More often than not, when I drag and drop a BIAB song into my DAW - Cakewalk Platinum - the drum track starts with a pronounced "boom" for the first bar of the count in.
It doesn't occur with every song, but it does with most. I run in admin mode.
I fix it by cutting the first bar in the drum track.
I would appreciate any ideas on how I can stop this problem. I assume it is a problem with BIAB rather than the DAW, and it may be something in the settings which I can change.
I have seen this often and I didn’t know how to prevent it. I just drag the start of the drum track to the right in SONAR. It shouldn’t have to be this way.
I have a guess that it’s related to the CountIn/Metronome setting. Sometimes a few of us have a missing beat 1 on the count-in, and an added bang just before the start of the second time through the song. But I’m just guessing.
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.
This happens to me about 1/3 of the time and has been going on for a few years now... I'm almost getting to the point that it's part of my workflow - drag and drop, edit out the first bar on the drum track, etc. It will get your attention... usually sounds like the drummer has done a full-on header into his drum kit! (I have experienced that same event happening during live gigs too!) It's semi-annoying, but doesn't mess with my final BIAB product so I live with it...
just an old analog dog tryin' to learn new tricks...
Yes always Real Drums, whenever I choose a MIDI style the drum track seems to default to a Real Drum when I load it.
This is random when it occurs, but probably on a ratio of three bad to one good track. I put BIAB into the minimised DAW mode and drag the Master to the DAW. I use Cakewalk now but this also happened when I used Sonar.
I tried setting a two bar count in in Cakewalk preferences but this made no difference.
I am a persistent little fellow so I will keep trying to resolve this problem.
I might be stupid maybe, but call me curious: ... is this also with a 1 bar count-in included file? Also with other sequencers? PS i work with Cubase and there you'll always have to import via it's import routine, you can only drag from it's own media pool .. a little time consuming alas. F
Just a thought...this has happened to me in the past and the culprit was my sound card. It seemed to hold on to the sound from the last time it played the song (it didn't refresh and clear its resources)
I can't tell you which sound card as I have a new computer (a desktop, which doesn't exhibit the problem) my old computer was an Acer laptop with its on-board laptop.
Like George, I suspect a 'buffer dump'. Like the track hadn't finished playing when you stopped it, and the data left in the audio buffer unloads at startup instead of clearing.
At one point when I was having this issue (I haven't had it it in a long time) I learned through testing that letting the track finish playing and actually end before doing anything would fix it (the buffer gets emptied). Not sure if this is the same issue OP is having, but thought I'd mention. At the time I seemed to be the only one with the issue, and a couple versions/machines later I no longer experience this so it may be machine dependant.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I haven't heard of this problem before, and it doesn't appear to be in the bug list yet.
If anyone has a song file that consistently exports with an extra noise at the start, please send the song file and the WAV file render of the Drums track with the extra noise to support@pgmusic.com.
Please include a brief description of the issue (and/or a link back to this post), and the exact version and build of Band-in-a-Box that was used, I'll see if I can replicate the issue and report it to the development team.
It happens to me now, it seems all of a sudden, a tom Realdrums sound, in my case with _BURDEN.STY. and a lot of bar beat count changes active. Activating the Chord output on ch9 makes that one join the fun. Weird ?? F
I don't know if you've tried this but I've read on the forums that if one uses a hold chord to end the song, then a 'rest' chord is best put at the end of the hold (4, 5, or 6 bars later).
For example:
If you have a 4-bar hold from bar 32 to end your song (in the key of C major), at bar 32 put C... and then at bar 36 put C. -- the chord will not play because the dot says to 'rest' (because of this, any chord at all with a dot after it will do the job).
I still haven't been able to replicate this issue, whether there's a held chord at the end of a song or not.
Is everybody with this problem using holds at the end of your songs? Does it happen if you drag Drums directly to the desktop, or do you need to export using the Drop station?
If anyone who has this problem can send an example song file and a description of how they're exporting their tracks to support@pgmusic.com, that would be great. I'd like to track down the cause of this bug so it can be fixed.
It's within playback in BIAB, and in the realdrums exported track. Seemingly only the Realdrums, and audio from Chord export #9 joining the fun. In my case a song with a lot of beat count switches between 3/4 and 4/4. Song file is a mainly 3/4, but the intro 4/4. The Eureka ?? :
Originally Posted By: Bunyip
When I reverted to a standard 2 bar ending the problem disappeared.
Set mine to 4/4, 'bang' is still there BTW.
Re-rendering doesn't solve it, Windows 10, 64 bit, Fall Creators (v1803?) BTW an external USB RME interface, HD audio disabled in Device manager. Anti virus with BIAB folder set to 'trusted'.
Switching off 'audible lead-in' and chord output on ch #9 does fix matters though, see below:
I've finally managed to replicate the issue. If the song contains at least one held chord, "Drag Master as separate tracks" is checked in DAW Plugin Settings, and I drag Master to a DAW or to Explorer (not individual tracks), then I get the weird shot at the beginning of the Drums track.
I'm filling out a bug report right away.
Until this gets fixed, if you drag the Drums track into your DAW by itself, you shouldn't get the noise.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
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!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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