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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9 |
To be fair to PG, I want to summarize my conclusions on what's happened since I started the "Disappointed with BIAB 2009 for Mac" thread, after one week of working with the program.
From Peter Gannon's responses there and elsewhere, it's clear that most of the features still missing are not abandoned but still in the pipeline for future releases, in many cases will be made available with free patches. The bug fixes and feature upgrades are already coming thick and fast. The current release of 2009 for Mac is already a huge improvement on version 12. I was one of the guys moaning about the long wait for a new Mac version, so I'm delighted that PG have released this "interim version" as concrete proof that they're not abandoning the Mac community.
I stand by my statement that some of the deferred features will be more useful for me in practice than RealTracks, but the latter is certainly the biggest "wow factor" in comparison with the old version. I've been running around my musician friends saying "get a load of this" and never fail to get a jaw-dropping reaction - they won't believe they're not hearing a live performance recording until I prove it by changing the chords.
The other new headline feature, the Audio Chord Wizard, is also impressive. It works fine, although this kind of automation can never be a substitute for some music theory knowledge - for example, if the wizard is telling you AbMaj7 in a place where you know the chord must be Dm7b5, you need to be aware that AbMaj7 is what you get if you play Dm7b5 with the 9 and 11 on top and the b5 in the bass.
Customer service from PG is excellent. Peter Gannon is active on this forum answering questions and taking fix requests on board, and I'm now in active contact with support concerning the soloist track bug I reported. My installation discs arrived this morning in the post - despatched on the same day I ordered and delivered to Europe by standard mail within 6 days. Way to go, PG Music and Post Canada!
Finally, two pieces of advice for people intending to purchase:
1) I got the UltraPAK in order to have all the RealTrack Sets needed for jazz, and I'm still happy with that decision. At first glance it looks irritating that they're offering the much cheaper MegaPAK with just the country music RealTracks but no similar package for jazz alone. But when you think it through, the 10 jazz RealTrack sets would normally retail for $290, and I paid $80 for them (extra price compared to the basic 2009 upgrade), so still a pretty good deal. I guarantee, when you hear them you'll agree they're worth the money.
2) Some people here mentioned download problems, I also found I needed to restart the download several times - 30 GB is a lot to download! I strongly recommend choosing the installation disc by regular mail option. $10 for postage to Europe isn't much for the security of having everything on DVD-ROM, and if you choose this option you still get taken to a web page where you can download everything - that way you can just pick out a few files for download to get you started right away, then install everything else when the discs arrive.
Cheers,
David
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13 |
The Real Tracks alone is worth the upgrade.
As to features, I think BiaB is best when used in a simple way: Entering chords and have them played back in style (!).
I still think the user interface is in desperate need of a major update.
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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!
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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
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- 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)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- 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®!
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