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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Good morning. Long time user, first time poster. I currently use the BIAB 2009 audiophile PC flavor and absolutely love the product. I am interested in the Mac 2009 flavor and was wondering why current 2009 owners have to pay for its Mac counterpart? Sorry if I am missing something here but all software vendors supply the same edition of their software in PC and Mac version (when Mac is available) for one price.

For example, when you buy pro tools, toontrack, reason (etc...) you will always have a PC and MAC edition of that particular software release; they don't ding you twice if you want to use it on different operating systems.

I certainly can understand some small fee to cover some overhead costs but to charge a current PC/BIAB owner nearly the same price for the Mac flavor of its PC counterpart seems excessive.

Thanks for any clarification.

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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Contact PG Music directly. All we can do is speculate here.


Fred Grittner
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https://fredgrittner.bandcamp.com
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Seems straightforward enough to me... You're using two copies on two different computers; you pay for two copies. Only you know you're only using one at a time


Stephanie
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Quote:

Sorry if I am missing something here but all software vendors supply the same edition of their software in PC and Mac version (when Mac is available) for one price.

For example, when you buy pro tools, toontrack, reason (etc...) you will always have a PC and MAC edition of that particular software release; they don't ding you twice if you want to use it on different operating systems.

I certainly can understand some small fee to cover some overhead costs but to charge a current PC/BIAB owner nearly the same price for the Mac flavor of its PC counterpart seems excessive.




However, you failed to mention that Pro Tools you can't use on both systems at the same time. Plus you need M-Audio or Digidesign hardware to run Pro Tools....in addition to an iLok doggle.

However, a better comparison would be Finale or Sibelius, which they allow you TWO computer licenses, and it doesn't matter what type of system you run it on. PC and a Mac, two Macs. You get two licenses to use. I think this is what you mean.

That is a good question. The licensing for PGMusic seems to only allow you to use it for ONE computer, which seems a little unreasonable. A lot of people who use the program have two computers (studio and a home one, or a home one and a laptop, etc, etc). It would be smart on PGMusic's part to have some sort of policy on this, and at least ALLOW use of a copy of Band in a Box on TWO computers rather than the ONE that is in their agreement thing.


Musician, Polymath, Google Jedi, Apple Master, Windows Wrangler and Digital Wizard. High ratings in Nerd-fu & Geek-fu.

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I don't think what they are asking is too much for the main program, what I don't like is not being able to use the same real drums and real tracks that I have already paid for. I can only hope that PGmusic is working on this, they are a tireless bunch of guys who try to please their customer base and that's the only thing that's keeping me from getting the Mac version also.

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I doubt that a universal format for RealTracks and RealDrums will come anytime soon. PG has elected to use AIFF files for the MAC instead of WAV but more importantly, WMA files are Windows-only. PG had to choose a MAC compressed file format and went with MP4. I don't know if anyone has tried but you could convert your WAV to MP4 files and see if the metadata in the text and BTO files works on the MAC side.


Fred Grittner
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I have 3 computers and use the PC version on all of them.
It's still on the external hard drive provided to me, and I just plug and play. I never installed anything but the font on each system. That said, I should make a back up of the hard drive just in case, but 8 months in and it gets used every day.

I'd be way more worried about the people who pop up on the forums and get all frustrated and don't get the issue ironed out with live help. I suspect they never purchased a copy at all.


John Conley
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My Mac Pro has two operating systems (vista and Leopard) so if I could use the PC and the MAC Bandinabox on it that would be just 1 computer at a time.
I hope PG music will also think about people who has a desktop PC at the studio and a MAC laptop for live venues.
They also could use Bandinabox on just a computer at a time.

Last edited by Sergino; 07/25/09 06:45 AM.
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Any definitive/official input on this? I've a dual-OS computer too. Simply won't afford to buy everything twice.

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I wouldn't pay for it at all. I just did the update and it's buggy...very buggy.

I don't know what's going on but something is wrong. The Windows version doesn't have these problems.

I would list them but i'm tired of it.

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>> I would list them but i'm tired of it.

Well it would certainly help if you told us what bugs you are having, or post a link to a previous forum message.


Have Fun!
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Ok for one thing just pressing the stop button doesn't always work. Another thing, is the looping. When i'm in the notation window (unfortunately , they haven't implemented the highlight feature) looping resets back to the beginning.

those are just what i tried before giving up

Now maybe i'm doing something wrong but it's funny but i' don't recall ever having a single issue with the Windows version and i've been using it since the beginning (back in the distant past )

Mind you, I love BIAB for windows and don't really care much about this Mac version as i'm a happy camper.

but still...


Les Paul June 9, 1915 – August 13, 2009

....

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>> Ok for one thing just pressing the stop button doesn't always work.
You can use the Spacebar to stop the song. (starting and stopping the song with the spacebar is a new feature of 2009.5) Not sure why the stop button isn't always working for you, it works for me. (escape has always worked) Likely you need to press the STOP and hold it a little longer than normal, since the Mac gets busy sometimes (playing Realtracks for example), and maybe it ignores your click. Lemme know if you ever see the same issue with the spacebar.

>> Another thing, is the looping. When i'm in the notation window (unfortunately , they haven't implemented the highlight feature) looping resets back to the beginning.
On the very first row of notation, it will loop to the beginning. That is normal, and is the same for Mac and Windows. Looping everywhere else works correctly, and I just tested that with the latest Mac version. If you can duplicate a problem like that, please let me know, otherwise try it again, from something other than the very first row of notation.


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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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.

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  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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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!

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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

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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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