Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 282
berntd Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 282
Hello frineds,

After all the great help with the MIDI setup (my other thread), I have now just stumbled across a new problem.

I opened a song, (not entered by me) and there is just no audio output.
The chords are there, I see notation for the piano track but no output.

My MIDI setup has not changed.


How can I diagnose such a problem?


Best Regards
Bernt


Band in a Box
Latest: ULTRA 2020 (734) on Win 10
And: MEGA 2020 (720) on Windows 7

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633
Hi Bernt,

Have you look at the below webpage. It shows a good, basic setup that's a great starting place for solving problems.

I encourage to set your system exactly as shown to begin with.

https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=461558#Post461558

WARNING: Before changing anything, under "Options", it's possible to save your current setup. Do that as it will allow you to get back to it any time you might want to.

Regards,
Noel





MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 282
berntd Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 282
Mu audio and MIDI setup work though. They work for all other songs but this one.

And I am using Coyote as per the setup guide you kindly posted.

I get the messages as shown in the yellow boxes when playing the song.

I have tried all sorts of styles from real tracks to MIDI. Nothing plays.

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
Last edited by berntd; 07/06/19 01:29 AM.

Band in a Box
Latest: ULTRA 2020 (734) on Win 10
And: MEGA 2020 (720) on Windows 7

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 68
R
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
R
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 68
That is because this particular song uses Realtracks throughout. So no MIDI is involved at all. The yellow error messages show that you don't have all the required Realtracks for the Guitar and Piano parts installed or, if they are, where BIAB can find them.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633
Hi again, Berntd,

Thanks for posting the graphics. It helps a great deal to see your chord sheet and the settings your have in place.

What version of BIAB do you drive? (e.g. Propak 2017, Megapck 2018, etc.)


If this were my problem, here is how I'd approach trying to solve it...

1. Use "File | Save As" and save the song with a slightly new name such as "Black and white rag 2.sgu". We'll use this second file to play around with. Then if anything happens and the file goes a bit wonky, it's always possible to reload the original.

(My first rule of problem solving is NEVER use the original file when trying to workout what's creating an issue.)

2. The songfile in BIAB should now be the newly named file.

3. Unfreeze all the tracks and generate.

Does this help?

If not...

4. Keep tracks unfrozen and go to the options menu.

5. Select "Return to factory settings".

6. Select the upper option "Return MOST to factory settings"

7. Generate the song.

Does this play now?

Regards,
Noel




MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
If you only have the ProPak or MegaPak, I suspect that you just don't have the underlying RealTracks referenced by the _JAZFRED style. As suggested, make a copy of the file first. Then unfreeze all the tracks. Then look in StylePicker to see if you even have that style (or if it shows N/A). If you don't have it, the first thing I would do is open RealTracks picker and rebuild that list, then open StylePicker and do a slow rebuild of that list, then look to see if you have that style. If not, then select an alternate style you do have (preferably a RealTracks style to make sure they play properly, since you've already validated that MIDI styles play). Validate that the song plays with the substituted style.

It's at this point you just go with the substitution, or look towards upgrading to a Pak that has the styles you want, or just buying the StylePak that contains _JAZFRED.


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 282
berntd Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 282
Again sorry for the long delays between replies...

I cannot get this song to work.
Have done the following:
1) reset to most defaults.
2) tested with various styles.

It WILL work when I unfreeze all tracks but then all the original music notation is gone and replaced with the music from the style I choose.

Observations:
1) The song has notation in 2 tracks only. Piano and Banjo. Both appear to be piano notation with bass and treble clef entered.
2) there are also chords shown in the chord view.
3) It appears to play as I see the progress bar moving through the chords bu no sound output. Not even the lead-in ticks.
4) When I view the Mixer->Pianos view, I can see the notes playing/pressing for trombone and banjo but no sound output. I also see no sound level at the Master output at the bottom of the Mixer view. I DO see output level for the 2 tracks as mentioned above.

Here is the killer clue!!!
When I pause the song and manually press the same keys on the same piano view, there IS sound output!!


Where to from here?

I could attach the song but worried about copyright etc.
This came from Tony Wright's collection that he shared somewhere for downloading. It is the Black and White Rag.


Edit: I have heaps of these songs with the same basic issue. I have attached a screen shot You can see the output is there in the Mixer window but nothing at the master.

Regards
Bernt


Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
song not playing3.jpg (396.66 KB, 79 downloads)
song not playing5.jpg (356.81 KB, 75 downloads)
Last edited by berntd; 07/12/19 05:13 PM.

