43. The Minimize Window problem Sometimes, when you minimize the main BAIB window, it's impossible to get it maximized again. Sometimes, it just happen after some minutes, but unfortunately, from time to time you need to end BIAB through the Task Manager (losing all the work you've done) simply because there's no way of getting a response from the program after minimizing it.
44. The BIAB preventing Windows from shutting down Many times, when you close your windows session with BIAB open, the program, instead of asking you if you want to save your work before shutting down the system, shows the Chord Builder window (?) and just prevents the system from shutting down
I think you need a new PC. Over the last 20 years the only problems I've experienced with BIAB have been caused by myself. #42- My BIAB boots up in 3 to 8 seconds. Faster than in BIAB 2014. Ray
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.
I think you need a new PC. Over the last 20 years the only problems I've experienced with BIAB have been caused by myself. #42- My BIAB boots up in 3 to 8 seconds. Faster than in BIAB 2014. Ray
My PC is less than three years old, and runs flawlessly all kind of programs (many of them much more powerful than BIAB) without problems.
I've worked for several years as an IT technician and I really know how to tell a software problem from a hardware problem. Wich, in fact, is not very difficult in this case, since any kid with some familiarity in modern computing would immediately recognize several problems after working a little bit with BIAB.
On the other hand, if during the last 20 years of use the only problems you've experienced with BIAB were caused by yourself, that's because you're using BIAB in a very limited way, probably just writing a chord progression, choosing a style and pressing play. MANY bugs have been reported in this (and other) forum by MANY people, and only a couple of die hard fans here are constantly trying to deny the obvious fact that BIAB needs a lot bug fixing work.
ADD: There's nothing wrong with user-reported bugs, on the contrary, they are a great help for developers and an essential aspect of the software development process. In fact, many software companies have a dedicated Bug report forum in their web. There's no need to deny them.
A few other users had a similar problem, and found that it was due to an anti-virus program. These programs can block or slow the running of a program.
Here's an example message of someone that had the problem "I tweaked my MSE antivurus to ignore the BIAB program (BBW.EXE) and that dramatically improved my time. Maybe look at something like that."
>> I've worked for several years as an IT technician and I really know how to tell a software problem from a hardware problem. - Sure, but once you determine that it's a software problem, you need to determine what piece of software is causing the problem. My c:\bb\data\FlashMessageLog.txt file reports that my bootup time is 4.7 seconds. - my Bootup time in millseconds =4,777 [3/2/2015 6:51:54 PM]
Please post the top 20 lines of your c:\bb\data\FlashMessageLog.txt file in a message
- Bootup time in millseconds =65,808 [02/03/2015 11:49:50] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =749. Plugins counted=26 [02/03/2015 11:49:43] **** New Session started at : 02/03/2015 11:49:43 - Bootup time in millseconds =7,695 [02/03/2015 5:06:37] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =80. Plugins counted=26 [02/03/2015 5:06:37] **** New Session started at : 02/03/2015 5:06:37 - Running Windows Notepad.exe to display file C:\BB\Data\FlashMessageLog.txt [02/03/2015 4:34:31] - Bootup time in millseconds =8,194 [02/03/2015 4:29:50] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =78. Plugins counted=26 [02/03/2015 4:29:49] **** New Session started at : 02/03/2015 4:29:49 - Time to Count Plugins in ms =566. Plugins counted=26 [02/03/2015 4:29:22] **** New Session started at : 02/03/2015 4:29:21 - Bootup time in millseconds =37,859 [02/03/2015 3:33:59] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =218. Plugins counted=26 [02/03/2015 3:33:55] **** New Session started at : 02/03/2015 3:33:55 - Bootup time in millseconds =76,705 [01/03/2015 23:54:53] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =274. Plugins counted=26 [01/03/2015 23:54:47] **** New Session started at : 01/03/2015 23:54:47 - Bootup time in millseconds =19,007 [24/02/2015 12:15:27]
I've just created an exclusion rule for BIAB in Kaspersky and will report the results here.
Hi Cerio Thanks for the information. I use Norton Internet Security. I generally don't have long boot times, and haven't made any special exceptions in NIS for BiaB (as far as I know)
It will be great to get your results.
Thanks Trev
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
I was also experiencing extremely long startup times for BIAB (sometimes about a minute). I just excluded BBW.EXE from my virus scanner, and BIAB now launches much, much more quickly.
I wonder if it's because the program does not "reside" in the registry, nor is in the Program Files folder, and so the virus scanner handles it differently.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
I use Trend Micro Internet Security 2015 (it used to be called PC-Cillin). I've used it for probably about 20 years now and have yet to get a virus on my or my wife's computer.
My FlashMessageLog.txt was showing bootup times of 40,000 to 70,000 milliseconds before excluding BBW.EXE. The variance seems to be how long between launches (which I suspect is related to computer caching).
After excluding it, it launches in about 20,000 milliseconds right after a re-boot down to about 5,000 milliseconds for launch time. Plugin-read time is and was relatively insignificant.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
- Bootup time in millseconds =28,878 [3/4/2015 5:25:27 PM]
Afar excluding in Avast
- Bootup time in millseconds =7,044 [3/4/2015 5:42:20 PM]
Hi JMD, did you reboot the computer in between? First time starts tend to always be slower and subsequent starts on the same Windows session faster because of Windows caching.
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
- Bootup time in millseconds =60,384 [04/03/2015 18:56:16] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =1,139. Plugins counted=26 [04/03/2015 18:56:04] **** New Session started at : 04/03/2015 18:56:04 - Bootup time in millseconds =15,398 [03/03/2015 23:11:45] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =94. Plugins counted=26 [03/03/2015 23:11:42] **** New Session started at : 03/03/2015 23:11:42 - Bootup time in millseconds =8,148 [03/03/2015 20:12:48] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =105. Plugins counted=26 [03/03/2015 20:12:47] **** New Session started at : 03/03/2015 20:12:47 - Bootup time in millseconds =9,800 [03/03/2015 19:12:20] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =100. Plugins counted=26 [03/03/2015 19:12:19] **** New Session started at : 03/03/2015 19:12:19 - Bootup time in millseconds =8,483 [03/03/2015 16:25:25] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =172. Plugins counted=26 [03/03/2015 16:25:23] **** New Session started at : 03/03/2015 16:25:23 - Bootup time in millseconds =35,395 [03/03/2015 14:36:07] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =733. Plugins counted=26 [03/03/2015 14:36:04] **** New Session started at : 03/03/2015 14:36:04 - Bootup time in millseconds =7,459 [03/03/2015 13:13:11] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =78. Plugins counted=26 [03/03/2015 13:13:10] **** New Session started at : 03/03/2015 13:13:10 - Bootup time in millseconds =19,686 [03/03/2015 12:35:26] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =117. Plugins counted=26 [03/03/2015 12:35:22] **** New Session started at : 03/03/2015 12:35:22 - Bootup time in millseconds =110,232 [03/03/2015 10:48:14] - Time to Count Plugins in ms =655. Plugins counted=26 [03/03/2015 10:48:08] **** New Session started at : 03/03/2015 10:48:08
Using kasperspky Antivirus 2015 and BIAB 2015.415 here
Hi JMD, did you reboot the computer in between? First time starts tend to always be slower and subsequent starts on the same Windows session faster because of Windows caching.
Ya, you are right on that. This item (long and variable startup time) has been around for a very long time. I no longer pay any attention to it. It is just what it is.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
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
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!
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
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!
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!
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!
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 Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac 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!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.