PG Music Home Forums PG Music Product Forums Band-in-a-Box for Windows Creating A Setlist For The Jukebox

This is in response to a Wishlist item by Islansoul. My entry here isn't really a "wish" so I brought it over to this Forum.

The request was, to be able to create a Setlist, and have the Jukebox play straight through the list. If you look at the Help File for Jukebox, it says under "Jukebox Playback", "The Jukebox will load and play an entire subdirectory (folder) of songs. Songs play continuously, one after the other..."

That works fine (except for a possible bug, see the thread on the Wishlist Forum), as long as the files are in alphabetical order (again, see the other thread).

To that end, I created 3 BIAB files called Test 01, Test 02 and Test 03 and put them into a new folder. When I play them in the Jukebox with the Random button UNchecked, they play as expected, i.e. 1 then 2 then 3. When I turn ON the Random button, the do indeed play that way, e.g. 2,1,3 then 2,3,1. So far so good. (See Icelander's post, other thread).

If I want to play them ALWAYS in a specific order, say 3,2,1 you have to use the Favorites function. Some of you will remember the "old" BIAB GUI that had that little tiny button labeled "F" in the menu bar. Not there anymore.

But if you go to File > Open Special and select Open Favorite Songs, you get the appropriate window. It may already contain a list of songs. I used the Clear button to empty the list. Then used the Insert button and navigated to my new Test folder and selected Test 03 (yes, 03). I then used the Append button to add songs 02 and 01, but it really doesn't matter what order you add them, they can be re-ordered back in that Favorites window.

Note that I had the radio button selected for Recently Played, and I also Unselected the 2 check boxes at the bottom of the window. Now hit the Juke button to get the standard Jukebox window, make sure Random is NOT selected, and hit PLAY JUKE BOX.

They played in the order shown in the Favorites window, that is, 03, 02, 01.

To make a setlist, just load up that Favorites window with songs in the order you want to play them, then click the Save Set button, name your list and save as an FSO file. Make as many lists as you like. When you go to a gig, load up the set you need using the Load Set button and you're good to go.

Good luck!
LLOYD S

I set up playlists without changing the names of songs by doing the following:
1. Click on the bottom half of the Song button (or enter Shift + F3), then select Favorites.
2. Use the buttons on right (Append, Insert, Up, Down, etc.) to arrange the set as desired. No numbers before song titles are needed.
3. Save the set (all you have to do is name it). To load it later, just click on "Load Set" and select the desired set.

Then I play these songs in a Jukebox mode by clicking on the bottom button on the right side of the same Favorite Songs dialog box ("Juke...") and then "Play Jukebox" on the dialog box that pops up. I use an automatic pause after each song by going to Prefs>Arrange, and make sure the box is checked beside "Pause Play Until MIDI or Key received".

I use a footswitch to start each song whenever I'm ready; they will automatically load and wait for your command to begin playing. You can order a programmable USB footswitch for about $39 plus shipping from Delcom at http://www.delcomproducts.com/productdetails.asp?productnum=803650. It works great.

In BIAB Prefs, I have the spacebar set to "Play from start." I program the footswitch to replicate the spacebar.

Jim, I do the same. No real problems, but I guess it could be a bit classier/simpler in a future upgrade. I also use the delay between songs and sometimes to test stuff (eg midi commands to external gear) get it to play just the first 2 or 3 bars. You can also loop it. I think I put a video up somewhere using it. If not, I will for others to check out.

The shipping price to Hong Kong for a foot switch is more than the price of the foot switch I bet they make them in China too!