Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
madoues Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
Hi,

I am sure this question has been asked before, but I couldn't find it in the search function.

I want to install my Audiophile 2018 version on a computer that has 2016 on it. If I install without removing the old version, will this installation remove all the files in C:bb\ that will now be in subfolders in the 2018 version?

Or should I uninstall 2016 first so the C:\bb folder doesn't end up being a mess of unused files?

Dan

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,676
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,676
Dan,

Standard practice is to install the new version directly over the older version. I've been doing this ever since I first started using the program in 2006.

This way, bonus packages and any files that have accumluated in the older version are kept. Newer program files are simply overwritten.

The \bb folder will automatically be tidied up by the 2018 installation.

Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,852
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,852
Was your 2016 version also an audiophile version? If not, be aware that you will end up with a bunch of WMA files from the 2016 version in addition to the WAV files from the 2018 version in your Realtracks/RealDrums folders.


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,676
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,676
John,

I should have checked this.

I assumed (rightly or wrongly) that the it was the compressed file version that was being installed since the Audiophile edition allows for this option. (I have the Ultrapk equivalent installed on my hard drive, which is what I use most of the time, and I connect the USB drive to access to the wav files for Realtracks/Realdrums when I'm putting a song together for uploading.)

Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,674
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,674
John and Noel, I could be wrong but I don't see a problem here.

In the audiophile version you always get all the .WMA files as well as all the .WAV files. I haven't known PG Music to delete a RealTrack, audiophile or no, so I assume all the files from 2016 are also still in 2018. Whatever is new will overwrite, but at this point 'most' RealTracks will not be changed.

Since BIAB uses .WAV files if they are present, it really doesn't matter what was in the 2016 version.


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,852
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,852
Cool, Matt. I didn't realize that the Audiophile came with both (I thought it was just the WAV) and didn't want to set up a situation where there was a confusing mix and match (depending upon previously obtained content) of RealTracks/RealDrums.


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142
Yes, I have two installations. One uses the WAV files from the Audiophile USB drive. The other is installed on a different desktop without the Audiophile drive, and without WAV file availability, instead uses the WMA files that have been copied as part of the installation.


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
madoues Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
Well I went went and installed over the old version.

Bottom line, the installation did not clean after itself.

My computer has a 128GB SSD drive for OS and it had 22GB of space left(yes a bigger drive is coming). I ran out of space during install, so I moved the "Songs And Lessons" folder to another drive. That freed up over 10GB all by itself. Then went back to the error window saying my drive was full and clicked retry. Sure enough, installation continued and completed itself. Now my c:\bb takes up 35GB of space not counting the 10GB I moved to another drive.

I guess the next move is to remove everything and start over hoping it works!!!

Dan

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,978
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,978
Quote:
I guess the next move is to remove everything and start over hoping it works!!!


No, there's no reason you would need to do that.
To clean up the bb folder, you can go to Help | Utilities | Run Cleanup routine.

Also, make sure to select your custom RealTracks folder in the RealTracks Preferences dialog (and same with Drums).


Andrew
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,674
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,674
I just checked my audiophile installation. The BIAB files without the RealTracks and RealDrums takes up 33 GB. That includes quite a few files I happen to store there, like songs from fakebooks, that are not part of the default installation, but those files are pretty small.

On any hard drive, you need to try to keep 15% of the drive free to avoid thrashing. However, on an SSD, I believe the percentage can be much lower but I don't have a rule of thumb to cite.


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,674
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,674
Originally Posted By: jford
Cool, Matt. I didn't realize that the Audiophile came with both (I thought it was just the WAV) and didn't want to set up a situation where there was a confusing mix and match (depending upon previously obtained content) of RealTracks/RealDrums.

The good news is that this can't happen. BIAB checks for .WAV files, and if it find them, loads them. If not, it checks for .WMA files, loads and uncompresses them, and uses that. In this way, you can have a combination of .WMA files and .WAV files, and it doesn't matter; it will work.


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
madoues Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
I already started from scratch; seems to work so far.
It should be OK if the old 2016 installation isn't needed for the upgrade activation to 2018; I don't think it is needed, but will see.
Just sent for my activation code.

BTW,
Songs and Lessons take up 10.5GB and Soloists take up 13.5GB.
The rest is only 4GB of the 28GB install.
That is without Real Tracks and Drums, obviously.

