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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 24
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 24 |
Hello,
I've decided to make the switch from a PC to a Mac, and I'm wondering........if I purchase BIAB for the Mac, will I be able to use all my .sgu and .mgu files from my PC-based BIAB? Thanks! BTW, is the Mac version of BIAB as good as the PC version?
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504 |
Yes.
If you have my styles, let me know and I'll let you download the Mac version. The files are the same, but the installation program is different.
I do not have the latest Mac version of the program, but historically the PC version has been better.
Also, think hard about switching to the Mac. There is a lot of hype about the Mac being better, but there really is no significant difference other than the eye candy (and that's a matter of preference).
Some things are easier on the Mac, other things are easier on the PC. Often things are more expensive on the Mac. Reliability is a factor, but with a good PC there again is no significant difference.
The deciding factors should be:
1) The software applications you want to run. If what you want to use is Mac only or PC only, that should define your choice
2) If you plan to transport files to another computer, what kind is it? It used to be that every recording studio had Macs, but now most of them have both. Even my local printer (who is admittedly a Mac addict) has PCs in her shop now.
Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
Bob, I have to say that I disagree with you on the Mac vs PC issue. While the current version of BIAB for Mac does not yet match the PC version in features, the Mac OS and working experience in general is much more productive on Mac. Also, I don't have to hassle with ASIO/Latency/IRQ issues like I do on the PC. I've had countless interfaces which I either returned or was not able to get running on the PC, while just plugging them into my Macbook Pro was enough to get them working. Latency is lower.
While the cost of Mac hardware might be more than the average PC, the build quality and attention to detail both shine on the Mac. And if you really think it is too expensive, see my post today on Hacking a PC laptop to run OSX. Also the ability to run windows programs on the Mac if needed is cool.
My humble opinion,
Ed
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504 |
I don't want to start a format war Ed.
There are a lot of things I like about the Mac and a lot of things I like about the PC.
Personally I find the PC easier to use for the programs that I use daily and the way I use them. But depending on how a person uses the computer, which programs he/she runs most, it could be either format.
One format is not superior than the other, just different. And what is better for one, may not be better for another.
I still say, let your computer platform be chosen by the software you want to run. And if you have no preference, I would go with a good PC simply because there is more available for it and the cost is lower. My 2002 ThinkPad is still running even though it gets abused (I use it on stage, on a shaky keyboard stand, doing one-nighters) and it will run current PC software. My 2002 eMac is still running, but it won't run current Mac software.
Bob
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,975
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,975 |
>> I've decided to make the switch from a PC to a Mac, and I'm wondering........if I purchase BIAB for the Mac, will I be able to use all my .sgu and .mgu files from my PC-based BIAB?
Yes. The file formats are identical, so there is no conversion needed, just copy them over and they would work.
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335 |
Quote:
Hello,
I've decided to make the switch from a PC to a Mac, and I'm wondering........if I purchase BIAB for the Mac, will I be able to use all my .sgu and .mgu files from my PC-based BIAB? Thanks! BTW, is the Mac version of BIAB as good as the PC version?
There are a couple of MINOR things missing from the Mac version, like the Ear Training stuff for one, but the meat and potatoes stuff is there (ie: 90%+ of the stuff). You will not be disappointed. It works and sounds great, even on a 2006 iMac 2 gigahertz Core 2 Duo (which I used it on). Though it does take up A LOT of space with all the real tracks.
And if you ZIP all your PC BinaB files and move them over to your Mac, they will work just fine. I moved all my BinaB files over when 2009 version of BinaB for Mac came out and haven't used my PC version since.......
Musician, Polymath, Google Jedi, Apple Master, Windows Wrangler and Digital Wizard. High ratings in Nerd-fu & Geek-fu.
M1 Mac Mini, MacBook Pro Touchbar 15", Intel 27" iMac, M1 Mac Mini
https://musician.social/@ericdano
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196 |
I have four Macs and four PCs in my house (my wife and I each work partly out of our home). And either will be fine to run BIAB -- if you don’t need the audio recording features of Windows BIAB and you use another program, perhaps Logic or Garageband, for that purpose -- and if you don't mind waiting a few months for PG to come out with a Mac version followup to its latest PC release.
I buy PCs because:
1. They are cheaper. I use different computers for different purposes, and I bought one laptop to do only one job: stream audio to five different locations via ITunes. Ironically, though Apple makes Itunes, I couldn't justify buying a $1,000+ Mac laptop to run it, when a $400 PC laptop will do the job.
2. Some software I like or need to use isn't available on the Mac.
3. The latest version of BIAB will probably always be on Windows first -- and I don't like waiting months for the Mac version to catch up.
I buy Macs because:
1. It's a drag dealing with PC virus-checking programs and waiting while they download the latest updates, and on the Mac this is nearly a non-issue.
2. I can have the best of both worlds, a Mac and a PC in one computer, with WMVare Fusion, Parallels or BootCamp. (To be fair: I'll probably have to buy the WMware or other software, a copy of Windows, some additional Windows software, and some extra RAM to run PC and Mac programs simultaneously. By that time, I'll have spent enough extra cash to buy a cheap PC. But at least I don't have to make room for a Mac and PC laptop in a briefcase or at a tiny table in a coffeeshop).
3. You get what you pay for. My $400 PC laptop is naturally cheaper and flimsier than my MacBook Pro, which costs 3x the price; it gets me there but not in style. And the stylish, well-made PC laptops I could lust after seem to cost about as much as Macs.
4. The software. Apple has done a good job of making programs that work seamlessly together to allow you to manage and edit photos, audio, video and other elements, to make web pages or DVDs or just about anything else.
5. Apple's tech support. Ever try calling Dell, HP, Acer or Samsung for support? I have -- all of them -- and it’s usually a frustrating waste of time -- if you can reach someone after being transferred three or four times, and if they sound like they have ever used a PC for anything more than to enter your name in their database. CU and others rank Apple's tech support #1. If you live near an Apple store, you can make a same-day appointment, walk in and talk to somebody who knows something, for free, even if your problem is with your five year old, out of warranty Mac. Phone support is also good, especially if you have Applecare.
To sum it up: If I were running mainly BIAB and a few other programs, and wanted to always have the latest and greatest version of BIAB, I'd buy a very nice PC. Or a cheaper PC, and spend the money saved on something like a nice new microphone. But for a lot of other folks -- not everyone -- spending a little more money for a Mac will make more sense in the long run.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 24
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 24 |
Thank you all.
Buying a Mac was not something I needed to think too hard about - it was the right thing to do after so many frustrating years of Windows. I'm so glad I made the switch. This is how computing should be!
Anyway, I'm glad to know all my BIAB files can be utilized on the Mac version, so I'll probably order it soon.
Thanks!
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XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
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Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
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Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
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