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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 12
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 12 |
Hey all....
I'm a long-time BiaB fangurrl/user (12 years+/-) and have been happily piloting Version 2009.5 "Ultra" on a WinXP Pro 32bit machine since it came out.
Well..., I have firmly decided to take the plunge and move-on-up to the BiaB 2013 "EverythingPAK". I plan to buy the full "First-time Purchase" version rather than to follow an upgrade path because I will be definitely purchasing a new computer within the next 6-12 months. I am also not really inclined to go the "BiaB pre-installed on a USB drive" purchase route.
My current installation on the above stated machine (BiaB v.2009.5) is installed on a dedicated external eSATA HDD (used for audio work) in "E:\AudioApps\bb" and ***not*** in "C:\Program Files\bb".
This 'external SATA HDD' approach, by the way, is a convention that I follow religiously for all of my installed Applications and User Data (e.g.:"F:\VideoApps\...", "G:\ProductivityApps\...", "H:\UserData\DocumentsAndSettings\...", etc.). The main reason for this approach is that it has totally saved my butt on more-than-one occasion when I have experienced a complete failure of my "C:\" system drive (it happens...), such that I only had reinstall 2 or 3 programs instead of all of them.
So my question is as follows:
Until I purchase the new computer, I would like to install BiaB 2013 on my existing machine..., ***however***..., I really want to install it (in my case) to "E:\AudioApps\bb2013". The goal of this is to leave my existing installation (BiaB v.2009.5) fully intact and functional, while also installing and using BiaB 2013 "EverythingPAK". This is mainly because I have, over time, made a whole lot of unique "tweaks" to my existing 2009.5 installation (including manually editing ".ini" files, etc.) that I don't want to lose for now.
The two different versions would not necessarily need to be able to actually run simultaneously (although that might be interesting).
So..., bottom line:
Can two different versions of BiaB happily coexist side-by-side on the same computer without freaking out?
Hmmmm...?
Thanks in advance.
Ciao,
Rina
<3
"When the going gets weird..., the weird turn pro."
-- Hunter S. Thompson
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848 |
You can run two different versions side by side; just make sure that they are in different folders, that you have sufficient space, and you have start icons to each version. However, I suspect that once you start using 2013, you'll probably leave 2009 in the dust.
Also, when you get ready to purchase, there is no need to do a "first time" purchase. If you purchased the 2009 Ultra, then you will receive upgrade pricing for the 2013 Everything Pak (based on your previous purchase), but what you get is the whole shebang. While not guaranteed, there is usually a mid-year .5 release (2013.5) that is expected out in the near future. You may want to hold off on your purchase until it's released; but, that being said, PGMusic does offer a 30-day money back guarantee, as well as an upgrade to a new release if it is within the 30-day period.
Hope this helps.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 12
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 12 |
@jford--
Thank you soooo much for your answer! Exactly what I was hoping.
***Especially thank you*** for the tip on the upgrade package. I was (obviously) assuming that the upgrades were more of an "update/upgrade-path" kind-of-thing rather than a full product installation package, so that news is awesome.
Boy, am I glad I didn't click on the "Purchase Now" button yet!!!
Back in 2009 the ".5" update was a freebie, and I was assuming that to still be true (although we now know that I have a terrible track record with assumptions). I will need to double-check that.
Thanks again..., and Happy Toonzz!!
Rina <3
xo
"When the going gets weird..., the weird turn pro."
-- Hunter S. Thompson
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Also be advised that the USB drive not only can run standalone, but also contains the Installer .exe files that can let you choose to install it anywhere on any disk on your system. A great way to go, as the USB can then serve as backup for the program.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 12
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 12 |
Also be advised that the USB drive not only can run standalone, but also contains the Installer .exe files that can let you choose to install it anywhere on any disk on your system. A great way to go, as the USB can then serve as backup for the program.
--Mac True perhaps..., but I have more faith in the multiple DVD backups that I burn myself, and the weekly scheduled clones of all of my external SATA3 HDD's, than I do in an off-the-shelf USB drive. Just sayin'.... Maybe I'm paranoid..., but one girl's paranoia is another girl's prudence.  Rina <3
"When the going gets weird..., the weird turn pro."
-- Hunter S. Thompson
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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.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
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Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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- 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
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- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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