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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,147
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,147 |
I agree with Matt - the discount can only come out of PG Music profits. It's only been an issue for the past 18 months due to VAT rule changes in the EU and UK. We all used to pay the US Dollar price with no additions.
The discount code is a personal commitment from the PG of PG Music - Peter Gannon. Can't see many tech company owners showing that level of loyalty and concern for their customers. My code arrived this morning and I'll definitely be upgrading.
So thank you Peter, its reassuring that you are so hands-on. And it's also good that through live chat and these forums we get to know the team behind the software - Andrew, Simon, Chantelle and Ember to name just recent forum posters.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
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Joined: Jun 2021
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I should say, I don't KNOW that it comes from PG Music's profits, but how else could it work?
I imagine it gets added into Cost of Goods Sold and can be budgeted any way PG pleases. Sales and discounts, after all, are part of doing business. Sorry. I have a Mac, Santa has a lump of coal for me.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 64
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Before we get all sappy about how generous PG Music is I would like to call attention to the fact that prices have actually increased for many users.
In the past, upgrades came via disk drives, thumb drives, or hard drives and an immediate download capability was included as a feature. Unfortunately, the pricing model has changed. Download has become the default and thumb drives and hard drives add additional charges. With this pricing model in mind, without the hard drive, why would anyone (not subject to VAT) purchase the full download upgrade only to reload software they already have. The Plus Pak seems to be the only option that makes sense.
Over the decades I have gotten use to the quirky PG Music marketing and pricing bundles, but unless I am missing something, $149 download without the hard drive makes no sense.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,147
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Joined: Sep 2001
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i think times change and we are all used to digital downloads as the norm. in the UK i always used to get dvds but downloads are so much more convenient.
and sorry about the lump of coal Mark but it's unusual to hear a Mac user unhappy with their choice of Mac over windows! Merry Christmas.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 64
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 64 |
It can be debated whether physical media or digital downloads are more convenient. They both have pros and cons. The point is you used to get both for the same price they are charging now for downloads only. This is a back door price increase.
I still do not understand the value of the $149 download only upgrade over the $99 Plus Pak upgrade. If it's download only, why download what you already have for additional cost when you can download the upgrade only?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,696
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It can be debated whether physical media or digital downloads are more convenient. They both have pros and cons. The point is you used to get both for the same price they are charging now for downloads only. This is a back door price increase.
I still do not understand the value of the $149 download only upgrade over the $99 Plus Pak upgrade. If it's download only, why download what you already have for additional cost when you can download the upgrade only? I believe the $149 upgrade is going from lower priced version, the Pro and Mega versions, to the UItra version. The $99 plus version just adds the additional RTs, RDs, MIDI, etc to bring the 2021 Ultra and Ultra Plus versions up to the 2022 versions. If I am wrong then please correct me.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,147
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Joined: Sep 2001
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yes Mario - you're right. if someone has 2021 Pro they can upgrade to ultrapak for $149 whereas if you have 2021 ultrapak the upgrade is just $99
$149 is an amazing deal if you have one of the smaller packages and download is quick and easy
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 185
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 185 |
I still do not understand the value of the $149 download only upgrade over the $99 Plus Pak upgrade. If it's download only, why download what you already have for additional cost when you can download the upgrade only?
I spoke to support about this yesterday, there is a slight difference - the Pluspak is an incremental update and not an upgrade. If I understood correctly, in simple terms, the upgrade is a full product while the update is a separate installation and can only update from the previous year. What this means in practice is that if you were in need of a fresh install, eg., after a computer crash or whatever, then the full upgrade will be a single straightforward install. If, however, you have purchased the Pluspak for the past few years then you'll have to first install your last full purchase / upgrade and then incrementally install each of the Pluspaks to bring it back up to date. No real biggie, just messier, but you don't lose out on anything. All assuming I understood correctly, somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 17
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Installation with the Install Manager went very well (and long).
Looking forward to understand the new features
Wolfgang from wet Austria
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,147
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,147 |
the upgrade options really are quite simple. if you have 2021 ultrapak, getting the new program and new realtracks is $99. if you have the 2021 propak - the smallest pack available - for £149 you get the program update and all the other realtracks in the ultrapak which is a huge amount of extra music
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 64
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 64 |
The difference between the PlusPak upgrade and the full upgrade is understood. The real point of the discussion is that last year you got a hard drive for that same $149 and now you don't.
I have always had the Ultra Pak and every few years I would buy the hard drive update in order to have the latest factory version of the complete program. It would come in handy many times, allowing me to avoid the "Return to Factory Settings" option on my desktop or for other flexibilty. This no longer makes sense.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,837
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,837 |
It reminds me of when Apple removed the cd player to refine the silhouette and move people to the cloud. Everything is dematerialized but remains the essential: an excellent program. Less pollution, less waste, good music.
Biab Audiophile 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,147
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2001
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a little bit of bad news, apparently this is the last year of the 20% discount to offset european VAT so next year we'll be back to US Dollars plus VAT for the upgrade.
thanks to PG Music for two years of subsidy but it really was too good to last.
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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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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!
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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!
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