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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 34
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 34 |
I've had BB for windows for a number of years & have the 2017 version of BB on it. I want to buy a mac & have the new version of BB for mac put on it. Before I shell out big $ for a mac, I have some questions:
1 Can my folders & files in BB from my pc be transfered to BB for mac.?
2 BB for me was a steep learning curve, would BB for mac require me to learn BB all
over again?
3 Is the layout of the screen the same or similar?
4 Are accessing folders, files, styles & instruments the same or similar?
I presently have about 500 songs I've put in BB in a half a dozen folders. I only use a handful of styles & don't go much beyond the basic functions. I'm not tech savvy. I use my BB tracks to practice my playing. On occasion, I've used some of these backing tracks to sing & play my guitar live to on little gigs like nursing homes and the like. Please use language a simple guy like me can understand.
Thanks,
Russ66
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,011
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,011 |
Song (SGU & MGU) files are compatible with both Band-in-a-Box for Windows and Band-in-a-Box for Mac. I've seen several posts where forum members share song files between Windows and Mac computers. There is some differences between the Mac and Windows versions. Mostly because there are differences between the Windows and Mac operating systems. May I suggest you download the Band-in-a-Box for Mac pdf User manual +++ HERE +++ or look through the online manual to get a better idea how the Mac program looks and feels. One difference is the Mac has a Command button that is used a lot as a modifier key similar to how Windows uses the Alt or Ctrl key as a modifier. Another difference is Windows uses wma and wav files for RealTracks while Mac uses mp4 and aif files for RealTracks.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 6
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 6 |
Be aware that BIAB does not run on the latest version of MacOS yet. If you can get Catalina on your new Mac you could run it OK, but if you have to run Big Sur you should hold off until PGMusic release a version that is certified to run on it. Take a look at the Big Sur thread in the Mac forum to see what problems people are reporting.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,506
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,506 |
I use the Windows version but I do have the Mac version on an older Mac. I had no problem at all adapting (your questions 2 & 3) once you get used to the Command key.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 878
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 878 |
I too am sitting in a similar place.
I use a Mac and a PC. While they are mostly the same, there are some differences.
My MacBook Pro is almost 9 years old and I'm considering a replacement.
At that time I expect I will abandon BIAB win and crossgrade to BIAB Mac.
I wish to purchase a brand spanking new computer, not a refurb or used model.
I'm probably not going to do anything for at least 6 months, maybe longer
The new Apple Silicon machines have just hit the street. The reviews have been mostly positive but not entirely.
Changing the CPU chipset is a significant issue. I would like for the dust to clear a bit.
BIAB Mac does not run on the latest version of the MAC os. That is a hard no go to me.
I expect when it does run, it won't be without problems.
Not interested in spending a lot of $$$ to be a guinea pig.
I'll give it some time and avoid as much of the problem as possible.
A new batch of Apple Silicon MacBook Pro's are expected out by the end of the year.
For me that's a likely time to upgrade.
But that's just me.
biab2025(Mac) Latest Build
Mac OS (Latest)
Apple Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram
Logic Pro (latest or pretty close)
Heddon Super Spook XT (Mullet)
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 34
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 34 |
Thank you & the rest for the reply and advice, I'm going to hold off from buying a mac for now. Don't want to be frustrated with issues I don't have the skills to resolve. I'm 76 yrs. old, don't need any of that.
Russ66
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,766
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,766 |
Yeah, with regards to the new Apple silicon, I've also heard good reviews, though you would have to look into compatibility with ALL of your software and hardware - it's dangerous to jump on new tech like this otherwise.
From a quick list I created, only three of the major DAW's currently support the M1 chip - two of those three being Apple Logic and Garage Band, and the third only having experimental M1 support.
For hardware you might have better luck, as many audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, etc are "Class-compliant" and will work with generic drivers - however, anything that doesn't use a generic driver might not work at all. Less than half of the major audio interface manufacturers have M1 support.
With Intel you would have better luck, though still less than half of the DAWs out there support Big Sur.
I work here
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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.
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.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
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The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
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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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