|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 31
Enthusiast
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Expert
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 31
Enthusiast
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1
Newbie
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486 |
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 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 169
Apprentice
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486 |
Hi Jim,
Thank you for the added information. Appreciate it.
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 9
Newbie
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,049
Posts799,381
Members40,018
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean