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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 898
Expert
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OP
Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 898 |
I am a multi decade user of BIAB win/dos etc.
5-10 years ago I purchased the Mac version of BIAB and found the experience to be .... [*****].
Since then, I have been told repeatedly that the Mac product has advanced to the point that both version are effectively the same +-. A few subtle differences.
Recently however, I read a post from one senior forum member saying still existed a noticeable difference between the 2 products. Wish I could remember the thread to contact poster directly.
I just ponied up the annual 2021 win version.
More and more I use my Mac for music.
BIAB and MP3gain are about my only Win music software holdouts.
I would like to crossgrade to the Mac platform at the next Mac release but would really like to know what to expect when I send PG music a few more of my $$$.
So,what gives between the Mac and Win BIAB products?
Thank you.
biab2026(Mac) Latest Build
Mac OS (Latest)
Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram
Logic Pro (latest or pretty close)
Daiwa Saltist 35H
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954 |
I find differences every now and then but don't make a list of them.
I know the BB Plugin is identical for Mac/Win and can be easily compiled to Mac or Win. I don't know if it's because the programming they use for Biab as they are both programmed at different times, I think most crossplatform DAW's are the same and released at the same time.
I'm sure with the 2021 release there will be more Win features added.
If you do a basic crossgrade of the app only you can use your Win RealTracks directly if you have the wav version or convert the wma to wav or m4a.
I have the Mac app and just use my Win Audiophile drive with it.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 16
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 16 |
I recently upgraded my Windows OmniPAK Audiophile version to 2021 and got the Mac Audiophile 2020 also expecting to get everything (except for the programs that don't run on a Mac) as you do with Windows.
Boy was I dissapointed when I found out that none of the Xtra Style PAK's are included in the Mac Audiophile version and am going to have to shell out another $199 to get them.
Considering that the upgrade price was the same for both that makes the Mac version $199 (if you buy the Xtra PAK's)more expensive than Windows and you get less for your money (all the 'Other Products' that are not available for Macs).
Don't think I will bother with any further Mac updates unless they get a bit more 'Pocket Friendly' and will just have to run m Windows laptop alongside my keyboard rig and Mac.
Sing, like you mean it.............
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
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Posts: 7,954 |
What you don't have on the Mac Audiophile drive you can copy from the Win Audiophile, you will just need to convert the wma style demos to m4a unless you have a default media player on Mac that will play wma, there are many that will do that.
The Win Audiophile drive works on Mac with a few modes like the RealTracsk/Library folder change to RealTracks/LibraryM & RealTracks/Direct Input/LibraryM
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 368
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 368 |
I would stay focused on the Operating System, where I find MacOSX slightly more stable than Windows 10, and slightly better at handling drivers and peripherals. The hardware is expensive, but the lifetime appears better than a Windows PC. I have had my i7 Quadcore based MacBook Pro for almost 10 years now, and I'm yet to see a Windows PC provide such life span.
Windows 10 on the contrary offers more tools, more plugins and more software and cheaper hardware.
The whole thing boils down to what suits your needs best and if you work with Apples own products the integrated experienced works quite well.
BIAB on either platform - Windows is always approx 6 months earlier out in latest version, but with quite a number of patch upgrades. Until BIAB 2019 Mac users were left with very little bug fixing, but kudos PG Music for stepping up and deliver the need dot-releases with bug fixes.
Why do you consider changing from Windows to Mac - if Windows works well for you?
MacMini M1 - BIAB2021 - Logic Pro X - iZotope Music Production Suite - Scaler 2 - far too many Waves plugins and Line 6 Guitars and boards + a fantastic Yamaha THR10ll mini Amp - Avid MBOX Studio
Peters' Garage is available on all major streaming services
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,517
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,517 |
<...snip...>. I have had my i7 Quadcore based MacBook Pro for almost 10 years now, and I'm yet to see a Windows PC provide such life span.<...> Now you have. I just retired a 2002 Windows XP ThinkPad. I play one-nighters for a living, and it travels in the van, changes temperature drastically and quickly, rocks on a keyboard stand all night (or day), gets back in the van, and back in the house from 2 to 6 nights a week (until COVID-19). It's still working. I replaced it with another old XP ThinkPad, a hand-me-down from desktop days. Since I put it on stage in 2002, I had one repair. The CMOS battery died, it keeps the clock running, and the new one cost $5 and was easy to replace. It has never crashed either. Probably because I don't have many apps on it, just the ones I need for work. My other 2002 ThinkPad was dropped, a hinge broke, and they no longer make replacement parts. It still works too. It had a hard disk starting to fail when it was about 10 years old, making a grinding noise as it spun. I replaced the HD and it's still working with a broken hinge. Mac makes great hardware, don't get me wrong, but they aren't the only company that does. I haven't had a Mac in a while. I write aftermarket styles for BiaB, and ever since the file data became identical, I have no need for two platforms anymore. So on one of the Apple update or perish incidents, I failed to update. I've been writing styles on the StyleMaker since it was introduced in the 1990s. I don't know if this has been resolved or not, but until I got to update or perish, the StyleMaker app on the PC was better, enabling me to write better styles if I use Windows. I have nothing against Mac OS. There are things I like better about Mac and things I like better about Windows, none of them are major. I had to choose Windows because it allows me to make better styles. My advice is that if you have both PC and Mac, and you use them equally, get the Windows version. On the other hand if you do most of your music on the Mac, you might be happier with the Mac version. Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 368
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 368 |
I stand corrected :-) My statement was purely my own experience, and I was quite skeptical towards Mac, when I got my first in 2009.
