I installed BIAB 2018 on my Dell computer running windows 10 and have some issues. When I start BIAB I get a popup window at the bottom right that says "Windows Audio Session Error: Could not select the default input device. The error number is -9985". Never saw this with BIAB 2017. When I load an existing song that worked on 2017 when I play it there is a delay in the display changing chords and they are not in sync with the audio. On a fast song it is about 2 beats delayed and on a slow waltz it is about 1 beat late.
Another more serious problem is after I install the program I can run it and close it and start it up again without any problem but if I shut the computer down and start it up again then I can't run BIAB again without re-installing it. I get an error that says "bbw.exe - Bad Image, ****.dll is either not designed to run on windows or it contains an error", *** is the full file path and it repeats this error for 3 different .dlls I have re-installed the program and installed the updates 3 times with the same result each time.
Hello and welcome to the forum. The first error was seen in early versions of BIAB 2018 but was fixed with a patch. Go to the grey Support tab above and download and install the latest build. If you’ve done that, go to Options, Preferences, Audio and change From WAS driver to MME or, if you have it, ASIO.
About the second problem, try locating BBW.EXE in the /BB folder, right click and select Run as Administrator. If that doesn’t work, turn off your antivirus program during the install.
If these do not resolve your problems please call PG Music Support. They are really excellent and will get you running.
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.
Well, I thought it was fixed until I started BIAB today and it wouldn't start again. Same error messages as before so I turned off my antivirus and re-installed BIAB again and installed all the update patches and I am back where I started with the sound not being matched with the chord changes in the display. With the time difference for customer support it hasn't worked out that I can call support for their help. I tried the chat support and they just told me to call customer support.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
Another more serious problem is after I install the program I can run it and close it and start it up again without any problem but if I shut the computer down and start it up again then I can't run BIAB again without re-installing it. I get an error that says "bbw.exe - Bad Image, ****.dll is either not designed to run on windows or it contains an error", *** is the full file path and it repeats this error for 3 different .dlls I have re-installed the program and installed the updates 3 times with the same result each time.
I'm not all that familiar with Dell, but I do use Avast and Malwarebytes, and I've never had to do anything extra to exclude them.
As an extra precaution I do put Avast into silent mode when I install. It sounds to me like it might be a 3rd party anti-virus, or an app that Dell has that is preventing the install. I thought I saw another user have a problem with the updates being flagged by their anti-virus, which AV protection do you use?
Windows 10 build 16299 2018 Ultra Intel i5-3550 @ 3.3GHz p8z77-v pro RAM: 32GB Roland V-Studio 100 Alesis VX49
Wow, this is a weird one. I have no idea what's going one but as you can see from the responses, this is strictly unique to your system. Don't you feel special?
As for Avast, we were all getting the "This file may contain something bad" message from Avast during testing because Biab 2018 was new to them. After a few days it stopped. Hackers are literally running wild all over the world, it's a huge problem and we all just have to live with it but that's separate from your bad .dll messages.
Rather than continually reinstalling Biab (you know the definition of insanity I'm sure) I would be inclined to contact Dell and reinstall Win 10 because I suspect that's where the problem is. Either the Windows install is messed up or you've changed something in your registry or installed something that is messing with your system.
Pretty much everybody on this forum simply installed 2018 including me and it works perfectly. You can see my system specs in my sig. It would help if you posted your system details as well. My computer is a stock out of the box Win 10 system. No tweaks. Everything was installed using the defaults. It came with Win 7 and I did the free update to Win 10 with zero issues.
Have you done anything unusual with your system since you got it including installing specialized software that might be out of the ordinary? By ordinary I mean everybody installs Adobe Reader, MS Office or Open Office and stuff like that. Musicians like to install free cool sounding but unknown software from dubious sources.
Another more serious problem is after I install the program I can run it and close it and start it up again without any problem but if I shut the computer down and start it up again then I can't run BIAB again without re-installing it. I get an error that says "bbw.exe - Bad Image, ****.dll is either not designed to run on windows or it contains an error", *** is the full file path and it repeats this error for 3 different .dlls I have re-installed the program and installed the updates 3 times with the same result each time.
We encountered a similar problem a few months ago, where McAfee (on certain computers) was deleting .dll's, without any notification. It would leave a 0 byte dll file in the Band-in-a-Box folder that was not a valid dll, so the program would give errors like this. I think you can exclude the Band-in-a-Box folder in the Mcafee settings (if that's indeed what your issue is), but you likely need to reinstall Band-in-a-Box (just the main program file) to get the files back.
Last edited by Andrew - PG Music; 12/24/1708:16 AM.
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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!
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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):
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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
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)
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