|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 27
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 27 |
I have BIAB on two computers, a desktop I use for work (and some music) and a laptop I use exclusively for music (mounted above my Yamaha Piano with the usually spaghetti cables).
I* don't use BIAB as much as I would like., The reason will be a topic for a different post.
The other day I composed a song in BIAB and listened to it while I was composing it. Worked OK.
Suddenly, the sound stopped completely. I checked my sound cards (I have near field speakers with two inputs: my laptop headphone jack and my Prosumer sound card. Both should and can play out of the speakers at the same time.
Yet, BIAB went through the motions and no sound was coming out. I changed the style, in case something went wrong there, no dice.
I loaded a different song I know has always worked fine. Again, no sound.
I even plugged headphones in my laptop and made sure to point the output to the internal sound card. Again, nothing.
At that point, I noticed BIAB was telling me to upgrade. I figured "Why not?" maybe it'll fix this issue.
I run the suggested upgrade, picked "Launch BIAB" and... I got the BIAB 2017 splash screen.
Even worse, it wanted me to enter the serial number. I went to get it, I entered it and it refused it.
I think I did have 2017 at some point, but for sure I upgraded to 2020 in.. 2020 sometimes.
On this laptop I never even installed BIAB 2017, as I purchased the laptop in 2021.
I am a bit at a loss. Of course I can get my 2020 installation files and install it again, but I was wondering if I did something wrong.
I don't want to repeat the error again.
Almost forgot: at some point I moved songs composed on my BIAB 2017 onto the 2020 folder. Maybe I moved a file I shouldn't have?
Any ideas?
Thank you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,022
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,022 |
At that point, I noticed BIAB was telling me to upgrade. I figured "Why not?" maybe it'll fix this issue. Tell us more about where/when this message appeared, and exactly what actions you took. E.g. did you already have an upgrade patch available, or did it download a new upgrade from the PG Music website, etc? Can you provide the exact name of the upgrade file that you used?
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 27
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 27 |
At that point, I noticed BIAB was telling me to upgrade. I figured "Why not?" maybe it'll fix this issue. Tell us more about where/when this message appeared, and exactly what actions you took. E.g. did you already have an upgrade patch available, or did it download a new upgrade from the PG Music website, etc? Can you provide the exact name of the upgrade file that you used? Sure, thank you for your answer. As I mentioned in my post, I was already struggling with some sound issues. In the process, I went to "MENU >>> HELP" and while there I saw the "Check for Update" (or whatever is there). I then saw a window that told me there was indeed an update for my BIAB 2020 and asked me if I wanted to download it and install it. I said "Yes" and I proceeded with that. I should note that a month or so ago, I updated my BIAB 2020 on my desktop, without any issues, so I wasn't paying that much attention to the process. I had purchased and installed BIAB 2020 back in... 2020 and I installed it on both my computers on the same day. A month ago I updated my Desktop copy without any issues, so I proceeded with the prompts without reading every word (as I should have done, I know better) but I'd like to think that if it said "Update you BIAB 2017" I would have noticed. I was distracted, but I wasn't hallucinating. When the update was done, it gave me a prompt to "Launch BIAB". If you put a gun to my head I couldn't tell you if it said "Launch BIAB 2017" or 2020. I think the Splash screen was either "generic" BIAB without a date or said "BIAB 2020". I just clicked finished and BIAB started. Except that upon starting, the splash screen said "BIAB 2017" and immediately I got a notice prompting me to enter the key code because my trial period had expired. I went to get the key code (I use an online/offline password manager called "Roboform" where I keep all this info) and I entered it. It said the code was invalid. In tried launching it again, but I couldn't. I tried to use a different BIAB code I have, but I couldn't tell you if it was for 2020, 2017 or even older (I think over the years I purchased 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2017). I searched for my 2017 BIAB code, but I couldn't find it. If I recall, I bought 2017 for my daughter's computer as she still lived with me back then, so the code is likely in her computer. At the end, I just gave up, I opened BIAB on my desktop and checked that everything was OK. And it was. My desktop copy is BIAB 2020 and It is updated to the very latest version. In fact, ast this point this issue has become academic as I just purchased the 2022 version of BIAB and I am installing it on my desktop as I am writing this. Very likely I'll uninstall everything from my Laptop and start with a fresh installation, if it lets me. If not (and I think this happened to me back in 2007 or so) I'll just move the C:\bb folder over to my laptop and install 2022 over it. It should work. At least it used to. For the record, I have been using BIAB since the early 1990's. I run my first copy on a 512K Mac Plus that I upgraded to a whopping 1MB of RAM with a 1MB hard drive the size of a toaster oven. I mention that because I am not a new user, but I never was very proficient at it, because all I ever needed BIAB for was practicing guitar. It's only more recently that I decided to attempt some songwriting, but I am struggling a bit to get decent sounds out of my BIAB. In fact, I am still struggling with all the "realdrums" and "realband" features. As far as I can tell, my BIAB 2020 (and 2022 now, specifically "Band-in-a-Box MegaPAK Upgrade 2022 for Windows (BUMS-I)") is carefully designed so that whatever "Style" I need for a given songis visible, plays the preview just fine, but when I apply it to my song all I get is MIDI sounds, occasionally with Realdrums in it, but rarely with all the instruments as they sound in the demo. One of my upcoming questions on this forum is going to be about limiting my "Styles" view only to styles I own and with a way to tell the MIDI styles apart from the Realband/drums styles. I don't have $500 to drop on BIAB at the moment, but I'd sure love to have a specific set of Styles I can use for my songwriting so that I don't have to spend an insane amount of time choosing a style. I seem to be very unlucky with both BIAB and my DAW Based songwriting in general. I have had laptop logic board get fried just as I was mastering a song. I have has soundcards refuse to make any sound at all, only to work perfectly with other programs. It may be time for me to watch a few hours of tutorials and see if I can come up with a workable system so the time between inspiration and a song's backing track is not hours but more around 15 minutes or so. I am really not that picky with my styles and I usually plan a song so I overdub guitar, bass and keyboards myself. I am positive I am not using BIAB at its best, but that's a post for another day. In any event, in regard to my failed update, I am just trying to understand what I did wrong so I don't make the same mistake again. I will make sure that no trace of BIAB 2017 is anywhere on my laptop, if it ever was there, that way if it happens again I can troubleshoot it better. Sorry for the long winded post. Hopefully, after installing 2022 I'll be able to use BIAB without any issues. With any luck I may even find a good sounding style for the song I am working on. Cheers and thank you again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,022
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,022 |
I think this is easily resolved. Go to the PG Music Website https://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.htmLog on to your account at PG Music, click on Account > My Products (top RH corner). Scroll to your BiaB 2020 download link, download it and then run the installer after it has downloaded. Do let us know if this helps resolve.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 27
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 27 |
Thank you. I am installing BIAB 2022 anyway, and I am doing it on an external SSD so as not to take up too much space on my C drive.
I am actually not sure if the BIAB license allows 2 computers. Do I have to deactivate one and activate the other each time?
Not a big deal, but I could swear BIAB used to allow two licenses (desktop/laptop) at one point.
Anyway, I have decided to do a deep dive on BIAB this time. The realtracks quality is amazing. The plugin feature is also amazing. What's not amazing is that to buy the styles I like, I also have to buy a bunch of styles that, while great in their own right, I'll never use. But for all I know, there are options to purchase I haven't found yet.
And I thought BIAB was complicated back in 1990 or so.
Thanks again.
EDIT: When I went to install BIAB 2022 on my laptop I discovered that indeed I had BIAB 2017 as well as 2020 installed (each in a different folder). How that happened I can't figure out. I suspect my daughter moved her folder over to my laptop at some point and when I updated, it found 2017 and run with it. We are talking pre-pandemic here. Anything could have happened.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,801
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,801 |
Do I have to deactivate one and activate the other each time?
No need. But I will remove the 2017 version. The licenses are not the same, that's why you had this problem.
Last edited by MoultiPass; 09/24/22 12:00 AM.
Biab Audiophile 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,022
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,022 |
When I went to install BIAB 2022 on my laptop I discovered that indeed I had BIAB 2017 as well as 2020 installed (each in a different folder).
...
I suspect my daughter moved her folder over to my laptop at some point That is a plausible explanation. I do suspect that human intervention occurred, otherwise we would be more aware of such an issue. Good luck, and let us know the outcome.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,448
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,448 |
Each yearly version gives you three activations for that version.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 27
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 27 |
Each yearly version gives you three activations for that version. Thanks. Indeed it now works on my laptop without issues. I also have another laptop (same vintage +- 2016) that was a desktop replacement, so very sturdy. 16GB of RAM and an Intel i7. Problem is that it gets very hot and the only room I have to put the laptop in doesn't have good airflow (It's a repurposed built in shelving system). I have a cooling base with USB powered fans, but both laptops suffer, so I just took off a large fan from one of my older computer cases and I'll connect it to a power brick with adjustable voltage (right now, at 5V is not pushing enough air). The heat makes both computers crash and/or freeze even when inactive. Especially when inactive. Between that, the inherent Windows 10 issues with sound cards (I have a stack of them that no longer work with Windows 10 but work great with my iPad, go figure), my "musical inspiration" often turns into "musical desperation". I am actually thinking of building a small form factor desktop just for my music station. Laptops are great for people on the go, but I work at home and my laptop is essentially a backup for my desktop in case of disaster. While it works great in that role (I tested it), the cramped confines of my music station are not great for cooling, so I end up doing most of my music in the office, where I have a pull out MIDI controller and a AMD Ryzen with 128GB of RAM and a GeForce 3080ti with 12GB of Vram. That machine hums! However, my mixer, amps and especially my Yamaha Digital Grand are downstairs in a corner. I just have no room for it in the office. It's less than ideal for sure, but it's great news that I can use BIAB on up to three CPUs. That will allow me to experiment on the placement of my third computer without having to deal with the spaghetti cables behind the Yamaha piano. All I want to do is be able to sketch songs on my guitar or my piano, enter the Chords in BIAB, work out a melody and sing over it. Easier said than done and not because of lack of creativity (that too, of course) or skills (ditto), but because each time I try, something always goes wrong. I think by the time I'll figure all of this out, I'll be too old, deaf and dumb to play.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,286
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,286 |
conticreative you might want to check out the free Open Hardware Monitor. It will tell you everything you need to know about your computer include CPU temps and fan outputs. If your fans and/or power supply are not up to specs this would tell you.
Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school.
Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,738
Posts795,584
Members39,945
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean