Posts for BIAB in Linux go back over more than a decade.
We can understand that porting might be difficult. They likely tied themselves to some windows API and microsoft C++, and now they feel stuck.
Even so, PGmusic could at least include a Wine environment in their test suite.
Long term, I would suggest migrating to a Qt based API and standard C++. You can easily abstract and isolate the few os specific things in a small number of conditionals.
It is not as big a job as it might seem at first take and the benefits are obvious.
Python would take about 1/5 the time of doing it even that way. But I don't expect you do that for something you want to keep proprietary,
I would suggest migrating to a Qt based API and standard C++. You can easily abstract and isolate the few os specific things in a small number of conditionals.
It is not as big a job as it might seem at first take and the benefits are obvious.
Definitely appreciate your ambition and don't wish to jump on that, but given your statement, I wasn't so sure that this would be so straightforward. Do you have some inside information? Can you give some insights as to how this could be so easily achieved?
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.
It's running good natively on Linux in wine after first trying in VirtualBox, it's near as quick as on Windows. https://www.dropbox.com/s/3y2wjiuxn8t0tov/Biab-Ubuntu-Crossover.mp4?dl=0 The 2 issues are still unresolved, 1. Windows Media Player to play demos (this has been a nightmare trying to get it integrated) 2. CoyoteDXi needed to render in the BBPlugin
I don't know if the Coyote uses the gm.dls but if I load windows\system32\drivers\gm.dls into VstSynthFont it works.
They are the 2 issues that need resolving for Linux users. The wmp can be fixed by adding an internal Delphi player into bbw/bbw4 like http://www.geocities.ws/jovi9200/
The Coyote issue preventing bbw4 to render can be fixed by getting bbw4 to use a soundfont without the DXi.
Copying the wmpXXXX.dll's from windows\system32 to wine windows\system32 and registering them gives the wmp demo buttons in the picker windows, it don't play but it prevents errors when opening the picker windows.
The sync playback is in-sync with the track in the DAW.
If anyone has a solution for these issues please post.
To clarify, do you mean the main Band-in-a-Box for Windows program or the Band-in-a-Box for Windows VST plugin works in Linux in Wine? Your screen shots appear to be using the Band-in-a-Box for Windows VST plugin.
I've been meaning to try this for some time, but other stuff has been getting in the way.
I've just installed my go-to music Linux(AVL-MXE) on my home-office PC, swapped out LinVst for yabridge, set up wine, installed qsynth and the sound fonts from JJazzLab and installed BIAB. I've also installed the trial versions of EZBass, EZDrums and EZKeys from Toontrack.
I installed BIAB (presently the build-838 download copy, not yet activated), with a couple of complaints from it, but a mostly successful install AFAICS.
Started jack and qsynth.
Started BIAB(64). It complains "can't find sound font file GM.DLS" (I've see something somewhere about that) Tried a few MIDI output options until one worked. Set up a simple 12-bar blues with the default style and hit play. It plays! Sounds good, CPU load about 16% on this rather old i7.
So far, so good.
At the moment it baulks (unhandled exception) when I try to "browse styles with info", so I have a problem there. That may be an install fail, or related to the Windows Media Player issues pipeline mentions as I haven't yet installed WMP. VCL media player plays the demo .wma files just fine, but that may not help BIAB demoing. I'll start with the update to 842 and see where I go from there.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Yes the yabridge is better as it has the drag n drop working now so it will drag wav mid out of the BBPlugin into the DAW. When you go to Generate in the BBPlugin it stops as bbw4 gets an error can't find CoyoteDXi BBOutput.txt (to get the trace in SavedTracks you need to have a txt file "PreserveAllFiles.txt" in \bb\BBPlugin)
Code:
;Error #-29, CoyoteWT Wavetable synth not installed. Cannot render file. Please install it, by running menu Help-Install CoyoteWT inside Band-in-a-Box.
Hopefully PG will add an internal wma demo player and fix the bbw4 so it's not looking for CoyoteDXi.
At least part of my BiaB on Wine not working properly is a missing GM.DLL on my system, which winetricks presently fails to install due to a checksum mismatch. Maybe that's a temporary issue. I'm not so sure that the whole problem as when trying to open the "styles with info" I get a different type of error report.
I'm running the 64-bit Wine, which may be a contributory factor. All the Toontrack stuff I've tried so far seems to work very well, though it's still early yet and there are several areas I've yet to try.
Edit: Scaler2 also seems to work just fine.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 10/05/2109:12 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
In the Biab wine folder put these in the Windows\System32
Ah, OK. I actually did a Biab-64 install, so I guess I may have either to revert to 32-bit or find the equivalent 64-bit versions.
I'll simply try as you say first, but expect to be disappointed. I have the list of files, so I'll try a few things.
Thanks pipeline.
Edit: Ah ... actually they may be 64-bit-compatible versions and I believe I may just copy wmp.dll (or maybe all files) to syswow64.
With just the above, StylePicker opens OK, uses MIDI styles OK but doesn't presently use RealStyles. I'll play around some more.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 10/06/2107:41 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I was using Crossover but the demo has ended so I open the wine 64bit install and it got the same error so I copied the wmp dll's from crossover and the Style picker opened, this is the same for the other picker windows, anything with the integrated window media player.
