Wondering how to install from Download Links, DVDs, a flash drive, or hard drive? Here are some tips:
Download LinksInstallation
*Having trouble downloading? Check out our FAQ "I just placed an order but am unable to download the software" HERE
Once you have successfully downloaded your entire purchase from your My Products page, you will need to run those installers.
Option 1: Manually click on each installer (one at a time) and follow the prompts in the Installation Wizard. Unless you specified otherwise when downloading, your installation files should be found in your "Downloads" folder.
*Tips for downloading and installing an entire UltraPAK or UltraPAK+ (previously the EverythingPAK) on a Windows computer can be found HERE
Option 2 (for Band-in-a-Box ONLY): Manually install the main Band-in-a-Box program (plus Hi-Q Instruments, MIDI SuperTracks, Artist Performances, BonusPaks, XtraStyles PAKs if relevant) and then use the Download Manager from within Band-in-a-Box to install all your Loops, Shots, RealTracks and RealDrums.
DVD Installation
Insert your DVD's into your DVD drive, view the content of the disc(s), and run the installer(s). Use the default locations in the Installation Wizards to ensure all fonts, software synths, demos etc. go where they need to be!
Click HERE to watch a YouTube video that shows you how to install Band-in-a-Box from DVD's on a Windows computer.
Flash Drive Installation
Insert your flash drive into a USB 2 or 3 port on your computer, view the contents of the drive, and run the installers. Use the default locations in the Installation Wizards to ensure all fonts, software synths, demos etc. go where they need to be!
*You should not be running the software directly from the flash drive, it needs to be installed onto your computer.
Hard Drive Installation
You have three installation options when you purchase Band-in-a-Box® on an external hard drive. To get started, plug the hard drive into your USB 2 or 3 port(s), view the contents of the drive, and run the setup file.
Run everything from the external hard drive provided - installing only the fonts and software synths to your internal drive. WINDOWS VIDEOMAC VIDEO
Install Band-in-a-Box® to your computer's internal drive but leave the RealTracks and RealDrums on your external hard drive. WINDOWS VIDEOMAC VIDEO
Install everything to your computer's internal hard drive and just keep the hard drive as a backup. WINDOWS VIDEOMAC VIDEO
*If your computer isn't recognizing the hard drive, please follow the troubleshooting steps found HERE
If you get stuck, please don't hesitate to contact us!
Last edited by Alyssa - PG Music; 10/01/1810:31 AM.
My understanding is the installer will not install a file if you already have the same file and the date is the same or newer. On the other hand if PG Music has updated some files then the installer will install the updated file.
My understanding is the installer will not install a file if you already have the same file and the date is the same or newer. On the other hand if PG Music has updated some files then the installer will install the updated file.
Hmmm... my experience is the opposite I had the same idea as you and I did that with an older installation of BIAB 2020. BIAB would keep reinstalling the same identical files and the overall size of my installation would just grow and grow.
I included option #3 in my question because I don't know if this issue has been addressed and to check whether other people have experienced the same problem when doing this.
I had the same experience as you the first time I updated Band-in-a-Box from my initial installation. My issue was I was telling the installer files the wrong directory path in such a way the installer was nesting files and folders. Post a screen shot of the directory path of one of your installer files. I bet a forum member can solve that issue.
I do not run my program from an external hard drive so my suggestion is an opinion and not founded on experience. If it hasn't worked for you in the past, I wouldn't follow the suggestion either.
The main issue I'm aware of using an external hard drive is Windows assigns a dynamic drive letter each time the external drive is attached. Sometimes the drive letter is the same as before which is fine and sometimes it's not which can cause issues. Windows has a procedure to assign a static drive letter to an external hard drive but not everyone knows the procedure exists. Because of the dynamic drive letter issue I'm cautious about suggesting the option. You are already using the external hard drive option so I assumed you have resolved that barrier to your satisfaction.
Everyone has their preferred way to work. I hope you'll let us know which option you choose and how it goes.
My understanding is the installer will not install a file if you already have the same file and the date is the same or newer. On the other hand if PG Music has updated some files then the installer will install the updated file.
OK, so I had a live chat with PG Music support and I was told the same thing -- that the BIAB 2022 installation would skip over whatever was previously installed and I was assured that my overall installation size wouldn't just grow and grow. I was told to expect 140 to 150 GB of files in total.
I used the Download Manager and simply downloaded everything, even RT sets that I had already previously installed (although the files were not identical -- each was slightly different in file size and composition than the versions I got when I installed BIAB 2020). Then I clicked install for each of the downloaded files and let the Download Manager handle everything.
Results: after starting up the program and unpacking the new styles etc., the installation size was 144 GB. Everything seems to be working fine at first glance. I'm quite happy with it.
I think the difference is that I manually installed each file before, and it probably created redundancies and grew my installation size beyond what was really needed. To confirm this, I even manually reinstalled files I had already installed and, sure enough, the installation size just kept growing.
So kudos to the PG Music team for sorting this out. I highly recommend doing everything through the Download Manager!
And many thanks for your helpful answers, Jim, which led me in the right direction.
Hi, I would like to ask for help with a new installation of BIAB because my setup is anything but standard. I can boot into 4 instances of Win10 ("main","work","music" and "games") on my Dell desktop PC. This may seem strange, but I have reasons for this. All of these instances have the same Machine ID and have access to data partition with letter "G". This partition is dedicated for my music data. I would like to use BIAB as VST plugin from the "music" instance and also use BIAB in standalone mode from the "main" instance.
My first question is ... Could I install whole BIAB exclusively to the data disk "G" without touching anything on disk C? (registry, INI files, ...) YES: That's great, thank you, I have no other questions. :-) NO: I'm aware I have to install BIAB twice. Do I need 2 licenses of BIAB despite the fact that it will be done on one physical PC hardware? Could you recommend me what is really necessary to install to disk C (twice) and what content I can install to disk "G"? Do I be able to process future BIAB upgrade for both "main" and "music" instances?
Band-in-a-Box does not affect the Windows registry. PG Music allows Band-in-a-Box to be installed three times.
In your case you would want two installations, one to the "main" instance and one to the "music" instance. So you will end up with: drive letter for "music":\bb and drive letter for "main:\bb.
Assuming you want all RealTracks and RealDrums to be installed to the "G" drive you would choose the custom location setting by selecting Ctrl+E to open the Preferences window. Select the RealDrums and RealTracks button to enter the custom location as displayed below.
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.
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