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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 715
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 715 |
We are often encouraged to do a RTFS when BIAB has problems. Should we then run BIAB in this basic mode to see if the problem has gone away and then re-load our preferences one at a time including midi/audio driver setup, to continue the investigation? Personally I cannot remember all my preferences many of which I established years ago or where to find then in the miriad of BIAB menus so I simply re-load my preferences file, but perhaps this defeats the purpose of RTFS?
Tony
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,681
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At such time as BIAB is working without crashes or errors, save your preferences.
Options | Save Preferences As...
When BIAB has issues and a RTFS is called for, after completing the RTFS, reload the known good Preferences from the Open Preferences file.
Options | Open Preferences File...
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,057
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Posts: 27,057 |
Tony, good question.
I used to keep a written record of each custom setting I made in BIAB. I don't do that any more, for two reasons: one, I almost never have to do the RTFS, and two, I change very few settings now.
I wouldn't describe it as "basic mode". The default values are just as effective in most uses.
Charlie told you, you can Save your preferences when things are going well and that's a good idea for anyone. Then when you do the RTFS, you can load them back afterward. As for the MIDI/audio drivers, when you do RTFS you can choose the MOST option, which leaves your MIDI and audio drivers intact. Most people can set these once and leave them anyway.
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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,330
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I do the same as Charlie has described.
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,271
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For years I generally had NO custom settings except for one or two. So no big deal if everything went to default. So I never took the time to save options. Only recently in the past months have I begun to customize the preferences.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,261
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You may simulate a factory reset simply via placing some file named 'safemode.txt' in the bb\preferences folder. The content of this file is irrelevant. You may return to normal operations by simply renaming this file to something other than 'safemode.txt' . . .
Martin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 715
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 715 |
so I simply re-load my preferences file
Tony This wasn't a question about how to save and re-load preferences because, as you can seen from my original post, I know how to do this. The suggestion to RTFS isn't as simple as it sounds - what do you do next? It could be that the problem is actually related to one of the preferences so simply re-loading all of them won't help. Or perhaps RTFS is like re-booting the program in which case one's preferences may be irrelevent. I just think that a suggestion to RTFS needs further instruction, particularly for beginners. Tony
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,271
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I just think that a suggestion to RTFS needs further instruction, particularly for beginners.
Tony Point well taken. Here is the back story for what it's worth. The reason "RTFS" is often provided is that it is the recommended course of action so often. Literally, when BIAB goes something unexpected, RTFS is more times than not the correct action followed only by re-boot. Some of the guys here have saved "canned" responses for RTFS. These will often contain a detailed description of the impact and consequences of a RTFS. They will often include options for files to rename or delete. Exactly as you suggest. On the other-hand, those of us who are not so well setup, still see it of some value to just quickly point the beginner in the right direction. And about losing preference settings? It is very unlikely that a setting in your preferences is the cause of the error. After all, what other software do you use which has a reset button to get it working? 
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,819
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The history behind Return To Factory Settings, or RTFS, may prove useful.
Whenever the program adds an additional feature the fact that the program does not use the Windows registry can adversely affect program stability. Each new feature can have unintended consequences on program operation. Historically there will be periods of relative stability and other times when the program is not as stable.
I should remind you, PG Music has good reasons for not using the Windows Registry. Because the program is not registered, the program can run on Windows XP up to Windows 10. The program can be used on multiple computers.
Since BiaB does not use the Windows registry the program must internally keep track of many of the details that Windows normally keeps track of. So BiaB is always busy in the background keeping track of details. It also means the background details can become corrupted.
Much of the background details are maintained in three files located in the bb/Preferences folder. When you initiate a RTFS command those three files are erased and then rebuilt by the program. I wish I could tell you the names of the three files but I don't remember all three. The one I do remember is "intrface.bbw" (note the weird spelling).
Band-in-a-Box did not always have a RTFS command. In fact the command is a relatively recent addition to BiaB. Before the command a user would manually delete the files as needed. Once the files are deleted the next time the program is opened, the program recognizes the files are missing and creates new files using the factory defaults. RTFS was added as an aid to prevent users from accidentally deleting the wrong files.
When the program starts acting strange, there is a pretty good chance one of the three files have become corrupted. When that is the case, the easiest way to get the program to act normal again is to perform a RTFS. That's why you see it suggested so much.
That brings up another issue, how can you be sure RTFS will solve your issue? What if RTFS doesn't work? Then you have the issue AND have to restore your preferences; which may introduce another issue by accident. PG Music recently introduced a new troubleshooting tool users can utilize, the "safemode.txt" file.
Use Windows Notepad or another text editor to create an EMPTY file labeled "safemode.txt" (without the quotes). Place the empty safemode.txt file in the bb/Preferences folder. The next time BiaB opens the splash screen will have "SAFEMODE" in red and the program opens with factory defaults. BiaB will ignore the three files normally used while opening until safemode.txt is removed from the Preferences folder.
So if you use safemode.txt and the issue remains, then RTFS will not help you. But, if you use safemode.txt and the issue disappears then RTFS will solve your issue.
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
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ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
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These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
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- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
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Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
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!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
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Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
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!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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