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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I bought BIAB 2016 Pro recently which I installed on the C drive in my Windows PC.
I am contemplating buying a portable external hard drive (around 500GB) and downloading a larger package like the UltraPlus upgrade directly to the external drive hopefully to run BIAB and RealBand from the external drive (much like the dedicated BIAB drives).
Can I please ask if anyone has an opinion on the best formatting to use on the ext. drive (FAT21, exFAT or NTFS)?
If anyone has done the above how complicated is it to do please? Will I need to delete the existing copy of BIAB on the C drive before I can run from the ext.drive ?
Many thanks for any help with this.
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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The last question: technically no, but you will probably want to deactivate it and use one of your activations for the new drive.
I use NTFS formatting, but I don't ever plug into a Mac. Get an answer from someone who does before you make your choice.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks for the prompt reply Matt. I was leaning towards NTFS as I don't have the use of a Mac but intend to think about my needs before deciding.
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
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I like to install the basic program (essential part) on my C drive and load all the rest to an external. The loading from the external is quick on most modern computers and takes only a few seconds at most.
Yeah... on a new computer, it may seem like you have a lot of C drive space but that fills quickly and with in excess of 80GB taken up by RR/RB files.... that's a huge section of the pie.
I use the PG HD versions so it comes on a had drive ready to go. I simply do the minimum install, which takes 2 minutes at most and I'm ready to go. A full install, last time I did one, was close to 2 hrs total to load everything into a computer internal drive. Since the loading time for tracks from an external drive is so fast... why bother with the full install anymore?
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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I bought the ultra pluspak .
Downloaded it....then decided a while later to order the h/drive 25 dollars.
But FedEx then billed me 44.00 gbp.
Just to let you know as I see you are u.k. too.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks a lot Guitarhacker and Colly. After much thought and to save extra hassle I decided to go for the Ultra Pluspak already installed on BIAB hard drive and think I'll go with the minimum install and run from the external drive like you Guitarhacker. I'm not sure what size the BIAB drive will be but hoping it's about 320Mb which should be enough for the job. Hope you have been happy with the Ultra Pluspak? Thanks also to Colly for your advice. I was aware (and had been advised by PG Music ) that there could be some further Customs fees to pay when the drive is delivered. At least I know now what it's likely to be!!  Still I'm sure it will be worth it in the long run. Much obliged to all for their comments.
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
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Kev T, FYI: My 2016 Band-in-a-Box for Windows UltraPlus Pak hard drive is about 500 gigabytes. I've read that the hard drive for the Audiophile edition is substantially larger. I can understand your desire to bypass the extra taxes you have to pay to get the program loaded on an external drive versus downloading the content. I would suggest that is a political problem you can address with your politicians but that might give the politicians the idea to tax download content!  Seriously, though I copy the hard drive contents to my computer's hard drive I find the knowledge I have the hard drive as back up to be very comforting. I switched from a desktop running XP to a laptop running Win 7 earlier this year. I decided to download all the files to have the added security of the downloaded files. It took about 24 hours (spread out over a week or so) to download all the compressed files. I decided to run the programs from the computer's hard drive. The main reason is if you use shortcuts to open your programs the shortcuts MAY not work consistently. Windows may not always assign the external drive the same drive letter each time it is plugged in. One less thing to worry about.
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Thanks for that info Jim. The reason for my original question was not specifically aimed at avoiding any taxes on an imported hard drive but merely to utilize a bigger capacity UK sourced portable drive (1+ TB) which could store all BIAB content and songs. I got the impression (not sure where from) that the BIAB drive would be 320GB or less. If yours is 500GB that would hopefully give me more than enough space.
Must say I hadn't anticipated your comment about Windows not assigning the same drive letter each time which could be a problem.....so I may just opt to run BB and RB totally from external drive which I understand is one of the 3 options.
I have an integral 1TB C drive divided into 2 partitions which are both about 2/3 used inside the PC which is one of the "all in one" desktop variety (with all components contained within monitor) so it would possibly mean major surgery to increase size of internal drive. Hence the attraction of a separate external HD.
Last edited by Kev T; 10/30/16 12:46 PM.
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
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Kev T,
If I may clarify a little bit, an earlier UltraPlus Pak external hard drive I received WAS 320 GB however the 2016 external hard drive is 500 GB.
