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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Excited, just got my upgrade 2024 on thumb drive of BIAB from 2019 (!).
I want to make sure I don't screw up the installation.
I have a laptop and PC, both with limited drive space (all Windoze 10)
Can I install with the thumb drive all of BIAB on an external SSD drive and then
be able to move the drive back and forth between the PC and the laptop
and it will play just fine ?
I realize (I think) I can install natively on up to 3 (?) computers.
But I'd rather have BIAB reside on my external drive and just move it
between PC and laptop.
Is this possible ? Any gotchas ?
Best,
Newbie Bob
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Bob, You are correct, PG Music do give users 3 installations. In relation to running BIAB from and external SSD, that would work fine. There is a catch, though. You need to install the minimum installation of BIAB on both computers. This is because programs and drivers need to be added to Windows for BIAB to run properly. The minimum installation is Option 1 and you need to choose this at the appropriate time during the installation process. Option 1: Run Band-in-a-Box© directly from this USB hard drive --- Minimal disk space required. This will install and register the PG Music Notation Fonts, along with a few other things such as VST plugins that need to be installed on your computer hard drive to function properly. This option will not install Band-in-a-Box©, RealBand, or RealTracks on your computer hard drive. You can use the programs as they are, pre-installed on the USB drive. The usual upgrade process is to install the latest version of BIAB (in your case, 2024) over your existing version of the program (2019). This will keep all your song files, etc., intact and you won't lose anything that you've created in the BIAB 2019. If you are happy to create a brand new installation of the program on the solid state drive, that is straightforward and you won't need to install over the top of BIAB 2019. On the other hand, if you want install keep your 2019 version of BIAB and install over the top of it, it would be necessary to copy BIAB 2019 to the SSD first and then install over the top of it. Regards, --Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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The only thing I can add to Noel’s excellent answer is that when you are done with your new install, you can Deactivate the license on your existing computer, so you don’t ‘lose’ one of your three activations. Or, keep it activated and move your USB drive between computers whenever you wish.
For future reference, if you have a hard drive that dies before you can deactivate, just call PG Music and explain. Plus, every year when you upgrade you get three new activations for that new version. All in all, it’s very fair.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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After checking I misspoke but I still have a hot mess to a newbie.
I have 3 possible locations for my new BIAB 2024 on my thumb drive purchase:
PC 1- Has BIAB 2019 AND an "Everything Pak" hard drive which is where the BIAB 2019 resides and with plenty of extra hard drive space
Windows Laptop with no BIAB and plenty of space on C:
PC 2- Has Wiindows 2014 and plenty of hard drive space.
"My Products" shows a "Pro Upgrade with Real Band" 2019 but oddly not my "Everything Pak" hard drive.
Should I just do a full 2024 install on all 3 PCs from my 2024 BIAB thumdrive and be done with it ?
One thing troubling me is whether the stuff on the Everything Pak will be seen if I do a full install on the PC1 and how I get the laptop and PC2 to see
what's on the "Everything Pak".
The "Everything Pak" has files entitled "Drums", "Real Tracks", "Styles", "Styles 3", "Songs", "Soloists" etc. Are these included in the
2024 thumb drive such that I don't have to worry what's in the "Everything Pak" hard drive when I do a full install from my thumb drive to all 3 PCs ?
(Even though I have BIAB 2014 I still consider myself a "Newb" because I am only recently jumping into the BIAB party and just haven't used it
up until now. So any help is MUCH appreciated).
Many thanks for your help.
Bob
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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In this case Bob is talking about a Pro install from flash drive, not an Ultra from a hard drive/SSD.
As Noel mentioned, you should run the installer on each computer, as the fonts and plugins need to be on your system storage, however it's not explicitly required if you're only using the BIAB app. From the flash drive, just run the main setup and install onto your external SSD - the setup app will take care of installing the fonts and plugins.
I work here
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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At this point I recommend you follow instructions from PG Music Support (or Simon). One thing you didn’t explain: do you want to run BIAB on all three of your computers (one at a time)?
In case you are skilled with moving files around, there are two things that might affect you, given the age of your BIAB programs. In 2018, the GUI was revised (although the old one is still there with a click), but also the folder structure for /BB was reorganized. Files are not where they were. For that reason alone, you might find it better to install 2024 on all machines.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yes, I want BIAB active on all 3 computers. I sometimes work upstairs, sometimes in the Mancave, and sometimes on my laptop.
