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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196 |
I'm a Mac user, who's been running BIAB Windows 2009 with VMware Fusion, and it runs nearly flawlessly. There are limitations -- can't use any of my Firewire peripherals (neither Fusion nor Parallels will recognize them), and waiting for a second OS to boot is a bit of a drag, not to mention that the second OS eats up additional RAM. It's also more difficult (for RAM and other reasons) to run other Mac OSX audio or video software simultaneously with Windows BIAB. And there are other things I don't like about Windows (like having to run and update my antivirus software all the time).
I also have BIAB 2009 for Mac. But I haven't used it that much, since it seems to be missing a few features, and by now I'm comfortable with the Windows version, along with its various plugs-in (like Forte) not available on the Mac.
In my ideal world, PG would sell me a version I could run on either platform, with all the RealTracks and RealDrums also ready to run on both. But PG apparently won't.
I can't afford to keep upgrading BIAB on both platforms simultaneously forever, even at PG's reasonable upgrade prices. So could somebody tell me:
- How do Mac BIAB 2009.5 and Windows BIAB 2009.5 compare?
- Any features I'll have to kiss goodbye to, if I upgrade only my Mac version to 2009.5?
What about the audio features in the Windows version -- what's missing in the Mac version? (I like the TC Helicon harmonizer in the Windows version.)
- Is there anything the latest Mac version does that the Windows version doesn’t do, or does better?
- What about the overall speed of the program on each platform?
- Do the Mac and Windows versions work equally well with third-party styles?
I'm also interested in what "crossgrade" pricing PG offers -- didn't see it on the web site -- but if I go all-Mac, I’ll need all the BAIB styles, realtracks, realdrums, and every solo disk as well (already own them all, except for the latest ones just announced, for the Windows version.)
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I say stick with the Windows version, not only are you accustomed to using it, but there surely are quite a few things that the Mac version has yet to implement.
Consider picking up a PC just for BB, they are dirt cheap these days. Even a laptop like the 300 Acer or HP minis will do the trick.
Then you can generate with BB on the PC but record with the Mac.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1 |
I would like to know more about the comparison too. I am a Mac convert and have BIAB 2008 running in Fusion. I would like to have 2009.5 in Mac, but from all the data in the BIAB web site, I can't seem to figure out what to do?
Can I use the "update" price to go to Mac 2009.5, based on my past purchases of Win? The latest purchases were UltraPak 2007, then a MegaPak upgrade to 2008.
Confused.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9 |
There are features still missing in 2009.5 for Mac, in comparison with the 2007 for Windows version I had running under Parallels:
- no multiline notation window
- no repeats/codas/1st-2nd endings dialog
- no simple marking and looping of any arbitrary section
- no choice of jazz or regular fonts in lead sheet printouts
- no chord symbols like a triangle for Maj7 in lead sheets
When I first bought 2009 for Mac I found this pretty annoying, but in the end I decided to just work with it and see what happens. And you know what? After a while I found I was getting things done fine in the Mac version, eventually I de-installed the Windows version and I've never missed it. I still hope those features I mentioned above will be coming soon in the Mac version, but in the meantime it's just not worth the hassle of working with Windows.
So that's my advice to jholman - since you already bought 2009 for Mac, give it a proper trial by using it exclusively for a while, that's the only way to find out what you really miss.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
Can I use the "update" price to go to Mac 2009.5, based on my past purchases of Win? The latest purchases were UltraPak 2007, then a MegaPak upgrade to 2008.
Hi,
Why not take this up with PGMusic Sales directly?
Via email or telephone call, they have a tollfree telephone wats line up there.
Good people, they will find the best possible upgrade paths and pricing for you quickly.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 89
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 89 |
jholman,
You are doing yourself a huge disservice by running BIAB on your Mac using Fusion. I too did it that way at first. I was sold on Fusion because you do not have to reboot to switch between the Mac & PC.
I had serious latency problems when I tried to record through Fusion. I went to the Mac store to get help. I was told that they could not resolve the issue. They suggested that I run the Windows program using Bootcamp instead of Fusion. I figured it was worth a try. It was quite an ordeal to reinstall everything but I am kicking myself for not doing it sooner. The latency problens went away but the big difference is in the sound quality using Bootcamp. It is also much faster. Everything works much much better using Bootcamp instead of Fusion. Also, using the ASIO drivers makes a huge difference.
Do yourself a favor and try Bootcamp and ASIO drivers. You will be glad you did.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196 |
Quote:
jholman,
You are doing yourself a huge disservice by running BIAB on your Mac using Fusion. I too did it that way at first. I was sold on Fusion because you do not have to reboot to switch between the Mac & PC.
I had serious latency problems when I tried to record through Fusion...
Thanks for the suggestion. I don't doubt that the Windows version of BIAB would run better on a Mac using Bootcamp, than with Fusion. But the issues you raise haven't been problems for me, since I use BIAB mainly to generate MIDI and real tracks, and do almost all of my recording in another program (Logic Pro). It's been useful to be able to generate some tracks in BIAB (Windows version running on Fusion), and import them into Logic -- then maybe decide I really wanted a different chord somewhere, redo the tracks in BIAB, and reimport them into Logic -- all without any rebooting, which would really slow my process down.
But even that routine is a little clunky, so last week I went ahead and ordered the Mac version of BIAB 2009.5. So far, its slightly-more-limited feature set, compared to the Windows version, hasn't been an issue for me -- though I'm glad I've got the Windows version also if I ever need it. (I went ahead and partitioned a 250 GB portable WD hard drive into one Windows and one Mac partition, and now I've got one small drive with both the Windows and Mac versions of BIAB 2009.5 It's the product I wish I could have bought directly from PG, but I guess I've made that point before...)
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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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Video: New User Interface (GUI)
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!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac 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 Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 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.
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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 60 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
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