In the mixer, if I go the plugins tab, and click on a VST plugin (e.g., Pianoteq), I get that plugin's window.
If I close that window by hitting the X in the upper right corner, all is fine. The window goes away as expected.
BUT... if I (by mistake) minimize that window by hitting the - in the upper right, I can't seem to ever get it back, without restarting band-in-a-box. Is there a way to do so, or is this a bug?
(This is a hassle because minimizing windows is almost instinctual, so I do it by mistake with some frequency.)
I don't have an answer for you about the why the behaviour is as it is but I've found that using ALT+TAB to scroll through the active Windows (not just he BIAB windows) will usually bring me back to the VST Window.
I experimented with the issue on my system. The window minimized to the lower left corner and the top was visible and the expand buttons were visible to restore the window with each attempt.
I assigned different vst's for the different instruments as well as applying some of the PGMusic DxI's and that had no effect on the window and restoration of the window for each track worked.
It's working as it should on my system.
Have you tried to open the Plugins window from another track when you've minimized a window. In other words, if you accidentally minimized the bass track, attempt to open the plugins window from the piano track and you should have the option to select the bass track from that window and close it properly.
As a test, try changing your screen settings. I think the screen drivers have trouble working correct at certain settings if the screen is a certain size.
I highly suspect that you are using the dreaded Aero theme screen view in your windows, (the one with the semi clear fancy glass borders .) this often make items near the edge of the screen impossible to see. Right click on desktop and chose personalise and try Windows Classic in Basic themes Then chose a background wall paper if required This will also allow you to have the classic top of page menu bar back should you wish. Regards Mike
Similar problem with styles, if you minimize the window it locks out everything else. I didn't immediately look for the icon but tried just about everything else. It seems that a pop up window controls what you can do or not, and a minimized one is really hard to find.
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643) Windows 10 (1909)
The problem seems to be related to the setting "Display scaling on high DPI settings" (#5 on the image below).
When I set activated the setting under Compatibility, the minimised icon Kent shows appeared. With the setting not checked, the icon is not available. I'm using Windows 7.
Here's what I did (I'm running an Aero theme on Windows 7)....
1. Right-click on the BIAB shortcut (#1).
2. Selected 'Properties' (#2).
3. Under the 'Compatibility' tab (#3), I set BIAB to run in XP mode (Service Pack 3) (#4).
4. Set the 'Display scaling...' option to active (#5).
5. Exited, started BIAB and tested the minimising of the VSTi/DXi window. The minimised window icon was present.
When I repeated the above and left all settings exactly the same but with the 'Display scaling...' (#5) option unchecked, the minimised window icon was not available. After only very brief testing, this setting seems to have no impact if running a Windows Classic theme.
This seems to suggest that some Windows themes have the scaling setting built-in and that this might be what is causing the issue.
With Windows 10 (and 8.1 on my laptop) and it's 'new' tiled interface compared to 7, i always used ClassicShell, never had issues with it, and especially like that: classicshell 4.3.1. F
OK, I see what's going on. 100% is the default setting (and is the one marked "recommended" on every computer I've ever used). 150% magnifies icons and applications to make things easier to read, but a lot less stuff fits on your screen. It's basically like using a very low screen resolution, and Band-in-a-Box (and a lot of other programs) generally won't display very well with settings like that.
When you check that "Override high DPI scaling behavior. Scaling performed by Application" box, this causes Band-in-a-Box to ignore your magnification setting, and display Band-in-a-Box how it was intended to appear.
I'd say your options are to keep that box checked or turn off magnification (this may require upgrading to a larger monitor), or start making a habit of closing the Plugins window instead of minimizing it.
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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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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.
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.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
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