I apologize for this somewhat odd question in this forum.
I have used BIAB since 2007 to create backgrounds in mp3 format for our few-man-band performances. I have used a laptop to play these mp3 files, but have now bought a rack mounted mp3 / cd player (Denon Professional DN-300C MKII). The problem now is that the DENON player is not able to play the files in the order we specify in the setlists. This problem does not exist in the laptop's media player.
The mp3 files are stored in setlist folders on a standard 4 Gb USB memorystick in FAT32 format, with the song number written both in the file name and in the mp3 file's Properties. The player is set to “Manual start” of the Next file in the set list, but it does not work, it jumps to a Random file somewhere in the folder! The same happens is I put all the files in the root directory on the stick. I have been in contact with the seller, as well as the Swedish importer of Denon products - but they have not been able to give an answer !?
Is there anyone in this forum who has experience with these rack-mounted mp3 players, and manage the figure out how to get the player to follow desired order within a setlist folder?
I don't profess to know the answer, but it seems there is a Random mode than can be turned on / off. It is button number 7 in the image below.
The manual states: "7.Random Button: In CD Mode, press this button to cycle through Normal Play Mode, Single Play Mode, and Random Play Mode. In USB Mode, press this button to turn Random Play Mode on or off. See Operation >Playing Audio CDs or Playing Audio Files for more information."
My suggestion is to press this button until Random Play mode shows Off, then try to select and play the required audio file.
The manual is vague in selecting specific files, unfortunately (I included the version I checked in the attachments).
Hope this helps in some way.
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.
Thanks for the replay. Meanwhile I have from another source been told that this Denon does not seem to follow any standard for playback of files from USB. It will play the files in the order they were added to the USB stick! This is really an odd standard, and makes it difficult to add a file or change the playorder of files in a set list. The settings for Shuffle or Random seem to apply to CD tracks.
Thanks for the replay. Meanwhile I have from another source been told that this Denon does not seem to follow any standard for playback of files from USB. It will play the files in the order they were added to the USB stick! This is really an odd standard, and makes it difficult to add a file or change the playorder of files in a set list. The settings for Shuffle or Random seem to apply to CD tracks.
Best regards Aulis
Yes, that would be most frustrating. It's annoying to imagine that the developers didn't incorporate a user-selectable method to choose songs for playback.
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.
I sympathize with the issue stated here. For those of us who play live with mp3 files (created with BIAB), playing the correct order is a big deal. Another is having the mp3 device stop at the end of each song, then, letting the player decide the next selection. My Walkmans won’t do that. They immediately play the next song in the folder. Often one needs to pause to chat with the audience, search for requests, tune the guitar, or whatever.
I saw muscians in Hungary use a portable PSP as MP3 player. It seemed to work fine for them. Also you could work with it as a in windows adding files in a normal way. Just a thought...... Is anyone using PSP portable in this fashion too?
Cheers Stefan
DAW: Studio One 6.2 Pro Interfaces: StudioLive AR12c, Scarlett 8i6 Windows 11 Professional AMD Ryzen 9 4900H, 16GB, 3,30 GHz
I don't do set-lists but watch the audience as one song is playing, and use my experience and intuition to call the next song.
In Windows File Explorer I have them set as "list" and in alphabetical order. So I can:
Type the first couple of letters of a song, hit "enter" and it starts playing in Media player
As the song is playing, hit "Alt" + "Tab" and the computer's focus goes back to File Explorer
Right before the song currently playing is ended, I've noticed if the dancers need another fast one, or a slow one, or anything else, type the first couple of letters of the song I want to play next and when the currently playing song is done, I hit "enter" and the next one immediately starts
Then it's back to step one.
I used to do set lists when I started, but I realized I wasn't clairvoyant enough to be able to predict what the audience was going to need in advance. So I started calling the songs on the fly.
If we're playing a fast one, and their energy level is high, I'll immediately go to another fast one at the same tempo or faster after the one playing. Immediate is necessary because 5 seconds would be enough for many to head back to their tables and once they start, it's hard to get them back.
On the other hand if they look like they are getting tired I'll call a slow one, or depending on the gig and what I've observed about the crowd so far, perhaps a ballroom dance, a line dance, a Latin American song, a request that may have come in earlier that would have disturbed the flow if I played it immediately, or whatever I think the audience needs.
I play the audience with my song selections. I want them to have the best time they can by calling what they want/need before they even know that they want/need it. I'm the pro, I'm supposed to know these things, they are just supposed to have a good time, and that's what I am there to help them do.
Insights and incites by Notes
PS I play for a variety of different audiences. At the beginning of the night, before the first song I look at the audience to see: How old are they? How do they wear their hair? What fashion of clothes are they wearing? What kind of shoes do they have on? What kind of bling? Are they still visiting with each other? Is dinner about to be served? And so on. That helps be call the first song of the evening.
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.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
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!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Norton Music
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean