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Hi,
For twenty years (off and on) I've been trying to change styles and instruments throughout a BIAB song with no success.

Today - I thought I'd have another go - I've got the latest Notebook, the latest version of BIAB, more processing power and RAM than I could ever use, I have no other programs loaded and I know BIAB is meant to be able to do this - why not?

After an hour or so BIAB begins to crash and burn - it starts with random volume changes, then random instrument changes, then random style changes throughout the song and then finally instruments start to completely drop out randomly throughout the song. Then the only solution is to delete the whole song and start again. Once a song has fully gone haywire - you can't fix it even if you delete all the bars in the song completely.

The only other thing you can do is create new songs for every change of instrument and style and then render each of them into your sequencer and spend hundreds of hours putting the song together in the sequencer.

Actually you don't do this - you go and do something more worthwhile.

Any suggestions or alternate applications?


Nigel Spiers
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OMG, F5 works like a champ for me!


BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.

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Originally Posted By: NigelSpiers
Hi,
For twenty years (off and on) I've been trying to change styles and instruments throughout a BIAB song with no success.

Today - I thought I'd have another go - I've got the latest Notebook, the latest version of BIAB, more processing power and RAM than I could ever use, I have no other programs loaded and I know BIAB is meant to be able to do this - why not?

After an hour or so BIAB begins to crash and burn - it starts with random volume changes, then random instrument changes, then random style changes throughout the song and then finally instruments start to completely drop out randomly throughout the song. Then the only solution is to delete the whole song and start again. Once a song has fully gone haywire - you can't fix it even if you delete all the bars in the song completely.

The only other thing you can do is create new songs for every change of instrument and style and then render each of them into your sequencer and spend hundreds of hours putting the song together in the sequencer.

Actually you don't do this - you go and do something more worthwhile.

Any suggestions or alternate applications?



Nigel, I sympathize with your frustration, but I also need to say that I think this is not normal operation for most users of BiaB.

I certainly have never experienced the problems you have described.

Perhaps you could advise more about your system setup.

You mentioned that you have the latest notebook. Obviously there are lots of notebook models and specifications and there is probably a different performance for each.

What Operating System?
What are your computer specifications (RAM i5, i7 etc)?
What else is installed?
What A/V software do you have?
What interfaces do you use (MIDI, VST etc)?
What other programs do you have running? (DAW software etc)

More information can help us to help you.


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
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"System details." This is exactly what all technical forums need. Why isn't the left column (frame) reserved for a list of ALL system details?? It never fails - obviously Nigel is ready to chew nails, but these problems are never solved until the system details are revealed. Of course, I don't flag the BIAB forum specifically, but all forums where users depend so heavily on computers. Just my two cents worth.

Nigel, sorry I couldn't offer something of substance, but the more experienced users will get to the bottom of your problem. Another thing we need to know is what BIAB version you have, and whether you're running it from the purchased drive or is it loaded onto your disk drive?


Gear: Tyros 5, MOX8, SoundCraft EFX12 mixer, two Bose L1 Compacts, Yamaha HS-8 monitors, BIAB 2016 UltraPlusPAK, Cubase 8, Steinberg UR-44 interface.

"If everyone played a musical instrument, we wouldn't need police officers or armies." Lee B.
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Considering this has been going on for 20 years, I don't imagine it is system related. He states he has latest version. I suspect it is his workflow - we all known BIAB is very workflow dependent smirk .

Unfortunately to fix a workflow issue, the OP needs to join in on the back-and-forth communication of the forum. Far to often folks just like to drop a bomb and then disappear crazy .


BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.

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Nigel,

I've been a member of these forums for a while now and I've never come across any post with problems like you are experiencing. I've never experienced anything like this either after 10 years of using the product.

The files that are causing the problem... Are these files that you've created from scratch or are you using files that you've obtained from the internet? Also, are midi files involved at any point in creating the problem song?

Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
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Nigel:

It might be helpful if you made available the song in question that is giving you the problem. If you have a dropbox account, post the file in your public dropbox and supply forum readers the address so we can grab it and see if we encounter the same problem.

Just a suggestion.


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20 years.

Using the same computer or not?

Using the same synths or not?

Using hardware (external) or software (internal) synths?

That's a good starting point.

Insights and incites by Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile 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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Hi,

Thanks for suggestions.

Similar problems have occurred over the years with many different computers, versions and interfaces.

I think I may have a solution and its to do with changing my work-flow as someone suggested.

The problems seem to stem from changing the style at the first chord in the song even when the selected Style is the same as the default song Style, and occurs at the start of the second verse onwards.

Also may have have something to do with selecting a style with a midi keyboard part and simultaneously overriding that to an RT keyboard part at the same bar.

So I have:
1. Converted the song into 1 long verse
2. No style changes - just instrument part changes throughout the song.
3. Disabled in the Song Settings any option which allows or may allow BIAB to change instrument parts or style due to the tempo of the song.

If the problems re-occur when further editing the song I will send copies.

PS The Song uses the _NOSWBRS.STY. If someone at PGMusic is working on this Style could they please fix up the glitches (stutters, out of time notes, and volume fades) in this and related M_NOSPOP and _NWORSUF Styles. They are great Styles but could benefit from some editing.

Thanks & Best Regards


Last edited by NigelSpiers; 07/23/16 02:22 AM.

Nigel Spiers
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Good to see you back....

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Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

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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.

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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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