise S).

- The second letter of the song name is G.

- The third letter is the style of the song (1-9 and A-N for built in styles and U for a User style).


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bowlesj Offline OP
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Maybe some like it because they have the same song with different styles and they can more easily know. At the same time two styles may have the same extension type so I think this idea is very limited.

This is not about BIAB but some may find it interesting. Because I am a programmer I pull the songs up with a database which I can search (file name is in the database). I can do all sorts of things with the database. For example I can loop through the songs in a rotation using last date and time played to make sure I am playing them enough to maintain them. This is useful when I can't get through them all within a day as is the case now. As another example I can score my performance in different areas (melody, rhythm, comps, solos, whatever) and then do a filter to come back to it for specialized practice during an allocated time of day for this specific type of focused practice. If I wanted to find songs by style I could program that into the database too using a drop down to select style or even a search. I am trying to set up jams with BIAB providing potential backing tracks. I might just become an expert at BIAB some day with the need for regular upgrades too :-) I can see this database becoming very useful when others submit their files to me so they can use their FAV backing tracks at the jam. In other words I could have 5 versions of the song for different people all of different styles so I need to find the song based upon person. I could see them wanting to change styles here and there and I would start having a concern as to disk space and what BIAB files to eliminate if I did not do it right away. I may need to try and figure out some programming to help me speed all of this up so I can do it during the jams without causing people long wait times.

Last edited by bowlesj; 03/13/16 06:38 AM.

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I know you probably think you have a good reason for keeping the filename the same. But having that info in the extension tells you a lot about the content of the file. I suggest you think about working with the experience that went into designing that naming system. :-)


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It's been this way as far back as I can remember.


John

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bowlesj Offline OP
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I am dealing with this now for the live jams that use BIAB often. I need to be able to get the new name into my database fast. When I hit control S to save the file after changing a style it does not tell me the new name from what I can see (still shows me the old name as if it wrote it out under that name). So my database next time around calls the same file and I do not pick up the new style that I used the last time. So I guess I have to write some software to figure out what is new on the system and then update my fast access database. It is php software and will have to read all the files with the song name into a table then when I save it the software will have to search for the new name and automatically update my database with the new name.


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bowlesj Offline OP
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I think I have found the solution to these problems. I am converting all my midi styles to real track styles. It turns out that when I do this all the BIAB files end in a U (so far touch wood). So that means that if I switch to a different style (since it will always be a real track style) it will never switch the BIAB file extension on me so I have no problem now.


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Video: New User Interface (GUI)

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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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