Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 78
P
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
P
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 78
Hi, I've got BIAB v12 and am thinking of upgrading. What extras do I get and how much is the upgrade? Do I get to keep existing self made files? Does the upgrade change any sttings I may have?

Thanks

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,165
F
Expert
Offline
Expert
F
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,165
Look at the home page, top right corner. There is a link to several videos:

http://www.pgmusic.com/mac.htm

On that page is an arrow that takes you to upgrade prices.

Yes, you keep your own song and style files you have made.

It is impossible to know what your settings are but in general there won't be any major changes unless you make them.


Fred Grittner
2020 iMac, Sequoia 15.5, Logic Pro
https://fredgrittner.bandcamp.com
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
>> What extras do I get
The main thing new is the Realtracks and RealDrums. These replace MIDI instruments with actual musicians (not samples of musicans, actual playing). You can hear lots of examples at www.pgmusic.com/mac.htm

>>> and how much is the upgrade?
Upgrade is $49... although you can get a $129 version with a hard drive, and all the realTracks
www.pgmusic.com/band.htm has the details. I'd recommend the hard drive upgrade, especially ifyou get it prior to June 30, since it goes from $129 to $269 after June 30

<<<Do I get to keep existing self made files? Does the upgrade change any sttings I may have?
Yes, you keep songs and styles. They are all compatible, so you don't lose any work


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335
E
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
E
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335
Quote:

Hi, I've got BIAB v12 and am thinking of upgrading. What extras do I get and how much is the upgrade? Do I get to keep existing self made files? Does the upgrade change any sttings I may have?

Thanks




Um, well, first thing to notice is that Band in a Box 2009 is Intel only, so, you need to have a Intel Processor in your Mac to use it. If you meet that requirement, then the program is awesome. You'll probably need to move a lot of your stuff around to get it to work, like custom styles and stuff.


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
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 78
P
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
P
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 78
It's for a macbook pro. With the hard drive option, I obviously always have to have that connected externally, seems messy... what if I open up a project that previously needed the hard drive, but I don't have it with me (on the train etc)?....

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
You can elect to install the program in total to your Macbook's internal hardrive from the USB drive, which includes installers as well. All you need is enough harddrive space. Then you don't need the USB drive at all to work.


You have options.



--Mac

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 24
D
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 24
True. But make sure there's plenty room on the MacBook Pro hard drive. While the real tracks sound great, they are very large files. You need over 35 gigs of HD space to install everything.

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335
E
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
E
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335
Quote:

It's for a macbook pro. With the hard drive option, I obviously always have to have that connected externally, seems messy... what if I open up a project that previously needed the hard drive, but I don't have it with me (on the train etc)?....




You'd want to install it on the internal drive then. With all the realtracks and stuff, my Band in a Box folder takes up 41 gigs. Most MacBook Pros should be able to handle that I would think........


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
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
My Macbook Pro handles it no problem.

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
>>>what if I open up a project that previously needed the hard drive, but I don't have it with me (on the train etc)?....

The song will still play, the missing RealTracks get replaced by silence. The missing RealDrums get replaced by MIDI Drums. The easiest thing to do (on a train, without any RealTracks), would just be to switch to a MIDI style.


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 24
D
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 24
True, probably not an issue for him. Although, it was for me.

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 66
S
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
S
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 66
Just had to ask - what kind of train doesn't have RealTracks?


Stephanie
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 264
H
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
H
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 264
Dude,

Don't think about it. Just upgrade. The difference is immense. And I've only had limited time to play with mine since I got it (I just spend half an hour with the chords of Jaco's THE CHICKEN and changing the different real tracks and drummers and seeing what sounds I could get. Unbelievable.)

You won't regret it (and if you do, there's the 30 day money back guarantee).



Paul


Paul Wolfe
how to play bass...learning songs, not scales!
http://www.how-to-play-bass.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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

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®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,738
Posts795,589
Members39,945
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
LaneWright55, Diddlysquat, pun61, smitoz, Jonnyfartpants
39,945 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 193
DC Ron 115
Noel96 115
DrDan 106
rsdean 102
dcuny 93
Today's Birthdays
brassauditions, EddieV, glauber, Holly, MyZone1958, PLS, Tobin - PG Music Inc.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5