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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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I have the latest version of BIAB for Windows (2025 PlusPak). I recently bought a MacBook and want to use BIAB on it. From what I can see I have to buy a 'crossgrade'. Does that automatically take into account my Windows products? So, I'm looking at $199 for the cross grade? Seems a harsh policy to have (cubase etc all transfer with no further purchases) but hey ho if that's my only option I'll have to seriously consider it.
What about songs and styles I've purchased? 3rd party styles from Bob Norton?

Thanks for any advice. I have tried PG chat earlier but never got an answer.

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Originally Posted by Anthony Miller
I have the latest version of BIAB for Windows (2025 PlusPak). I recently bought a MacBook and want to use BIAB on it. From what I can see I have to buy a 'crossgrade'. Does that automatically take into account my Windows products? So, I'm looking at $199 for the cross grade? Seems a harsh policy to have (cubase etc all transfer with no further purchases) but hey ho if that's my only option I'll have to seriously consider it.
What about songs and styles I've purchased? 3rd party styles from Bob Norton?

Thanks for any advice. I have tried PG chat earlier but never got an answer.

Hello Anthony Miller,
I am not in your situation, except that I run Macs, silicon, laptops mostly, with BIAB 2024/2025, and that price seems correct, and high.

I don't know if this is daunting but you could try running Windows on the Mac (M series silicon?) using Parallels (costs) or there are free methods, link below.
Having Windows on your Macbook may be useful but if it's only for BIAB, I'd be tempted to pay for the crossgrade. Best of luck with your choice.

https://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/how-to-run-windows-11-for-free-on-an-m1-m2-m3-or-m4-mac/

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Thank you for your reply. A heavy price to pay considering I have been with the Windows version for years and still have the original BIAB on CD! And paid for every upgrade version since, new styles and packs etc. Both Cubase and Ableton, SongMaster Pro have the ability to use the same licence on PC and Mac at no extra charge. Seems PG Music are been a bit greedy. Still, as PG Chat support didn't answer I presume they're not bothered about. Disappointing.

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I have tried PG chat earlier but never got an answer.

That’s odd. It’s an easy Sales question.


BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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I was on the chat with Ember (I think that was who, apologies if the name is wrong) after waiting for the chat box to appear for a while. I was asked what my question was and I enquired about crossgrade and does it automatically take into account my current products under Windows (latest version). I waited for an answer...and waited...and waited. I then had to go so didn't find the answer. (Why ask me how they could help and then not answer?) I left another message this morning expressing my disappointment at having to pay crossgrade and secondly not receiving anything from PG to point me in the right direction. I consider myself a loyal customer having spent a fair bit of cash upgrading my Windows version over the years and disappointed to have to pay $199 to start again because I want to transfer to Mac. Nevertheless I am keeping my Windows system so I'll be exporting stems to the Mac and playing the backing tracks from there. Long-winded but cheaper. I will not be ugrading or buying any further packs etc in the future. My thoughts are in the long term that with AI becoming integrated more into Logic etc in the future BIAB will struggle to compete, especially for my use which is backing tracks to practise trumpet to.

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Just to put closure on this I received a message from Ember saying he would forward my message to marketing. Thanks Ember! Looks like I'll have to stump up the cash if I want to take BIAB to my Mac.
"Dear wife, love of my life........you know we discussed not spending any more money on music...well...BLAME PG MUSIC my love...." laugh
Cheers

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Since Mac and Windows are developed differently they are not interchangeable like some other products. As far as styles and such they are. If you load all your styles on a thumb drive you can move them over.


HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
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Hi Rob,

moving styles from win to mac can only be done if you have all the used Realtracks on both machines, right?
I'm on the same situation, had to buy all Realtracks twice to switch from PC to Mac.
I don't think it's greed, I think it's like two different programs, one for pc and one for mac.
To have one version for both platforms would be a huge advantage, like Reaper or other Cubase.

Last edited by Norbert Kuhnt; 08/21/25 08:01 AM.

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Originally Posted by Norbert Kuhnt
Hi Rob,

.... moving styles from win to mac can only be done if you have all the used Realtracks on both machines, right?
.... I think it's like two different programs, one for pc and one for mac.

Yah, you have the right idea! While .STY files will work on both Mac and Windows, when it comes to the RealTracks that those Styles call up, those are in formats that are exclusive to Windows or Mac depending on the OS you purchased your copy of Band-in-a-Box for. If the only thing you don't have to run a Style is the RealTracks it calls up by default, there's what I like to a call a "mock mixer" that appears in the bottom left of the StylePicker or Styles section of the MultiPicker. You could leave the defaults as is and load the style as intended, sure, that's always a great option. But you could also customize the style before loading it in via the little "mock mixer". You'll see options for customization, saving that customization as your own .STY for future use, and little buttons on each track to make your sub-ins and do other things as well. It's more experimental, but maybe by playing around with the RealTracks you do have available you'll make something you like even more than the original Style!

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MockMixer.png (38.95 KB, 22 downloads)
Last edited by Ember - PG Music; 08/21/25 05:35 PM.

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Originally Posted by Anthony Miller
Just to put closure on this I received a message from Ember saying he would forward my message to marketing. Thanks Ember! Looks like I'll have to stump up the cash if I want to take BIAB to my Mac.
"Dear wife, love of my life........you know we discussed not spending any more money on music...well...BLAME PG MUSIC my love...." laugh
Cheers
Always happy to offer clarification! And apologies for any delays via the chat the other day—response times can be a little longer whenever we run sales on upgrades or add-ons but that's absolutely not typical to our usual mode of operation. If you need further clarification on anything feel free to shoot us an email to our sales@pgmusic.com or support@pgmusic.com e-mail with your phone number for a callback and we can chat over the phone to get any lingering questions answered ASAP for you! Our phones will open again at 6am PST on Monday as we are closed on the weekends.

Last edited by Ember - PG Music; 08/21/25 05:43 PM.

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PG Music News
Video: New User Interface (GUI)

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 60 new features in this exciting release.

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!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.

XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!

XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!

The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!

Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!

Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.

Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!

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