Dan

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,852
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,852
Quote:
The good news is that this can't happen. BIAB checks for .WAV files, and if it find them, loads them. If not, it checks for .WMA files, loads and uncompresses them, and uses that. In this way, you can have a combination of .WMA files and .WAV files, and it doesn't matter; it will work.


Right; I guess what I was getting at was to a discerning ear, certain RealTracks that may have been obtained previously (special paks) as WMA's but not on the current AudioPhile disk might sound different against the new WAV RTs. Probably not a big issue, but just to be aware.


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,674
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,674
This is true. I do have a few add-on paks that are not audiophile.


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 18
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 18
Hey Guys

Sorry to bust into an old dead post like this but my question is right in line with this but I have a slightly different issue.

I started with BiaB 2018 Pro with RB. I then upgraded to 2019 MegaPak with RB and then to 2020 UltraPak with RB. I have now upgraded to 2022 UltraPak+ with RB.

Now for the problem. After I installed 2020 I was left with start menu items for both 2018 & 2020 (32 & 64 bit versions).
My BiaB folders total 248gb of space being taken up by the programs.

I have not installed 2022 yet mainly because I don't have the room if 2022 becomes my 3rd version available (in both 32 & 64 bit) and it ends up taking up another 40+gb of space (the download is 140gb and I only have ~40gb or free space). I would actually like to just wipe the whole thing and start from a clean install of 64 bit only.

Can the upgrade can go on without the old version being installed first.

Any reason that I can't or shouldn't do that?

Thanks
David


BIAB for Windows Version 2018 (513)
Windows 10
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,674
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,674
If you install over the older version, many (even most) of the files will be the same. For those files that are updated, the file sizes should be about the same. Plus, any songs, user styles, and bonus Paks you have will remain. This is the normal way to upgrade. It takes incrementally more space each year but not double, for example.

My next point is uncertain but I believe to do a fresh install, you couldinstall your first purchase and then you only need to do the last upgrade. Ex. 2018 then 2022. If you saved any bonus pak installers, run them before 2022. If you buy from PG Music, you have an online account (not the forum) where all your purchases are available to download.

Of course make a backup of your own song files and user styles first if you decide to start fresh.



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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,978
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,978
Quote:
Now for the problem. After I installed 2020 I was left with start menu items for both 2018 & 2020 (32 & 64 bit versions).


Band-in-a-Box includes both 64bit and 32bit .exe files, and there are different shortcuts to open these, however they use the same content. In your bb folder, there are files bbw.exe (the 32bit one) and bbw64.exe (the 64bit version), but only one RealTracks folder for example.

Quote:
My BiaB folders total 248gb of space being taken up by the programs.


I would expect your bb folder to be about 130 GB... so you have some extra files in there, or do you have more than one Band-in-a-Box folder? If you have more than one bb folder, I would merge them into one folder. You don't need to have multiple folders. If you only have one bb folder, you might have accumulated some wave files from songs you've generated and saved in your bb folder.

Quote:
I have not installed 2022 yet mainly because I don't have the room if 2022 becomes my 3rd version available (in both 32 & 64 bit) and it ends up taking up another 40+gb of space (the download is 140gb and I only have ~40gb or free space). I would actually like to just wipe the whole thing and start from a clean install of 64 bit only.


To answer the question, yes you COULD wipe the whole thing and download your entire 2022 UltraPAK fresh. That would work, however it is usually a better idea to install to your existing bb folder. 40GB of free space will be tight... Do you have an external hard drive you could back up (copy) your existing bb folder to if you will be starting fresh?


Andrew
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 18
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 18
Thanks for the replies.
I did the wipe and fresh install and everything is working swimingly.
David


BIAB for Windows Version 2018 (513)
Windows 10
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane

zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!

Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.

Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music

Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

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!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

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!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.

Holiday Weekend Hours

It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:

Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Regular hours
resume Tuesday, May 19th!

Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!

Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!

Don't wait - order today!

Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!

Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.

Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.

If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!

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.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

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.

The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,619
Posts807,542
Members40,174
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Happy Birthday, herjan, thier43, guitm, ninalutaaya
40,174 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 94
rsdean 82
WaoBand 50
DrDan 42
Today's Birthdays
rockin
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5