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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 182
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 182 |
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: 604
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 604 |
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: 10,454
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,454 |
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: 6,387
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,387 |
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 06:47 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: 604
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 604 |
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: 182
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 182 |
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: 604
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 604 |
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: 6,387
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,387 |
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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XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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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