Well this is the scenario from hell if I ever saw one.
I just upgraded to BIAB 2024 last week, installed it and used one of my 3 activation's to get it going.
Well last night I walked over to my desktop to turn it on, not knowing that it actually was in a sleep mode. Well with 30% humidity in the room and after walking across the carpet you can only guess the ending.
The spark from my fingertip blew out the CPU and one of the SSD's (my E drive) that just happened to have an image of my C drive from 2 days earlier.
I was able to verify the CPU demise using an identical spare motherboard.
I had planned to upgrade this 13 year old dinosaur in 2024 anyways. In the meantime, I restored a 6 month old image to my standby laptop using a bare metal install and it works just fine.
Now the C drive from the desktop is intact so the Ticket in Users-Public-Ticket is just fine and has both the the 2023 and 2024 full tickets and bin files are there.
But I am sure I just wasted one of the activation's since the crash happened on the desktop PC
My next step is to copy my entire BB directory to the C drive in the laptop including the files in the ticket directory but I will bet even money after this is done, it will show a non-activated status and I will have to use a 2nd activation to get back in business.
Keep this in mind during the winter months with very low humidity. Watch for static electricity build up on your person. I keep a full room humidifier in the room for acoustic instruments but it had been off for a few hours and with the heat on, the humidity dropped to a dangerous level.
When sparks fly, electronics die.
I wonder if PG Music would restore the used and needlessly wasted activation for me for a XMAS present.
BIAB2026 Windows 10 Pro (Never Windows 11!) WA6NCB
BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency.
I keep a full room humidifier in the room for acoustic instruments but it had been off for a few hours and with the heat on, the humidity dropped to a dangerous level.
This can be an expensive problem during the Winter in cold climates as you are unfortunately finding out.
I like a "belt and suspenders" approach intended to prevent dry skin and in the bargain we've never had an ESD electronics failure.
Our first line of defense is a 5.6 gallon AirCare humidifier. I don't trust the adjustable humidistat for "automatic control" so it runs on a low fan speed continuously 24/7 in the Winter.
Our second line of defense is 2 stainless steel pots maintained with water that live on top of the wood stove. The hotter the stove, the higher the moisture output. This automatic control I trust.
The third line of defense is a small Honeywell cool mist humidifier suitable for a single room.
Years ago I figured out the one-time adjustments for all 3 for zero condensation on the windows.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
I keep a full room humidifier in the room for acoustic instruments but it had been off for a few hours and with the heat on, the humidity dropped to a dangerous level.
This can be an expensive problem during the Winter in cold climates as you are unfortunately finding out.
I like a "belt and suspenders" approach intended to prevent dry skin and in the bargain we've never had an ESD electronics failure.
Our first line of defense is a 5.6 gallon AirCare humidifier. I don't trust the adjustable humidistat for "automatic control" so it runs on a low fan speed continuously 24/7 in the Winter.
Our second line of defense is 2 stainless steel pots maintained with water that live on top of the wood stove. The hotter the stove, the higher the moisture output. This automatic control I trust.
The third line of defense is a small Honeywell cool mist humidifier suitable for a single room.
Years ago I figured out the one-time adjustments for all 3 for zero condensation on the windows.
I do have a 5.6 gallon AirCare which you can see in the picture but I don't have a wood stove. I also have a small cool mist which I will pull out for the bedroom.
Looking in the bright side, there was nothing important on the SSD that went out and it is under warranty so I already have a RMA in progress to return it. AND I was planning to upgrading to a new system after having this old one for over a decade in January anyways. The only bummer is the fact that I lost 1 of my 3 activation's for the 2024 Upgrade and that was after only enjoying it for around 4 days. That's the bummer.
BIAB2026 Windows 10 Pro (Never Windows 11!) WA6NCB
............................................ The only bummer is the fact that I lost 1 of my 3 activation's for the 2024 Upgrade and that was after only enjoying it for around 4 days. That's the bummer.
I'm sure that if you contact PGM and tell them what happened they will deactivate that computer.
Waitress "How did you find your steak sir"?
Me "I just looked next to the potatoes and there it was"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
The fastest way calendar wise would likely be to use the Live Chat feature and explain your situation.
You still have two activation's left so you are probably not in that much of an emergency situation (thus emailing Support may be fine), but I concur with others; there is a good chance the Activation will be handled by support with little fuss .. the first time anyway.
If you try that a few times I suspect it would raise eyebrows though
In other words, I'd consider that the least of your worries right now.
For some reason, in my old memory, I *think* there is a way for you for you to deactivate a license in your PGMusic Store account yourself, but I couldn't provide detail .. I just seem to remember that there was a way.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
............................................ The only bummer is the fact that I lost 1 of my 3 activation's for the 2024 Upgrade and that was after only enjoying it for around 4 days. That's the bummer.
I'm sure that if you contact PGM and tell them what happened they will deactivate that computer.
I will contact them today, probably via chat since it is Saturday, and see if they will deactivate that computer for me.
BIAB2026 Windows 10 Pro (Never Windows 11!) WA6NCB
<...snip...> Our first line of defense is a 5.6 gallon AirCare humidifier. I don't trust the adjustable humidistat for "automatic control" so it runs on a low fan speed continuously 24/7 in the Winter.
Our second line of defense is 2 stainless steel pots maintained with water that live on top of the wood stove. The hotter the stove, the higher the moisture output. This automatic control I trust.
The third line of defense is a small Honeywell cool mist humidifier suitable for a single room.<...>
I never realized living in humid, coastal Florida was an advantage until now.
Well all and all it wasn't a total disaster at all. I got hold of PGMusic on the chat line on Saturday and they sorted the activation loss for me and was able to "deactivate" the now dead machine so I am back to square one on that. Kudos to PGMusic and their support team. Can't say enough for them.
I rebuilt my HP Envy DV7 laptop from scratch and now have it mirrored to the way my Desktop machine was and cabled my 27" monitor via a HDMI cable so my 70+ year old eyes wont be the next to go.
The big task is deciding which Motherboard, CPU, memory, fan and case I need to get. Any suggestions are welcomed. Since this build I am hoping will last another 10+ years, I need need to chose wisely, as they said in Indiana Jones movie.
Since I build my own, pcpartpicker.com was suggested to me and since I live equal distance from Kansas City and St Louis, MicroCenter has been visited by me many times before.
With 20+ CPU's and 50+ MB's to chose from, the end choice would be decided by both budget and reliability factors. Since I am an old AMD fan, I tend to lean towards them.
I am not really a gamer and tend to more productivity activities such as audio and video editing. Been looking into AI software that can separate old mono recordings into separate tracks so you can re-combine them into true stereo and that takes a fairly powerful processor.
And of course, one of the items will be purchasing then will be a anti-static wrist strap and mat.
BIAB2026 Windows 10 Pro (Never Windows 11!) WA6NCB
While I built all my PCs starting in 1983, I hired a local business to build the last one. There were too many changes I wasn’t familiar with, like NVMe m 2 drives. But I did specify what I thought was most important for digital audio especially BIAB, and the priority is as follows:
CPU speed CPU cores Storage drive speed Storage drive capacity Sufficient RAM Graphics Onboard audio
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® 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.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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