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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi, BIAB 2016 screwed up today. It leads to two related questions. How many activations does BIAB have for windows? Related to this, I run BIAB mainly on the desktop and these days outside of being another backup computer my notebook is almost exclusively used for running BIAB for the Jazz Karaoke Jams I run (Karaoke because I use BIAB for backing tracks when we are short of players). I push members to get BIAB so they can practice better for the jams. Rusty folk need to practice. (see the video I made just last night to help with this effort ). So does the total activations apply to 1 machine or both of these machines? I am preparing to fix/improve that video by the way. I am developing a document plan in MS-word that can be stepped through with a step macro so I can quickly get the next step I want to talk about without floundering trying to find it. It is interesting that this problem occurred just as I am about to fix the video. Thanks, John
Last edited by bowlesj; 11/30/18 06:54 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Three. This covers your two computers and gives you a spare in case you need to reformat a drive.
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; Presonus 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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Thanks Matt, that makes sense in one respect at least. I had to replace a disk drive because my computer was probably 6 years old so I had activated 3 times. I made the video last night so obviously the machine was using BIAB last night on my 3rd activation. It had an error. I restarted BIAB. It then came up and said I had to reactivate (a 2nd bug in a row) so I decided to reactivate because I was in a rush not realizing I had such a small limit.
I say "in one respect" because 3 is really pretty low. Make that extremely low and it does not make sense to me. I guess I should buy Acronis after all rather than use AOMEI. It is a lot cheaper than buying another BIAB. I am torn between using images and reloading. Many prefer to re-install all their software rather than return an image and do it at least once a year even if they do use images. I came up with an imaging strategy that is a great compromise. Because I am torn between the two camps I still use AOMEI and endure the risk that I may need to re-install.
John
Last edited by bowlesj; 11/30/18 06:50 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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You get three activations with each new year upgrade for that version.
Also, should you run into a situation where your backups let you down and you’re stuck, PG Music has said you can talk with Support and explain.
In my opinion, their policy is actually quite friendly and generous.
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; Presonus 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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If you buy a software , you get the download and the key, surely then it is yours and yours to keep and load as many times as you want on your registered pc ?.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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My understanding is that we pay for a license to use the software within the parameters and policies established by PG Music. A very common arrangement, by the way.
Jim
Psalm 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.
BIAB 2018 build 519; Dell Inspiron N4110, Windows 10 64 bit, Intel Core i3-2350m running at 2.29 GHz, Memory: 6 GB DDR3, SDRAM 1MHz
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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This was their response. It was very fast and (considering I still had a 29 day trial to run on as I scramble to get my video perfected for tomorrow) I think this is a good policy in that it is flexible. I have copied the info into my reminder database again so I am almost certain to be a little better at this next time (more relaxed). Hello John,
Seems you have simply just run into your activation limit, which by default is 3. We have gone ahead and reset this for you, you now have another three activations.
Please note, if you a reformatting, or reinstalling the software, you can always release the activation first by going to Help > Utilitites > Special Options for Activation/ Deactivation.
We are a little unsure what you mean about your CPU and Motherboard, these have no correlation to software activation.
If you are reformatting a hard drive, reinstalling windows, or reinstalling the program, it is always a good idea to release an activation as these processes can eat up your renaming activations.
As always, if you find yourself in this situation again, we will always assist you by increasing your limit.
Thank you,
Mikke
PG Music Inc. The main thing is you want PgMusic to survive. I think all software gets so good it can't get much better. I don't think BIAB is there yet but when it is they still need some programmers and a way to ensure all that knowledge does not get lost to. The wild card is operating system changes and needing to adapt the software to that. I think if a company can hang on to programmers until they retire so the knowledge is not lost while training replacements at just the correct rate they have their act together. Too many programmers is not good. To few is not good. High turn over is not good for us (lots of bugs is the most likely result). Managing testers is all part of it too. Not easy to manage I would think. Right now I am thinking of upgrading because BIAB can handle any type of time signature (6/8 etc). But I have to be careful. I am concerned the BIAB files I put on my website may not be use-able by older versions since my jam group members may not have the money to upgrade. Interesting situation. Maybe I should stay back and they should upgrade. if that is in fact the case it would make sense for PG-music to give me more than 3 upgrades and I would need to survey my group to find the oldest version out there and only upgrade to that version if that is even possible.
