I have had issue with playing MIDI audio within the Guitar Tutor and after a all day investigating BIAB, this is what I found out:
I have been using ASIO to play all my audio in all my audio programs, with no problem at all... well, lately I have had issues with playing MIDI through The Guitar Tutor window in BIAB. I can play Audio and MIDI normally, but not on the Tutor.
In Order to make it play through the Tutor, I need to copy one of the tracks to the Melody track or the Soloist track, then I can hear it.
Thinking that it could be ASIO related problem, I tried setting the driver to WAS and also to MME. In doing so, BIAB does not output ANY sound. Not even from the Realtracks.
I can see the metering working and the page scrolling but no sound. Also tried ASIO4ALL using the laptop own drivers (just to test, as my X-Air drivers do a better job) and had the same results. No sound in BIAB.
So I tried RealBand, and "Master Flatpick Guitar Solos" and these work just fine.
Something must have occurred in BIAB and resetting to default factory settings in the Option menu is not making any difference. I downloaded the (833) build update, again, and re-installed it but unfortunately it hasn't solved the issue.
All drivers in Device manager are up to date and have no other issue with the laptop.
It seems like you’ve used 3 different audio drivers in one session (asio, mme, was), nothing wrong with that, except that Windows sometimes has problems. For example, ASIO isn’t an official part of Windows, whereas WAS, MME drivers are. In any event, I’d reccomend powering your PC off and on to get back to where you were.
ASIO is a bad choice if you plan on using more than one program at a time. Much of the time ASIO drivers only will work with one program at a time. Leave ASIO out of it if you plan on using more than one program at a time, unless you’re sure that the asio driver works with more than one program, and you use asio for all of them.
WAS is the best choice for BiaB, as it is the official Windows driver and works with multiple programs. MME is also official Windows, but an older standard, with more latency and would be a last resort if was didn’t work for some reason.
Peter, I have used one ASIO driver for all my audio application for a long time without any problems. I have in the past used Reaper, YouTube, iTunes and BIAB, all at the same time with no problems.
Asio4all was installed many years ago and haven't bothered to uninstall it because up to now hasn't given me problem but tomorrow I will remove it as is not longer used.
After doing that, I will reboot the system, start BIAB and change the driver to WAS, then close BIAB and restart the computer and report back.
Well... It turns out that for some reason using WAS setting on my laptop is not a good idea if I want to use BIAB.
The only way it output sound is I give it sole priority which is very strange.
I am better off using the existing XR-18 ASIO Driver, as I use Helix Native through Gig Performer.
I tested it again, having GP, BIAB, Reaper, iTunes and YouTube, all at the same time! No issue with this ASIO Driver sharing audio sources.
I still don't understand why BIAB is having this anomaly with WAS. No problem if used with Realband or other software.
I did uninstall Asio4all rebooted Windows, changed the settings in BIAB to WAS, closed it, rebooted windows again still no change. I admit defeat and give up!
The reason I wanted to try WAS, was because when I ticked the settings for outputting MIDI sound in the Tutor window.
If I'm not mistaken, the previous version of BIAB was outputting MIDI sound. Now, the only way it will do that is if I copy the track to either the Melody or the Soloist track. That's strange, because if I click on the fretboard while the song is playing, I can hear Midi sound!
biab user. whats your usb audio interface your useing ? my rule for useing biab is. i ensure win device mgr AND my usb interface all jive (44.1/16) with biab 44.1/16 bit. but i'm running 2020. no probs. fyi i can have biab and reaps open at the same time. best oldmuso
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 05/04/2101:51 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Oldmuso. In your 2020 version of BIAB, do you hear the MIDI sound output when ticked on, in the Tutor window option or do you have to copy the track to the melody or soloist track first?
biabuser. i mainly use bb for rt generation into reaps on my crazy original songs. but i ran a test. tutor works here. notes display on gtr fretboard without xfer to melody trak. and i hear sound from gtr midi. plz post the following pics back. 1. your tutor dialog 2. your midi drivers dialog prefs. then others more knowledgeable than i bout tutor can help also. ymmv oldmuso
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
1) One the problem is with the 64 bit version. So I can use WAS, but only in Exclusive Mode. If selected, the song will output sound. If I Run the 32 bit version WAS work both in Shared or Exclusive Mode.
2) There is another Bug in BIAB 2021, both in the 32 Bit and 64 Bit. I have the 2020 version on another computer and it works just fine. It is to do with hearing the chords played through the Guitar Tutor... as I already explained on my other reply. BIAB is not playing the MIDI Chords.
Hi biab-user, I checked the audio settings on my computer for the 2021 (833) version. It is set to WAS and in Shared mode and the audio for our RealTracks and MIDI tracks are working. Earlier you mention that you're using a Beringer interface. When using an audio interface, usually it's best to use the ASIO drivers that are provided by the company that made the interface.
We tested the steps you took for the Guitar Tutor and we were able to replicate the bug. There was chord sounds in the 2020 version, and no chord sounds in the 2021 (833). We will report this to development.
Hi biab-user, "I checked the audio settings on my computer for the 2021 (833) version. It is set to WAS and in Shared mode and the audio for our RealTracks and MIDI tracks are working."
Please check the 64 bit version. I already know it works on 32 Bit version. I can only attribute this to BIAB 2021, as RB and other programs purchased through PG Music and other external programs work fine. I can't logically think of any other explanation.
Originally Posted By: Chantelle - PG Music
"Earlier you mention that you're using a Beringer interface. When using an audio interface, usually it's best to use the ASIO drivers that are provided by the company that made the interface."
Yes, I do this. Only used WAS as a test, because of the bug I discovered and that you acknowledged.
Originally Posted By: Chantelle - PG Music
"We tested the steps you took for the Guitar Tutor and we were able to replicate the bug. There was chord sounds in the 2020 version, and no chord sounds in the 2021 (833). We will report this to development."
That's good. Hopefully we will get somewhere now. Now to another Bug that I believe hasn't been resolved yet since I reported it for the 2019 version of BIAB, but that's for another thread.
Please check the 64 bit version. I already know it works on 32 Bit version. I can only attribute this to BIAB 2021, as RB and other programs purchased through PG Music and other external programs work fine. I can't logically think of any other explanation.
Yes it was the 64 bit version that was checked. Since we have determined the bug, we suggest you go back to using ASIO for your interface.
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
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.
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.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean