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#509106 12/13/18 01:48 AM
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Hello,

I haven't been on the forums for a long time (busy life) but do use band in a box often, I just checked in to see what is on offer this year, and after reading a number of posts I am not sure what to do, upgrade or not? So to help me decide I would be grateful for some answers.

1 Have all or at least most of the problems been sorted out now, so that the software is very useable?

2 If you have upgraded, are you pleased that you have done so, or still somewhat disappointed?

Thank you in advance.
Martin

Last edited by martin57; 12/13/18 03:21 AM.
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Martin, you have asked very reasonable questions.

1:
Many of the problems have been resolved. There are likely to be more, but as problems are sorted out, new patches are made immediately available which you can download and install quite easily (they are self-installing files). This allows you to keep working with the latest, even if you update now.

2:
I upgraded and have no regrets. Some members have a few issues with the new 64bit audio and the VST, but these are also being upgraded and resolved. Moreover, the 32 bit version is included (as the default actually) and it does not share any current problems from the 64 bit version so you are essentially guaranteed a smooth upgrade, including the new features.

Plus, the price is quite attractive at the moment, and you won't be left behind on updates.





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I for one am reasonably happy with the upgrade at this stage but my expectations might not be that of others. I would recommend upgrading. Even if there is something not right I am sure that PG will sort it or there will be answers on the Forums.

Some years ago I was advised to seek a standard of excellence not perfection.

I have since decided my only misgiving is modesty;-)

Tony

Last edited by Teunis; 12/13/18 02:24 AM.

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Thank you both for your very speedy replies.

And it seems the consensus so far is to take the plunge and upgrade.

Martin

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After many years of upgrading immediately I have decided to wait until the special offer is about to end - and the offer time period is usually extended.

It is true that all the bugs get sorted out but some of them take much longer to correct than others and why do I really need an immediate upgrade? I have decided to take a more adult approach.

Tony

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I already upgraded but will not install over my 2018 until the major issues are all resolved. I'm disappointed with the big new features but always happy with the new RealTracks.

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If I were you, I would not listen to my advice, but I'll give it anyway... UPGRADE... I have upgraded and am using Biab64 on two machines... I love BiaB2019 64bit, and in spite of some issues with the BB Plug-in, I'm confident PGMusic will fix them.
Also I've learned a lot of valuable info, reading this Forum and playing with the new program... Do it...


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Originally Posted By: Tony Wright
After many years of upgrading immediately I have decided to wait until the special offer is about to end - and the offer time period is usually extended.

It is true that all the bugs get sorted out but some of them take much longer to correct than others and why do I really need an immediate upgrade? I have decided to take a more adult approach.

Tony


If we all decided to wait then the bugs would not be found until the introductory offer is over. The reason most bugs get found at this stage is more people are testing the program by using it in different ways. In most cases beta testers are few compared to the general population and work off scripts to test changes and the like so there will be areas not yet tried.

I think the way PG respond to the issues raised by users via the Forums and/or Support Desk is great. To me it is important to get involved early.

Tony (also)


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Hi,
Hold off or upgrade, same thoughts here.
The point of interest is the VST capability, otherwise I am not interested in an upgrade.
But exactly that seem to be the weak spot at the moment.
But, if I wait, the special offer will end.
So, upgrade with the hope the PG will sort the problems out?

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I, too, am on the upgrade bubble. I'm currently running BIAB 2015 and have no issues with it. With my workflow, I'm don't think many of the new features will make any difference to me. I'm more interested in the additional Real Tracks I would gain and whether I would see any speed increase using the 64 bit over the 32 bit.


Rich

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One possible option that hasn't been mentioned is placing an order for the upgrade while the prices are reduced, but delaying the shipment until a certain build number is released or until some specified future date. The Sales Dept. at PGM was gracious enough to let me do this last year.


Jim
Psalm 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.

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Upgrade now. I'm quite happy with the upgrade. PGMusic is always great about addressing problems and it's easy to patch when they release new fixes. I haven't run into anything yet that caused me to need to roll back. Having said that, it had been a few years since I upgraded so I'm seeing the cumulative work of a few years and there's a lot to like from that perspective.

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Like Jeff, I haven't had problems. Both versions of 2019, BIAB 32-bit and BIAB 64-bit, work fine for me.

The only thing I did after installing the software was to change the audio driver to MME from WAS.


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Apart from some initial bugs 2019 is stable, i use it with ASIO, and might be that some audio handling like transpose and imports need fixes, but PG usually comes up with solutions fast. It was the same with 2018 ... after some bug fixes it was quite OK. After sales support like PG delivers is really something else, they've got some team there. And we are ready and eager towards a full blast VST update ... F

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Thank you all so much for talking the time to reply to me, I really appreciate it.

All in all I have decided to give this years a miss, I have been upgrading every year now, but do feel at this particular time, I would be happier skipping this one, but at the same time coming back to have a look at what is on offer in future years.

I do love Band in a Box and have had countless hours of fun and enjoyment from it.

Thank you all so much once again.

Martin

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It’s obviously entirely your choice. If there are a few teething problems with the 64-bit and maybe the VST you can still use the program in 32-bit without any issues. It was a major leap forward this year I think for the program so a few issues were bound to reveal themselves. There are still a great number of RealTracks and RealDrums and other features you benefit from in the new release.

Again it is entirely up to you of course.

Last edited by funkycornwall; 12/14/18 11:59 AM.
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I received my 2019 BIAB Upgrade hard drive late Tuesday and installed it the next day. Although it took 2 hours and 40 min to transfer the massive file (I would never attempt to download it, even though I have a fast connection). I haven't encountered any problems so far. I use Sonar to mix, master and record vocals and live playing.

I had finished the arrangement for a new song the day before the hard drive arrived. I used the new VST plugin to transfer that song's BIAB real tracks to a new Sonar project file and it seemed to transfer with out a problem. I can see that this will become my preferred way of transferring wav files to Sonar. I try to sign-off on a song's arrangement and instrument choice before I use Sonar to add vocals, guitar and mix and master - that's how I work. The updated BIAB/RB with the new BIAB VST looks like a great working tool for me.

We should expect updates/fixes to the program throughout 2019; that's how the software game works. The last few years many users asked for a 64bit version; now they've got it, but they've also got a choice to run the 2019 update in either 32 or 64.

I use BIAB to make music. I believe the 2019 Update will help me continue to achieve that goal.

Regards,
Ray


Keep on Rockin'
Sonny Ray
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We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

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Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

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