|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
I'd be interested if a lot of the so called faulty hard drives people complain about are actually ok. It seems almost impossible to put something that works fine in a box and ship it and have it dead at the other end. Unless United breaks hard drives in addition to guitars. Or is it just the bad usb voltage issue. I should have returned my blackberry. Only 2 of the 20 some usb ports I have will charge it, the rest give me insufficient voltage messages.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610 |
My guess would be "maybe" a 10th of a percent? (If that much!)
Cheers,
Mike
Cheers, Mike My Music * Asus ROG Strix G15CF 32 GB DDR4 4TB HDD + 1 TB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Win 11 AKAI EIE PRO Sound Interface. BIAB/RB 2024 UltraPak Build - Latest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,458
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,458 |
I do seem to be having trouble with mine. Where was that thread about fixing 'em up...?
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2026 • Reaper 7.57 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610 |
Quote:
I do seem to be having trouble with mine. Where was that thread about fixing 'em up...?
Hi Tom, what kind of trouble do you have with your HD? Maybe we/someone can help here in the forum.
Cheers,
Mike
Cheers, Mike My Music * Asus ROG Strix G15CF 32 GB DDR4 4TB HDD + 1 TB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Win 11 AKAI EIE PRO Sound Interface. BIAB/RB 2024 UltraPak Build - Latest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,531
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,531 |
I had to use a powered hub with one of them, to get sufficient power. The powered hub was used for the 'extra' USB connector on the Y cable.
Depends on how your motherboard is wired, but you should always get the most power you are going to get out of the USB ports on the rear of the case, since these are built into the motherboard. Different PC manufacturers may scrimp here.
You can see USB current draw for connected devices in Device Manager. There is a finite amount of current supplied.
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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
You can see USB current draw for connected devices in Device Manager. There is a finite amount of current supplied.
?
Where?
Here, winXP SP3, I can see the bandwidth of each device reported as a percentage but not the current draw...
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,458
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,458 |
Hey, Mike. I can't get either of my computers to recognize it, even the desktop with a powered USB hub....
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2026 • Reaper 7.57 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
This just interests me. I have no real answers, but the fact that my Blackberry won't charge on most of the USB ports says something.
Perhaps, just in case, the drive should come with external power, I have 3 from PG music and I think all have a place to plug a 'wall wart."
This is postulation, but if I was shipping product I would plug every returned hard drive into a reliable source and determine if it was ok. Then I would provide plan b to the customer.
I had issues with 2 of the 3 hard drives, all solved by changing the port.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,565
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,565 |
Tom, are you using the USB cord with two plugs to add the extra power?
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Even using that plug for my blackberry was not a solution. Didn't work. I have one really good usb cable, the rest are no good at all unless plugged into some preferred port.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,531
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,531 |
Quote:
Quote:
You can see USB current draw for connected devices in Device Manager. There is a finite amount of current supplied.
?
Where?
Here, winXP SP3, I can see the bandwidth of each device reported as a percentage but not the current draw...
--Mac
No doubt I'm calling it by the wrong term. In the USB Root Hub, Power tab, you see what they call "power required for each attached device", expressed as mA (which is a measure of current, correct?). Since it also shows "total power available per port", you can see if a problem exists. I'm sure your term of bandwidth is a better way to describe this. It must be that they show only what a device requires, rather than what it actually draws, which could be less, and should not be more unless it's defective? Thanks for the correction.
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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486 |
Hi John,
As a matter of interest over the last few years I have had these problems frequently occur causing me to think that the USB external hard drives were faulty and even getting them replaced
But when the new ones came the same problem appeared so I began to look for other answers - I tried powered USB hubs with no result and then one day by accident I did a sequence that solved my problem everything worked - I posted this finding a couple of years ago
I actually went opposite to the instructions and plugged the lead/both leads into the computers USB port/s first and then into the external hard drive last and it worked on all the drives I thought were faulty
I also found that doing it the instruction way (and did not get recognised even with the two connectors) could be resolved by opening a program I use Paragon Partition Manager to see that a drive showed up but a drive letter had not been assigned to the drive - so I assigned a drive letter and it worked fine for that session - it obviously had enough power to operate but somehow confused on recognition
jazzman
BIAB - RealBand - 2022
Windows 10 64
Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD
Roland keyboards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Very interesting.
I still emphatically state that using the shipped hard drives (I have 3), that the cable in the box did not work often enough to be reliable and that I have a 12 inch, thick USB cable that works every time, on the same port(s) that didn't like it before.
