OK was going to do a whole RANT here but deleted it all (my version of counting to 10) so I will simply say, and I mean this as politely and calmly as I can:
1) I'm NOT the PG nor software license police
2) What you want to do, give away a copy of BIAB, and I hope you didn't at least not without PG's permission, is in my opinion over the line.
3) The logical conclusion of Kojak's suggestion is that only one in three people would ever need to buy BIAB because you have three licenses/activation's. But that does not mean you can, or should, just give one or two copies away for ANY REASON, no matter how well intended. Think what folks giving away one or two activation's would do to PG's or any companies revenue stream and its ability to keep, let alone hire, programmers and support staff.
and this is just a suggestion to all those who said they like Kenneth's ability to get things done - I agree, although if you really want to support Kenneth, do like I did and BUY the $18 (15 euro) license for VSTsynthfont3 that also includes Synthfont2
Larry
Larry
Last edited by Larry Kehl; 03/01/2009:18 AM.
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
...PG music allows three installs in different computers at the same time.
I have a recollection that the limitations of this were discussed a little while back.
The three different installs all relate to the same single user so that it's possible to (say) have BIAB on a desktop and also have it on a laptop for performing.
As I understand it, these three installs work on the principle that only a single machine, and hence a single installation, is being run at any single time by the same user.
========
Trygve,
I notice that you are presently running BIAB 2020 so if you want to give away BIAB 2019, and your 2020 version is a full installation and not an upgrade from 2019, that's probably possible depending on how you purchased it (see the below paragraph). You should check with PG Music about this and how to transfer ownership.
If your 2020 version is an upgrade from 2019 and getting the 2020 version at a special price or special deal required you to have the 2019 version, then I doubt that BIAB 2019 can change ownership because the 2020 version is tied up with the 2019 version. (If you have a look for older posts, you'll find that this has been discussed a few times over the years.)
Since I'm not PG Music staff, though, it would be wise to ask them regarding both of the above points.
But I was not going to transfer ownership or give away any BiaB license.. It was merely the 1 month trial period anyone can run BiaB as, before have to register it to continue using it.. Thinking that would be enough to test the new VSTi feature Kenneth was willing to TRY TO implement, IN BIAB IT self...
As far as I know, MOST, if not all, music software, AND other software, offer a FREE 30-60 days TRIAL, without have to pay anything first. Some fully functional, some with small limitations. I have no idea WHY PG Music cannot do the same...
BUT, when that is said. IMHO, THIS should not be a problem when it comes to 3rd party software developers, that develop VST software that can be used in BiaB... ESPECIALLY when this software COMES AS PART of BiaB ! THOSE developers, SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY have a FREE license of BiaB, for TESTING PURPOSE ! PERIOD !
So THAT, have been my OPINION all along.. BUT, since PG MUSIC is silent about the matter, at least here, the discussion take turns that perhaps is UNNECESSARY?
Pardon me, if I am totally out of my mind about this matter...;)
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
Yes Pipeline.. Engagement in the matter, will, hopefully, help Kenneth to decide IF he want to make any further fixes to make it work as intended.. He wasn't entirely sure of it, as u could read, so hopefully this will help... Thank's !
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
I would have thought, though it seems not, since it came bundled with biab a few years ago, that PG would have supplied him with a copy to aid further development.
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
I would have thought, though it seems not, since it came bundled with biab a few years ago, that PG would have supplied him with a copy to aid further development.
Yes, I would have thought the same... But seems like we are not thinking the same way eh??
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
I'm not trying to ruffle feathers or be obstinate I know you come here with music in your heart and probably a big smile on your face and I know you have no bones to pick with PG or forum members (except now maybe now me - I hope not) but I'm still having trouble understanding, with respect to your FIRST reported issue, why you think this would have somehow been fixed faster or better if PG had given Ken a copy of BIAB?
To begin: PG may or may not have already given Kenneth a copy of BIAB, they may give him a copy today, they may give him a copy tomorrow, or PG may or never give him a copy. Once again that's between Ken and PG but immaterial to my point.
FWIW, and Ken knows this by now even if he didn't before, he could have gone to PG site a few days ago (still can) and get a copy of BIAB on a 30 trail period if he wants, there is nothing stopping him. He doesn't need yours or anybody else's activation code to get that copy - as we all know it's fully functional.
