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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,033
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,033 |
Hi there,
As a regular upgrader and sometimes half yearly upgrader who has Band in a Box dvd's and hard drives around the house, I asked this time about downloading option only without any media being sent from PG. To be honest I would have expected a small discount for this as it saves PG from having to supply me with the hard drive or dvd's (and no doubt would have saved me the cost of the postage as well) but the good folks at PG tell me its the same price whether its hard drive sent or no hard drive.
I do feel a bit miffed about this, maybe its unreasonable of me to do so, but thats how I feel anyways.
musiclover
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
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Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826 |
I wouldn't be too miffed. They do still send you the media anyway and the HD version ends up as an inexpensive external drive after you finish with a given version. I mean the HD itself only costs an extra $40 compared to the DVD version. I can't get a 160GB external drive for $40 anywhere else.
As for getting a download only version cheaper than the DVD version, I'd guess that bandwidth and download charges are as much as the cost of duplication so I don't see how it could be any cheaper.
BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2. BiaB Wiki
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Just give PGMusic a call and ask.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
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Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
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Quote:
Just give PGMusic a call and ask.
I think he did John. I guess they just don't offer that option right now. Maybe they will in the future, who knows. As I posted above though I'll bet the cost of supplying the upgrades as downloads is at least the same as a DVD (bandwith and download charges etc.).
BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2. BiaB Wiki
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 604
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 604 |
IMO, the advantage of having an "all-in-one" restore capability is worth the $40.00 or so. The time I need to re-install, 2010, upgrade to 2011 and then apply the new RealTracks, I can get $40 worth of work done.
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
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VB-Audio virtual cables
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,840
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Hi musiclover,
I had a similar experience (with similar feelings) last year and then I did a bit of arithmetic and worked out that I got 101 RTs for $139. This meant that each RT was about $1.39. For the quality of musician that BIAB gave me, I thought that that was a bargain-basement price. These days, I am so impressed with the service that PG Music provide in addition to the quality of product that they provide (at an incredibly good valued price) that I don't question it. I think the program is amazing dollar value. Did you pay freight when you downloaded it?
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 312
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 312 |
Quote:
As for getting a download only version cheaper than the DVD version, I'd guess that bandwidth and download charges are as much as the cost of duplication so I don't see how it could be any cheaper.
Not at all. If that were the case than youTube, Netflix, Vimeo and every other content site would never have started.
Like with most products and services, there is a huge gap between retail pricing and business/wholesale pricing. So for a business, you can get a dedicated server for under $150 per month with much higher download speed and unmetered maximum bandwidth. If pgmusic had so much volume that the unmetered traffic was clogging the T1 line or whatever pipe was being used, then they could just get another dedicated server. But even so, that amount of traffic would imply huge product purchases. Just get a few more servers. Most likely, they contract with specialist hosts for the peak downloads, as many other publishers when they release a new product.
The biggest cost of duplication is the people, not the materials. Whether you do it inhouse or outsource, the expense is people. If you use machines, to send physical product, that costs capital. At the end of the day, sending physical product is expensive and in contrast, download costs start to approach zero per unit at larger unit volumes over fixed costs. Physical product, which has to be estimated, produced, wharehoused, handled, and then shipped, will always cost much more than downloads.
There is also the environmental advantage in not cutting trees, plastic, glues, oil for transportation etc.
It's almost like this new internet thing is fundamentally changing business models or something.  Now that's change that you can believe in. 
Finally, I have found a cool signature with sufficiently dry humor.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
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Last time I ran a batch of CDs they cost $0.49 CAD each for 500 of them. For larger batch sizes it went down to $0.29 each. They'd need to sell 517 download only copies per month to break even on a dedicated server. I don't know if that's a resonable number but it seems high to me. I doubt there's that many people who want download only.
Of course since they let you download the program anyway as a courtesy I suppose an argument could be made to deduct $0.29 plus shipping from your download only order. lol
BTW I agree that medialess shipping is probably more environmentally friendly but I still like the HD option as it's my backup too.
Last edited by pwarren; 12/10/10 02:41 PM.
BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2. BiaB Wiki
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,033
Veteran
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OP
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Thanks for all replies. On reflection probably I shouldn't have asked or expected any price reduction for downloading only. After all it’s a business and they set their prices.
This was my first time contacting PG by phone, and maybe I expected too much because I personally had read too much into posts on the forum (usually in previous years) about better deals they can do if you contact them directly.
Also because of the great customer experiences most people have had when contacting PG maybe I expected too much.
Anyways I will continue to enjoy band in a box 2010.5 and get back to the business of trying to make music
Happy holidays to all.
Musiclover
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14 |
Been around since the first few versions in dos and been upgrading ever since.I sit back at times and figure how much the prog cost me over all and it's quite an impressive amount. But the cost of development and where BB is today it's been worth it. Done the email upgrade and this one (2011 mega) took a full day. My fault, they offered the hard drive but couldn't wait for uncertain delivery time at holiday processing time could have been 5 weeks or so . Guess it's a small price to pay for almost instant gratification and a couple of hundred mouse clicks. All i all these thoughts been going thru my head each up grade and wrong way Ziel I always order the wrong package but love BB and just happy to have supported something that has payed for itself over and over. Happy Holidays From a saxman
and B3 fanatic. Stan
Last edited by jzee; 12/10/10 04:51 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,840
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Quote:
Anyways I will continue to enjoy band in a box 2010.5 and get back to the business of trying to make music
Hi Musiclover,
Now that I know that you've got 2010.5, PG Music actually do have a cost-saving version. The $99 option is especially for 2010.5 users. I suspect that you've already read about this and know that it upgrades 2010.5 UltraPlus/Everything PAKs to 2011. What you might not know is that the download size is around 6 GB (I recently downloaded it). If this is the option that you are talking about then the download would fit onto two DVDs. The cost of 2 x DVDs, here in Australia, wouldn't amount to much more than $1.00. Given this, there is essentially no cost difference between downloading it or having PG Music provide you with DVDs.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,033
Veteran
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OP
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Posts: 3,033 |
Thanks for reply Noel. Actually it’s only the 2010.5 in the main band in a box I have got, so I’m missing the realtracks summer pak, my fault for confusing you.
Anyways I have had a think about what you and others have said and will order the 2011 hard drive after Xmas, though it would have been possible for me to download the files if that option had been available to me at a lesser price but its not there.
I will just miss out the summer paks in future and only consider upgrading at Holiday time, maybe even skipping a year or so as on current pricing skipping a year or more only adds $20 to pricing.
In retrospect I do wish that my first direct contact with PG had been a more pleasant experience from my point of view but I do appreciate that many others have had different experiences.
Thanks to you Noel and everyone else for your kind help.
Musiclover
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
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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!
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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
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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!
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-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
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-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!
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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!
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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.
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