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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30 |
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: 30
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30 |
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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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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