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What exactly does the B.I.A.B 2016 WINDOWS Version "DO' what the MAC 2016 Version CANNOT ? #369230 10/08/16 07:53 PM Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 57 S SFG OP Enthusiast
OP SFG Enthusiast S Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 57	Hi Guys, I read a post saying that the MAC version is almost catching up to the windows version - are they NOT the same My question is regarding : Band In a Box 2016 (audiophile edition) Q - What can the WINDOWS version do , that the MAC version Cannot do ? ..., (ie ; in the way of increased features, or performance) Last edited by SFG; 10/08/16 07:56 PM. My Specs Computer : Mac Pro (late 2013) - OS Yosemite 10.10.5 Processor : 3.5 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon E5 Memory : 64 GB 1866 MHz DDR3 ECC Graphics : AMD FirePro D300 2048 MB Interface : Avid Mbox 3 Pro DAW : Pro Tools 12.6.0 (64 bit AAX)

Re: What exactly does the B.I.A.B 2016 WINDOWS Version "DO' what the MAC 2016 Version CANNOT ? SFG #369233 10/08/16 08:29 PM Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 7,954 P Pipeline Veteran
Pipeline Veteran P Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 7,954	It is only little things, nothing major lacking since the MacBB now takes plugings. The performance would be the sames as they both run in ram. It depends on what you want to use it for live accompaniment, backing tracks, producing, practice. . . The is no RealBand that comes with the win version at the moment. Audiophile is a good way to go.

Re: What exactly does the B.I.A.B 2016 WINDOWS Version "DO' what the MAC 2016 Version CANNOT ? Pipeline #369247 10/08/16 11:13 PM Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 57 S SFG OP Enthusiast
OP SFG Enthusiast S Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 57	Thanks for replying Journeyman. Is there a list somewhere of what those ' little differences are' between the MAC and Windows versions " and .., Do you know what sample rate and bit rate those uncompressed AIFF files are in BIAB Audiophile edition ? (eg;24bit - 96 kHz) My Intended Use With BIAB Is .........., I have a small studio where I do a lot of my own songwriting and composing with Pro Tools (and Cubase for it's Midi features) . I also record Bands and Songwriters who perform their own original music. B.I.A.B will play a very minor role for me in this department .., ..., but my real plans are to increase my (paying) customer base by offering Karaoke Kings, Bathroom Divas , or Hobbyist Singers (ie: without a band, and who cannot afford to hire session musicians ) ..., to have the opportunity to record their Vocals (showcase them) in a studio environment, and offer those proposed new clients a cheaper cost solution by creating their backing tracks from using Band in a Box. With this plan , I could complete decent sounding B.I.A.B backing track for these clients in a fraction of the time and exporting those individual tracks out of B.I.A B to then be loaded up into Pro Tools .., where they can then concentrate on recording their VOCALS , then I Mix the final result. I live in a SE Asian tourist area and paying local customers are scarce. I am hoping this can also add to paying my bills. Also one or two singers on holidays is also easier to put up with a band stinking , drinking , and messing up my studio. Another use for me is to have the option to push out 'post' audio mixes more quick and easy. Last edited by SFG; 10/08/16 11:17 PM. My Specs Computer : Mac Pro (late 2013) - OS Yosemite 10.10.5 Processor : 3.5 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon E5 Memory : 64 GB 1866 MHz DDR3 ECC Graphics : AMD FirePro D300 2048 MB Interface : Avid Mbox 3 Pro DAW : Pro Tools 12.6.0 (64 bit AAX)

Re: What exactly does the B.I.A.B 2016 WINDOWS Version "DO' what the MAC 2016 Version CANNOT ? SFG #369310 10/09/16 08:18 AM Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 7,954 P Pipeline Veteran
Pipeline Veteran P Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 7,954	"I also record Bands and Songwriters who perform their own original music." That's basically what I use it for, just adding some extra instruments to a live set now. They are are 16/44, they would have been recorded @ a higher rate then downsampled. BB is perfect for doing what you want, you won't be disappoint. As said before you have got a 30 day money back offer. You shouldn't have any problems dragging to PT, there is an older version video below with GB and PT.

Re: What exactly does the B.I.A.B 2016 WINDOWS Version "DO' what the MAC 2016 Version CANNOT ? Pipeline #369350 10/09/16 02:39 PM Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 57 S SFG OP Enthusiast
OP SFG Enthusiast S Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 57	Originally Posted By: Pipeline "I also record Bands and Songwriters who perform their own original music." That's basically what I use it for, just adding some extra instruments to a live set now. They are are 16/44, they would have been recorded @ a higher rate then downsampled. BB is perfect for doing what you want, you won't be disappoint. As said before you have got a 30 day money back offer. You shouldn't have any problems dragging to PT, there is an older version video below with GB and PT. Big thank you again Pipeline , I have been going hard on the video watching yesterday it is good to see it in action. I still have to see if anyone has had success using AVID interfaces ? .., as the AVID core audio driver has not functioned correctly since Mavericks AVIDs response to a fix has been pathetic (although AVID do claim to have a fix soon , but thats like asking "how long is a piece of string") There has been some programs not work since this 2.5 year long AVID core audio driver debacle like .., My Native Instruments Hardware related stuff and my Triumph Audifile mastering software not working. This where my concern with BIAB stems from .., I also know the answer is to dump the AVID interface (which I surely will eventually) as I have already outgrown it and it doesnt provide the input numbers I need these days anyway .., but I need to save up as I want the new focusrite RED 8pre and it aint cheap ( it also has Dante) .., so I will need to save at least another 6 mths + before making that move. cheers Last edited by SFG; 10/09/16 02:45 PM. My Specs Computer : Mac Pro (late 2013) - OS Yosemite 10.10.5 Processor : 3.5 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon E5 Memory : 64 GB 1866 MHz DDR3 ECC Graphics : AMD FirePro D300 2048 MB Interface : Avid Mbox 3 Pro DAW : Pro Tools 12.6.0 (64 bit AAX)

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January 14, 2026

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

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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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January 01, 2026

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!

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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.

January 01, 2026

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!

December 24, 2025

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

December 21, 2025

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!

December 16, 2025

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!

December 16, 2025

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

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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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

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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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