The following are some basic troubleshooting steps to try if you are unable to hear demos or generated tracks from within the Band-in-a-Box VST DAW Plugin - regardless of the DAW you are working in.
*Please try the following with all programs closed.
Step 1: Please install the latest Band-in-a-Box build update from the support page HERE . Our developers are always busy working on bug fixes and functional improvements - be sure to check back regularly for updates!
Step 2: Open Band-in-a-Box, go into your Style Picker and click "rebuild - fast rebuild". Once completed, please close Band-in-a-Box.
Step 3: Open your DAW and load the Band-in-a-Box VST DAW Plugin to an empty track. Within the plugin, go to File | Preferences and make sure your folders are all set correctly. The default folders are suggested there - but if you have Band-in-a-Box installed to a different location, you'll need to make adjustments.
Step 4: Click "Select" then "Select a Style" to launch your Style Picker Dialog. Select a style and press the green Play Demo button. If you hear it play back, great! Click OK to add the style to your song and then generate your tracks. Press play and see if you can hear the new arrangement.
If the issue of demos or generated tracks not being heard with the Band-in-a-Box VST DAW Plugin persists...
Step 4: Troubleshoot audio
When you open a dialog like the Band-in-a-Box DAW Plugin StylePicker within a DAW, you are actually opening an invisible version of Band-in-a-Box (bbw4.exe). If using ASIO drivers for an external sound card or audio interface, this can cause issues because that device is set to give exclusive control of audio sounds to only one program at a time.
If you need to use those ASIO drivers exclusively, you'll have to find a setting either in your DAW or in your Computer's Playback device settings to prevent exclusive control of audio sounds or use a different audio driver.
A good place to start would be in your Windows Playback Devices "Advanced" settings. The "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" and "Give exclusive mode applications priority" options should be unchecked.
If you have tried all the above steps and still can't hear playback from within the Band-in-a-Box VST DAW Plugin, please email us at support@pgmusic.com for further assistance.
There has been at least one instance where a forum user posted a report of a Band-in-a-Box plugin crashing because one or more of the plugin file location windows was blank instead of containing the default file location.
That was several updates ago and that was the only failure of its kind reported in the forum that I am aware of. The issue was resolved once the forum user filled in the file location.
You can verify the file locations by selecting "File" > "Preferences". If your file locations do not match the defaults click in a window type the correct path or press "Select" to open a file explorer window and navigate to the correct location.
I've had the same problem. The solution for me was to set the Windows Audio driver to the same sample rate as my DAW (Studio One.) Now they're both at 4100kHz and I can hear everthing. Another issue may be that you need to close other programs when opening BIAB to prevent conflicts.
I have tried all the above to get the plugin to work but this has not made any difference. It appears that every time we have a major upgrade there are new issues with the vst plugin. Last year were numerous crashes issues which were not really resolved until very much near the end of the year. The I/O issue has never happened in last upgrades!… so… what has changed in this upgrade this time to cause this problem? How long will it be before we can get a fix. Please. I want to get back to my favourite DAW plugin.
My setup:- AMD Ryzen 7 5800 8 core Processor 16 GB ran Focusrite 2i2(3rdgen) Nectar Impact LX88 keyboard
Running Windows 11 Home edition Software:- FL Studio 21. Band In A Box Ultra pack 2023. Using the very latest update (3rd of March.
I think I have found the problem which is causing the I/O issue in FL studio.
in the Vst. DAW Settings.
1. go to Preferences 2. go to DAW settings 3. select the last item "Send MIDI Data to Embedded Synth" and select "enable".(This should really be the default. Me think!...) 4. select OK this should fix the I/O issue.
I cannot say if this will work with other DAWs but, no harm giving it a try.
Robert, Good detective work. As far as default that is only true of those using embedded synth. For those using things like kontact or any other software or hardware solution they would find that to be a problem. Still I wonder what the ratio of embedded or not embedded is. Glad you got it fixed. Maybe post a thread asking who uses embedded vs non embedded and see how that comes out. It could give PGM some food for thought.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
Rob Helms. Since the plugin is being used in a DAW already, Surely using third party software would not be loaded in the BAIB plugin. this will be done within the DAW itself. You may be able to drag a MIDI version of a real track into your DAW, and then use Kontakt or other 3rd party software to play the MIDI data. There is also the fact that Kontact and various others can be used in the main BAIB program with no problems. My only wish is to be able to use Yamaha's Vocaloid software as a vst in the main BAIB program. AS of now this is not yet available. now that would be just perfect.
Robert I get you on the plugin. As far VOCALOID and it not working, do you use Real Band at all? I wonder it is works there? That may be a way to test it with BiaB files until that changes. Since RB opens BiaB files without the need for the plugin it may be a useful tool. A great way to create before moving on to another DAW. Who knows it may become your go to, or at least a big part of your process.
Last edited by Rob Helms; 03/27/2301:58 AM.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
Rob Helms, To be honest I have dabbled with Real Band in the past, and realised this could be a great part of the BAIB package. But as with all other software, I find it a little complex, I would much rather use BAIB/FL Studio/ Vocaloid as my setup for now. As I find it comfortable working with them as a whole set up, as well as stand alone packages. I am not dismissing Real Band at all. It is just that I cannot afford the time to figure out how it would fit in to my workflow at the minute.:-)
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.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 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 21 requires the 2025 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 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 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 21 requires the 2025 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.
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
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