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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 31
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 31 |
All,
So, I was interested in getting a Mac for my next Laptop. But, I am a regular user of BIAB and wanted to check if there were any major differences. FYI, I am a musician in a trio, who occasionally will use BIAB as a single performance. I mean, BIAB, real-time in front of real people. But using BIAB in front of people needs some special options. It looks like some of these options are not available for the Mac. This is strange to me. For instance, I use Hot Keys to Start and Loop songs as if I am in a band, play the head, solo in the middle. I then hotkey to go to ending and then... out. Simple commands like Ctrl NumPad 2 starts the song and loops the middle without searching for mouse menu items. I do not need a mouse to find this command and I need not search for it real-time. I was told, these Hot Keys do not exist in the Mac? Is this correct for this hot key feature? Please... BIAB, this is not acceptable. Also, I use some Real-time VSTs to make my Songs more rich in sound, such as Amplitube in BIAB for PC. This VST makes a guitar sound like a real guitar. Again, I was told that VST plugins are not avail for BIAB for Mac. Every Mac I know uses VST plugins for DAWs and performance environments. But, why not BIAB for MAC? BIAB Developers,... please, lets pull some equality in for BIAB for MAC so that it becomes a real program for real users who want to use Mac, please.
lb
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827 |
I can't see the Conductor window on the Mac that I can see in Win BB & RB. 2014 will be released very soon it might have it.
You can always use one of those pedals that you load up with you songs exported to mp3 with FX from BIAB, and you can program in all of that.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 31
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 31 |
I am finding more and more BIAB options that are not available in the Mac Version. It would be nice to know if they are coming soon. For instance, The Conductor Window. If I am playing live music in front of live people, I often need to ad-lib and go to different sections of the music like a real band. The Conductor allows me to do that seamlessly within BIAB. I was told that this option is not available in the Mac version. Also, there are hot keys associated with the Conductor looping technology so that you can loop the "Jamming" verse and then hot key to go to last verse or "Head" then out. This does not seem to be available in the Mac version. Is this true? Also, I have many songs that may jump from a middle chorus to a tag ending, such as tagging for coda. This is in BIAB but not the Mac version! It seems like the Mac version is nice to have at home, but not flexible enough to use in front of real people. Hey Mac developers, I have been trying to dialog with you though support, but there is no way to send info to you, only here. When will these features be available in the Mac version, please?
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1 |
From the late 90s to 2003 I used BIAB on mac extensively as a composing & practice tool. In part it was great as a basic tool, though on the other hand it was frustrating in the way that PG music treated Mac users as second class citizens. Unfortunately it was more or less accepted by Mac users that BIAB was fundamentally a Windows application that had partly been ported to Mac, presumably to increase the cash flow without too much effort & outlay.
After not looking at BIAB for many years it's disappointing to drop by and find that PG Music still have the same unfortunate attitude to Mac users. That's a shame. So for me to upgrade BIAB is pointless exercise.
In reference to your playing live, maybe you should explore Logic Pro and Mainstage. I'm under the impression that what you're doing with BIAB is available there, possibly a great deal more actually.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,199
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,199 |
Hi Edward,
I've just had a look at Mainstage and Logic Pro. They certainly look very feature packed.
Do either of these programs allow a user to type in a chord progression and then, from that chord progression, generate a full-blown backing (Bass, Piano, Guitar, Solos, etc) like BIAB does? I can't see that they do but I might be wrong. From what I can see, they seem to be more DAW-based programs.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 169
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 169 |
Hi Noel,
Main stage is for live performance - you can create layers, splits, choose patches etc etc and switch from one performance to another. Main Stage uses Logic.
Logic is a full DAW with a wonderful collection of instruments and synths. You cannot do what you can with BIAB - i.e. add chords and create an arrangement. You can play guitars and other instruments with an iPad connection live choosing chords as you go along and strumming, finger picking etc.
I use BIAB - Mac version which I thing is fantastic - and transfer the various tracks into Logic - so easy. You can use Garageband instead of Logic for this and this is equally as good.
Hope that answers your questions.
Best Regards
Jim
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,199
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,199 |
Hi Jim,
Thank you for the added information. Appreciate it.
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 9
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 9 |
Not having ever used the Windows version, the only two things I can say that I'm missing off the bat are the priority in upgrading and RealBand. The latter can probably be done just as well with a DAW, the former doesn't really leave me hanging--there's still plenty under the hood of 2013 to keep me busy. For what I do, the real tracks for organ trios, or any of the other jazz and blues options are pretty flexible right out of the box, and they sound great on a mac. Pop songs might require an extra step or two.
I find that the Mac version is quite stable and plays nice with all of my hardware, as well as my softsynths. I miss the inability to record even less now that I have a Fishman 3-Play pickup for recording melody and solo lines, over as many choruses as I want.
It sounds like what you're trying to do does not necessarily have to be done with BIAB open and running in a gig setting, even though you've obviously become accustomed to that option. Personally, I'm fine being able to output songs to midi and upload into a DAW; that allows you to do a lot of customizations that you wouldnt' be able to do even on the Windows versions. I know guys who, with or without the aid of BIAB, just make MP3s of their backing tracks and cue those up. It's simple, it sounds as good as you want it to, and it's much easier to carry an emergency backup if your player fails or runs out of power. Running a full version of BIAB in a performance setting, unless it's pedagogical, would seem to carry increased risk of failure. If you take that out of the equation, you might find that the Mac Version is even less limited than you realize.
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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!
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- 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)
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- 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!
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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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