Last edited by bowlesj; 11/30/18 09:12 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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The post by PG Music quoted just above also has something important I forgot to mention: you can de-activate a license. If you know in advance you are going to reformat a hard drive, for example, you can deactivate one of your licenses first.
But just look at how PG Music handled the above situation. This is excellent customer service.
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; Presonus 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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If you buy a software , you get the download and the key, surely then it is yours and yours to keep and load as many times as you want on your registered pc ?. You usually don't actually buy the software, but you purchase a license to use the software. The software vendor has the right to protect their investment by including a control mechanism so that the end user cannot illegally redistribute or on-sell. The approach that PG Music has taken is extremely well thought out, generous, and works well. I don't know of a single case where a bona fide customer has not been able to use the software satisfactorily due to a license restriction.
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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Wow now calm down , I was only stating a fact the way it used to be now it is like you are renting/hiring the programs.
All of the software is becoming like this, even some plug ins.
But it really should not be like that as you should have the owners rights after purchase.
I understand the reasons i.e. counterfeit bootleg etc. But They always had a control mechanism as to the registered buyer/ computer.
Videotrack
The approach that PG Music has taken is extremely well thought out, generous, and works well. I don't know of a single case where a bona fide customer has not been able to use the software satisfactorily due to a license restriction.
I never said anywhere in my post to contradict any of your statement above, I was stating a wider open personal opinion.
I have software bought in the past,I can load as many times as I want whenever. Still to this day.
But as usual and as stated not more than a few days ago. In another post, some of the veterans on this forum jump in on attack in defending Pg music when no one is attacking them,just stating my opinion.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I am calm. I too was simply stating an opinion as to why manufacturers use techniques to protect from piracy. I thought it was OK to mention that. I apologize if you found anything I mentioned offensive. You shouldn't have.
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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It just seems one way to me , as if or when anything goes wrong, like cakewalk they withdraw and we are not left with a lot after investing a lot of cash in the program.
After all it is not the stock market, or me having a punt on the horses.
No I am purchasing a product.
IMO.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
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Beatmaster, it has always been like this in the personal computer software market. You do not own the software. You purchase a license to use it which you approve when you install it or open the shrink wrap. If you have a problem with that concept, your issue is not with PG Music. It is with the nature of software licensing law (note I am limiting my answer to the USA).
The question by the original poster was solved, and very well, by PG Music.
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; Presonus 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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Well Matt
I never mentioned PG Music if you read back , my Broad statement not a problem , was about the software licensing law.
It just came to my mind as I read the original post, and was just voicing my opinion.
But as can clearly be seen to anyone reading this, what I said above, some forum members are on attack.
And you have just confirmed that, by your post.
So we will just put it to bed, and I will stay in my place or just leave, like the rest have done as you find out going through and reading the past forum posts.
Attack is the first form of defence.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I'm sorry we have upset you somehow. This is the BIAB for Windows forum. A user asked a specific question and it was satisfactorily answered by PG Music and others. You introduced your opinion here: If you buy a software , you get the download and the key, surely then it is yours and yours to keep and load as many times as you want on your registered pc ?. and here: I was only stating a fact the way it used to be now it is like you are renting/hiring the programs.
All of the software is becoming like this, even some plug ins.
But it really should not be like that as you should have the owners rights after purchase. In my opinion, your statements go against over forty years of law and practice in the software industry. But you are entitled to your opinion and you are most welcome to carry it forward. May I suggest you discuss your opinion by making a post in the Off-Topic Forum, which is for music-related discussions not related to PG Music.
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; Presonus 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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Silly question but how does one check how many times a copy of BB is activated?
Tony
Last edited by Teunis; 11/30/18 12:33 PM.
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hey Tony,
By default, you have three activation's. You can always email us here at sales@pgmusic.com or go on to live chat for us to pull up your profile and let you know how many activations you have.
There is currently no way to see this in the program itself.
C-sharp when you cross the street… or you’re going to B-flat.
Mikke - PG Music
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Looks like I have upset you somehow.
No need to post anywhere else as I said before lets leave it .
Best to you.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
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Best to you, too. Have a great day.
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; Presonus 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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Hey Tony,
By default, you have three activation's. You can always email us here at sales@pgmusic.com or go on to live chat for us to pull up your profile and let you know how many activations you have.
There is currently no way to see this in the program itself. Thanks Mikke, I’m not going nuts by not finding it. I guess more folk were wandering about this. Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
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Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
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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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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