BIAB was silent but this happened on the last update too. Control panel playback devices showed that my default playback device was no longer selected.
just turned off sound as far as I remember - it had done it before so this time i was prepared. the default player was no longer default. simple fix as i knew what was going on this time
Just update Win10, ver. 1803, BIAB can not load WAS. The Window Audio session error:"Could not find device that matches the name.The error number is -9985 "
What version and build of Band-in-a-Box are you using?
The -9985 error was first noted after the initial release of 2018. The error was corrected in a later release. If you're using 2018, update to build 516. You can download it +++ HERE +++.
Also, if you haven't done this yet, right click on the Band-in-a-Box desktop icon, click on the "Advance" button and enable the "Run As Administrator" checkbox.
Thank you for sharing your experience with Windows 10, version 1803. I hope you have rolled back the update and your computer now works as it did before the update.
My computer still has Windows 7 so my computer was not affected by the update.
I did update windows 10 to latest build on two partitions on my main music computer and on a separate computer as well.
ALl went well enough though when I started biab no sound, clicked the sound icon on the taskbar and I think it was set to heaphones, changed to speakers again and all was well.
SO yes I think it is very possible it can change playback device.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
HI Mat Normally you get this hd sound driver for when the hd monitor is connected to the system by a HDMI lead , and as such it is part of that driver. As they assume you would want your sound and video to come from the same location for movies etc, I get over this in w7 as below This gives me the following behaviour :
If the AKAI audio interface is present and switched on at win start up this will be my default. as in pic.
If the AKAI is not present or off, but the HD monitor is in use that comes up next instead.and the sound comes from the 32” monitor.
If I am using the laptop away from my set up say as a portable, as neither the AKAI or the HD monitor is in use it falls through to the on board sound card and laptop speakers. As a standalone. All the above applies to the windows side of things
However I do have to make sure that BIAB knows which one I am using at any time As obviously it remembers my Audio settings and drivers. The same is true for most of my other music software unless it relies on using the current windows driver in use. Just my thoughts Mike
Thanks Mike. That makes sense when using an HDMI connection, I agree (I still uninstall it) but it also happens on my older Windows 10 PC not using HDMI.
Craig Anderson alerted us to this a year or so ago, and actually determined it made a difference in the performance of SONAR. I’ve been deleting the HD audio driver regularly ever since.
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.
I’ve had this happen. No matter how often I uninstall it, Windows keeps adding back an HD Audio driver for my monitor. Why? It has also flipped my audio to the WAS driver which, on my system, doesn’t work well.
The HD audio driver keeps coming back after uninstalling it, and i have also disabled all RealTek audio on my mainboard's BIOS (ASUS x99). The only way to get rid of this persistent HD, and out of the way on my system, is: disable it in Device Manager, and leave the drivers be .. F
correct - just DISABLE, it stays disabled, but uninstalling just allows Win or AMD (or NVIDA or whatever Graphics card you have) to re-install and re-enable it.
I updated to the latest Win 10 feature update v1803 and was then unable to start BIAB.
The initial logo came on screen and then a small 'preparing to install' window appeared behind it, and that was that. I tried a few different ways to start BIAB but nothing worked.
I had this problem with a previous Windows feature update.
For now I have reverted to the previous version of Windows and BIAB is back working.
I've delayed the windows update for 90 days but eventually will have to install, so hopefully this problem will be sorted by then.
It got me in a rather strange way. BIAB was playing fine through my focusrite device. But I invoked the "song" wizard from an .mp3 to get tempo and a chord chart. Hit play and NO sound. BIAB ok, wizard dead audio. While on the phone with pgmusic support, they asked me to check my playback device. Sure enough, default Win10 sound card had become internal el cheapo card.
It might be consider a "bug". BIAB was still locked into focusrite, but wizard went to win10 default. But then again, hey Microsoft, pretty sloppy update actions to change settings without permission.
I’ve had this happen. No matter how often I uninstall it, Windows keeps adding back an HD Audio driver for my monitor. Why? It has also flipped my audio to the WAS driver which, on my system, doesn’t work well.
The HD audio driver keeps coming back after uninstalling it, and i have also disabled all RealTek audio on my mainboard's BIOS (ASUS x99). The only way to get rid of this persistent HD, and out of the way on my system, is: disable it in Device Manager, and leave the drivers be .. F
Originally Posted By: limestone
.... But then again, hey Microsoft, pretty sloppy update actions to change settings without permission.
You'll really need to turn off windows update in services, and if you (accidentally) updated your (1803 only?) with some manually downloaded KB#######, you will need to check/do it again as they pester you occasionally by automatically switching it back on ....
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Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. 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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Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
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.
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This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
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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
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)
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