Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 162
C
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
C
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 162
A question for those who have the BiaB Audiophile edition.

I've just received mine on the mini hard drive supplied by PG Music. Do you only connect the mini drive when you want to use BiaB or do you leave it connected all the time?

I think it may not be a good idea to leave it on all the time the computer is on unless it is connected to a switchable hub but I thought I'd ask what others do.

Thanks.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
I don't have Audiophile but do use the hard drive sent to me by PG on my laptop. I only plug the drive in while running BIAB/RB.




Steve

BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,681
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,681
I have two PCs using the audiophile files. On the production machine, I copied all the RealTracks and RealDrums to an internal drive. On the secondary machine, I just leave the PG Music drive plugged in all the time. I don't think there is any harm in doing so.


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: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142
My Audiophile drive is connected to a USB3 port continuously. Never had any issue.


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 2015
Posts: 7,954
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
I had mine connected all the time but now it's on a seagate drive instead of the usual western digital it drops out now and then and each time you need to go in the settings and set the folders back to the external drive.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,008
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,008
It completely depends on what your preference is for storage and how you want to run the drive.

Here are the options:

If you want to run everything from the external HD, yes. You will need to have it plugged in. If you wish to run the main program on the internal HD but keep all the bigger files on the external HD and set up customer folders to that external HD, yes; it will need to be plugged in. If you put everything on the internal HD, then no. You don't need to have it plugged in.

We hope this helps!


Cheers,
Ember
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142
Quote:
...If you put everything on the internal HD, then no. You don't need to have it plugged in...

Note however, that you will need about 1.4Tb of unused space on the destination drive if you prefer to copy.


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: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,677
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,677
With my Audiophile version, I've installed the compressed-files version of BIAB on my hard drive and use that mostly. When I need the better quality audio for creating a project in my DAW, I hook up the USB drive and adjust the Realtracks' and Realdrums' locations.


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 32
C
CMJ Offline
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
C
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 32
are you using a pc/mac?
i'd like to know how this works?


CMJ
IdeaSound Studios
www.IdeaSound.us
Band in a Box 2020 Audiophile edition
Ableton Live Suite 10
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142
Originally Posted By: CMJ
are you using a pc/mac?
i'd like to know how this works?

I'm pretty sure Noel is using Windows PC, but he will confirm, I'm sure.


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: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Originally Posted By: Pipeline
I had mine connected all the time but now it's on a seagate drive instead of the usual western digital it drops out now and then and each time you need to go in the settings and set the folders back to the external drive.

Hi Pipeline, did you try in USB hub settings to disable power management?
Laptops often give problems due lack of more than one USB controller chip.
You could remove unused USB device drivers with USB deview. a very handy tool.
And yes, the formerly used USB 3.0 WD My passport harddisks from PGmusic drives were 2 classes better than the newer stuff.
The seagate model they sent last December i wouldn't dare to buy for my own use.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,681
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,681
Originally Posted By: CMJ
are you using a pc/mac?
i'd like to know how this works?

It works the same on either platform, and it works automatically. BIAB uses the audiophile files if it finds them, otherwise it uses the compressed files.

I’ve written quite a bit about this in the Tips and Tricks Forum. It’s the first sticky post.


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 2015
Posts: 7,954
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
Originally Posted By: fiddler2007

Hi Pipeline, did you try in USB hub settings to disable power management?
Laptops often give problems due lack of more than one USB controller chip.
You could remove unused USB device drivers with USB deview. a very handy tool.
And yes, the formerly used USB 3.0 WD My passport harddisks from PGmusic drives were 2 classes better than the newer stuff.
The seagate model they sent last December i wouldn't dare to buy for my own use.


Thanks Fiddler, yes first thing I tried and have it in the port at the back, I just put last years Western Digital drive back in and it has not dropped out once since.
I have this years seagate unplugged as I was worried it would crash and loose all the data before I could get out again to buy a Western Digital to copy it to.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 162
C
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
C
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 162
Thanks everyone for your replies, very helpful.

To install the audiophile onto my internal hard drive, do I just copy it directly onto my drive or do I need to actually install it.

I realise it's around 1.4TB: I do have plenty of free space for it. I just need to know the best way of going about actually getting it from the drive supplied by PG Music onto mine.

Thanks again.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,681
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,681
Do the actual install routine.


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 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Pipeline, maybe your drive is faulty, i had once a replacement sent by PG, but that was a faulty WD.

I kept all the old WD My passports, still use them for other things.
The quality of last years drive and being forced to buy the updates that way, and not being able to download them is one of the reasons i am not gonna buy 2021 Audiophile this year.

Classicman: Copying the lot takes time, i usually do that with Teracopy, as it verifies and shuts down my PC when it's finished.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
It could be faulty I'll just have to wait until I get another 2GB drive to copy it to.
Yeah, all my WD drives get STUFF on them so I can't wipe one to copy it to.
I suppose PG are trying to keep the price down as most of the upgrade price is the hardware and the weight of the seagate I think is lighter for sending.
I think 1.5TB is a lot to download though it would be smaller with only the new RealTrack/Drums rather than ALL including wma/m4a I think they are about 130GB ? (maybe 15-20GB new ones ?) so that maybe something to look at if you don't need the compressed files.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Well, wav makes a difference, and why not torrent the updated wav files only on some PG server? wma is already in the yearly 'normal' download.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
I plugged the seagate back in if my calculations are correct,
all RealTracks for 2020 (going by folder date) including Direct Input 73GB that's the collective folder size, I -7% for the compressed files.
Then I went to do Drums by the folder date but I think they may have updated some old ones so that maybe an issue with the drums and realtracks, having to download any updated tracks ???

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
Originally Posted By: fiddler2007
Pipeline, maybe your drive is faulty, i had once a replacement sent by PG, but that was a faulty WD.

I kept all the old WD My passports, still use them for other things.
The quality of last years drive and being forced to buy the updates that way, and not being able to download them is one of the reasons i am not gonna buy 2021 Audiophile this year.

Classicman: Copying the lot takes time, i usually do that with Teracopy, as it verifies and shuts down my PC when it's finished.


Yes it's faulty ! I took it out of the USB 3 case and used another and it still dropped out, I connected it internally to the sata and it still drops out.

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
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!

Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!

No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!

In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!

Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!

No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!

In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

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.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,635
Posts807,788
Members40,179
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
maiyagg, RAYPA, Neveralull, alebasa, Shegzy Empire
40,179 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 88
rsdean 80
WaoBand 48
vicarn 41
DrDan 41
Today's Birthdays
Oom Karel, terryberko
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5