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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124 |
Hi everyone. I have an ongoing post in the "off-topic" forum regarding buying a Mac or a PC for my next computer. I have gotten a lot of feedback from people using PCs (which I have been doing for some time). I don't want to get into a PC vs. Mac war, but it was suggested that I visit here.
Can you give me some feedback about how you like your Mac and, if you used or also use a PC, what your experiences have been on both.
I am also interested in whether you use the Mac as a dedicated DAW or BIAB machine or if it is used for everything (internet, family stuff, music, itunes, etc.), and what kind of Mac you use. I am considering an iMac, but I see some real benefits sticking with the WIndows platform also.
Thanks.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446 |
For BiaB I like the PC better than the Mac. If BiaB is your main purpose for getting a computer, I highly recommend PC because BiaB/PC has historically run better and had more features sooner on the PC.
As for as other experiences are concerned, I prefer the PC operating system for the way that I work, but I can see where others might prefer the Mac (I have both).
I recommend that you select the computer for the software applications you want to run. If more of theme are on the Mac and are better on the Mac, get it, if more of them are on the PC and better on the PC, get that instead.
Both OS's are fine, and the differences are not all that major. I see some advantages to each.
Insights and incites by 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: Nov 2006
Posts: 30
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30 |
Hi, I have an intel core2 duo iMac, 4gb memory, 250gb HD. I have a 30 gb partition on it that runs windows XP. I use Bootcamp as my "switcher." I have both versions of BIAB 2010 on each partition. I also us 2 1tb external firewire drives for all my loops, RT's,sound files etc. 1 of course is dedicated to mac, the other XP. Yes, the windows version does have a few more features than the mac version. The difference is that the windows infrequently, I repeat infrequently likes to hang. I have never had a hang-up on the mac side. I use Real Band, and Powertracks on the XP side. Again, a few hang-ups. Had to reset external folders for RTs and Real Drums etc.
On the Mac side, I use Garage Band, Logic Pro, and Cubase 5. With the ability to be able to integrate BIAB with my DAW's, no hang ups. I am in hog heaven. Both are dedicated DAW work stations.
Why do I have both? More XP users to go to for help when I get stuck. Also, I usually can transfer the info to the mac side. My next computer this fall will be a 27" iMac. 1tb hard drive partitioned with a 250gb for XP, the rest for mac.
In conclusion, BIAB windows..More features, but not that many more. BIAB mac.. fewer features, but not that many less, rock solid. If finances are a consideration, XP. If dual platforms are of use, especially with pro apps like Cubase,Logic mac. Either way, with BIAB you will enjoy making music.
Hope this helps.
TakeCare
Bill
ps. Mac will run windows 7.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446 |
The PC version of BiaB is very stable on my Windows computers.
Also the new features seem to come out on the PC before the Mac, sometimes years ahead of the Mac (version 12 is a prime example).
Again, if it was mainly BiaB that I was interest in, I'd get a PC. If it was Garage Band, I'd get a Mac.
I have no allegiance to either platform, the are just tools, and I really can't see where one is better than the other -- just a bit different.
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: May 2010
Posts: 9
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9 |
Hi Enthusiast
I also feel like giving you my modest opinion for what it's worth since my use of BIAB is fairly limited compared to what I've read in this forum. I'm just a toddler...
I use it mainly to try out all my jazz lead sheets compositions or arrangements. I just lay out my chord structure, choose a style and play the theme in real time on a keyboard, while composing or just to check if everything is in the right place and then making adjustments. Afterward maybe I'll save them as audio files and burn them to practice until I try it out with real musicians.
I never use melody, solist or notation (I use another program for notation). So that's why I say my use of BIAB is limited compared to what I've seen here. But BIAB does a super job for my needs.
A few weeks ago I came back to MAC after a 10 or 12 years “leave of absence” in the Windows world. At the time it was high prices in the MAC world that made me change. Now I'm writing on an iMAC and I'm glad to be back.
I've been using BIAB (windows) since 2005. So I bought the latest MAC version. Even considering my limited use of BIAB I was surprised to see that they were no 1st & 2nd endings and no visible tag signs in the MAC version ! And I use them a lot. So when you play in real time and follow the chords, it's a bit of a hassle. I put that in the wish list...
But hey, like others said, no OS is better than the other it's just different. What I like about a MAC is that's it's one manufacturer. Along those years I dabbled in PC repairs and man, it's the tower of Babel. Every PC manufacturer wants to plug their own little “gismos”. For example : buy an acer and they'll install acer's “empowering technology”. Acer provides programs that Windows already has and that do the job as faster and better. Windows in itself is a good OS, but sometimes the machines on which it runs are crap. I'm not altogether through though, I still have a portable acer with vista but with no “empowering technology” !! But then again you have to take care of your computer, be it MAC or PC. Some small things are better in PC, but in all I do find that working with MAC OS let's you get faster to the essential of what you want to do : finding, archiving, installing / uninstalling applications. But that's personal.
