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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 43
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 43 |
For various reasons, I stopped updating BiaB with version 2013 (build 364), though I have purchased every release since then. I think I am now ready to upgrade to 2016. Should I update each version one-at-a-time (2014, then 2015 then 2016), or should I skip 2014 and 2015 and go directly to 2016? Note: 2013 has no control over number of installs. I believe that was first added in 2014.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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When you say you purchased every release, which package did you get. If you only purchased the PlusPak (which only includes the new version of the application plus only new RTs/RDs/etc and you get it either on DVD or as downloadable content), then yes, you'll need to update your 2013 with each successive version in turn.
If you purchased the UltraPlusPak or the EverythingPak on external USB, then it contains all the content (from 2016 back to the first MIDI styles supplied by PGMusic), then you can do the upgrade directly to 2016 by just installing from the USB drive. However, if you purchased any of the additional paks (such as a 49-pak or similar), then you should probably install those, as well, as they often contain additional content which are not part of the main program distribution.
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: Oct 2008
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The answer to your question depends on how you upgraded. Also, what package are you using... e.g UltraPlusPak, MegaPak, etc.
In the below, I'm correctly or incorrectly assuming that you have purchased the UltraPlusPak.
With each new release that you list, did you (a)buy the PlusPak and download it or (b) did you get the full version on a USB drive?
If (a) is how you upgraded, you will need to install each upgrade directly over the top of your present installation.
If (b) you will only need to install the latest version. Again, install this directly over the top of your existing version. If you purchased bonus paks along the way, these would also need installing.
Regards,
Noel
P.S. I see John answered before I finished typing. You gotta be quick to beat him!
Last edited by Noel96; 08/19/16 11:52 AM.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Answered well already. If you want to be certain, and you purchased from PG Music, their Sales dept. can tell you for certain what you have ordered.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2000
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I have been trying to rebuild my BIAB program on a new computer after my old computer decided to die. I have been purchasing BIAB programs since 1996 when I bought my first BIAB at the NAMM show in Nashville. All the programs since then I have purchased from PG Music. I have been having a problem getting the programs I purchased because the only thing showing on my account is the purchase of the 2016 program. What ever happened to the records of purchases before 2014? Was there some kind of failure that erased all of them? Fortunately I had bought the hard drive version of 2012 so I started there and copied that into my computer and Anthony sent me the links for 2013. But I'm being told there were no purchases showing between 2013 and 2016. I had made a backup on a hard drive in July just before my computer went bad and tried to restore them but I can't pick out the files that I need to restore because they are all just numbers and letters that make no sense to me. So they are useless. I thought they would show up in my account but the note down at the bottom of my account page, in red ink says that no programs purchased before Oct. 2014 are registered. What gives?
Last edited by vzudell; 09/06/16 07:46 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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If PG Music can't answer, we users certainly can't. But there is no reason you would need to go back to install anything from older versions UNLESS you purchased bonus paks. I save the .EXE files for those in case I ever have to start over, but as for BIAB itself, the latest version should suffice. Then run the latest updates, which are always cumulative.
I'm also assuming you back up your own songs and styles.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
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... I had made a backup on a hard drive in July just before my computer went bad and tried to restore them but I can't pick out the files that I need to restore because they are all just numbers and letters that make no sense to me. So they are useless. ... Depending on the backup program there are different schemes to save the content of your harddrive. Some have cryptic names, some have real names. Some cram everything into container files. In most cases file properties of backuped files are different than the "real ones" even if they have the proper names. If you have a backup, acquire (borrow, buy...) a harddisk that is large enough to hold all the data and do a complete restore of your backup. You only need it for a day or so. Then you, most probably, will have all the files including their original properties back. After that you can copy what you need. Since BIAB and RB can be copied "as is" you will have everything back as before. Copy it to your new working disk and everything should be alright.
Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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vzudell, what program did you use to do the backup, Win 7, XP, Acronis, etc? You will need that program to reinstall everything. Also you stated that the computer died but did the hard drive die with it? If you can have or can get an SATA to USB converter like this http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/861670/StarTechcom-USB-30-to-25-SATA/?cm_mmc=PLA-_-Bing-_-Networking_Cables-_-861670you may be able to copy the BB directory to your new Hard Drive. Pull the old HD out of the computer, plug it into the converter, and copy the folder(s) you want. If you don't feel competent to do that any computer store should be able to help. Note I have seen computer failures where data from the HD was able to be saved. But if the HD hardware failed then this will not work. I hope this helps.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 867
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 867 |
For various reasons, I stopped updating BiaB with version 2013 (build 364), though I have purchased every release since then. I think I am now ready to upgrade to 2016. Should I update each version one-at-a-time (2014, then 2015 then 2016), or should I skip 2014 and 2015 and go directly to 2016? Note: 2013 has no control over number of installs. I believe that was first added in 2014. Hello amsmith930, Please contact our sales department at sales@pgmusic.com or 1-800-268-6272. They can look up your purchase history and tell you exactly what you'll need to reinstall, in what order, and provide you with download links if needed. I have been having a problem getting the programs I purchased because the only thing showing on my account is the purchase of the 2016 program. What ever happened to the records of purchases before 2014? Was there some kind of failure that erased all of them? Hello vzudell, PG Music didn't add the account history feature to the website until October 2014. Nothing purchased before then would show up on your online account. For a complete purchase history, please just contact our sales department and they can send you a summary, invoices, or download links as needed.
Alyssa - PG Music
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 263
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 263 |
Thank you Alyssa! I will again request my purchase record and see what they have for me. I know that in at least a couple of instances I updated two years at a time but I can't remember which years that I did that. But I'm quite sure I didn't go directly from 2013 to 2016.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 263
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 263 |
Thank you, Mario for your suggestion but yes the hard drive suffered a complete failure after I had gone to Windows 10 and tried to return to Windows 7, It took me directly into recovery from the whole operating system where I lost all my programs and it was like starting all over from scratch. I tried restoring my programs from my external hard drive but ran into so many difficulties (with the constant high CPU usage) when ever I enabled Microsoft automatic updates)Had it in for repair, cost $179. and still had the same problem which they refused to fix so I decided it was time for a new computer. I'm almost 83 years old and finding it extremely difficult to sort thru all these computer issues, being only self taught what little I do know. I think my best solution is to download everything to an external hard drive and run my BIAB from the hard drive. I hope it works!
Thanks again for responding to my post!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 263
Apprentice
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Apprentice
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Posts: 263 |
Thanks Matt, I think I will try copying everything over to an external hard drive (have a 1 Terrabyte) I think that should hold everything. Was kind of hoping to hold on to the old interface with the large chord symbols which were so much easier for me to read but I guess that's not possible! Thanks for responding. Val
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Val, version 2016 made an important change in Display Options (right click on the chord sheet) that allows us more control than before. I don't think you'll lose anything; just the opposite.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 263
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Apprentice
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I thought I had posted a thank you to Matt Finley for his suggestion on how to change the font size on 2016 but I must have got in a hurry and didn't press post. So here again I want to say thank you so much, Matt. It worked beautifully and now I can see to work on my music again! For 20 years I have been using BIAB and loving every minute and every upgrade, then in January I had added 2016 to my collection but my aging eyesight had made it nearly impossible to work on 2016 (as downloaded) until you came up with the solution which I had overlooked. I guess I will have to start printing out the manual as I can't hold the instructions in my mind long enough to return to BAIB and implement them. But I did want you to know how much I appreciated that you took time to "clue" me in on this procedure. Val Zudell
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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My pleasure. The new Display Options got some mention when 2016 was introduced, but I don't think everyone realizes just how much more powerful that dialog box became. You're not alone.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
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Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
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
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- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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