I've looked all through my 2019 copy of BiaB, and I've done a search here, and I haven't found any info on how to schedule backups of my files. You know, like any word processor does (and Cakewalk does), where you can set the program to backup the file you're working on at a given interval? I like 5 minutes.
I've been a BiaB user since 1998, and I can't believe I haven't noticed this before. I guess I've never had BiaB lock up on me during a critical moment when writing a piece of music. But it's happened to me twice now in the period of a few days, twice where I've lost a fair amount of work because BiaB decided to lock up and I hadn't saved the file yet.
So, somebody please tell me I just haven't found out how to do this yet. Cuz I have a hard time believing that BiaB doesn't have a periodic backup feature. And if it doesn't, then this is an item that should be placed at the top of the "I want this now!" list.
There are few things I find more infuriating than losing work because a program locked up.
Never seen anyone request this feature in over 20 years of following the forum. Which suggests to me this is not a "I want it now" item. I am almost certain this does not exist in BIAB. Backup of the data on my drives is done with other tools and generally at a much higher level than just the BIAB files. But you may feel differently.
Backing up a drive is an entirely different process done for entirely different reasons. All I'm asking for is the same thing any word processor has.
BiaB may be some of the buggiest software I've used on a regular basis, but it's actually pretty good about pulling itself out of (not responding) situations, so that may be why folks don't feel the need for backups. But BiaB does lock up on occasion. And this does result in lost work. You may not see this is a priority, but I do, and a rather high one. Because BiaB has no backup feature I now get to go back over a file and spend an hour or more redoing what I lost. Infuriating. There's no excuse for not having this feature -- or at least an equivalent to what Cakewalk does when it crashes. It asks the user if they want a backup copy created. And if the users sez "yes" the backup is created in the same directory that the original file is located. Plus, the backup is up to date to the second the program crashed. This is a workable alternative.
I believe you (and Dan) are correct that there is no 'save every x changes' or 'save every x minutes' like in some software. While I always feel reassured by this feature, I've learned not to rely on it after being burned when it let me down. Far better to adopt manual methods of file handling, including saving under multiple version names as you develop a song.
BIAB does have Edit, Undo. The number of levels can be up to 99 in Options, Preferences. It won't save you in a program crash, though.
So why not make a post in the Wishlist Forum? I would support it.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
I have a chord progression I am working on. A few days ago, I decided to muck around with it much more than I normally do. The outcome was terrible. If that tinkering was saved I would have had to start over.
Realband (not BIAB) doesn't have an auto-save, per-se, but it does have a setting under preferences to create a backup file when overwriting a .SEQ file. You can specify how many backup files to keep (default is 5). So, as long as you "save often", you can get back to a previous version of your file.
If they can't do autosave, maybe they could add this feature to BIAB as well.
RealBand also has an optional feature to automatically backup the most recently recorded take on a track. That way, if you accidentally recorded something to the wrong track and overwrote existing content, you can get it back.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
I believe you (and Dan) are correct that there is no 'save every x changes' or 'save every x minutes' like in some software. While I always feel reassured by this feature, I've learned not to rely on it after being burned when it let me down. Far better to adopt manual methods of file handling, including saving under multiple version names as you develop a song.
BIAB does have Edit, Undo. The number of levels can be up to 99 in Options, Preferences. It won't save you in a program crash, though.
So why not make a post in the Wishlist Forum? I would support it.
In response to DSM and you, I use the Edit/Undo feature quite a bit, but just because a program has a timed backup feature, this doesn't nullify the Edit/Undo's. At least, it doesn't in Cakewalk. So you can have both.
Back in the dark days of early DOS software, there was no such thing as timed backups and one just had to develop the habit of saving a file early and often. I'd just as soon not have to revert back to those dark days. But if BiaB keeps locking up on me as it has recently, I will have little choice, I suppose, but to adopt those habits from the dark past.
I shall post a wish (heh, a demand!) in the Wishlist forum. But I wanted to post a message here first because I wanted to make sure that this feature either did or did not exist.
For incremental saves you could make one of them with AutoHotKey, it will send Save As to Biab every so many min/s, when the dialog comes up it will append the file name with with the next number. This would happen very quick as it's scripted.
Try this AutoHotKey, if you don't have AutoHotKey install it https://www.autohotkey.com/ set it to Always On Top, it will save every 2mins (120000)
Code:
#Persistent
SetTimer, BiabSaveAs, 120000
return
EDIT: corrected to 120000 is 2min this is just a basic test model, a timer selector can be added to adjust time between saves, but for now just edit the script in Notepad to change the milliseconds. Close the GUI to stop saving. If BB is playing it will pause and save then continue playing. Try it on a test song that is a copy of your original. You should get:
my song.SGU my song[001].SGU my song[002].SGU my song[003].SGU etc...
Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
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