|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3 |
Hi! Noob question - but I can't find an answer anywhere in the forums.
Bought Ultrapack on a hard drive. Want to install to my Win 10 desktop computer. Installation routine says there is not enough room on C drive (as I expected).
How do I install on 2nd ("D") drive?
Or even if, how to just install all the large content files on D, if I have to include some crucial files on C because it has the OS on it?
I don't see anywhere in the installation procedure to make those choices.
I'm sure I'm missing something really basic, but I'm lost at this point because I can't find any posts that address this,
Thank you for your help,
rockinbop
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,634
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,634 |
Hi,
Welcome to the forums.
I run BIAB from my computer's internal D: drive.
To install it, start the installation routine on your USB drive and choose the option that asks for it to be installed on your computer's hard drive. then, when paths appear, simply set d:\bb as the installation folder. (I'm working from memory but that should be close.)
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,648
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,648 |
One option I did, was to copy the whole external USB drive to an internal drive for regular use, and then tuck the external drive away as my backup. We can have an 3 active copies and a backup according to license agreement. But we can only run one license at a time.
PG has confirmed this is OK with a purchased copy.
Then I ran the installer and installed things so the programs can run on C: and the rest of the USB disk (Realtracks and Realdrums) is on the aforementioned internal E: drive.
This way my 120 gig USB is stored away and I can use the 500 gig E: drive to run Biab/RB and store everything (as if it were the external drive), including songs if desired.
I can run BiaB/RB from E: or C:, which is nice. My internal E: drive acts like the USB BiaB drive but is bigger and faster.
Or I run BiaB/RB from C: and use the Realtracks from E:
This reserves 2 of my 3 allowed install licenses but it sure is handy, especially when doing testing. I can have the latest/greatest test install on C: and know I still have the last stable release version on E: (or vice versa)
Plus I know I always have the original hard drive if needed, with very little wear/tear on it.
If I do have to take the USB drive to another (3rd) computer I have had little issue with running the program(s) from there since I still have the 3rd license available.
If your setup allows this, I've found it to be a nice way to handle things.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3 |
Thank you, Noel!
I found that box with the options to put on a specific HD. I don't know why I missed that in previous attempts, except maybe I had chosen the option one, which does not bring up the choices?
It is written in very very small fonts, I wonder if that is my system or the software?
In any case, this time, I found it thanks to you, and it seems to have installed correctly. In looking at what IS installed now, on the C drive, it's still about 20GB... does that seem normal, for just the operating core of the software? (I'm thinking of the possibility that my previous attempts (like I tried option 4) put more on the drive, and now that I have done the full install on my D drive, there are extraneous files on the C that I could get rid of? I would think it would be a lot less than 20GB. But I wouldn't want to delete and re-install just to find out that's what it really is.
Thanks again!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 27
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 27 |
Rockinbop, I have BiaB totally installed on a external HD. There is nothing on my system drive (128gb, small) for BiaB. I just looked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3 |
OK Guys, you are in many cases way above my head. Here's my setup:
C drive is 128GB solid state.
D is actually my Optical (CD) drive
E (I had called this D in my original post) is where I have lots of room and want to put content.
I also have external USB drives I could use to store stuff if it ever came to that.
I bought The PGMusic USB Hard Drive.
My original thought was that running BIAB from the PGMusic HD was not the safest thing, in terms of if anything went wrong, it could be my ultimate backup. I also thought - perhaps not correctly - that running the program from an internal drive would be faster.
In addition to BIAB, I will be installing a DAW and parts of the Komplete library.
So my tiny little C drive needs to be kept as lean as possible.
rharv,
I understand the logic of paragraph: "One option I did, was to copy the whole external USB drive to an internal drive for regular use, and then tuck the external drive away as my backup. " I think that was part of my original intent. My C drive is only 128GB, but I thought (perhaps not logically) that running BB from the PGMusic external USB HD would be slower than runnning from an internal drive. Also wasn't sure if saving songs and ideas to that PGMusic HD was the safest thing to do?
So running from a drive OTHER than C, and OTHER than the PGMusic drive, was my intent.
-And I DO like the idea of ".. tuck the external drive away as my backup"
When you copied the entire drive to a separate internal drive "for regular use" is there other data on that drive as well? Do you put the copied material in it's own folder, or put it exactly as is on the HD we purchased? I see 4 individual folders - "bb; Documentation; PGMusic; RealBand"; and then files "autorun; Band-in-a-Box (32-bit); Band-in-a Box (64-bit); datalist.asc; License; ReadMe First; RealBand;Setup". My question would be, can that hard drive you copy to also have other data on it without interfering with using BIAB?
Grem also says he has it all on an external drive, with nothing on the C drive. So that is what I could do, copying it totally to my E drive and running it from there? (But I thought somewhere the directions said there would be some files placed on the C drive)
So if it is possible to run the entire program from my E drive, AS IF that was the PGMusic HD, and save space on C drive as well as have a complete backup? I had always thought there had to be SOME files on the C drive just to register with Windows in some way, to have it run correctly? Again, my lack of computer knowledge rears it's head.
Am I confusing this with When you: "Then I ran the installer and installed things so the programs can run on C: and the rest of the USB disk (Realtracks and Realdrums) is on the aforementioned internal E: drive." ... Is that the installation option #1, (which I may or may not have tried once)
It would be great to have everything on the E drive, put away the PGMusic drive for safety, and have as little as possible on the C drive. But when I install my DAW (Reason and/or Studio One) with as little as possible on the C drive, will they be able to access the BIAB as an insert?
At this point, I have a whole lot of PGMusic files on my C drive, probably from installing it incorrectly on previous attempt(s).
There is a "bb" folder, which includes folders "BBPlugin; "DX Settings"; "Uninstall" and an application "bbw4"
Also, inside "Program Files" folder is:
Folder: "VSTPlugins", with 2 .dll files
Folder: "PG Music Inc", containing a folder of "Band-in-a-Box Sounds", which contains a folder "GUI"; another "Programs", and 8 files
Folder: "Common Files" < VST2, with Band-in-a-Box DAW VST Plugin.dll
Folder: "Common Files" < VST3, with 2 other folders plus "Band-in-a-Box DAW VST3 Plugin.vst3
Folder: "Steinberg> VSTPlugins", which contains Band-in-a-Box DAW VST Plugin.dll
and hopefully not much more.
Oh yeah,
Folder "Program Files (x86)" has a bunch also,including
Folder: "PowerTracksDirectX Plugins".
Folder: "Coyote"
I'm not even going to look in the Common Files. I'm sure you can tell what I did wrong originally.
At this point, should I:
1) disconnect my PGMusic drive from my computer
2) completely delete BIAB and whatever else PGMusic from Windows delete programs page?
3) copy everything from PGMusic HD to my E (internal HD) just the way it is, with no regard to other folders already on that drive?
4) Run BIAB installation program from the E drive as if I was running it from the original PGMusic HD < BUT WHICH OPTION? Don't make the same mistake I made before!>
5. If I do this, I do not need to install anything onto my C drive?
Will other applications know how to find BIAB as the plugin? If it's a VST doesn't it somehow have to be within one or more VST folders?
Thank you so much.
Rockinbop
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- 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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,447
Posts805,182
Members40,121
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean