I've looked all through my 2019 copy of BiaB, and I've done a search here, and I haven't found any info on how to schedule backups of my files. You know, like any word processor does (and Cakewalk does), where you can set the program to backup the file you're working on at a given interval? I like 5 minutes.
I've been a BiaB user since 1998, and I can't believe I haven't noticed this before. I guess I've never had BiaB lock up on me during a critical moment when writing a piece of music. But it's happened to me twice now in the period of a few days, twice where I've lost a fair amount of work because BiaB decided to lock up and I hadn't saved the file yet.
So, somebody please tell me I just haven't found out how to do this yet. Cuz I have a hard time believing that BiaB doesn't have a periodic backup feature. And if it doesn't, then this is an item that should be placed at the top of the "I want this now!" list.
There are few things I find more infuriating than losing work because a program locked up.
Never seen anyone request this feature in over 20 years of following the forum. Which suggests to me this is not a "I want it now" item. I am almost certain this does not exist in BIAB. Backup of the data on my drives is done with other tools and generally at a much higher level than just the BIAB files. But you may feel differently.
Backing up a drive is an entirely different process done for entirely different reasons. All I'm asking for is the same thing any word processor has.
BiaB may be some of the buggiest software I've used on a regular basis, but it's actually pretty good about pulling itself out of (not responding) situations, so that may be why folks don't feel the need for backups. But BiaB does lock up on occasion. And this does result in lost work. You may not see this is a priority, but I do, and a rather high one. Because BiaB has no backup feature I now get to go back over a file and spend an hour or more redoing what I lost. Infuriating. There's no excuse for not having this feature -- or at least an equivalent to what Cakewalk does when it crashes. It asks the user if they want a backup copy created. And if the users sez "yes" the backup is created in the same directory that the original file is located. Plus, the backup is up to date to the second the program crashed. This is a workable alternative.
I believe you (and Dan) are correct that there is no 'save every x changes' or 'save every x minutes' like in some software. While I always feel reassured by this feature, I've learned not to rely on it after being burned when it let me down. Far better to adopt manual methods of file handling, including saving under multiple version names as you develop a song.
BIAB does have Edit, Undo. The number of levels can be up to 99 in Options, Preferences. It won't save you in a program crash, though.
So why not make a post in the Wishlist Forum? I would support it.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I have a chord progression I am working on. A few days ago, I decided to muck around with it much more than I normally do. The outcome was terrible. If that tinkering was saved I would have had to start over.
Realband (not BIAB) doesn't have an auto-save, per-se, but it does have a setting under preferences to create a backup file when overwriting a .SEQ file. You can specify how many backup files to keep (default is 5). So, as long as you "save often", you can get back to a previous version of your file.
If they can't do autosave, maybe they could add this feature to BIAB as well.
RealBand also has an optional feature to automatically backup the most recently recorded take on a track. That way, if you accidentally recorded something to the wrong track and overwrote existing content, you can get it back.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
I believe you (and Dan) are correct that there is no 'save every x changes' or 'save every x minutes' like in some software. While I always feel reassured by this feature, I've learned not to rely on it after being burned when it let me down. Far better to adopt manual methods of file handling, including saving under multiple version names as you develop a song.
BIAB does have Edit, Undo. The number of levels can be up to 99 in Options, Preferences. It won't save you in a program crash, though.
So why not make a post in the Wishlist Forum? I would support it.
In response to DSM and you, I use the Edit/Undo feature quite a bit, but just because a program has a timed backup feature, this doesn't nullify the Edit/Undo's. At least, it doesn't in Cakewalk. So you can have both.
Back in the dark days of early DOS software, there was no such thing as timed backups and one just had to develop the habit of saving a file early and often. I'd just as soon not have to revert back to those dark days. But if BiaB keeps locking up on me as it has recently, I will have little choice, I suppose, but to adopt those habits from the dark past.
I shall post a wish (heh, a demand!) in the Wishlist forum. But I wanted to post a message here first because I wanted to make sure that this feature either did or did not exist.
For incremental saves you could make one of them with AutoHotKey, it will send Save As to Biab every so many min/s, when the dialog comes up it will append the file name with with the next number. This would happen very quick as it's scripted.
Try this AutoHotKey, if you don't have AutoHotKey install it https://www.autohotkey.com/ set it to Always On Top, it will save every 2mins (120000)
Code:
#Persistent
SetTimer, BiabSaveAs, 120000
return
EDIT: corrected to 120000 is 2min this is just a basic test model, a timer selector can be added to adjust time between saves, but for now just edit the script in Notepad to change the milliseconds. Close the GUI to stop saving. If BB is playing it will pause and save then continue playing. Try it on a test song that is a copy of your original. You should get:
my song.SGU my song[001].SGU my song[002].SGU my song[003].SGU etc...
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
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MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 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 21 requires the 2025 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.
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