Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 241
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 241
Hi all,

I have almost no space on my internal SSD (500Gos, only 5 left). The program which takes the most space is BIAB. My plan is to uninstall BIAB to free some space on my internal SSD and reinstall it on an external drive. Therefore I have a few questions :

1/ If I save my songs (.SGU files) which correspond to all my tunes can I safely uninstall BIAB without losing them ? I hope that once I reinstall BIAB I will just have to place in the new bb folder those SGU.files to have access to my tunes. Will it work ?

2/ For the moment the only external drive that I have is a standard drive (aka non SSD). Will it be an issue to install BIAB on this drive NOT being a SSD ? I'm aware that a SSD is faster but my question is to know whether or not BIAB will still be usable on a standard external DD ?

3/ If I reinstall BIAB will I have a problem with BIAB because it's a new licence or do I just have to reinstall it with the serial I got during the original purchase ?

Thanks all for your help!

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,677
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,677
1. yes
2. it should work fine
3. yes, same serial number

You should just move the Realtracks and Realdrums, as these are by far the bulk of the disk space it takes, and the simplest way to regain the space.

Simply copy the Realdrums and Realtracks folders elsewhere and leave BiaB on C:.
Then go into preferences, point BiaB to the new location for these folders and test it.

If it works, then you can safely remove those folders from C:.

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
BB_paths.jpg (80.54 KB, 97 downloads)
Last edited by rharv; 12/27/20 03:53 AM.

I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,096
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,096
Exactly what Rharv said. No need to reinstall, just move the large RTs and RDs to a custom folder on another drive to free up space.


Retired to Make Music - No Plan B
My SoundCloud
View Current Projects
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Exactly. A lot of us do this.

In the screen shot posted by Rharv, that's for the RealTracks. There is another similar step you must take if you copy the BB/Drums folder. You make the same choice in the RealDrums tab, just to the left of the RealTracks tab shown above.

About how it will work: on my production machine, I have the RealTracks and RealDrums on a dedicated SSD, and it flies. But on my backup machine, they are on last year's PG Music external USB drive, and they still work just fine. An internal drive, even if it is not SSD, is still faster than any USB drive.


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: Nov 2019
Posts: 241
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 241
Guys you really rock! Thank you all for your help! I never thought about that! That's awesome, you saved me (and my computer). Thanks again, I will be able to keep on composing and annoy you with my music then! laugh

Last edited by Angelomusic; 12/27/20 05:26 AM.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,096
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,096
Ya, when I first read your question, I thought, "...boy that is a lot of questions". I didn't think I had a simple answer for you so I moved on. But then Rharv pointed out we were all overthinking this one.


Retired to Make Music - No Plan B
My SoundCloud
View Current Projects
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Originally Posted By: Angelomusic
Guys you really rock! Thank you all for your help! I never thought about that! That's awesome, you saved me (and my computer). Thanks again, I will be able to keep on composing and annoy you with my music then! laugh
Oh! Well then, never mind! grin


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: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,427
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,427
I have a related question,?
currently I have all of BIAB 2021 installed on a secondary internal HD on my Laptop... would I see much of a peformance inhancement if I re-installed BIAB to my primary SSD drive, leaving RTs & RDs where they are..?


Bandcamp
Win-11; BiaB-2026 Audiophile (latest version)
Cakewalk Sonar; Melodyne-5; Scaler 3; NI Komplete:
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20



Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142
Probably not, unless the drive is particularly slow. Most of the processing time will be in assembling the RealTracks/RealDrums which would remain on the secondary drive. You could certainly try it though.


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: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,427
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,427
thank you... I am seeing very slugish behavior since installing biab-2021


Bandcamp
Win-11; BiaB-2026 Audiophile (latest version)
Cakewalk Sonar; Melodyne-5; Scaler 3; NI Komplete:
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20



Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Two part answer here.

First, I have found that BIAB 2021 loads faster than ever before. After it has been loaded once at about 12 seconds, it reloads in under four seconds on my system. RealTracks also seem to regenerate faster, and I recall some mention of that as a feature.

Second, yes, I did put the BIAB program on an SSD. I chose to use a separate one, not my boot drive, but it does indeed feel 'snappier' to load and run. The time to regenerate tracks, though, will remain nearly the same as it depends primarily on the CPU.


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: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,427
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,427
Thanks Matt...


Bandcamp
Win-11; BiaB-2026 Audiophile (latest version)
Cakewalk Sonar; Melodyne-5; Scaler 3; NI Komplete:
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20



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
Topics86,636
Posts807,802
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 75
WaoBand 48
vicarn 39
Today's Birthdays
pochofenix, sslechta
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5