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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 8 |
I have a quick question.
I have BIAB Version 2018, downloaded from Sweetwater Music. It cost $129.00.
Now, after I have it and I start exploring the BIAB world on their website, I see a product called BIAB Pro, also $129.00. It includes BIAB 2018, also has 300 RealTracks included.
Also on the same list, is BIAB PlusPAK. It also includes BIAB 2018, and has RealTracks sets 278-300 included. You guessed it...$129.00.
How are these different?
It seems like I got the stripped-down version, when there are versions offering more, for the same price.
Last question. Is it possible to download RealTracks sets 278-300 on their own, as an upgrade to my existing BIAB 2018? Or do I need to download each set for $29.00 each? Ouch.
Thank you for making it this far...any help is appreciated!
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 154
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 154 |
Short answer is: BIAB PlusPAK is "only" an upgrade, you need at least a previous full version of the program to enjoy and succesfully install the 2018 PlusPAK.
I muri sono creature... scontrose
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,836
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,836 |
The offerings from PGMusic sometimes cause a little confusion. First of all, the basic BIAB program is exactly the same in every PAK you buy; it's not like some programs where they remove programmatic features based on the level you buy. The difference is in the number of MIDI styles, RealStyle, RealTracks, RealDrums, and SuperMIDI Tracks you get. The entry level version of BIAB is the ProPAK. A number of folks on the forum have been after PGMusic to rename this, as Pro tends to imply "top of the line". The ProPAK is actually the entry level version of BIAB. It gives you just enough content to create some songs, understand how the program works, and get comfortable with it. For people that like BIAB, most will upgrade it to one of the other PAKs after working with the ProPAK for a short period of time. The ProPAK gives you about 300 RealTracks (grouped as RealStyles, or Bands), a handful of SuperMIDI tracks, and some of the MIDI Styles. This is the lowest cost package. Next is the MegaPAK. This gives you more content. You get about 500 RealTracks, also grouped as RealStyles (Bands), a few more SuperMIDI Tracks, but you do get ALL the MIDI styles. The UltraPAK is next. This basically gives you most everything (but not everything). You get all the RealTracks and RealDrums (except a few that are offered with special PAKs), all the SuperMIDI Tracks, and all the MIDI Styles. The Audiophile edition is basically the same as the UltraPAK, except that the RealTracks are uncompressed WAV files instead of compressed WMA files. The PlusPAK is a special case. It really only applies when you already have the previous UltraPAK. What it does is takes the previous UltraPAK and gives you everything new to bring you up to date as if you had the new UltraPAK, without buying the UltraPAK upgrade. It assumes you have all the previous content. The web site is pretty clear that the PlusPAK requires the previous installation of the UltraPAK (or previously also the EverythingPAK). If you currently have only the ProPAK, and you can affort it, I would upgrade to the UltraPAK, and then when the new version comes out, upgrade using the PlusPAK. The downside of doing PlusPAK upgrades over the years is that if you ever have to re-install, you have to first install the first base UltraPAK version you have, and then apply each PlusPAK in turn until you are up-to-date. If you do an UltraPAK to UltraPAK upgrade (which costs more), you pretty much have everything already in that new UltraPAK Hope this made sense: +++ HERE +++ is the link to various Mac packages offered.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,010
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,010 |
I'm reasonably sure you purchased the Band-in-a-Box Pro PAK from Sweetwater. You didn't mention when you purchased it but Sweetwater's website is showing the Pro PAK is currently priced at $99 US. If you recently purchased it you may want to contact your Sweetwater representative.
All packages offer the 2018 Band-in-a-Box program. The Windows packages also offer 2018 RealBand. The difference in the packages is how much accessory content is included. The Pro Pack includes the least content. The Mega PAK is the next step up in both price and content. The Ultra PAK, formerly called the UltraPlus PAK includes all available content except for Xtra Styles and bonus content. The Audiophile provides the content in lossless file and lossy file.
The PLUS PAK provides the current year program and the content that is new for this year. The Plus PAK is an easy way for users that upgrade every year to keep current.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 8 |
^^THIS^^ should be in the FAQ!
Huge thanks to all of you. This is much clearer than what is on the site.
Mike
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,010
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,010 |
^^THIS^^ should be in the FAQ! Huge thanks to all of you. This is much clearer than what is on the site. Mike Mike, since docmidi answered your specific question and jford's answer to your question is much more comprehensive I'll suggest jford follow your suggestion.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,836
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,836 |
I posted this in the Tips and Tricks forum.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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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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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.
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We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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