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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: 6,385
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385 |
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: 6,385
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385 |
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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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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