RealBand defaults to the file type *.*SU when a Band-in-a-Box file is imported. This means a user can work extensively on a file then forget to use "Save As" and not save the file as a *.SEQ file before closing.
It would be beneficial to have the RealBand save functions default to the *.SEQ file format in all cases. If a user desires to save a file as a sgu or mgu file type, then of course those options need to remain available but I think I've made a strong case for RealBand to default to SEQ.
Note: edited to correct typo noticed by rharv. Thanks rharv!
I think you meant "This means a user can work extensively on a file then forget to use "Save As" and *NOT* save the file as a *.SEQ file before closing."
+1 if so, as this causes lost work.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I think RealBand should always default to .SEQ (and have asked for this in the past). You can always change it to whatever you want, but how many times have folks, for example, loaded a MIDI file, then inadvertently saved it back as a MIDI file (because it defaulted to the original file type), and then lost all their effects settings. Similarly for BIAB file types.
"Save" and "Save As" should be the RealBand (and by extension, PTPA) ".SEQ" file format. Anything else, I view as "export to" the different format.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
Think of it like this; the next time I open the project in a PGMusic product I want it to sound like it did the last time I opened it in the same PGMusic product.
If I open it elsewhere and find it has changed, at least I can go back to the seq file and re-save it to the format I need. As it is now there is no option to recover .. the previous work can be lost forever.
Therefore it is best practice.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Frankly I would prefer to be able to save a project as a midi file and not lose my settings. The only reason I would need to save as a SEQ file is to work with audio. Just a thought that drifted out of my head.
Russ Anyday above ground is a good day
Computer is Hp Pavillion Vision 6 Ghz quad core AMD processor 8 Gig memory 1 TB hard drive 6 GB hard drive Windows 7 Premium Loose nut behind the keyboard
The problem, Russ, is that a MIDI file won't save any information about effects (VST or DX) or alternate softsynths (VSTi or DXi) you may have used, nor any track automation you have set. The MIDI file format doesn't support any of that. That's why you need a SEQ file for even MIDI tracks.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
Let's look at the opposite side of the underlying issue. How awkward would it be if you imported a standard midi file into Band-in-a-Box, made a bunch of changes to the midi and when you decided to save the song instead of saving a sgu or mgu song file the program defaulted to mid loosing both your changes as well as corrupting your original source file.
That's what happens in RealBand by default. You import sgu or mgu song file, make changes, add audio, go to save your work, loose your work and corrupt your source file.
The standard file type for RealBand is SEQ. Other file types are supported but work has to be saved in a SEQ file for everything to be saved. It makes sense for the save function to default to the file type that saves all the project information.
+1 This is definitely a more practical way to operate.
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
Mostly agree. I frequently open BiaB files in RB and I've learned the hard way to do a "Save as".
For those who aren't sure, why not have:
A way to choose the default "Save" file type And/Or A warning box if the file is about to be saved in a format different than the original file
Hi boydbob,
Good news! The automatically save a file as SEQ feature was added in a RealBand 2017 update. Press Cntrl + F5, or go to "Options" > "Preferences ...", to open the options menu then click on the "Audio" tab. You will find a "save as SEQ" checkbox has been added to the bottom of the "Audio" tab. I do not remember if the checkbox defaults to checked or unchecked.
And the default is unchecked, so you need to turn it on.
Good tip, BTW.
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
And the default is unchecked, so you need to turn it on.
Good tip, BTW.
VideoTrack,
Thanks for the correction. I couldn't look at the photo and the thread at the same time and my mind switched tabs when I switched screens. Senior moment I guess
Also thanks for sharing the default state, The user manual hasn't been updated to reflect this new feature and my BiaB is MUCH more stable and crash resistant than it use to be. (THANK YOU PG MUSIC for your continuing effort to make BiaB and RB more stable!)
JFord & Pipeline,
I believe someone from PG Music stated the default is unchecked so the default feature operation is the same as what people are used to. Perhaps once users are more aware of the feature and checked becomes the new "norm" PG Music will change the default state.
If you save to SEQ you can still save to every other format from that but not vice versa. It should be automatic no option that comes un-checked when it crashes.
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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.
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.
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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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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)
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!
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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!
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows 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!
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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