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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19 |
I have been using BIAB since early Atari ST days. For many years now I have been using the Windows version. However - 4 or 5 years ago I also bought the mac version and discovered to my great disappointment that it was a very limited product compared to the Windows version.
I would still like a Mac BIAB but with the same functionality as the Windows version.
How is the situation in 2013. Is there still a lot of difference?
Last edited by SyrinxGC; 11/19/13 03:10 AM.
SyrinxGC
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Dell Studio 1749, 2.27ghz, 4 gb ram, Windows 7 (64bit), Biab 2012,
Intel Macbook 2ghz 2gb ram, Logic Studio 8, M-Audio F-410, Akai EWI USB, SC-88
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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 |
They are basically feature same now. I don't think you'd miss anything by using the Mac version over the PC version
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: Dec 2006
Posts: 393
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 393 |
As of 2013 version, there are still some differences - search the forums, these have been discussed before. Hoping 2014 will bring an end to this...
Bruce
Macbook Pro 2018
2.6 GHz 6-core Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM
OS Monterey
BIAB for Mac 2022
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,976
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,976 |
The functionality is very similar between the programs now. In version 2013, we added a lot of things that were present in the Windows version , but not the Mac version. These included a leadsheet window, updated notation and lyrics support.
As Rodion says, not every feature has been added, but some of those is a decision on our part to not add features that would overload the Mac version (ie features that we added to the Windows version, that didn't end up to be that popular, and why bring them over to the Mac version?).
Also, the Mac version is much simpler in terms of audio. There are no issues with latency, or drivers. There is built-in MIDI on the Mac, and it syncs up automatically with the audio. On the Windows side, there are drivers to pick, and latency issues (making it difficult to play along), and ASIO driver problems etc.
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 103
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 103 |
One difference that has not been mentioned is that the (updated) Mac Version usually gets released 3-4 months AFTER the the Windows Release. For example, BIAB 2014 for Windows has been released already, the BIAB for Mac hasn't and probably will not be released until February-April 2014.
Although it is not a long wait, to get the new features you have to wait if you are in Mac.
Mac BIAB is extremely powerful and user friendly. I can't compare to the windows version as I don't have it.
Good luck!
Omar
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,235
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,235 |
My Mac version Is an extremely robust product and pairs nicely with my DAW - garageband. Your results may vary but it's feature packed. Some folks fuss about the interface but I was up and running with it in short order. My first version was 2012 and we created our first rhythm section with solos within an hour of installing it. RTs got us back into music after leaving our band years ago.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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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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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
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Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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- 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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