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Band-in-a-Box for Android
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 46
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 46 |
Hi, does the BIAB Android app need to be connected to mobile data or wifi to play songs?
After installing the app and getting it successfully running, my intended usage would be to create songs on my computer and upload the song files to my Android phone and then be able to play them from the phone with no Internet connection. My usage would be when I am out in the boondocks far away from cell service.
Is that scenario doable?
Thanks!
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Band-in-a-Box for Android
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,793
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,793 |
Biab Audiophile 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Android
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 86
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 86 |
To prepare songs for this in Band in a Box Windows or Mac, use the tool in Window -> 'BB2Go - Prepare SGU song files for iOS/Android'. It should create a single matching suffixed _render.m4a file with your song.
When imported to the app, the Open - Local Songs, or the Song Picker (tap the song's title in the top bar), will display a label 'M4A+ Ready' on the song's list element. Without needing another generation, the song should play.
As I type this out I think if the song is using a RealStyle, the app may try to download the style file and then prompt for the serial key. This unintended behavior would be a bug, which I can fix. If your device isn't online it might just work.
The iOS/Android apps also perform a special operation when saving on the device: If an appropriately named m4a render file is found, matching the song file name, it will be moved 'into' the SGU file, and the external m4a deleted.
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Band-in-a-Box for Android
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 46
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 46 |
To prepare songs for this in Band in a Box Windows or Mac, use the tool in Window -> 'BB2Go - Prepare SGU song files for iOS/Android'. It should create a single matching suffixed _render.m4a file with your song.
When imported to the app, the Open - Local Songs, or the Song Picker (tap the song's title in the top bar), will display a label 'M4A+ Ready' on the song's list element. Without needing another generation, the song should play.
As I type this out I think if the song is using a RealStyle, the app may try to download the style file and then prompt for the serial key. This unintended behavior would be a bug, which I can fix. If your device isn't online it might just work.
The iOS/Android apps also perform a special operation when saving on the device: If an appropriately named m4a render file is found, matching the song file name, it will be moved 'into' the SGU file, and the external m4a deleted. Thanks for your reply. If I understand your reply correctly, if I follow your instructions, the BIAB Android app will play my SGU files - with real drums and realtracks - without Internet access (after being imported to the app). Is that correct? If so, does the ability to change tempo and keys etc. work in the app like it does in the Win version? That's about all I'd need it to do for my purposes. Is there a video tutorial that shows the capabilities? Your input is really appreciated because I'm on BIAB ver. 2022 and the Android app and the above described capability is what I've been yearning for so I can stay up with my Bluegrass chops without having to drag a computer around or create a zillion wav files at various speeds and in various keys. The Android app is my primary interest (since I'm doing what I need on BIAB Win ver 2022) and at this time the app is my motivator for upgrading to 2026. If you personally are involved in the creation of the app and its capabilities, I'd like to take this moment to say THANK YOU!!!! BluegrassPicker
Last edited by BluegrassPicker; 12/21/25 04:08 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Android
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 86
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 86 |
Hi BluegrassPicker, I'm encouraged by your excitement for the app! I'm the primary developer for both iOS and Android BIAB.
If you import an SGU with a rendered M4A to the app, it does not require internet access to play the M4A audio instead of MIDI.
The apps have some limitations (for now):
MIDI Styles: Changing most song variables (key, chords, part markers) generally requires a local, offline regeneration. Tempo changes and instrument mute, volume, or patch change will apply in real time.
Real Styles (And any song with rendered M4A audio): Changing song variables, tempo, and track volumes need a regeneration on the server.
Realtime tempo control is an anticipated addition to both apps in 2026.
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Band-in-a-Box for Android
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 46
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 46 |
Hi BluegrassPicker, I'm encouraged by your excitement for the app! I'm the primary developer for both iOS and Android BIAB.
If you import an SGU with a rendered M4A to the app, it does not require internet access to play the M4A audio instead of MIDI.
The apps have some limitations (for now):
MIDI Styles: Changing most song variables (key, chords, part markers) generally requires a local, offline regeneration. Tempo changes and instrument mute, volume, or patch change will apply in real time.
Real Styles (And any song with rendered M4A audio): Changing song variables, tempo, and track volumes need a regeneration on the server.
Realtime tempo control is an anticipated addition to both apps in 2026. Great! Thanks again. I'm going to be upgrading to BIAB 2026 tomorrow, and I'm going to be spending some serious time with the app to get familiar with it. I'll be looking forward to trying out the various changes you'll be making with it as it grows. Thanks very much again for your efforts, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours. BluegrassPicker
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Band-in-a-Box for Android
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 46
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 46 |
MIDI Styles: Changing most song variables (key, chords, part markers) generally requires a local, offline regeneration. Tempo changes and instrument mute, volume, or patch change will apply in real time. I copied a total midi song that was saved with the BLUGRAS1 style in BIAB to my android phone. I loaded the song into the android app using the Open - Files App. The song plays in the key that it was saved in, but I cannot change the key. When I Generate MIDI (Local) the screen goes back to the chords but nothing happens. The chord screen still has the original key of the song and the equivalent chords changes of the song in the bars. There is no change at all from the original key. If I press Play, the song plays, but in the original key. Nothing changes. I've tried several songs with the same results. This is the android version from the Google Play store. I am on wifi with the phone and my 2026 serial # has been verified by the app. Am I doing something wrong?
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Band-in-a-Box for Android
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 86
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 86 |
That sounds like a bug. I'll look into it.
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Band-in-a-Box for Android
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 46
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 46 |
Thanks. I'll be glad to do beta testing for you anytime if that would help the effort. Thanks again.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
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Season's Greetings!
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The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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