I don't KNOW that Windows has an issue with changing the drive letter of external hard drives but I've read multiple comments that say the issue happened to them. My understanding is the issue can happen when an external hard drive is plugged into different computer USB ports and the issue occurs most often when the external hard drive is connected to a USB port prior to computer power on. As an example the external USB might be plugged into the left USB port before power on the first time and be assigned drive letter "E" while another time the drive might be plugged into the right USB port before power up and receive a drive letter assignment of "F".
True or not, it is not an issue if I load the programs and content to an internal hard drive.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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On an even simpler level, I use two external drives. When I plug in either one alone in a machine that's already running, it's assigned drive F. Obviously if I plug in both, only the first one plugged in will be F.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Thanks again Jim and Matt. Here's hoping the one delivered will be 500 GB then as it's the 2016 UltraPlus I bought  I have 6 USB ports on the PC, 4 on the back and 2 side mounted. The 4 back ones are all utilized at the moment for printer, wireless dongle for keyboard & mouse, focusrite 18i/20 connection and USB to Behringer X32 desk for automation so using same port on the side of PC should be easy to remember. Moral seems to be to plug in BB drive while computer is running. Presumably if I left the BB drive plugged in when powering down the PC it would hold the same drive letter when powered up again? One final question if I may? I'm using the 2016 Pro version currently and going to wait for the UltraPlus drive to arrive before setting up (ie. not downloading now). Will it be better to delete the Pro version from my C drive altogether before setting up the new drive to avoid any conflicts?
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
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Will it be better to delete the Pro version from my C drive altogether before setting up the new drive to avoid any conflicts? I would just install on top of your Pro version. The program aspect is the same; the Ultra-Plus Pak just adds more styles and RealTracks and RealDrums, etc. But the BIAB application is the same in both. When you install over, your existing settings should be preserved; however, you'll need rebuild the StylePicker, the RealTracks Picker, and the RealDrums Picker. Have fun!
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting and construction)
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Thanks for that John. As mentioned previously in the thread I really want to just run everything including the program .exe files from the external drive so didn't see the point of keeping anything on the C drive. That's why I was asking about deleting the previous setup and just treating the BIAB drive as a new installation.
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
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You could do that, too. The drive you get will be completely self-contained and you can just do the minimal setup.
You should be able to just delete your BIAB folder on your C: drive (wherever you installed the ProPack) along with RealBand (if you also installed that). Then, after doing the minimal installation from the external hard drive, you should be up and running. As has been stated several times on the forum, make sure that you always get the same drive letter assignment for the drive. Otherwise, desktop shortcuts won't work correctly and settings within BIAB may fail also.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting and construction)
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One thing to always consider; see if your previous version had any 'Bonus' stuff that may have only been available with that version.
Some versions include little extras that you can't get later.
Any 'Bonus Tracks' would fall into this category.
I'd Archive first, before deleting. Run the program from the new disk for a while, and if you don't miss anything, go ahead and delete the old.
It would stink to find out the 'Super_Funky_WalkinBass_backwards' realtrack (or whatever) you love and used all the time is lost forever .. because of a one time offer.
This is another reason many say 'Install over previous version' .. that way you don't lose any of this stuff.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Thanks so much guys! All Comments noted. I'll do what Rharv suggests too and archive the old version until I'm happy the new version is flawless FedEx delivered the drive today (just a few days after ordering from PG in Canada....amazing service)!!... Itching to get started but as my wife bought the UltraPlus Pak for a significant upcoming birthday I'm having to contain myself 'til then. LOL
Last edited by Kev T; 10/31/16 12:41 PM.
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
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Moving forward, consider doing what I do: save all the installation files for any bonus packs you buy. Then you can always install them to a new place you put BIAB. Also save any user styles you create.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Thanks Matt...I will do that. This forum rocks!!
BIAB 2022 PLUSPAK (ext HD), 49PAKs, STYLESPAKs 1 - 6, Win 7 64bit PC, REAPER, Ozone, Adobe Audition CS6, EZ Drummer3 + EZ Keys,Soundcraft MTK22, Behringer X Touch Universal Controller,, SE Gemini/Rode NT2/Neumann/Shure mics
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ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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.
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