My (material) point: Even if PG had made a copy of BIAB available to Ken as soon as you first posted HERE (14 Feb) about inability to send patch changes from BIAB to VSTSynthfont, via the 3rd party IL Minihost VSTi that was hosted within BIAB it would not have helped Ken since, the issue was IL Minihost, NOT BIAB. I know I looked at this config and reported back same as did others.
Ken could have found that out just by using IL Minihost and VSTsynthfont within any free DAW - in the end the issue was/is really between Ken and ImageLine.
So what am I missing relative to the actual initial issue that started this whole discussion? What was, or is, so imperative that PG get a copy to Ken with respect to your initial technical issue?
My position on this was not and IS NOT whether PG might not consider giving a copy to Ken for future proofing or as a consideration for Ken allowing PG to distribute the non-free version 3 of his product, my position is that is just a separate discussion.
Larry
PS
Some history a lot of us will remember IK Multimedia’s SampleTank 2 free use to be provided with BIAB and a version of AmplTube's VST (assuming you install it) is still provided.
But back when ST2 Free was provided there had been USER issues with using SampleTank, usually SampleTank but sometimes AmpliTube. Issues were usually one of two things: authorizations and issues on how to make ST2 work with BIAB like the USER thought it should work.
Yet I don't remember a public cry for PG to handover BIAB to IK so that IK could troubleshoot (FWIW in my experience with IK - they wouldn't have anyway).
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
unfortunately it crashed in all my music software, BiaB, Reaper, Reason, Rapid Composer and including Synthfont ! Must perhaps be something wrong with my computer, or with the download? I have a slow and unstable internet connection, so it might be that.. Corrupted download or something. Happens often..
So good if some of u can test it and see. Because, if it works for others, but not for me, then I know it's something wrong here...
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
We'll make sure Kenneth gets a copy of Band-in-a-Box 2020 to test.
Great ! Thank's Andrew !
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
Downloaded and tried to open the uncompressed version.. Same in all my daws and Biab.. Running windows 8.1.. The strange thing is; The first one, version a, opened just fine in BiaB, then I clicked a wrong place and BiaB froze.. After restarting, this message; Cannot connect to this VST came up, then after restarting BiaB, this message that it is not a valid 64 bit VST came up. So it can seems like those error makes or does something to the registry or something? Since no later versions works in any of my daws after that...
Could u try it also Andrew ? And see if it works for you? And try to find out why this message it is not an valid VST coming up?
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
Could u try it also Andrew ? And see if it works for you? And try to find out why this message it is not an valid VST coming up?
Actually it is working for me. Note that Band-in-a-Box ships with it's own version of the synthfont that's called "VSTSynthFont64.dll". It's in the Data\libx64 folder, and Band-in-a-Box 64 will automatically try to connect with it at bootup. So, you should name this new Synthfont dll file to something else - it doesn't matter what. Maybe this will resolve the problem.
Band-in-a-Box does not automatically scan for ALL VST plugins (Sforzando being another exception) - you need to add other ones manually by going to "Add VSTi Plugin" in the Band-in-a-Box VST/DX Plugins window. FYI This data is saved in Preferences\VSTiPluginListX64.ini
The version I'm showing in the VSTSynthFont window is 3.420
Last edited by Andrew - PG Music; 03/04/2008:31 AM.
Ok, Thank's Andrew... I tried rename it, but still coming up it's not a valid VST.. Then I tried to download the newest update from his website, saying it is version 3.410, and yours is 3.420 ? How come? Was that the version he posted on his forum?
Anyway, when I tried to install it in the default folder, the Data\libx64 folder, this message came up;
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
I downloaded the VSTSynthFont64.dll. I'm not aware of any other files. I may be misunderstanding what this is about.
VST2 plugins have the extension .dll. An .Sf2 is not a VST file, but it's probably a soundfont related file. Typically VST2 plugins go in a location like C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\VST2, or C:\VSTPlugins, but technically it doesn't matter. You should not put them in the Band-in-a-Box Data folder, since they can be used by many different programs.
Ok, I tried the c version he posted in his forum also, to replace the VSTSynthfont64 in the Data\libx64 folder, then deleted the VSTSynthfont64 in the VST collection in BiaB, shut down Biab and restarted i again.. This time when I tried to load it, I again got the message; Sorry, Band in a Box cannot make connection to VSTSynthfont64...
Hmm... So u downloaded the VSTSynthFont64.dll from his website, used the installer and installed it in the libx64 folder and that worked to load VSTi with no issues?
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
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.
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!
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.
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)
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!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean