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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Having taken some 60,000 lines of code and ported it from system to system I can attest to the fact it's no mean feat.
You cannot compare apples to oranges here, for you don't know what computer language Band in a Box was written in, nor do you know the history of compilers made available when the o/s changed.
Certainly if you wrote software BEFORE the days of windows, in a 'mathematical' language, which is what music really is, you might have a struggle to find a compiler. That was, and remains the case, lack of a compiler. Given the tiny market share, and the mentality that all things Mac are free, any software developer has to assign resources where they generate revenue, not to please a few people who might buy the software.
Anyone with a head on their shoulders would understand that if there were no huge issues, and if the process was easy, you'd just take you code and load it and hit the button and end up with a finished product. It just does not work that way.
I took 200,000 lines of Cobol from an IBM mainframe at Bell 25 years ago and replaced it with 500 lines of code and a database manager. From punch cards to data entry by exception. From Mainframe to Unix. It was open to every Bell based business in North America, and I got $200 per install from Newfoundland to Texas. They tried, whined, cried, and did everything but threaten me in some jurisdictions when I refused to assist in writing it for Dos. They paid for Unix, it had shell scripts and AWK commands and filters and pipes. Still can't do that in 'Dos/Windows'. Nor can you call up the network at 2 a.m. and run software on distributed machines, collect the results, filter them, batch print them, and mail the results to 200 managers. Easily done in Unix.
I just don't get the point of assuming that Pgmusic is at fault for not providing the same programs on Mac.
Remember my video editing experience. There was no company locally with 30 employees who sold and trained AVID on Macs. But there was one using HP computers and a turnkey AVID solution with Sony camera support for DV. And I've been retired for 9 years now, and that project started 5 years before I retired. I lead it. I think we were leery of the fact that Mac's were promising the ability to write DVD's but in our decision flow chart that was the #1 requirement, to make training DVD's for 12 to 14 fire stations and eliminate the need to take them out of service and move to our training facility. I got the tour of all the leading video production facilities in our area, and the top Mac dealer showed me 2 places doing wedding videos on Macs.
I have no idea of the current state of affairs. I have one PC/Win 7 system, and now 3 Ubuntu based machines networked. Is the Win7 machine for pinnicle, which is close enough to Avid I didn't need to learn much, and to run Band in a Box. All other tasks have been on Ubuntu, including all internet stuff except to download updates to Band in a Box and transfer video between systems.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 116
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 116 |
Awesome! A flame war in the mac forum! We're got like 3 dudes arguing! hahaha. Anyways, I was playing around with the PC version of BIAB... and I say, MEH.
On the mac side, I would quit my moaning if I could just know what chorus I'm on! Geeze! Don't talk to me about switching to notation view. That view SUCKS.
Seriously, how much programming would that take? Add the stupid number to the chord view! YARG!
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 265
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 265 |
While I liked Macs, I switched to Windows systems about 15 years ago because "not available for Mac" was happening too often - and PCs were generally much cheaper.
Tough to be a continual BIAB stepchild. :-)
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59 |
Quote:
While I liked Macs, I switched to Windows systems about 15 years ago because "not available for Mac" was happening too often - and PCs were generally much cheaper.
Tough to be a continual BIAB stepchild. :-)
Hi you all
Well Sam, I kind of went on the same path but in a different way. It went : PC-MAC-PC (15 years) and 1 year ago back to MAC. I still own a portable PC. I really don't want to put down the Windows OS. It worked fine for me and Windows 7 is even better. But, from my very modest stand point, having went through a lot of PCs (also in maintenance) I think machine wise, MACs are more stable and reliable. I also got fed up, choosing between a zillion manufactures each time I wanted a new PC. Prices have gone down in the MAC world, I think now you can find a machine that suits your needs at a decent price. But then again this all personal.
I must admit that what made me come back to MAC though, is that I could find the same notation program I use and of course BIAB. For other PC programs, if you try and find an identical twin on MAC, well yeah, maybe you get the "not available for Mac" message. But you can always find something else which is as efficient. But I can understand that maybe for people like you Sam, that are in the professional musical world, studio work etc... It's more difficult and high priced in a MAC environment.
Since my work needs with BIAB are very basic, maybe I'm not a good example, but I don't think that we are less considered by PG. It's true, having worked with both PC and MAC versions, differences do exist. But for what I have to do with BIAB these differences don't affect my work. Not to the point where I would consider running BIAB in a windows environment on a MAC. And let's face it, I'm no commercial expert, but the market is much wider for PCs. Me, I'm just glad there's BIAB for MAC. One thing I hope though, is that John is wrong when he says who knows if the next MAC OS would support BIAB... You seem knowledgeable in that field John, but I do hope you're wrong on that one ! 
I've only been using BIAB for 6 years but like you Sam, be it PC or MAC BIAB does it for me. Anyway if someone decides to go back to MAC, as I did, you know what your getting into. I don't regret my choice.
Last edited by Pierre Julien; 01/07/11 03:40 PM.
Best of all and hope your day is a nice one
Pierre
IMac OSX 10.6.5 / latest BIAB
vista BIAB 2008
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,439
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,439 |
Actually, I think there are interesting possibilities here.
The Mac version requires OSX which is a Posix compliant OS and since v10.5 is in fact a certified unix OS when running on intel. This suggests that a port of the Mac version of BIAB to linux may not be an unreasonable hope.
I imagine the biggest hurdle may be the gui API's - is the OSX gui X Windows?
--=-- My credo: If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing - just ask my missus, she'll tell ya  --=--You're only paranoid if you're wrong!
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 344
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 344 |
My humble opinion is that less is better, often  I've been using the program since version 10 for windows, than switched to mac 6 years ago. Last year was the most important, because i used Binab with real tracks for live performances, in addition to the usual work of making backing tracks. Can't say now how many gigs i did with it, not few though, well i can say i had very very very few problems with it. I mean i don't regret the hundreds of functions i don't have in the mac version, as long as i got a light, reliable program. Besides i am convinced that what mac version really needs from win version for being "perfect" is 4 maybe 5 things, not more. Perhaps in 2011... 
Macbook M2 Pro 32 GB ram | OSX 13.6 | BinaB 2023 | Logic Studio XI |
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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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Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
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Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, 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, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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.
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