Of all the Windows PCs I've owned (the counting is 9) - they typically wear out in about 3-4 years, and I run them the same way like I do with my Mac.....ok I don't use Windows PCs for music making since 2005'ish.
I haven't worked with StyleMaker (or something similar) since I tried out BAIB the first time in 2002 or 03, maybe that should be my thing to learn in 2021
MacMini M1 - BIAB2021 - Logic Pro X - iZotope Music Production Suite - Scaler 2 - far too many Waves plugins and Line 6 Guitars and boards + a fantastic Yamaha THR10ll mini Amp - Avid MBOX Studio
Peters' Garage is available on all major streaming services
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,517
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,517 |
The StyleMaker is quite a well-thought-out piece of software. I've written styles under contract for a few other auto accompaniment hardware and software products, and BiaB has 'masks' in the StyleMaker that will allow a more musical output.
Instead of the same patterns repeating over and over and over, in the StyleMaker you can assign certain styles to appear only in certain musical situations. A simple example would be a bass run that in a situation where a V7 chord leads to a I chord and that I chord is at a marker, the appropriate bass line would play. In other instances of a V7 chord, a different bass line would play.
Like BiaB, the StyleMaker has its quirks and limitations. Some creative thinking can overcome some of those quirks and limitations, and it becomes a puzzle that needs to be solved.
Especially for someone who is a multi-instrumentalist and/or has good theory and arranging knowledge the StyleMaker is a wonderful tool and toy. It's a good teaching tool as well
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,766
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<...snip...>. I have had my i7 Quadcore based MacBook Pro for almost 10 years now, and I'm yet to see a Windows PC provide such life span.<...> Now you have. I just retired a 2002 Windows XP ThinkPad. I play one-nighters for a living, and it travels in the van, changes temperature drastically and quickly, rocks on a keyboard stand all night (or day), gets back in the van, and back in the house from 2 to 6 nights a week (until COVID-19). It's still working. I replaced it with another old XP ThinkPad, a hand-me-down from desktop days. Since I put it on stage in 2002, I had one repair. The CMOS battery died, it keeps the clock running, and the new one cost $5 and was easy to replace. It has never crashed either. Probably because I don't have many apps on it, just the ones I need for work. My other 2002 ThinkPad was dropped, a hinge broke, and they no longer make replacement parts. It still works too. It had a hard disk starting to fail when it was about 10 years old, making a grinding noise as it spun. I replaced the HD and it's still working with a broken hinge. Mac makes great hardware, don't get me wrong, but they aren't the only company that does. I haven't had a Mac in a while. I write aftermarket styles for BiaB, and ever since the file data became identical, I have no need for two platforms anymore. So on one of the Apple update or perish incidents, I failed to update. I've been writing styles on the StyleMaker since it was introduced in the 1990s. I don't know if this has been resolved or not, but until I got to update or perish, the StyleMaker app on the PC was better, enabling me to write better styles if I use Windows. I have nothing against Mac OS. There are things I like better about Mac and things I like better about Windows, none of them are major. I had to choose Windows because it allows me to make better styles. My advice is that if you have both PC and Mac, and you use them equally, get the Windows version. On the other hand if you do most of your music on the Mac, you might be happier with the Mac version. Insights and incites by Notes As an avid Mac user since the G4 era, and a user of both Pro Tools and Logic Pro, I can say that even though a 10-year-old Macbook should still perform admirably (albeit with perhaps a new battery and a Ram and SSD upgrade), nothing - and I mean absolutely nothing - will outlast a good Thinkpad. My experience is much the same as Norton - Thinkpads are near infinitely repairable, and that's when they actually do break which they don't often. Over the years I've had a Thinkpad 380E, 600E, A31, X200, T500, W520, X230, and T540. Every single one of them has a PDF hardware maintenance manual which tells you how to take it apart, put it back together, and the part numbers for everything. Of course you can get those parts direct from Lenovo, but I often found cheaper used parts from eBay as they are very easy to part out. A close second to a Thinkpad would be the HP Elitebooks - many of those are built very similarly to Thinkpads. A Mac, on the other hand, is a completely different story. 10 or more years ago they were easy to disassemble and repair, but since 2012 they've become increasingly more impossible to fix. My "current" 2012 Macbook Pro Retina model is basically glued together, and most parts can't be replaced easily if at all. But then again, if my option is to give up Mac OS and Logic Pro for Windows, you're gonna have to pry that unrepairable Macbook out of my cold dead fingers. PS: Between BIAB for Windows or for Mac, I'd choose Mac - sure, a couple features are missing, but it tends to be a lot more reliable compared to Windows, given how well the Mac Coreaudio system works.
