So my question is did something change in the way that windows handles audio? I was really surprised that performance was so good.
Yes, WAS was introduced with Win 10 and now it's backwards compatible to Vista or at least it is with PG products. WAS is Microsoft's answer to Apple's Core Audio. Since it's native to Windows no more third party software (ASIO) needed in many cases but it's still not good enough for live recording piano into a DAW with a midi keyboard. You need the latency down to 15ms or less for that. ASIO can get it below 10 on a good system. WAS is still a big deal though.
First let me tell you this is a rock solid system. Yes, I have lots of drivers and lots of music apps - but this machine and I manage them well. I know I will fix this, but yiepps, sometimes I wonder why I spend so much time futzin with these darn computers.
Totally agree, and besides I WAS so happy with ASIO i tell ya', Paddy ...........
My MOTU audio drivers are down again this morning. Something strange is going on!
I even got a Win10 error message saying the "Windows Audio Service is not running". Now if you recall from the start of this post just days ago, I didn't even know what WAS was?
Now when I tried to open BIAB, it crashed, saved a Log File and asked be to send the log file to Support and reboot.
So I rebooted and tried BIAB, this time it opened, BUT LOOK WHAT IS BACK.
This is NOT due to a NEW Win10 update as I turned it off last time I had this problem. There is some ghost in the code and given the timing of the BIAB 2018 update I can only suspect it is involved.
My first thoughts are to re-enable Win Updates. When I do this a very large list is found and its starts to download. Remember I only disabled this a couple weeks ago...
Hmmm. This isn’t directly to your problem but general advice: use ASIO if you have it - it’s better than WAS. Use MME to diagnose system problems.
After Windows does an update, check through all audio driver settings and Windows volume control properties. You may have to reinstall your audio device.
Dan, I’m sure this error message is described in one of the BIAB FAQ posts.
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.
Matt, just to be clear, I only use MME in BIAB. I tried WAS for a few minutes on day 1, didn't like it. I have used my MOTU ASIO with BIAB when I use my keyboard input - work fine. But 99% of my time in BAIB is MME.
Yesterday was a big session of recording work. I am working on my grand OPUS. Lots of BIAB use and Reaper and recording. All went well. I turned off the DAW last night and this morning no joy. Right now massive downloads of Win10 Updates.
Today I am off the day job till next year. So I will let you know (likely more than anyone cares) how this plays out.
The audio service not running thing that pops up down the bottom is normally accompanied by a cross on the little speaker in the task bar/ If you click on this and bring up the vol control and move it a bit it should clear. Also you could instead evoke task manager cntr alt del and tab to services and start there . Pretty certain that this is a false message anyway. it is in fact running, just that windows reported it as not before it got up and went late in the start up routine
The above is for W7 as I don’t run W10 but I suspect it is the same. Best Regards, MIKE
Uninstall MOTU Asio drivers, reboot, Reinstall ASIO drivers. Set new drivers as default. Test, test (yes BIAB back to normal with MME default). All is now fine again.
I will send the "error log" to BIAB support.
I am not pointing fingers here, but...
I wish someone would stop breaking my ASIO drivers!
The audio service not running thing that pops up down the bottom is normally accompanied by a cross on the little speaker in the task bar/ If you click on this and bring up the vol control and move it a bit it should clear. Also you could instead evoke task manager cntr alt del and tab to services and start there . Pretty certain that this is a false message anyway. it is in fact running, just that windows reported it as not before it got up and went late in the start up routine
The above is for W7 as I don’t run W10 but I suspect it is the same. Best Regards, MIKE
thanks Mike for the input.
Yes, the little red circle was there as you state. But it would not go away by adjusting vol.
And Yes, the WAS was still "enabled" according to the Services page. But no message said it was not running. BIAB error message said it could not be opened. All sounds were dead until I reinstalled the ASIO from my audio device.
Maybe just me with this system. If I find time I will tell you about the new DAW I am currently building. It is sitting right next to the older one and up and running now. It will take a bit of time to transfer software over with all the licencing requirements. I am working on that now in between writing, producing and recording my OPUS.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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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.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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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)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
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Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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