I want to run BIAB 2023 from the external UltraPAK HD, so I did the minimal installation, opened up BIAB, then was confronted with this BIAB window:
Rebuild Style Picker and confirm RealTracks and RealDrums folder locations
Rebuilds Style List, RealTracks and RealDrums. It takes about 30 seconds.
First confirm or select the correct locations of the RealTracks and RealDrums folders
Custom RealTracks folder (instead of E:\BB\RealTracks\) [_] Use a custom folder location for RealTracks (this was checked by default, but I unchecked it)
[ C:\BB\RealTracks [Update] ]
3,718 RealTracks are found in folder E:\BB\RealTracks\
(simile for RealDrums)
[OK-Rebuild] [Close] [Cancel]
What's going on here? I was afraid of really messing something up, so I cancelled out of that window.
What's going on here? I was afraid of really messing something up, so I cancelled out of that window.
Appealing to forum members for help! I
It's normal after an update to styles and probably also if you change from c:/bb to E:/bb for BiaB to ask you to rebuild.
All it's doing is rebuilding the indices to its database to make searching quicker and collect all the style attributes.
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 .
Gordon is correct, and it is that way after each update that contains anything having to do with styles or RealTracks (and that's most of them). An alternate form of your question arises when someone questions why they seem to have the wrong number of styles.
I have suggested that the rebuild (at least the Fast one) should just be done automatically. After all, you need to do it, so why not have the update just do it when you have already decided to dedicate the time to installing an update?
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.
"First confirm or select the correct locations of the RealTracks and RealDrums folders
Custom RealTracks folder (instead of E:\BB\RealTracks\)"
Ah, I see. I believe it's offering you the option to change it from what is now it's default folder E:/bb/RealTracks. You just have to confirm that it's correct.
I'm not presently in a position to prove that I'm correct about that, but I think that's the intent. If I go to my Preferences->RealTracks I see that option and just click the 'OK' as I don't want it changed. Perhaps yours is a pop-up that asks the question?
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 .
If you ran the minimum installation so that BIAB runs from the hard drive (your E:\ drive, I'm guessing), then the default paths for Realtracks and Realdrums are E:\bb\Realtracks and E:\bb\Drums.
This is because the default location for drums and Realtracks is the \bb folder, whatever drive it is on.
You should not need to change any paths. Just to be certain, though...
1) Select the Realtrack preferences.
2) Activate the Custom Location checkbox (#1 on image)
3) Click on the folder (#2) and navigate to where Realtracks are stored and select that Realtracks folder.
4) Click OK and then OK (or update) again. It will take 30 seconds or so for BIAB to do its work.
Now repeat the above process for the location of the \bb\drums folder that you will be using in Realdrum preferences.
This won't wreck BIAB. If BIAB already has these locations set as defaults, then nothing will change.
Now I understand the question. I thought it was about rebuilding the styles, not where the files are installed. And now we know that the external drive is drive E.
It's been a year or so, but I did move the location of my RealDrums. As I recall, the default values are stored from the last install of BIAB (including updates) that you performed. Faced with the prompts above, since you wanted the installation to place the new files onto the PG Music USB drive, which is drive E, I would have done what you did: uncheck the Custom checkbox, then proceed.
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.
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 just got 2023. it was a doddle to install upak drive.
i used to install to other drives eg C but i dont bother anymore..i just hang the upak drive off a usb 3 port. let me say in bb i'm finding for some reason nearly instantaneous genning on my new pc. blinkin' so fast i'm stoked so far.
best.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
the default values are stored from the last install of BIAB (including updates) that you performed. Faced with the prompts above, since you wanted the installation to place the new files onto the PG Music USB drive, which is drive E, I would have done what you did: uncheck the Custom checkbox, then proceed.
OK, I will try that. I WAS going to proceed after I had unchecked the Custom Folder boxes for RTs and RDs, but just wasn't sure. But I'll go ahead now.
Gordon, yes, it was a popup that asked the question, but it indicated the default was Drive "C" (its box was checked) rather than "E." I think Matt answered that point in his post, that whatever I had before in BIAB 2022 remained the default.
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