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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 32
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 32 |
I buy the BIAB Windows everything pak upgrade every year in November (and now will be doing the same for the Mac version). In the past, the upgrade prices have never given credit for summer pak purchases -- the upgrade prices were the same whether you bought the summer paks or not. I'm guessing the answer is no, but will the 2010 upgrade prices give any credit if I've bought the summer paks? I'm hesitating to spend the $200 for both the Mac and Win summer paks knowing I'll get them as part of the everything pak upgrades in November (although the demos sound GREAT and it pains me to think of waiting until November to use them!).
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 676
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 676 |
Be careful with waiting for a future upgrade...
Currently, I have BIAB 2008. I didn't get RT in the summer, bought the jazz pack in the fall, and figured I'd upgrade at Christmas for 2009 to get the other packs that I missed in the Summer. Unfortunately, when that time came, I didn't have the money. After the sticker shock when the sale ended, I decided I would have to save my money and patiently wait to upgrade during the summer sale that is always offered. Never happened (at least not for Windows users). Now I'm stuck.
I can't get the new tracks for $99, because that's only for 2009 users. With a current price tag of $379 to do a complete update of what I have, I have no choice but to wait until Christmas and hope the prices for upgrading 2008 are good then.
Therefore, I suggest you not end up like me and keep up-to-date when you can. Don't assume to know any of the future sales or prices. A new BIAB release is not just an update now, but a product with a growing number of very nice add-ons (RTs). The prices will just go up. A month ago, to get an upgrade with all the goodies, it would cost you $279. Now, with the new RTs just released, it's $379.
I strongly suggest that you upgrade now and don't worry about feeling "ripped off." You will feel worse when you hear everybody else having fun and sounding like pros while you're playing along with the Roland VSC.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Remember the actual upgrade was FREE. What you're buying is the RD + RT. A new 160G Drive like they send at New Egg is $70.00 so the price of the tracks is only $79.00. Can't beat that. Cheaper then going out to dinner with the wife and a whole lot more fun. 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 225
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 225 |
Actually, I think it does work out better economically (for the user) to just upgrade at year's end, when one can get everything in a Superpak or Ultrapak for $100 or so. As the OP was saying, if he buys all the RD and RT now for $99, when BIAB 2010 comes out, he'll have to pay again, if he wants that update. (No, I don't think they have ever given credit for summerpak, for winter upgrades.) So, from a purely economics standpoint, for the user, it definitely saves money just by doing a big upgrade once a year, by buying a pak that contains everything. Of course though, if you are eager to get the new RD and RT now, and don't want to wait until December or January, that might be worth your while. And of course, from the standpoint of PG Music, it is better for the company economically, if people buy these summerpaks. Quote:
Be careful with waiting for a future upgrade...
Currently, I have BIAB 2008. I didn't get RT in the summer, bought the jazz pack in the fall, and figured I'd upgrade at Christmas for 2009 to get the other packs that I missed in the Summer. Unfortunately, when that time came, I didn't have the money. After the sticker shock when the sale ended, I decided I would have to save my money and patiently wait to upgrade during the summer sale that is always offered. Never happened (at least not for Windows users). Now I'm stuck.
I can't get the new tracks for $99, because that's only for 2009 users. With a current price tag of $379 to do a complete update of what I have, I have no choice but to wait until Christmas and hope the prices for upgrading 2008 are good then.
Therefore, I suggest you not end up like me and keep up-to-date when you can. Don't assume to know any of the future sales or prices. A new BIAB release is not just an update now, but a product with a growing number of very nice add-ons (RTs). The prices will just go up. A month ago, to get an upgrade with all the goodies, it would cost you $279. Now, with the new RTs just released, it's $379.
I strongly suggest that you upgrade now and don't worry about feeling "ripped off." You will feel worse when you hear everybody else having fun and sounding like pros while you're playing along with the Roland VSC.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 26
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 26 |
DanL: Somewhat parallel story here but with a different ending: after using BIAB from the earliest versions my last upgrade was a "superpak" in Aug of 08. For the first time in years I missed that crucial upgrade in midwinter, so I'm running BIAB 2008.5 with RT 1-12's and to get the range I think I need in 2009 (country, blues, rock) I'd have to spend US$379. Given the cost of development of RTs, that may be a good deal but it's getting too rich for me. I have used the program to make mp3s and wav's of a huge range of roots music, esp gospel & blues. My little research grants pay for upgrading Finale for notation, which I have kept current over 15 years, but not for BIAB so I've paid for it out of my own fixed income pocket. I don't really need BIAB for the research project--I just enjoy playing with it so much. Besides, when I've been interviewing musicians from the 40s and 50s and we're discussing some old nearly forgotten piece, like "Got any rivers..." I can have a passable arrangement of it ready to talk about in detail in just a few minutes...
If I had upgraded to 2009 last winter maybe the cost wouldn't look so steep right now but unless there is a better deal down the road in Dec I think that after many years I'm going to be off the wagon in a few months, or at least rattling along behind the crowd in a legacy version...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 676
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 676 |
orion, That's exactly what I'm afraid of...but I'm thinking that the sale price will be pretty good in December. They almost always have a very generous deal then. I just hope I have enough set aside at that time. I really do not want to miss out on it.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 32
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 32 |
Thanks for everyone's thoughts. I think Maiki stated the point of my original post better than I did -- it has always been better economically to skip the summer upgrades and do it all in November. In the past, I usually bought the summer upgrades because they were pretty inexpensive and the benefit of geting the new content in the summer outweighed the small economic expense. Although they are still a bargain, at $99 (times 2 if I want to stay current on both Mac and PC) they are starting to get to the point where I feel like I'm just throwing away significant dollars by not waiting until November. Again, $99 is still a great deal for all the new RT and RD, but if I'm going to get them anyway in November when I do the annual upgrade, I'm just throwing away money to buy them now, hence the suggestion that PG should give some sort of credit for the summer upgrade if you upgrade again in November. If other users have the same reservations I do, it could be that there is a pile of money sitting on the sidelines (like mine) that could go into PG's coffers now if they announced a credit.
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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.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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Forums57
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