I am using the Audiophile wav version, I don't think the wma worked as again it needs the window media decoder to decode the wma to wav for Biab to use. There is a decompress.exe or decompress.zip in one of the bb folders, though there should be a button in the pickers to decompress the wma RT RD to wav.
I've read elsewhere that converting the .wma files to .wav files solves some propblem like that. I may just try a few and see what happens.
The 32-bit version does pick RealStyles, though didn't actually play them. The latter may be simply that it didn't offer wineasio, so maybe I don't have that installed.
If I get back to this tomorrow, I'll check for a wineasio and I'll try installing the rest of the wmp.dll file set into syswow64.
I still have that GM.DLS checksum mismatch. I'll just try that periodically for now to see if it gets fixed, otherwise I'll get more proactive with it.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 10/08/2101:32 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I tried converting one RealTrack folder, using ffmpeg in a script and copying the wma file to .wma.bk. BiaB then complained that it couldn't find the .wma files, so perhaps the ability to use .wav is special to the audiophile edition. I restored the .wma files, it found them again, but of course still can't/won't play them. I may have hit a dead end with that for now.
I've done only a minimal installation at the moment. I may install more and see how the MIDI SuperTracks behave.
Ordinary MIDI playing through qsynth with the JJazzLab sound font sounds quite good, though I haven't yet tried any brass and brass is usually a disappointment via MIDI.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I don't have a compress.exe or a decompress.exe in my bb paths.
It does occur to me that the reason my use of ffmpeg to decompress didn't work out is because I imagine all the files ending .bt0 contain index data into the related .wma files. I suspect decompress.exe also generates the matching .bt0 files, or their equivalents.
It seems also that when trying to demo some RealTracks, BiaB is going to the pgmusic website and using a .wma from there, which again, of course, doesn't play.
I seem to be having some general issue with winetricks and checksums, which may well be complicating the whole thing, so I'll ask on the MX-Linux site for advice.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I think that does exactly the same as ffmpeg did. I did the decompress, tried it, then renamed the .wma files as .wma.bk and tried again. At present, still the same.
I wondered for a while if the problem was with audio output, not BiaB's handling of the RealTrack files, but opening one of the .wav file into an audio track demonstrated that those are playable.
Whenever I try to run even a solo track with one of the .wav instruments, I get a bunch of those Yellow pop-up windows in the bottom-right corner. Too many to read and and I can't presently find a log of what they say, not get rem reliably, nor copy and paste the content ... frustrating. One of them says something like RAcG.ST2 file couldn't be found, and/or the .wma file couldn't be found either on this machine, or on the pgmusic demos server.
.ST2 files seem to be in bb/Soloists and it's correct that that file doesn't exist there. As they seem to contain data about the soloists, maybe the file missing is of no consequence.
If I right-click a musician in the mixer window and click Select Real Tracks, I'm offered a list, but the one I've chosen says "N/A" and the next time is not displayed (If have the show-NA checkbox unchecked). Trying a "Rebuild and Fix" tries to do something but complains that the .ST2 and .XT2 files are missing. It says to either find them and copy them into bb/Soloists, or reinstall BiaB.
I haven't yet registered this copy as I'd like to get it reasonably working before I do that. AFAIAA there's nothing from the Pro version that's disabled prior to registration, so I think that is not the problem.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
So you have the "AudiophileVersion.txt", you don't need to rename the .wma just leave them and it should choose .wav Did you run the installer or copy the bb folder from win drive ? You can try and copy the bb folder directly from the Windows machine. You can hit the printscreen button to read the yellow flash popups or C:\bb\Data\bbw4_64exe_FlashMessageLog.txt
So you have the "AudiophileVersion.txt", you don't need to rename the .wma just leave them and it should choose .wav
I have. I had put it just into the RealTracks folder, but I've now also copied it first to the bb folder and then to the Drums folder. The first of those looked like it changes something as the yellow pop-up appeared different.
EDIT: as adding this/these file did not solve the problem, after getting things working I tried removing all AudiophileEdition.txt files and the .wav tracks still play as expected.
Originally Posted By: Pipeline
Did you run the installer or copy the bb folder from win drive ? You can try and copy the bb folder directly from the Windows machine.
I installed it. I'll try copying (I'm not sure there's enough space at present, but most will likely copy OK. I'm considering rebuilding this whole machine with an SSD, so if this works out OK, I'll ensure the AVL:MXE partition has enough space. The copying takes a while ... at least a couple of hours as I write.
Originally Posted By: Pipeline
You can hit the printscreen button to read the yellow flash popups or C:\bb\Data\bbw4_64exe_FlashMessageLog.txt
Ah ... found that. It may appear both there and/or bb/Data/Logs/bbw4_64exe_FlashMessageLog.txt though as I'm part way ythrough the copy, I may have replaced them with older files.
There are also a few other *og.txt files that may be useful, though some are from 2020, so presumably obsolete. I'd previously been searching only for files ending .log .Log or .LOG
A quick check of a non-.wav file does not play, so presumably I will have to decompress all the .wma files. I've just used ffmpeg to decompress the drum track and that now also plays.
This copy is still not activated ... presumably PG do some kind of validation against hardware (or its simulation).
I wonder if I can prove which changes were needed and which were not. I shall try some tests.
Thank you so much for your help and patience, pipeline.
I'll report further finding here.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 10/16/2112:58 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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