All the best.
Best of all and hope your day is a nice one
Pierre
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124 |
Thanks all for your thoughts. It's a bit of a difficult choice for me. On the software side, I lean towards Windows. The primary software I use includes BIAB (better on PC -- but I am not a power user), Quicken (better on PC), Microsoft Word and Excel (I own the Office 2007 software, but I understand the Mac version works well too, and you can now use both on the web for free from a PC or Mac), music transcription software (equal on both platforms -- I own the PC version but not expensive to upgrade) and iTunes (better on Mac). I am not wed to any particular DAW software, so garage band may be something nice to try out. I will also be using some photo editing software, but again I am not wed to any particular package, so either platform is fine. Other things I use are available in both platforms and most are free.
On the OS side, I am leaning toward the Mac. The consensus in terms of the OS seems to be that that they are both good but most people report that they have far fewer glitches with the Mac OS and software (why is putting the computer in sleep mode such a hit and miss thing with Windows?).
I'm sure that either platform wil work fine for me. It also seems pretty clear that a PC will wind up costing a good bit less (mostly because I am looking at a 27" iMac and if I bought a PC I would be able to get a similar configuration with a much less expensive and somewhat smaller monitor. If I bought a PC with a similar monitor and configuration the price wouldn't be too far off as a comparable 27" Dell monitor would run about $1100).
The bottom line seems to be that a PC will allow me more choice in terms of hardware and I wouldn't have to replace licenses for any software. Windows is also what I use at work and we have another Windows machine (XP) in the house. A Mac may run more problem free and people seem to actually like using them.
So, there clearly is no right or wrong answer here and it seems to come down to whether I want to try something new and am willing to spend the money and take a chance.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 116
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 116 |
wrsm45 is right on the spot. Another alternative is to run it under Parallel Desktop.
I did the migration from PC to Mac last fall and I still haven't solved all my issues - plan for it to take time. You need a strategy and you need to understand that it wont be cheap, but it will be worth it in the end if you do music like I do.
If you edit your styles a lot in BIAB, you HAVE to have the PC-version of BIAB on your Mac. There are additional reasons for having the PC-version on the Mac, but the Mac-versions runs really well with Bandstand.
Product owner: BIAB Win 2009 MegaP|Mac 2011
PoCoX8|MD3|H4|VSS3|DVR2|
PT 9.0|Reason 5|K4|Goliath|Ivory|Trilian|VG2|
MacBook 17"|2.8 mhz|4 GB|OSX 10.6.7|One|Bandst.
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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 |
Get a Mac. Band in a Box + Garageband (which is FREE with every Mac) is great stuff. You can drag audio or midi tracks from BinaB to Garageband and tweak them to your hearts content.
Plus, you don't have to have the added Microsoft Tax on your computer....ie: Virus Protection Software. And there is ONE version of Mac OS X for users, not the Basic, Premium, Ultra, and other non-sense Microsoft has for Windows 7.
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: Aug 2005
Posts: 483
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 483 |
I use a MacBook and have been using BIAB since the early '90s with one Mac machine or another. 95% of ALL my computing is done on this laptop. No problems with running BIAB even with other programs running, although it is just common sense to only run BIAB on gigs as well as closing mail down when connected to an external amp at home. Wow that mail "ding" can be loud through a PA or earphones  I love the newest version of the program. Having Garageband and Logic available is also a big plus when creating more advanced arrangements. Ernie
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63 |
I got a mac before discovering band in a box. I primarily use Logic and Guitar Rig for recording and playing and largely have no complaints. I used to use GarageBand and still do sometimes - it's a fantastic app and comes with every mac. (I won't exactly say it's free because it's really included in the purchase price.)
My decision for buying a mac was based on the ability to be platform-agnostic. I can use Parallels or vmWare and run basically any windows app right next to my mac apps. (Or Linux, or BSD, or Plan 9, or vxWorks, whatever.)
It is a little disappointing that the mac version is behind the windows version, but I've not really scratched the surface with what can be done with the 2010 mac version, so I don't have much of a leg to stand on there.
Macs are more expensive. I'm not going to go into how much bundled software like GarageBand, iMovie, iDVD, etc is worth - you'd have to buy some of that stuff on a windows machine to equal the mac. Would that make up the difference? I've never run the numbers.
In my experience, with that extra money you're buying name and reliability. My mac machines have outlasted my windows machines in reliability and usefulness. My 3+ year old iMac is still plenty fast and useful. After 3 years, my PC desktop was getting a bit pokey. My mac laptop is rock-solid and the fit and finish are far above my dell or IBM laptops. But as a previous poster mentioned, it's like fighting over tools - my screwdriver is better than that one, etc - at the end of the day, it's a screwdriver...
My $0.02.
-Hollister
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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.
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