Get to know the new Plugins feature included with the latest Band-in-a-Box 2016 for Mac Build 143 update when you check out this video: www.pgmusic.com/?vid=zfM9Y6TZuoY

Have you updated to the latest patch yet? If not, download it here.

The features added with this build include:

• AU and VST plugins are now supported. There is a new Plugins tab on the Mixer window, that allows you to add/edit MIDI or audio plugins on each track. We include the Sforzando VST sample player, along with the PG Music HiQ Instruments.
• HiQ instruments have been added. These are high quality MIDI sounds that make the MIDI tracks (both regular and MIDI SuperTracks) sound much better. You can audition and choose a HiQ patch for any track by control+clicking on the track --> "Select HiQ MIDI Patch".
• Sforzando is a .sfz sample player made by Plogue that has been customized for Band-in-a-Box and is used to play the HiQ Instrument sounds.
• We include AmpliTube, which is a VST Guitar Amp Simulator, and can be used effectively with the Direct Input RealTracks.
• A Plugins Options dialog includes an option to scan for VST plugins on bootup and options for how plugin windows are opened, closed, and arranged on the screen. Plugins that are essential to Band-in-a-Box (eg the "Apple: DLSMusicDevice" or "Sforzando") are scanned for regardless of the "Scan for VST plugins on bootup" or "Scan for AU plugins on bootup" settings.

Wow, thanks for posting the video, the HiQ sounds sound great !
This is a huge update for the Mac version !

Another little hint for the Mac folks out there, if you have OS X 10.10, or later you should have an Apple installed AU MIDI instrument called " AUSampler".
By using the AUSampler plug-in you can use any of GarageBand's or Logic's built in instruments, (that you have installed on your system already) directly within BIAB !

From the "AUSampler" interface, click on the gear icon, and select "load EXS instrument".
Then open any .exs file that is located in either :

/Library/Application Support/GarageBand/Instrument Library/Sampler/Sampler Instruments
or
/Library/Application Support/Logic/Sampler Instruments

Hopefully this is of use to sombody, as both GarageBand and Logic have some really nice sounds built in.
Enjoy !

Thanks again, this is a really big addition for us Mac users !

- Jay

Jay,
Thanks for the tips. Yes, this is a big update, especially a mid year one.
Styles and songs can be saved with plugins, which expands the range of instruments and sounds.

Wow, amazing! Nice work, PGMusic. The Mac version is really catching up. Thanks!

/Björn

Yes it's a great update to have VST suport but it needs refinement because BB crashes often when loading multiple plugins.

"...but it needs refinement because BB crashes often when loading multiple plugins."

If you are using a lot of vst's you can try using the below, it might take the load off BB.

RemoteChannelVST
https://www.vstforx.de/index.php/product-details/remotechannel
&
VSTForx
https://www.vstforx.de/index.php/product-details/vstforx

Download
https://www.vstforx.de/index.php/download

with
Hosting AU microDAW
http://ju-x.com/hostingau.html

or Reaper

or MiniHost has a Standalone also.
http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=368498

Hi Pipeline.

Just wondering ..,
Have you contacted PG Tech support regarding this ?
This doesnt sound good after the Mac version had beed lagging behind the windows version for so long.

Just guessing, perhaps the issue could lie in your system ? .., what is the PG support status on this bug. ?

I have one more question for you Pipeline, Q - As you a current user and customer, how would you Rate your customer experience when dealing with PG support. I am thinking seriously of buying into BIAB Audiophile . I am very interested in your opinion, as prompt support and how quickly support issues are dealt with in a professional manner are very important to me .

Regards
David

I think the best way is just try it for 30 days, if you are not happy you can get your money back.


"Unconditional 30 Day Money Back Guarantee - We stand behind our products!
When you purchase ANY product directly from PG Music Inc., you are automatically covered by our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee.

If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with the purchase you made directly from PG Music Inc., simply contact us within 30 days of your order, and we will refund the purchase price (shipping charges not included) - no questions asked!

No small print required!"

Thanks again Pipeline . I am just finding out first because i live in Indonesia and as BIAB Audiophile is a hard-drive and not downloadable as I would have hoped .., then the return is an expensive option for me as I will still need to pay return international shipping PLUS up to 30% import taxes on the purchase cost for the BIAB + hard drive .., (which means all those extra costs could have been avoided if an alternative "download only option" was offered - but unfortunately it isn't).

This is why I am being thorough before I by . Once again Pipeline , I thank you kindly for taking the time to reply .., Very much appreciated

I think what you could do is just buy a basic downloadable PAK, try it out and if you are happy with it get a refund/upgrade on the Audiophile version, I think you can do that within the 30 day period.

Thank you for your tips Pipeline.

Video not working ...?

ahh, there it goes.

`Hi Pipeline ,

I am sure this was an unintentional 'pun' ,

.., But here in Indonesia (where I live)

The word 'PAK' .., is the commonly spoken 'shortened version' for the word 'BAPAK'

.., which in English, the word 'Pak, or Bapak' translates to Mister,
- but it's use also simultaneously includes a strong attached connotation of "SIR" (a display of showing respect)

.., anyway intentional or unintentional ,


Terima Kasih (thank you) PAK Pipeline

Installed both the update (Build 145) and the plugins installer, but there's still no "Plugins" tab on my mixer window. I thought I'd see if I'm missing an obvious step before calling tech support. Thx.

Head to the Band-in-a-Box menu and select "About Band-in-a-Box" to see if your patch updated the program properly. If it's updated properly, the Plugins tab should be the second tab above the Mixer.

Thanks,
Callie

My recent install of the 2016 Mac version shows only a limited number of VST plugins but all of my AU's. When I do a scan of the VST directory the program crashes every time. I read somewhere else that the VSTs have to be 32 bit. Mine are mostly 64 bit. Can someone confirm if this is why I get the crashes? Thanks.

You can try https://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridgem/
I can't see a pg version yet https://www.pgmusic.com/jbridge.htm

also http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=368498

Thx--I had actually done an update through the "Find Updates" option. I didn't check the build number because I figured if it was doing an update it should use the latest build, which it didn't. I see now that 145 is a beta. However, once I ran that then the plugins tab magically appeared. So, we're good!

Glad to hear you were able to sort things out.

Enjoy!

We really need a 64 bit version option for plugin hosting.

The idea that BIAB could possibly not show Kontakt Audiounits unless we use a bridge is laughable and simply unacceptable in 2016.

Most other audio DAW software has moved on to 64 bit plugins and/or hosting.