BIAB help

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 4 Oct 2020 7:13 pm

They are advertising BIAB 2018 for $ 59.00. Is this all I will need to build songs? I use to have a 2004 version but have lost it. Advise please.

Norman Evans · Post by **Norman Evans** » 10 Oct 2020 5:17 am

You can build songs with the 2018 version. I had it and updated to 2019, but it was basically the same. I also have 2011 on an older computer that does a good job.

Jim Fogle · Post by **Jim Fogle** » 10 Oct 2020 4:36 pm

Bill,

Buying an older product can be a great way to save money. That's actually how I got started with modern day Band-in-a-Box. My wife purchased a two year old package as a gift for me. I played with what I had for almost a year and a half before updating to what was current at the time. I've stayed current ever since. Saved some dollars by starting with old.

My gift was the smallest package, the ProPAK. That worked really well for me as I concentrated on learning the program.

Which package is for sale, ProPAK, MegaPAK, UltraPAK or Audiophile? Also you might want to ask if the package is for use on a Windows or Mac computer.

Regardless of the package, the program likely will be 32 bit. PG Music now includes both 32 and 64 bit programs. I believe 2019 was when PG Music released the 64 bit program. If you get both, good; if not the 32 bit program works fine in 32 or 64 bit Windows computers. The current Mac operating system requires 64 but.

There are differences between the Windows and Mac programs. The Windows program has some significant features that are not available in the Mac program yet.

2014 and newer Band-in-a-Box programs require a serial number to operate for more than thirty (30) days after installation. You should ask the seller if the program serial number is for a new installation or an upgrade. While the seller may have purchased the package as an upgrade to an earlier installation it will be a new install for you. An upgrade serial number will not work on a new install.

Most people purchase Band-in-a-Box to use the content (mainly RealTracks but also styles, Midi SuperTracks and so on) to make backing tracks. The package difference is the amount of content included in the purchase. The package size are roughly UltraPAK and Audiophile = 100%; MegaPAK = 35% and ProPAK = 10%. I started with the ProPAK and upgraded to the UltraPAK later.

Register your product. Registration will let you get upgrade pricing thereafter. You'll also have an online account where you'll have backup files available for downloaded if needed.

PG Music normally has a sale each year when the new version is released. The savings is generally 40 - 50% off retail. Windows is typically released in December and Mac in June.

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 22 Oct 2020 8:21 pm

OK I bought the 2020 version, I figure by this time next year I'll have it mastered. I also bought Studio 1.5, Now I can really go crazy. Let the games begin.

Jim Fogle · Post by **Jim Fogle** » 23 Oct 2020 11:15 am

Bill,

That's great. I hope you enjoy your time using Band-in-a-Box.

The free video Rick Campbell created is a wonderful way to quickly and easily learn how to make a song with Band-in-a-Box.

Here is a link to another post that gives a link to the video along with instructions about how to download and watch it on your computer: https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... 40#2926840

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 23 Oct 2020 5:29 pm

Thanks everyone for the input. Jim I can't seem to get to download. Where can I get a copy??

Bob Shelton · Post by **Bob Shelton** » 29 Oct 2020 6:37 am

Post moved.

Jim Fogle · Post by **Jim Fogle** » 29 Oct 2020 10:39 am

Bill Dobkins wrote:... Jim I can't seem to get to download.

Bill,

Thank you for the heads up.

Here is a download link to the Rick Campbell video files: https://www.dropbox.com/s/di2r3q11ls92s ... o.zip?dl=0

Jim Fogle · Post by **Jim Fogle** » 29 Oct 2020 11:23 am

Bob,

Right click on one of the 2009 Band-in-a-Box (BiaB) song file names. This action opens a file menu.

Select "Properties" which should be the bottom or last selection on the right click file menu. This opens the File properties window.

The file properties window has four tabs. The default tab is "General". On the General tab window click on the "Change ..." button next to a text box filled the name of the file.

The "Change" button opens a new window that asks the question, "How do you want to open .SGU files from now on?

The window has several program choices available. (Preferred) Select "bbw64.exe" if listed and you want to use the 64 bit version of Band-in-a-Box. (2nd choice) Select "bbw.exe" if listed and you want to use the 32 bit version of Band-in-a-Box.

(Optional) If neither program is listed you will need to point Windows to the correct location for the program of your choice. Scroll down the program list until your choice is listed or until you get to the bottom of the program list. Select the last choice "Look for another app on this PC".

(Optional) Look for another app on this PC opens a file browser window.

bbw.exe and bbw64.exe are located in the root Band-in-a-Box folder, "X:/bb" where X = the drive you loaded Band-in-a-Box. The default drive location is "C".

Bob Shelton · Post by **Bob Shelton** » 29 Oct 2020 11:49 am

Jim, thanks so much for taking time to write this.

I followed your instruction to the bottom option. I do not get a bbw folder, I get a PG Music folder. Within that is a folder named Band-in-a-Box Sounds, and within that folder are GUI and Programs folders. Nothing in the GUI folder, and only folders for the instruments - no .exe files.

Any other thoughts...thanks again. Bob

Jim Fogle · Post by **Jim Fogle** » 29 Oct 2020 5:59 pm

Bob,

Windows lists folders first and then files. The files should be listed below all the folders located inside the /bb folder.

Also, I included a fresh link to download the Rick Campbell video files.

Bob Shelton · Post by **Bob Shelton** » 30 Oct 2020 10:15 am

Jim, I just got a reply from PG Music on this issue. I haven't had time to try it but thought you might be interested:

Hi Bob,

Thanks for elaborating. I think I know what the problem is. Close out of Band-in-a-Box, then please try the following:

Open Band-in-a-Box by right clicking on your program shortcut and selecting "run as administrator".

Go to File - File Utilities - Remove File Associations.

Then please close and re-open Band-in-a-Box.
Go to File - File Utilities - Associate File Types.
Minimize (don't close) Band-in-a-Box, double-click on a song file in Explorer.

If the song opens, the issue is resolved.

Jim Fogle · Post by **Jim Fogle** » 31 Oct 2020 4:24 pm

Bob,

Thanks for sharing that. I wasn't aware of that procedure. I'm always glad to learn something new.

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