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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 186
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 186 |
I've recently seen a couple of troubling errors from my BIAB disk. I use BIAB on live gigs, so I would appreciate best advice on backing this disk up in a way that gives me a very quick recovery. The little disk is actually pretty big as I run the 2014 Audiophile version, 931G.
Thanks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 611
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 611 |
A 1TB portable drive should be around 80 bucks. They can run off USB power.
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664 |
If you're using it on gigs,,,,, I would suggest a dedicated laptop if you don't already have one.
Load the full version into the laptop.... so you will need a 2TB drive. Or, get a small desktop for the gigs... add a second hard drive specifically for BB.
That's most likely how I would do it if I was gigging and making money and needed a fool proof live rig......
The other option...... burn the songs and just use the wave file of the song in a player in a lappy. Not nearly the huge HD space hog, and it will work just fine.
I've never been a fan of testing the Murphy rules..... keep it as simple as possible.....waves and a player in a lappy do that.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446 |
I gig for a living and would never trust one way to play my backing tracks. There are many ways to do this, and what is right for me may not apply to you, but here is what I do. I make high quality mp3 files and put them on a laptop. I have an old ThinkPad, as it doesn't take much to run mp3 files. For redundancy I bring and boot up a second laptop (this one a 2002 ThinkPad that just won't die). I've been working on laptops since 2002 on the gig, and in all that time I've had to go to the spare 3 times. - the 7 year old hard drive started making noise and that worried me - I replaced it the next day
- The CMOS battery failed and it wouldn't boot - a $4.95 item at Radio Shack - replaced it the next day
- The screen developed lines in it, while under warranty - I didn't need to go to the second computer, but did anyway
In all 3 cases, I just switched the USB cable from the USB->AUDIO interface from one computer to the next and went on with the show. I learned the redundancy lesson almost the hard way. I was playing with two redundant, hardware, floppy disk loading sequencers but with a 10 space rack full of sound modules. This was probably in 1998 or so. One of the modules was a sampler that loaded from a floppy disk - it had my electric bass (I sampled my own), a snare drum L-R pair so rolls don't sound like a machine gun, steel drum (pan), and numerous cymbals and other percussion sounds on it. I probably used it on 200 of the then 300 songs we did. I was playing the last Christmas party of the year and whenever I touched the rack, the sampler rebooted itself and reloaded the samples from the floppy (took about 2 minutes). So I was careful not to touch it for the rest of the gig. Next day I took it in to the local instrument repairman, he put a probe in it, sparks flew everywhere and he said I'd have to send it back to the factory. The problem with that is the factory was closed from Christmas to after New Years day, and we had a big New Years Eve gig coming up. In Florida on NYE the demand far exceeds the supply, and we are usually booked 2 years in advance for well over 5 times our normal Saturday night rate. There was no way to re-sequence and re-balance 200 songs using the existing sound modules in a week so I had to find a replacement. And there was no way to find a band to cover us, and everyone else that is any good is also booked way in advance (I could book 5 years in advance if I wanted to). I started calling music stores in Miami and worked my way north - I would have flown to Washington State or even to Japan to get a replacement even if it meant losing big money on the gig. Our reputation was at stake. Fortunately I found one in Melbourne Florida - somebody made a special order and then didn't buy it. After that I collected spares of all my sound modules. A 10 space rack is too big to carry a spare on the gig, but at least I could go to the next gig. Then a couple of years later, when XP was released with the ability to access larger hard disks, I started making mp3 files at 192kbps with CDex on the highest quality setting. That's when I bought 2 ThinkPads, one of which still bounces on the keyboard stand a few times every week (I do one-nighters). The other one finally went flaky - when I moved the screen on the hinge, horizontal lines flashed across the screen. It was about 10 years old, so it wasn't worth repairing, it still works at home though. I also now have a flash drive with all my mp3 files on it, so that if I need to run to the store and get a new computer - I'd have ready access to all my files. A gig is important, but my reputation is even more important. Bad news travels fast. I have never missed a gig, I've never been late for a gig, and I've never failed to finish the gig. Nobody is going to have a reason to tell other clubs or party people that we didn't do the gig and left the audience hanging. That kind of news can cost you a lot more than a second computer. Insights and incites by Notes
Last edited by Notes Norton; 11/02/14 05:47 AM.
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 611
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 611 |
Redundancy is KEY to anything live. Worst case, have the .MP3 version on your smartphone and bring a cable / adapter.
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 186
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 186 |
All your advice about running from MP3's is well stated and good. Wisdom borne no doubt from experience. Advice I will take.
However, I really do like running live from a laptop, and have been doing it for over 5 years.
My gigs are relatively low stress and informal, usually restaurant or small parties. The players are me (classical guitar) and usually one friend, a career professional guitarist. Mostly we play great american songbook standards where we've tweaked the changes to our liking. Arrangements are easy, one of us takes the head, then we switch off improvising choruses, then head-out. Our work load is also pretty casual, 3 or 4 gigs a month. With Real Tracks as our rhythm section, sounds great and we can control the loudness so people can talk while having dinner. Doesn't pay a great deal but we get lots of compliments and tips aren't too shabby. I've showed the rig to a friend (sax player) who now has pretty much the same kit and using is to play out.
We certainly could work from MP3's and charts, but it's sure easy and convenient to work from a small (bright) laptop. Easy to see where you are in a song (though admittedly I do sometimes wonder if I've become overly dependent on following the cursor). And as I said before, we've been doing this for quite a while. Laptops really have become pretty rugged, and operating systems far more stable over the last few years.
There is very little in life more rewarding than friends making good music together in comfortable settings. Thank you BIAB.
John
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 611
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 611 |
I have DEFINITELY become dependent on the cursor. I have to force myself to look away. I am trying to either memorize the tunes, or just bite the bullet and print them. It's an evil crutch.
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446 |
Memorizing used to be easy for me when I was in bands with 100 or so tunes, but now that I have over 550, I just can't keep them all in my head.
I put charts up on the spare computer, and use them for reference. On the tunes we do often, all I need is a glance to jog my memory.
On the new tunes and tunes that we do rarely, I spend more time looking at the chart.
However, if you are reading the music, you will never memorize it. You have to take the chance (preferably at home) and try to play them without the music if you are going to memorize them - at least that's the way it works for me.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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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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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®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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