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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 9
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 9 |
I'm new to Band In A Box and this is irritating. Why are all the data files installed in the same main folders as the program files? How can I move all the data files to a separate drive (where data files from ALL my other applications are) and keep the program files on the C: drive, and preferably in C:\Program Files\ ?
My SSD C: drive contains all my applications, application data and system data. All my data files are on a larger (albiet slower) D: drive. EXCEPT, Band In A Box 2018 forces data and program files into the same main folder.
And come on! Put the BIAB program files in the program files folder where they belong! There's a good reason that write access is restricted in system folders like C:\Program Files\. Installing on the root drive appears to be sloppy or lazy programming; something I might expect from a $10 shareware app, not from an established mainstream application.
-Randy
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,125
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,125 |
And come on! Put the BIAB program files in the program files folder where they belong! There's a good reason that write access is restricted in system folders like C:\Program Files\. Installing on the root drive appears to be sloppy or lazy programming; something I might expect from a $10 shareware app, not from an established mainstream application. Randy, Welcome to the forum. The recommended location to install BiaB is x:\bb\ Where 'x:' is the drive you select, and for most users this is C:\ Nowhere else is recommended. You are also very mistaken about installing in Program Files, and it appears you are not aware that there has been a paradigm shift from that methodology for many years now. Microsoft themselves now no longer recommend the use of \Program Files\, and instead recommend creating a path at the drive level itself, or in the \Libraries\Documents\ folder. So to be quite clear, the BIAB program files do not belong in the program files folder. You are incorrect on that matter, and while I don't work for the PG Music company, the way it is installed also does not reflect "sloppy or lazy programming". It's a very workable and accepted implementation method. Welcome again.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 9
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 9 |
OK, I apologize for the derogatory comments. I (and almost all of the software companies that I've gotten software from in the last 20 years) must have missed that paradigm shift.
I'm really not trying to flame anybody. I'm trying to find a way to install program files and data files on separate drives.
Whether program files are installed on the root or under the Program Files directory is really just a difference in organizational style. But the data files should be separate! I backup my program and system drive separately from my data drive. If the program drive crashes, I would normally opt for a fresh install rather than restore from a backup. But the data files can't be restored EXCEPT from a backup.
Keeping the data files with the program files means I have to be careful not to fill up my SSD C: drive. Meanwhile, my spinning D: drive sits with 750+GB free space. And no, I'm not installing the program on D:
I tried the steps in Support FAQ #166 ("Can I store the RealTracks and RealDrums on a different hard drive than the Band-in-a-Box® and RealBand program?"), but haven't been able to get past a few error messages, so I'll probably uninstall everything and reinstall to default with limited options. And grumble about paying so much for limited software.
-Randy
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,125
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,125 |
When you run the install program, there are options for where you want to install files. Just perform a basic install. Then create a folder, e.g. D:\bb\ on your D drive. Move the C:\bb\drums\ folder to that location (D:\bb\drums\) Then move the RealTracks folder from C:\bb\RealTracks\ to that location (D:\bb\RealTracks\) Then in BiaB go to Options > Preferences RealDrums and name the custom folder Repeat for RealTracks. Your SSD has minimal data, your RealTracks and RealDrums are on your D: drive. You should be good to go. 
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,075
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,075 |
Randy, Unlike most Window program applications, Band-in-a-Box does not write any data entries into the Windows registry during installation. That means the program can run from anywhere including the primary drive, secondary drive, external drive or even a USB drive. There are a few files, mainly fonts, that must be installed on the primary drive for the program to properly operate. Those files are installed by running "Setup.exe" Band-in-a-Box and RealBand needs to know four file locations or paths. Where is the Band-in-a-Box (bb) folder? Where is the RealBand folder? Where is the RealTracks folder? Where is the RealDrums folder? Since you've installed everything to your primary drive but don't want all the files on the primary drive create four folders on your secondary drive: bb, RealBand, RealTracks and RealDrums. COPY everything that's in each primary drive folder into it's corresponding folder on the secondary drive. For instance copy C:/RealDrums to E:/RealDrums. Create new desktop shortcuts for Band-in-a-Box and RealBand. Test to make sure both shortcuts work. Rename the primary drive folders to something easy to recognize, for instance rename c:/bb to c:/abb, c:/Realdrums to c:/aRealdrums, c:/RealBand to c:/aRealBand and c:/bb/RealTracks to c:/bb/aRealTracks. Test your desktop shortcuts to make sure both programs work. Once you're comfortable that everything is working correctly, delete the primary drive folders. Rats! VT beat me to the answer. 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 9
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 9 |
I tried those steps (same as described in Support FAQ #166, "Can I store the RealTracks and RealDrums on a different hard drive than the Band-in-a-Box® and RealBand program?") and green messages popped up saying there was no files where the files were (???).
Getting ready to try another fresh install. What's the difference between that method of copying/pasting program directories and just specifying installing the program to the data drive in the first place?
But that still doesn't address my basic question of keeping my content (data) files separate from the program files.
-Randy
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 9
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 9 |
My aim is to have program files installed on the faster SSD C: drive (yes, applications are a little more responsive and run smoother), and content/data files on the larger/slower HD D: drive. From what I can tell so far, PG Music doesn't allow for that scenario. What's the point of copying/pasting the whole directory to a different drive? Or more simply just installing to D: in the first place?
-Randy
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 507
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 507 |
My aim is to have program files installed on the faster SSD C: drive (yes, applications are a little more responsive and run smoother), and content/data files on the larger/slower HD D: drive. An admirable aspiration. From what I can tell so far, PG Music doesn't allow for that scenario. Unfortunately so. What's the point of copying/pasting the whole directory to a different drive? Or more simply just installing to D: in the first place? You can probably do what you want, effectively, by using Windows' symbolic links. If you try that, I'd be interested to hear if it works. Good luck and Happy New Year to all. -Ron
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,917
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,917 |
My aim is to have program files installed on the faster SSD C: drive (yes, applications are a little more responsive and run smoother), and content/data files on the larger/slower HD D: drive. From what I can tell so far, PG Music doesn't allow for that scenario. What's the point of copying/pasting the whole directory to a different drive? Or more simply just installing to D: in the first place? As others have said it isn't exactly what you want but you could: (1) install Band-in-a-Box on your C drive, e.g. C:\bb. (2) Then once you've done that, move the C:\bb\RealTracks folder to your D: drive (it doesn't matter where on your D: drive, e.g. D:\bbfiles\RealTracks) (3) Then, in Band-in-a-Box, open the RealTracks Preferences dialog and select D:\bbfiles\RealTracks as your 'Custom folder'. The RealTracks folder can be very large because it contains hundreds of large audio files. That is the main reason for being able to relocate it. The same thing applies to the C:\bb\Drums folder, though the Drums folder is much smaller.
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,125
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,125 |
Yes. That's what I had tried to explain. You can have separate program and data. It definitely is possible.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,608
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,608 |
Hundreds of large audio files? Thousands!
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 48
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 48 |
Thank you, Andrew, this answered the question I had when I came to the forum. I just upgraded from 2017 and wanted to continue to use the external hard drive that it came installed on to hold all of the audio files, but was not sure how to do this until I saw your post.  I've been a BIAB user for almost as long as the program has been in existence. Love PGMUSIC!
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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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!
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There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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Holiday Weekend Hours
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Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
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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.
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-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
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- 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®!
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