Band in a Box
Latest: ULTRA 2020 (734) on Win 10
And: MEGA 2020 (720) on Windows 7

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633
Berntd,

Thank you for the image. It helps a lot.

Did you enter the trombone and banjo notation manually?

According to the image that you've posted, there doesn't appear to be a tromobone nor a banjo present (only MIDI Bass, MIDI Piano, Realdrums and a Piano Realtrack that is N/A -- N/A = not available). Strangely, there is notation on your Soloist track which is where the N/A RT Piano is located.

My take on the above is if you have notation entered on the tracks that say "Instrument 0: No Patch Change" -- this means that there is no MIDI sound present to play the notes entered on those tracks. (In MIDI terminology, a 'patch' is a simply a sound.)

Try right-clicking on the tracks that say 'No Patch', one at a time, and then choose a MIDI patch from the menu that appears. This might help.

Regards,
Noel




MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 282
berntd Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 282
Noel, it was the wrong picture - sorry.
I have corrected the post. Please check it again. It has piano and banjo tracks.

There is output level showing but nothing on the master output.

I did NOT enter the song, it came from Tony Wright's shared achieve here on the forum. Black and White Rag.


Edit: update:
Loading this song into Realband, complains about the ,missing Dixieland style BUT it then plays Piano and banjo as expected.
So why not in BIAB?


Regards
Bernt

Last edited by berntd; 07/12/19 06:44 PM.

Band in a Box
Latest: ULTRA 2020 (734) on Win 10
And: MEGA 2020 (720) on Windows 7

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633
Berntd,

Thanks for the new image. Also, thanks for the information regarding Black and White Rag.

I loaded Tony's version of this song and the style that it uses (_DIXIELD.STY) is an all-Realtrack style (see the image of my chordsheet below). It would seem that your ProPak does not have any of the Realtracks needed for this style. This is where the problem lies.

The freezing that Tony has applied has been done to preserve the Realtrack generation -- which is why it is not working for your MIDI instruments. These MIDI instruments are the underlying style from which the Realtrack style was created. Because Realtracks sit on top of these MIDI tracks, the underlying MIDI (which your mixer shows) were never generated for playback. This means that no sound will be heard. I suspect that the notation and Piano Roll notes that can be seen are from the notation associated with the Realtracks and, as a consequence, this is silent.

To get the style to play, you would need to unfreeeze all the tracks and then generate the song and re-freeze the tracks if you want to preserve the generation. The default style of ZZJAZZ, though, would not be the best one for Black And White Rag.

There are a few MIDI styles that will do the job for you, though.

Try this....

With the chords for Black And White Rag loaded in from Tony's versions...

1. enter style picker

2. type DIXI in the filter

3. scroll down to the MIDI styles (MIDI styles will not have _ or = or M_ as the beginning characters in their names.)

4. see if you have a style called DIXILAND or TRADDIXI -- one of these should do the job.

5. unfreeze the all the tracks and generate

I imagine that Tony has put these files together using the UltraPak. Since this particular package has all Realtracks, Realdrums, Styles, etc., it is likely that you will run into this problem again with any song that's opened and whose Realtracks are not part of the ProPak package.

Regards,
Noel

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 282
berntd Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 282
Hi Noel,

I really appreciate your great help!

I only have styles:
DIXIFAST
J_DIXIE3
TradDixie

I cannot even find out which style pack would include the _DIXIELD.STY. At least I now know that it is a Realtrack style!

Can I not somehow get the tracks that have notation to generate MIDI??


Separately:

I just unfroze it and used TradDixie style.
It works but sounds terrible !!!



Best regards
Bernt


Band in a Box
Latest: ULTRA 2020 (734) on Win 10
And: MEGA 2020 (720) on Windows 7

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,647
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,647
The sounds depend on the synth being used. BiaB may be using the Windows basic synth, thus the terrible sound. May want to try Coyote Forte or a better GM synth.

Generally I've started going back to hardware sounds for any MIDI I use.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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.

Holiday Weekend Hours

It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:

Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Regular hours
resume Tuesday, May 19th!

Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!

Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!

Don't wait - order today!

Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!

Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.

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.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

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!

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • 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)

Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,436
Posts805,095
Members40,121
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Jerry Gerber, Fjane, vieumotar, dpckeys, Bloc
40,121 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 130
DC Ron 100
rsdean 96
WaoBand 82
vicarn 67
Today's Birthdays
Saxfred
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5