Last edited by Simon - PG Music; 12/31/20 04:56 PM. Reason: Mo' Thinkpads
I work here
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,517
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,517 |
My first Mac was a Classic II. My first PC had DOS 5 and Windows 3.1 (at that time BiaB was DOS only), and I had an Atari/ST before them.
In the early days I found Macs much easier to use. Both PC and Mac have grown more user-friendly since then.
I'm not a tech guy, so I don't work on them, I just work with them. I took electronics in college, but it was mostly radio frequency communications, and I've forgotten all but the basics and general concepts. The guidance counselor recommended the communications option over the digital option, and like a fool, I listened to her.
I have no loyalty to either platform, I let the software that I use every day dictate which OS is for me. We all have our different needs.
To the OP, whichever BiaB you choose, I hope it works out the best for you.
Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,698
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,698 |
i'm with notes. (i agree also, old win thinkpads are good.)
i worked in tech for more than a few years. thus i'm familiar with lots of tech marketing strategies.
and, like notes, am not loyal to any particular platform.
if one peruses the recording forum gearslutz.com, where a lot of high end down to low end studio owners hang out, one will see that people move from win to mac, and also from mac to win.
the pros/cons of each platform are well documented on GS.
many studio owners even own both platforms.
also on there are lots of people that build their own systems or use a recording pc/system they have bought from a builder of custom win studio pc's that work day in/out without problem.
(yes youll pay more for a custom pc, but they work well. people are getting big trak/plug in counts with them. see GS threads.)
i feel what is most important is carefull computer selection. for example i carefully select low cost refurb win pc's for my studio set up that stay off the net.
for me , refurbs have worked a treat. i have not had one win problem. day in/out no problem.
i just installed the new audient evo interface on a win refurb . no problem.
frankly , in an age of rapid tech obsolescence; i'm not willing to spend lots of money on computers.
i dont need it, but just the other day i saw a win refurb i5 pc for a paltry 120 buks us dollars.
there are loads of refurb deals around for both win and mac.
for awhile now, ive been looking at older refurb macs with those nice xeon processors in.
not cos i dislike win, but purely i'm curious what logic daw can do for me on a 500 buk refurb mac.
as i said, in an age of rapid tech obsolescence; i'm not willing to spend lots of money on computers.
and i feel , what would really help particularly us poorer musicians , would be a reduction in some of the crazy high processor prices. thus i will wait till i9 win pc refurbs become plentifull.
if one wants a high end processor/system its getting like joining an elite country golf club.
only a few can afford it. sigh.
hnyear.
muso.
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 01/01/21 06:46 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,517
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,517 |
Who sells reliable refurbs?
I bought one a long time ago, and I ended up returning it.
---
I used to be a first-call sax-for-hire musician at a local recording studio. Unfortunately the owner who was also the engineer had a massive stroke and closed the business.
He worked with both Mac and Windows computers. He had them side by side on the console.
I think the days of which platform is better are long gone, now it's which one is better for any individual user. They are both great OS's.
Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,698
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,698 |
notes. just trying to help you. desktop or laptop ? pg user etcjoe i notice perusing the pg forums is an advocate for refurbs like myself. see his post today (he bought from amazon.) this thread ; https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=633898#Post633898i cant vouch for usa cos i dont live there. and sometimes it IS a crapshoot. just gotta find a reliable supplier. but heres what i would do. 1. google pc win i5 i7 xeon ssd 16gb ram refurbished. this should bring up lots of companies that sell refurb systems. i notice for example that staples and best buy in usa sell refurbs, and there are lots of others. you are lucky. refurb prices in usa are very good. 2. make sure any refurb can be returned for refund in 30 days. 3. get a one year warranty. if you can. 4. if you can, get a system with 2 ssd's installed. one for win, and one for recording studio duties. 5. ideally you want a fast boot system. my refurb boots from cold around 9 secs. also, when you get a system, run realband action >> test audio performance. this test shows 190 traks on my refurb i5 system. if you want cheap pc processing "beasts" , check out hp z and lenovo xeon processor desktop workstation refurbs. around 500 buks or less. shop around. good luck ! hnyear. muso.
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 01/02/21 05:04 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,096
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I'd go direct to the source, Dell.com for a refurb Dell. They don't refurb but the computers they sell through their website is a Dell certified third party, are cost competitive and backed by a warranty.
JustAnOldMuso's suggestion to check Staples, Office Depot and OfficeMax is a good idea too. Walmart.com and Amazon.com are two good sources to look at for refurb desktops ot laptops.
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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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Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
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