I just upgraded from 2018 -> 2021 (Windows 10). Kicking the tires on some of the new features (and some old ones that I never tried in 2018). One feature I'm trying (or at least acknowledging) for the first time is the sforzando Hi-Q instruments. I may have been using these in 2018 without knowing it... but for some reason now in 2021 Hi-Q instruments are silent and I get the subject line error in the lower right corner when I try to select other Hi-Q instruments.
I've tried several permutations of midi driver settings and no combination of options seems to work.
Any suggestions for further troubleshooting are appreciated.
Can you please load a style with a MIDISuperTrack (MST). In Stylepicker, these styles will start with M_
1. the track that contains the MST should be blue (like "Piano" on the image below) -- Is this correct?
2. If you click on the "Plugins" tab of the Mixer (#1, image below), you should see something like "Sforzando" or "Plogue" listed in the left most of four plugin locations (#2 on image). The other three plugin locations will have "none". Do you get this?
Lastly... Under "Help | About Band In A Box" can you doublecheck that update #818 is installed. It will be in brackets following the version of program.
If it's not #818, visit the link below, download the update and manually install it. Just doublecheck that the directory paths are correct when you get to that part of the installation.
Thank you for the quick response. It seems to be working now but I'm not sure why... I haven't changed anything. Here are the answers to your feedback but at this point it might be for academic purposes only.
I'm using M_BZ128.STY
1) The Piano row in the mixer is blue (1886:Piano, Solo-Accompaniment Bluesy 12-8John Sw 060) and the Bass and Drums are yellow.
2) The Piano line of my Plugins tab looks just like yours and all the others say ->[Default Synth]:None
I do have 818 update installed.
Thanks again for the suggestions. I'll start by checking these things if it stops working again.
Thank you for the feedback. I checked everything in your message and confirmed that everything lines up with your suggestions ie...
- Style = M_BZ128P.STY - Piano track is blue (1799:Piano, Rhythm...) - Piano Plugin is Plogue Art et Technologie... - Update 818 is installed
The good news is that somehow it started working ie... I can now hear the Hi-Q piano playing (even though I haven't changed anything).
The ??? news is that still get a YELLOW pop up at the bottom right when I open BIAB with error message "Could not load Hi-Q Patch. BIAB instruments might not be installed."
I'm not sure how/why it has started working or why I'm still getting the error notification. If it stops working again I will check the things you've mentioned first.
The ??? news is that still get a YELLOW pop up at the bottom right when I open BIAB with error message "Could not load Hi-Q Patch. BIAB instruments might not be installed."
Did you install the "HiQ instruments for Sforzando"?
I installed every option that the bandinabox_realband_2021_pro.exe installer presented when I ran it. Does installing the "HiQ instruments for Sforzando" require an additional/separate installation step?
I now see what you're talking about and found the additional files available in My Account / My Products. I also see that the Download/Install Manager in Utilities appears to have skipped the installation of those instruments.
I'm sure this will fix it. Thank you for the help.
That did indeed help. That particular YELLOW error box message no longer shows up. I have another question regarding other YELLOW error box messages for other files that appear to be missing but I will mark POST as resolved and start a new thread.
Where are the sforzando plugins supposed to be installed? I went with the default setting - C:\Program Files\PG Music Inc\Band-in-a-Box Sounds but they do not appear in the midi audio drivers set up nor in the add plugins in the mixer. When I search the band in a box directory (scan for pluins in a specific directory) for them they are not found. This is the latest biab on windows 10. Thanks.
I have the same problem I want to listen to MIDI Super Tracks and get a better sound so I guess Sforzando is what I need but there is nothing about this in the manual the Real Tracks are great but sometimes you simply want something else and choose your own sound please, please dont forget us MIDI users I think I have every Real Track available since I buy even the 49 packs but MIDI is far from dead thanks
Bernard Rasson
BIAB Audiophile 2021, BIAB Megapak 2015 (for midi-only projects), Cakewalk, Roland XV-5080, Roland Fantom XR, Aria AC60 Nylon Strings Guitar, Almansa Spanish Guitar, Fender Stratocaster Japan, two laptops Je parle français
If you want to install Sforzando, and if you purchased BIAB on a USB drive, the installer can be found on the USB drive under \PGMusic\Installers
If you didn't get BIAB on a USB drive, go to PG Music's homepage (not the forum home page), log-in into your sales account, go to My Products and see if the Sforzando installer can be downloaded from there.
Lastly, if neither of the above work, click on the blue icon on the lower right of the screen (a square with a white speech bubble in it) and you'll be able to chat in realtime to PG Music staff.
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!
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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
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.