My takeaway from all this is to do a complete install from the thumb drive onto the available hard drives associated with each PC, and
not fiddle with being able to take an external hard drive from one PC to another since I have three installs. Correct ?
But what about the files on the MegaPak external hard drive running on one of the PC's ? How do I know which files are not included
in the 2024 upgrade thumbdrive ?
And do I just copy all those BIAB related files to the /bb BIAB folder of the other two PC's hard drives ? Or where would I copy them to ?
(NOTE: I don't have any songs that need transferring. I just want to make sure all the styles, etc. on the MegaPak are available on the
other 2 PCs).
Bob
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Ok, that’s helpful - all three machines used.
I prefer not to talk you through this because if something doesn’t work, I would feel responsible. Give the Support staff a call tomorrow.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yes, I want BIAB active on all 3 computers. I sometimes work upstairs, sometimes in the Mancave, and sometimes on my laptop.
My takeaway from all this is to do a complete install from the thumb drive onto the available hard drives associated with each PC, and
not fiddle with being able to take an external hard drive from one PC to another since I have three installs. Correct ? That would likely be the most painless route. But what about the files on the MegaPak external hard drive running on one of the PC's ? How do I know which files are not included
in the 2024 upgrade thumbdrive ? According to our records, you previously had a 2019 Pro with a couple add-ons. You don't need to install the 2019 Pro, just the 2024 - then download the add-ons from your account and install them.
I work here
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Great ! Thanks Simon.
Those "add-ons" in my account are all stand-alones and work independently of BIAB adding no functionality to it, correct ? (e.g.
Latin Pianist, Blues Piano Master Class, Jazz Piano Master Class, Modern Jazz Pianist, Fusion Soloist, 101 Essential Phrases,
101 Essential Riffs..... Correct ?)
So I need only download them as needed and only on a particular PC where they will be used, correct ?
Thanks for the help !
Bob
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Great ! Thanks Simon.
Those "add-ons" in my account are all stand-alones and work independently of BIAB adding no functionality to it, correct ? (e.g.
Latin Pianist, Blues Piano Master Class, Jazz Piano Master Class, Modern Jazz Pianist, Fusion Soloist, 101 Essential Phrases,
101 Essential Riffs..... Correct ?)
So I need only download them as needed and only on a particular PC where they will be used, correct ? Correct, but you also have at least one Soloist add-on for BB.
I work here
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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The only "Soloist" in My Products I see is "Jeff Lorber Fusion Soloist"
Is this what you're referring to or are there more I'm not seeing (maybe on the
EverythingPAK I have ?
And I think I understand (correctly ?) now that this one Soloist (or any other add-ons entitled "Soloist") works IN BIAB, unlike the others in My Products which work standalone and
independently of BIAB (like "Jazz Pianist", etc.) ?
Big exciting day for me today as I'm actually doing the upgrade I've been looking forward to
for 5 years just in time for Christmas. Sorry for being anal and taking up Forum oxygen
but I just didn't want to screw this up. And thanks to all who responded.
Best,
Bob
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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You're definitely not taking up any 'forum oxygen'. That's exactly what these forums are for, and no doubt soon, you'll be delivering help to others that you've learned along the way.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks Veteran. Makes me feel less guilty.
Best,
Bob
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I believe the Jeff Lorber soloist was a special offering quite a few years ago, I wish I had bought it because I don’t think it’s available now. Could be wrong. EDIT: I found three Jeff Lorber Supertracks here, #30, 32, and 33 at this link: https://www.pgmusic.com/addons.supertracks.php?os=win
Last edited by Matt Finley; 10/04/24 10:08 AM.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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The only "Soloist" in My Products I see is "Jeff Lorber Fusion Soloist" I thought there were more, but it looks like that's the one. I believe the Jeff Lorber soloist was a special offering quite a few years ago, I wish I had bought it because I don’t think it’s available now. Could be wrong. The Jeff Lorber soloists are available here: https://www.pgmusic.com/addons.artistsoloists.php?os=win
I work here
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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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®!
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-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
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- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- 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
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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!
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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)!
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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.
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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.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
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Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
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