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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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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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