|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
Sorry to be late to the discussion here, but why can't you just hook up a bluetooth speaker? Personally, I have a fairly ancient MacBook Pro and just bluetooth into my home receiver. I practice that way all the time. I've tried hard wiring from the headphone jack into the audio input of the receiver, but the sound quality isn't noticeably better. Bluetooth is a lot easier.
Give that man a cigar. K.I.S.S. works every time. Regards, Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 33
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 33 |
Having had problems already with Sonos speakers (you can't output sound directly to them from the laptop) and with two hi-fi speakers in my stereo system doing nothing, it made more sense to me to see if they could be hooked up. The focusrite is hooked up through the stereo amplifier. The speakers don't have self power and I think this is the reason the volume has to be increased to about 75% on both the focusrite and the amplifier to approximate real instruments. But I'm happy with the result so far.
Aye,
Genghis
Equipment: Yamaha 5'6" grand piano. BIAB for Macintosh 2017 --> 2020. MacBook Pro. Focusrite 2i2, Yamaha YC 88 keyboard
"Why do I have to go to school, Grandad? If I watch YouTube I'll know everything!"
- Grandson #3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 41
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 41 |
Having had problems already with Sonos speakers (you can't output sound directly to them from the laptop) and with two hi-fi speakers in my stereo system doing nothing, it made more sense to me to see if they could be hooked up. The focusrite is hooked up through the stereo amplifier. The speakers don't have self power and I think this is the reason the volume has to be increased to about 75% on both the focusrite and the amplifier to approximate real instruments. But I'm happy with the result so far.
Aye,
Genghis
I'm not arguing with the solution. I used to do that myself until I discovered that my stereo amplifier has bluetooth capability. But, I don't understand why you can't output directly from your laptop to the Sonos speakers. They're bluetooth, aren't they? I've got a similar Bose Soundcloud II speaker and use it the same way for exactly the same purpose.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 33
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 33 |
But, I don't understand why you can't output directly from your laptop to the Sonos speakers. They're bluetooth, aren't they? I've got a similar Bose Soundcloud II speaker and use it the same way for exactly the same purpose. I'm not a technical person, but my laptop doesn't recognise the sonos speaker as a bluetooth device. AFAIK, Sonos speakers are designed to connect only with an internet connection. There's quite a bit of discussion about it on the internet and many users have been quite miffed that they can't use their computer directly as an input device to the speakers. You have to go through the sonos APP which recognises the speakers and can then stream your music through their program. But the sonos app doesn't recognise BIAB files as "music", so they have to be converted to .wav or .MP4 before they can be played, which I did, but then you can't adjust or alter the backing track while practising or playing. There is, I understand, an open source program for Macs that gets around this, but I believe it also causes and audio delay, so I didn't try it out. Bottom line is I would caution against getting a Sonos speaker if using BIAB, although I'd be interested to know if anyone else has managed to make them work directly with the BIAB program.
Equipment: Yamaha 5'6" grand piano. BIAB for Macintosh 2017 --> 2020. MacBook Pro. Focusrite 2i2, Yamaha YC 88 keyboard
"Why do I have to go to school, Grandad? If I watch YouTube I'll know everything!"
- Grandson #3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 41
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 41 |
Thanks for sharing that. Sometimes bluetooth just doesn't work. No telling why.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 64
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 64 |
I’m a few years late in this post, BUT, I have questions that are very similar to yours. I use BIAB as my backing band while playing my Mason and Hamlin piano. I use BIAB “songs” from Norton Music which he has produced from entire and various fake books. I frequently modify them slightly and away I go.
My set up is Mackbook Pro 2021, to a small self powered mixer via the headphone jack then to speakers which are not self powered. I recently purchased a Focusrite 212 3rd gen. I’ve hooked it up between my mixer and speakers. I don’t seem to be able to tell much difference in sound quality.
I’d be interested in your comments.
Thanks,
Bud
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
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 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available 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 Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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.
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 as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac 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 100 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 Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. 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 Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,205
Posts801,934
Members40,068
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean