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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 877
Expert
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OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 877 |
Hey there folks,
I know there have been many, many, posts on this topic, but I am looking for the best way to accomplish my specific goals post-install, and I'd like to avoid as much freezing and crashing as possible.
So here's the deal. I've been running BiaB on the same HD since 2017, and installed 2018 and 2019 over that. everything is installed there to the external drive (F), except for plugins which is not an issue because I set the paths appropriately.
The connection for my USB port has gotten extremely loose, and unplugs itself at the most random times. I have become so wary of damaging the program irreparably through these crashes, that I've all but stopped using the program entirely over the last few weeks. Note that I love the speed of my laptop's SSD I have very little space on it to spare.
I alos have a much more powerful desktop, but for the moment I'm traveling a lot, and do not live in the same place for the space of a single week, so I use that only when I want to render something down and make my final edits for export.
Lately I've become very interested in exploring the MIDI aspects of the program (and I'm not even referring to the MSTs, I could do without those for the moment). However, I know there are a lot more functions to the program than just the "container" which use files like soloist files, melodist files, etc, and I want to make sure I have them installed, yet at the same time have the ability to pop in my external drive here and there where and have the program know exactly where to look for the RTs. I also want to spend more time with RB's MIDI and piano roll, etc, and work with external audio samples, vsts, and the like.
To cut this short. I currently have both my desktop and laptop "authorized" (in other words, even though I run BiaB from the same external drive, I had to put in an authorization code when I first plugged it in to the desktop), and I want the program to do everything it can without any RTs, on both BUT I want it tio recognize and access RTs from the external drive whenever it's plugged in (I do want the loops installed both on each computer AND the external drive though, if that's possible). I would prefer not to resinstall anew, and have to refresh my authorizations because that would all be a massive PITA.
Can this be done without getting hit with a million access violation messages or whatever as the program automatically looks for stuff on a drive that's not there?
Any advice on how to go about this would be very much appreciated. :-)
Thanks in advance!
Band-in-a-Box 2024. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,649
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,649 |
If I'm understanding correctly... Yes, this can be done.
Essentially, if you want everything except Realtracks and Realdrums, just copy the \bb folder excluding \bb\Realtracks and \bb\Drums (these two folder occupy around 110-120 GB).
Once the above is done, to get the Loops folder, you'll need to copy \bb\Realtracks\Loops.
Realtracks and Realdrums can then be accessed on a USB drive by simply changing the path in Realtrack Preferences and Realdrum Preferences.
Since your two computers are set up for BIAB already, you will not need to re-register nor re-install.
I used Windows Computer Management (Administrative Tools) to set a permanent letter for my USB drive on my desktop computer.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 877
Expert
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OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 877 |
If I'm understanding correctly... Yes, this can be done.
Essentially, if you want everything except Realtracks and Realdrums, just copy the \bb folder excluding \bb\Realtracks and \bb\Drums (these two folder occupy around 110-120 GB).
Once the above is done, to get the Loops folder, you'll need to copy \bb\Realtracks\Loops.
Realtracks and Realdrums can then be accessed on a USB drive by simply changing the path in Realtrack Preferences and Realdrum Preferences.
Since your two computers are set up for BIAB already, you will not need to re-register nor re-install.
I used Windows Computer Management (Administrative Tools) to set a permanent letter for my USB drive on my desktop computer.
Regards,
Noel Thanks Noel! So just to clarify, I need to basically copy the entire contents with all the folders and simply exclude the RT and RD folders? Or should I just copy the contents of the "bb" folder itself w/o those other ones? What if I also want RB? Also, could you venture to guess how much space I would need on my internal SSD for this? (It's pretty much full now, so I need to figure out how much stuff to get rid of first). Thanks again!
Band-in-a-Box 2024. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,649
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,649 |
Hi again!
With BIAB, it writes very little to Windows registry so copying works.
One of the 'tricks' with moving to a new system is to copy the whole \bb folder and all subfolders while maintaining the same folder structure. Once the copying is done, it's then only necessary to run the BIAB/RB program files to install fonts, etc., and to activate the software seeing that it's a new system.
So....
In your situation, if you keep the \bb folder with all it's files and sub-folders so that you reproduce the folder structure of the original installation, then all will be well. (Realtracks and Realdrums folders to not have to be part of the \bb folder structure. If these folders reside outside of BIAB, the path for the location needs to be entered into "Preferences".)
You won't need to run the program file since your system already has BIAB on it. Likewise, you won't need to re-activate because activation is computer-based and you already have BIAB installed.
In relation to Realband... All the folders of Realband are needed. It uses styles, Realtracks, Realdrums, etc., from BIAB. This means there is nothing that can be eliminated from the \Realband folder.
As mentioned in my previous post, RTs and RDs are around 110-120 GB. If you right-click on your \bb folder and choose "Properties", Windows will calculate the size of your \bb folder with all RTs/RDs. Simply substract 110-120 GB from this value and you'll get the size of your proposed installation.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 877
Expert
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OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 877 |
Thank you ever so much, Noel! You are a true gem :-)
Band-in-a-Box 2024. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 457
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 457 |
The connection for my USB port has gotten extremely loose, and unplugs itself at the most random times. I have become so wary of damaging the program irreparably through these crashes, that I've all but stopped using the program entirely over the last few weeks. Note that I love the speed of my laptop's SSD I have very little space on it to spare.
Hey DeaconBLues, this comment of yours concerned me. The reason is because a few years ago I bought a used Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 that was in mint appearing condition except its USB port was worn out. I had to constantly maneuver the cable into just the right position so contact would be maintained, but as time went by it became increasingly more difficult to maintain the connection. Well, I knew that the surface jack was a standard thing and cheap to procure, so I bought a replacement and set about replacing it. You'd think that desoldering 6 connections (2 to hold the jack in place and 4 for the signals) wouldn't be all that difficult, but it ended up being more time consuming than I thought, getting those last pesky bits of solder out of the openings. So anyway, I finally managed to get the new jack installed, using a low-wattage soldering iron, even. Checked afterward with my multimeter to make sure that each connection was good. And fired the repaired 2i4 up. Or so I thought. The dials flicked red once then died and that was it. The unit was totally unresponsive. I double checked to make sure that I didn't get careless with my soldering such that one of the connections might be touching another, but nope, everything was good. But it was as dead as oak leaves in the winter. So I'm left with a pretty but useless interface and I don't know what I did wrong. As a result, my recommendation to you is, should you choose to get your USB port repaired, unless you're really good at this sort of thing, you might want to have it done by a professional.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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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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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)!
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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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- 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
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