|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824 |
This is a problem that was addressed in some details back in February 2012 when I was able to solve the problem from the advice given. Some time ago the problem reoccurred and I am no longer able to open files from Windows Explorer (or Internet Explorer but that function is not one I use often).
I use a TOSHIBA notebook.
My Operating System is Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
I use Band-in-a-Box 2013 Audiophile Edition with all updates.
I run BB from the external hard drive supplied by PG Music.
My BB song files are on the hard drive of my computer - not the external hard drive.
My BB song files are filed in Explorer as follows: Libraries, Music, My Music, BAND-IN-A-BOX FILES, Sub headings (75 of them) such as "A-Jazz_MODERN_AZ", and then the song file name which is the full name of the tune, such as "Afternoon In Paris.Mgu". It works for me! I can find any tune in any style for any specific band use in a few seconds. I was just wondering if this file tree had anything to do with my problem.
When I click on a tune in Windows Explorer, BB opens up but not with the song selected. It opens depending on how I have the setting "At program bootup....".
Things I have tried but which did not solve the problem:
* File, File Utilities, "Remove File Associations (songs, styles) with Windows" for the purpose of making sure old BB associations were not in place.
* File, File Utilities, "Associate File Types (songs, styles) with Windows" the process of removing and re-establishing was recommended in the previous solution.
* I tried all the settings for "At program bootup...". Previously it was suggested that it was necessary to have "Do not open song or style". That was the one that fixed it for me last time, but not now.
* "Return to Factory Settings". I know Mac will suggest that one but I only used the "MOST" one because it just takes far too long to re-establish all the settings that I have set up for my program.
I am not alone in having this problem. All my close Aussie band mates running BB are unable to open from Windows Explorer. Also there are several forums I frequent where people are experiencing the same problem - one current in the Band-in-a-Box Group in Yahoo. Maybe all my mates, associates and me are a particularly 'thick' mob. I don't know, but I wish one of us was able to fix the problem. Maybe I missed a further solution after Notes Norton raised it last year?
Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392 |
Sorry that I can't be much help on Explorer file trees but will just share my approach.
I just store my songs within BIAB as:
BB/JimSongs
Then each song is saved by title alphabetically not by genre. (What genre is Route 66)? (-:
Then, my titles are standard "call out" titles like "Dock of the Bay" not "Sittin' on...."
And "San Francisco" not "I Left My Heart...."
That way by using the scroll bar, I can navigate to any song in a matter of seconds.
Just my approach.
Best,
Jim
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,473
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,473 |
Graham, I am intrigued by your problem.
I wish I still had Windows 7 on my Toshiba laptop to test whether your problem also occurs on my setup, but alas, the hard drive died, so I put in a SSD running Windows 8.
As far as I know, the folder structure - the place you keep your BIAB songs - has no bearing on your problem.
I would have done the same troubleshooting steps that you tried.
The one piece of information missing is, did you install BIAB? You said you run it from the supplied PG Music hard drive (which is fine) and keep your songs on the internal drive (also fine). But did you do the install choice to put the program on the laptop's boot drive? I realize you don't need to, to just run the program, but I'm wondering if it makes the Windows file association work by doing so?
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: Sep 2009
Posts: 67
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 67 |
When I click on a tune in Windows Explorer, BB opens up but not with the song selected. It opens depending on how I have the setting "At program bootup....". Hi Graham, If biab is already running, do you have the same problem ? With my Biab explorer, I have to wait that biab is loaded to load the songs. Just an idea... I was just wondering if this file tree had anything to do with my problem. You could copy one of your song at another place with a short name (c:\test.mgu) and see if it works ?
Free tools for Biab: Biab Scales and BIArpeggio to practice scales/arpeggio Biab Explorer: the other song picker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,597
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,597 |
Exactly the same problem here.
Latest BIAB version, latest build.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,414
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,414 |
Graham, Have tried setting the association in Windows Explorer itself? I don't have Windows 7. In Vista the process is as follows ... Navigate to an .SGU or MGU file and right-click on the file (#1), select "Open With" (#2) and then select "Choose default program" (#3). These numbers are marked on the image below.  On the window that pops up, select "Browse ...  ... and then navigate to the \bb folder and select BBW.EXE. "Ok" your way out of all the windows. Now double-click on the filetype you've just set and see if it opens. Note, .SGU and .MGU need to be set separately. Hope this helps, Noel
Last edited by Noel96; 05/14/13 03:27 AM.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,687
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,687 |
Hi Graham, My BB song files are filed in Explorer as follows: Libraries, Music, My Music, BAND-IN-A-BOX FILES, Sub headings (75 of them) such as "A-Jazz_MODERN_AZ", and then the song file name which is the full name of the tune, such as "Afternoon In Paris.Mgu". It works for me! I can find any tune in any style for any specific band use in a few seconds. I was just wondering if this file tree had anything to do with my problem. I tested that exact path and file name on Windows 7 64, and it worked for me, so the path is probably not the issue. Here is a test you can do: First, choose a song in your main bb folder. Let's say your BB hard drive is drive G: - choose a song in the bb folder on that drive, say G:\bb\bolero1.mgu. Choose a song with no spaces in it's file name. Try double-clicking on that song to verify that you have the same problem with it, as you do with the songs on your C drive. Assuming you do have the same problem, then... - Open a command prompt window. To do this, go to the Start menu and type cmd.
- Navigate to the bb folder. To do this, first type "G:" (without the quotes) to go to your G drive. Then, type "cd bb" to go into the bb folder.
- Type the following to launch Band-in-a-Box and open your chosen song: bbw.exe /Open G:\bb\bolero1.mgu
Of course you will replace G with whatever your drive letter is, and boler1 with whatever your chosen song is. There are spaces before and after the /Open.
This is the command that should be stored in the registry for "Band-in-a-Box song", so if it works when you do it manually, then maybe there is something wrong with the registry keys (or they aren't there at all). One thing that would cause them not to be there at all would be if UAC was enabled when you used the "associate" menu item in BB. Though in this case, BB would give you a message informing you of that. There could be some other security software running on your computer that is preventing it from happening. Running a Band-in-a-Box installer would be more likely to succeed at setting the values, since it would be probably be running with more privileges than bbw.exe - so that is something to try (e.g. run the Setup.exe file on your latest hard drive, and choose the minimal install).
Last edited by Andrew - PG Music; 05/14/13 10:27 AM. Reason: Added more info
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
Topics85,814
Posts796,515
Members39,964
| |
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