Has anyone else had this problem ? The tips in the flash messages in the bottom right corner are total jibberish and unreadable. All other flash messages are perfectly ok, it's only the tips. I had this problem in version 2020 and contacted support about it, but never got it solved. Now I upgraded to 2023, hoping this would be a thing of the past, but unfortunately it is still there. Any help would be appreciated. I have been looking for a way to switch the tips off completely, but could not find such a setting. regards, Martin
Thanks for your reply. I will put my answers in between the quotes.
A) If you go to the Help menu | Utilities | Display flash messages, this will show you a log of recent messages. Do you see gibberish there?
Yes, all the lines with tips are gibberish: **** New Session started at : 3-3-24 16:32:33 - Tip: ˛{˝ÿ˛q˝∆˛`˝Ø˛M˝ê˛<˝v˛.˝i˛ ˝a˛˝X˛‚¸O˛—¸A˛Ã¸1˛ø¸&˛≠¸&˛£¸4˛•¸B˛¶¸B˛ö¸9˛ã¸-˛¸˛n¸˝˝^¸Ë˝Z¸‰˝Z¸Ú˝Y¸˛X¸ ˛Q¸ı˝P¸fi˝]¸‘˝b¸◊˝[¸·˝R¸Â˝J¸Ê˝B¸È˝H¸‚˝V¸—˝a¸√˝b¸∏˝W¸Ø˝F¸∑˝E¸ƒ˝W¸≈˝g¸º˝n¸™˝s¸ò˝n¸ô˝b¸•˝[¸™˝^¸≠˝g¸¨˝p¸ú˝u¸ã˝z¸Ü˝¸à˝Ç¸è˝Ö¸î˝ä¸é˝ê¸Ç˝ [3-3-24 16:25:49]
B) What language is your OS?
English
C) Are you using the English, Italian, German, or French version of Band-in-a-Box?
English
D) Which specific build of Band-in-a-Box do you have?
Band-in-a-Box® for Macintosh Version 2023 (707) 64 bit application
As mentioned earlier, this gibberisch started in version 2021. I contacted support about it, but no solution was provided.
Is there a specific song file you could send that produces one of these tips when you play it?
Could you please try factory settings: 1. Close Band-in-a-Box. 2. Put a file called safemode.txt in the Band-in-a-Box "Preferences" folder. 3. Open Band-in-a-Box - splash screen should have red text "Safe mode" on it, and that confirms the name and location of the text file is correct. 4. See if the gibberish still appears in the flash messages.
Afterwards you can delete the file.
Last edited by Andrew - PG Music; 03/05/2402:29 PM.
Is there any way to generate a situation in which a tip would be issued ? It takes a lot of time and guessing to produce a tip and be able to check if it is gibberish.
I already tried several times to return to factory default and/or removing all files from the preferences folder, does not change anything so far. But I will put the safemode.txt in and have a go again.
UPDATE I ran BIAB in safe mode and the same gibberish came up, I will paste the session below. I wanted to attach the song as well, but I am not allowed to attach anything else than images.
- Tip: ˇ| Xˇ• ˝ ˛ e à π˛≈˝0óˇ≈ ˛(˛6g _ˇ+ ˛w 7ˇ\ ˇù ˇÚ ï˛¥ b˛é ˇÒ Ì˝•h˛¥õˇ ˇ ∞ ô ~ ˛oÙ˛>÷ˇGˇ fl˛Ñˇ ˛ûˇ9 ¡ ï *˛í˝âïˇib·ˇ\”˛4ß „ F¨ˇ » eˇ;5ˇCM u Jˇå 8ˇåÅ ÁÕˇh.ˇ∫ ¸ˇr⡶j Z ≈ê ¿{ 0Ú˛¶ i ˛ˇ«“ˇu7ˇr [6-3-24 16:36:56] - Tip: ˇJˇ€˙‚˝–¸é˛¶ÇW5B¸ô˛•˚ ˚ ò Ú–‰˛´˛fiı"˝:˚¯ WÌ Ò3â˘1r:ˇw *˛fiıƒ¸¡ÙŸŒ Ê˝U˛«˛;¸| ∂ \q˜¯˚Åfl˙q† µ˛[˝Ù˝fl˙≤ˇ$ §ˇ’Ùf˙˚ˆè¸õDˇ®l¸\˘ ' tÒûˇ õ˝ ¸ò8ù™mˇ5˛ä˚∑ˇ˚)˚ˇ¸5 ´˜Z˘I˛Å˚«˚›*¸±´ [6-3-24 16:28:09] - Auditioning MIDI style (first MIDI Drums, then RealDrums): /Volumes/Macintosh HD2/Applications/Band-in-a-Box/RealTracks/Data/Style Demos Audio/=TEXMETL.m4a and then http://demos.pgmusic.com/audio/allstyledemos2/=TEXMETL_RD.m4a. Tip: Press > button to toggle between MIDI and RealDrums. [6-3-24 16:27:59] - Auditioning style: /Volumes/Macintosh HD2/Applications/Band-in-a-Box/RealTracks/Data/Style Demos Audio/_12STACM.m4a [6-3-24 16:27:32] - Auditioning MIDI style (first MIDI Drums, then RealDrums): http://demos.pgmusic.com/audio/allstyledemos2/ZZETHNIC.m4a and then http://demos.pgmusic.com/audio/allstyledemos2/ZZETHNIC_RD.m4a. Tip: Press > button to toggle between MIDI and RealDrums. [6-3-24 16:26:46] - Auditioning MIDI style (first MIDI Drums, then RealDrums): http://demos.pgmusic.com/audio/allstyledemos2/ZZCHACHA.m4a and then http://demos.pgmusic.com/audio/allstyledemos2/ZZCHACHA_RD.m4a. Tip: Press > button to toggle between MIDI and RealDrums. [6-3-24 15:45:56] - Time to scan unknown VST plugins = 0 ms [6-3-24 15:45:24] - Time to scan known VST plugins = 1 ms [6-3-24 15:45:24] - Time to scan AU plugins = 15 ms [6-3-24 15:45:24] - Time to scan ALL plugins = 16 ms [6-3-24 15:45:24] - Scanning for plugins... [6-3-24 15:45:24] - TMacAudioInput.StartInputThread: success [6-3-24 15:45:24] - TMacAudioInput.Init: input stream flags adjusted 9 [6-3-24 15:45:24] - TMacAudioInput.Init: input stream sample rate 44100 [6-3-24 15:45:24] - TMacAudioInput.Init: input stream bits 32 [6-3-24 15:45:24] - TMacAudioInput.Init: input stream flags 9 [6-3-24 15:45:24] - Bootup was slower this session only, because RealTracks and RealDrums lists needed to be rebuilt [6-3-24 15:45:23] - Bootup time in millseconds =13,061 [6-3-24 15:45:23] - Bootup is slower, this session only, due to running this: "Rebuilding list of RealTracks Parents" [6-3-24 15:45:20] - Bootup is slower, this session only, due to running this: "Updating list of RealTracks" [6-3-24 15:45:18] - macOS version 10.14.7 [6-3-24 15:45:17] **** New Session started at : 6-3-24 15:45:17
Is there any way to generate a situation in which a tip would be issued ?
One thing you can do is to open the StylePicker and load in the song demo for Z3BOSSA. When you press play it should issue a tip that there is a better style available.
You can send the file via support@pgmusic.com referencing this thread, if you find one that reliably produces the garbled tip. Maybe there is an encoding problem with one of the messages, but I haven't found it yet. I do see some bad characters in my flash message log, so that may be related. Will do further testing.
Loading Z3BOSSA demo song does not generate a TIP, it generates a green flash message, those are never garbled.
Trying this suggestion did regenerate another problem I mentioned earlier. I have a song with an overall real tracks style, I change the overall style to a midi style and I am left with only the drum track playing, the other tracks are set to silence and still show up green. I will attach the screenshots. This one is reliably reproducable, but maybe this one is also a known bug ?
This is the same thing we were talking about in the other thread - since you have a style change to a RealStyle, the tracks are RealTracks. If the first style has MIDI tracks they will just be silent, since a single track can't contain both a MIDI track and an audio track.
Maybe I did not make it clear: I open a new song, it opens with a realtracks style, I try to change the style to midi and it does not (always) work. This time I am not trying to change the style inside a track, I am changing the overall style of the song, it needs to change the tracks to accomodate the new overall style, but it doesn't. Wouldn't it be very strange if I had to create a new song to be able to pick another overall style.
In your screenshot, there is a style change at bar 9. That would be the cause of it. If you have a song with a single style in it, you would not see this behaviour, so I don't know what's going on in that case. Perhaps you could email a song example to support for us to test...
I see, thanks, my mistake. I can't change the overall style if somewhere in the bar settings I have a style change. Forgive me, but this behaviour is far from intuitive and again no warning of any kind gets issued (well, except that it does not work and looks weird of course). Seems to me that an awful lot is left to the user to figure out. I may have missed it, but I haven't been able to find any mention about not mixing up loops/mid/realtrack styles in the manual. Don't get me wrong, I love biab and have been using it for a long time now (maybe I am just getting too old), but I can't help getting the feeling I am kind of beta testing here... And since I reported the garbled tips in version 2021 and now run into the same thing in version 2023, I am also starting to wonder if I will have to buy the next upgrade to get a fix...?
We need to find a way to duplicate that problem. For now, you can ignore the garbled messages. I think they are probably just spurious, and not important.
Since it seems that you see it quite frequently, it would be super helpful if you could send us a couple of files next time it happens: - the Band-in-a-Box song file (e.g. .sgu) that you were loading or generating. - the intrface.bbw file from the Band-in-a-Box/Preferences folder (or even the entire Preferences folder) - the FlashMessageLog.txt file from the Band-in-a-Box/Data folder. Zip those files up and email to support@pgmusic.com, referencing this forum thread.
They pop up now and then, of course I can ignore them, actually I would love a switch in preferences to turn the flash messages off alltogether. I will collect the files you need, but it would be much easier to do if I knew a way to force one to come up, any idea why and when they show ? thanks, Martin
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.
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)
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