I have never thought to go machine to machine, I have 4 on right now, and test to see if the same cable runs my blackberry, or charges it. I tried the two headed thing shipped by pgmusic when I forgot my charger and found out that again, it would not work on the Acer to charge my blackberry.
I also suspect that as other stuff gets plugged in and out that you start getting access violations. I think I'd put last on the testing line a low powered usb port, that might be typical of what an end user has, and test the thing there, and as you point out try different sequences to ensure that the device is working. Also some sort of script to sort out the usb ports might be in order. Again as i have stated before, I have 2 machines that the Ketron via Edirol USB Midi 1 in 1 out cable, HAS to reside in the same USB port it was first plugged into or it won't play. Same for one of my cameras.
Just throwing stuff against the wall here. I continue to suspect that perfectly good hard drives are being shipped internationally when in reality they work, but it's good customer relations to say we are shipping you a new one rather than make Igor seem like his computer and his brain are not functioning.
I'd be sorely tempted to send out a support email with detailed instructions meticulously written to end run the costs and frustrations. To do that you'd need to test the 'faulty' drives and figure out how to make them work, and then do that. It might just be as simple as finding Xing cable company makes some really robust cable and go buy a hundred or so, and include that cable in the packaging. The new silver and black box in a blister pack to satisfy those who don't want to see the old graphics. Mug shots of the Realtracks guys done in black and white, morphed to silver on the box. LOL.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486 |
Hi John,
I would agree that cables are a part of the potential problem but the strange thing here is that I also changed cables with no result and the sent cables now work with my method as well
I also agree that many users I see pull the USB connections out and replace willy nilly without using the "safely remove hardware" feature which could also be a factor
Contrary to the instructions I can now plug external drives into any USB port including the two at the front of the box using my method
The U in USB is not so universal
I also have sent back external hard drives back before I found this way to make them work - they could have been perfectly ok
jazzman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,458
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,458 |
...
... rharv, I didn't know there was a two-plug USB with it. I just used the USB that I had been using; I could feel the drive start up, but the lights didn't come on and the laptop didn't recognize it. Great. Now I've gotta search the desk and the Big Box O' Cords for the two-USB thingie that presumably came with this drive, grumble mumble....
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2026 • Reaper 7.57 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
**What John found out by using the shorter cable is more likely to be solving a Voltage-drop problem rather than Current.
It may not be the same situation for all, though, due to differences in motherboard design out there. Some, if not all, will likely experience the Current drop situtation, which should be handled by the provided double-plug cable when hooked up right.
There may even be some few machines that provide tawdry USB power -- and suffer from both Voltage and Current drop. That would be an entirely bad situation, solvable only with external power from either externally powered USB hub or perhaps a wallwart connection to drive if it has a power socket on it.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486 |
Hi Mac,
Your point about the USB performance on different computers is very real and in our business we see the biggest difference on computers that have been upgraded over the years where the motherboard is really not up to the current requirements/demands
It just re-inforces the statement that all men are born equal but computers are not
jazzman
BIAB - RealBand - 2022
Windows 10 64
Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD
Roland keyboards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,531
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,531 |
Quote:
Hi John,
As a matter of interest over the last few years I have had these problems frequently occur causing me to think that the USB external hard drives were faulty and even getting them replaced
But when the new ones came the same problem appeared so I began to look for other answers - I tried powered USB hubs with no result and then one day by accident I did a sequence that solved my problem everything worked - I posted this finding a couple of years ago
I actually went opposite to the instructions and plugged the lead/leads into the computers USB port/s first and then into the external hard drive last and it worked on all the drives I thought were faulty
I also found that doing it the instruction way (and did not get recognised even with the two connectors) could be resolved by opening a program I use Paragon Partition Manager to see that a drive showed up but a drive letter had not been assigned to the drive - so I assigned a drive letter and it worked fine for that session - it obviously had enough power to operate but somehow confused on recognition
jazzman
This is very interesting and useful, and I don't recall seeing it the first time around. You might consider placing this info in the Tips and Tricks forum.
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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,458
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,458 |
Well, I did find the two-headed USB cable. And I tried plugging it into the computer first, as Matt suggested. And the drive still doesn't recognize. I'll see what tools I've got to convince it to be recognized.
It's not that big a crisis, I do almost all my work on the desktop 'puter. But it'd be nice to have that extra drive. Sigh.
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2026 • Reaper 7.57 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,130
Posts800,611
Members40,041
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean