Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 154
M
mimmo Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
M
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 154
hi

I've tried double-clicking and also right-clicking > open with... option to open a file with BIAB, but it's not working, and I tried this with all file types

I always have to go to File > Open and navigate to the folder where the file is, then it will open

is there a way to fix this?

thanks
mimmo

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,355
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,355
Hi mimmo,

Under the "File" menu in BIAB, go to "File Utilities" and then select the option "Associate File Types with Windows". That might do the job for you.

All the best,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,446
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,446
There are a few other threads about this, although some were in the beta testing stage where we discovered this. If I recall correctly, in addition to what Noel says, I think it makes a difference what you have set in Preferences for the program to do on startup. If you have that set to load the previous song, I think it overrides the song selected with double-click. I'll check that advice later when I get to a music PC. Experiment in any event, and if you don't find success, do a search for the excellent explanation by PG Music. I think it was either Andrew or Kent.


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: Jun 2008
Posts: 626
B
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
B
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 626
Quote:

Hi mimmo,

Under the "File" menu in BIAB, go to "File Utilities" and then select the option "Associate File Types with Windows". That might do the job for you.

All the best,
Noel




In addition to this mimmo if you are running vista or win7 you should right click on the BIAB shortcut on the desktop and run as administrator first then do what Noel has stated. I am not sure if you need to do this step with XP or others.
Brian


BIAB 2026 Ultrapack- Fender Studio Pro 8, Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio, Luna Pro

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 154
M
mimmo Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
M
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 154
thanks everyone
I did use the "associate the file types with windows" option and that worked great for most file types, however I was hoping to associate KAR files as well

I am running XP and I used the file association option in explorer to associate KAR files with BIAB but for some reason BIAB does not open the KAR file when I double-click it

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,355
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,355
Hi again, mimmo,

Glad to hear that the "Associate files" worked. With the KAR files, what procedure did you follow? If my memory serves me correctly, what I used to do in XP was ...
  • Find a file of the type that needed opening
  • Press Cntrl (or it might have been Shift) and right-click, and then choose "Open With"
  • Now select "Choose default program"
  • Navigate to the\bb directory and select BBW.EXE
  • I also seem to recall a box with something like "Always use this program" that had to be checked too.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 154
M
mimmo Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
M
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 154
hi Noel
thanks for the reply, yes I tried that as well with no luck. strange, because the icon for KAR files is the BIAB icon, but it's not opening up the file
No big deal, but I find it more convenient to have a folder open with all the files and then open them up from there, rather than navigating with the File > Open option within the software

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,608
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,608
Have you tried the hot key "F3" to open files within the software?


Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Quote:

hi Noel
thanks for the reply, yes I tried that as well with no luck. strange, because the icon for KAR files is the BIAB icon, but it's not opening up the file
No big deal, but I find it more convenient to have a folder open with all the files and then open them up from there, rather than navigating with the File > Open option within the software




The file displays the BIAB icon because of the file association. However, I believe the file associations trigger the standard OPEN command, but BIAB has a different menu option for OPEN KARAOKE (KAR)FILE. (The standard OPEN command won't open a KAR file.)

One way to avoid navigating the directories to your KAR folder would be to use the FILE>FAVORITE FOLDERS command to set the default search directory.

That way when you click FILE>OPEN KARAOKE, at least the file open dialog will go straight to the right folder.

(Maybe not as simple as double clcking the file, but it works every single time.) Hope this helps!

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,734
Posts795,443
Members39,941
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Jonnyfartpants, Gengiz, MarcAlanMichael, Kylie jen, klausmus
39,941 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 201
Noel96 114
DC Ron 109
DrDan 103
rsdean 102
dcuny 93
Today's Birthdays
baz66, joesarahh, prsings
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5