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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124 |
Does anyone use BIAB Windows on their Mac with Parallels, Bootcamp, etc.? Is there a benefit/detriment to doing this as opposed to using the Mac version of BIAB? Why have you chosen to use one vs. the other? I understand that there are still some features available for WIndows that are not available for Mac and perhaps this will always be the case (the lead sheet window is the thing of most interest to me, but perhaps I can get around this by importing into notation software- although I guess I'll still have to enter chords manually).
I am a relatively recent Mac owner (about 5 months) and I recently loaded Virtual Box and Windows 7 on the computer. I have been playing around with Virtual Box, but don't have any Windows software loaded except that which is a part of Windows 7. I am trying to decide if I should crossgrade to BIAB 2011 for Mac or load my 2007 WIndows version and upgrade to 2011.5 when it is available.
Virtual Box seems to be running pretty well, but I assume that running native Mac software would be a smoother user experience. Thoughts?
-Larry
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,382
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,382 |
Hi Larry,
Other people may chime in about which version they like better, but I used to have Windows 7 on my MacBook Pro, using Bootcamp. Everything ran at native speeds, so it was just like using a regular PC with the same specs. I really didn't run into any problems at all, and I highly recomend it to anyone who wants to use Windows programs on their Mac. Band-in-a-Box worked great, by the way.
If you use a virtual machine like Parallels, VirtualBox or VMWare Fusion, you can jump between OS's on the fly, but you can probably expect to see some decline in performance, due to the fact that you're running more than one operating system at the same time.
This decline in performance may or may not be an issue, depending on how powerful your Mac is.
Thanks
Kent
PG Music
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124 |
Thank you, Kent.
I may give Bootcamp a try too. I think my computer is fast enough that I wouldn't have much of a problem using a virtual machine (although I could use some additional RAM). However, I am having some difficulty getting the virtual machine to recognize my printer. As BIAB is the only software I would be using under Windows (at least at the moment), I guess I have to weigh the additional features available in the Windows version against the simplicity of using only Mac software on the computer.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335 |
Quote:
Is there a benefit/detriment to doing this as opposed to using the Mac version of BIAB? Why have you chosen to use one vs. the other? I understand that there are still some features available for WIndows that are not available for Mac and perhaps this will always be the case (the lead sheet window is the thing of most interest to me, but perhaps I can get around this by importing into notation software- although I guess I'll still have to enter chords manually).
No real reason to use the Windows version. In fact, it really doesn't make sense at all. You'd be using up several gigs of space and losing out on things like the DAW mode. The lead sheet feature isn't worth losing the DAW function to me.
Quote:
I am a relatively recent Mac owner (about 5 months) and I recently loaded Virtual Box and Windows 7 on the computer. I have been playing around with Virtual Box, but don't have any Windows software loaded except that which is a part of Windows 7. I am trying to decide if I should crossgrade to BIAB 2011 for Mac or load my 2007 WIndows version and upgrade to 2011.5 when it is available.
I'd crossgrade now. The additions like RealTracks are totally worth it. Unless there is something you absolutely have to have that only runs on Windows (nothing I can think of) I'd ditch bootcamp and reclaim the hard drive space.
Quote:
Virtual Box seems to be running pretty well, but I assume that running native Mac software would be a smoother user experience. Thoughts?
There are a couple of things. When you run something like that, it takes a lot of the available memory. So, if your Mac has say 4 gigs, you'd want to give Windows and Mac OS X half (2 gigs) which means, you probably are going to have less than that when you are actually running programs. The more programs you have loaded, the more memory you are going to use, and BOTH programs will start swapping out to virtual memory (ie: hard disk). When that happens, then your hard disk head is going to be jumping all over, and your system will start crawling.
I really can't see why you'd want that. I used to use Band in a Box under Parallels BEFORE they came out with a good Mac version. Like the YEARS between version 12 and version 2008 I believe. My 2006 iMac handled running BinaB alright. But now that there is a fully native, feature rich (not quite complete but darn close) version, there isn't a good reason for me to run the Windows version. So, I took it off, regained quite a few gigabytes in space back, and gained the really cool DAW feature that lets you take BinaB tracks and drag them to your favorite DAW to play with.
About the only thing I miss from the Windows version is the Ear Training thing it had
Musician, Polymath, Google Jedi, Apple Master, Windows Wrangler and Digital Wizard. High ratings in Nerd-fu & Geek-fu.
M1 Mac Mini, MacBook Pro Touchbar 15", Intel 27" iMac, M1 Mac Mini
https://musician.social/@ericdano
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 83
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 83 |
I have both versions, but really prefer the windows version, since it has more features that I use. You have to check for yourself, what you really want to have and need.
I need the leadsheet window, the vocal wizzard, the possibility to add text directly to a certain note, need the possibility to record vocal directly into the program etc. Love to have the practice box etc. etc.
For that the windows version is way better and offers quite a bit more stuff and comfort.
So long,
mos
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124 |
Thanks for the thoughts eric and mos. I do like the idea of being able to drag files into garage band, but I also like the lead sheet and some of the other Windows features. The space bootcamp takes up isn't a big deal because I have more than enough space on the drive to run a separate partition and if I want to run Windows virtually, RAM is cheap enough. I guess I really need to think about how I am most going to use the program and decide what makes sense.
Thanks again.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335 |
However, there is a ram ceiling in iMacs. It's not like a MacPro, where you can get something like 32 gigs of ram. You are limited to like 8 i think on newer iMacs. That might sound like a lot, but it really fills up quickly, and if something like 4 gigs is allocated to windows.....
It comes down to what are you going to use. Are you going to use the leadsheet feature? I looked at it, and it is easier and better for me to use Finale to generate leadsheets.
Are you going to use the vocal wizard? I'm not.
Do you need to record? Here, I would think the Mac would be a better choice as you can use Garageband which I'd say is infinitely better than the Windows version of BandinaBox's recording abilities plus you can then use Logic to further tweak things.
Practice box is nice I guess.......as is the ear trainer in the Windows Version. I still think the Mac version is a better choice if you are on a Mac.....use Mac programs.....etc.
And who is to say that PGMusic won't put in the leadsheet in an update? Perhaps 2011.5?
Musician, Polymath, Google Jedi, Apple Master, Windows Wrangler and Digital Wizard. High ratings in Nerd-fu & Geek-fu.
M1 Mac Mini, MacBook Pro Touchbar 15", Intel 27" iMac, M1 Mac Mini
https://musician.social/@ericdano
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124 |
The limit on the new iMacs is 16 GB and obviously in the case of bootcamp it would all be available (unlike running Windows virtually), but your point is well taken. There are good arguments on both sides to be sure. One option is to use the Mac version but keep my old Windows version installed on a small virtual or bootcamp partition for the cases I would need the lead sheet window.
On a different point, you had indicated your missing the ear trainer that is available in the Windows version. It's an added program/expense, but you may want to look at Earmaster Pro if you haven't done so and/or are not familiar with it. I find it to be a very good and flexible program.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335 |
I guess. I think it would be better to start a thread and vocally state to PG Music that we want the LeadSheet in the Mac version.
Earmaster is nice, but there are some web things that work as well. I just kinda liked having that simple little ear thing to quiz students with....
Musician, Polymath, Google Jedi, Apple Master, Windows Wrangler and Digital Wizard. High ratings in Nerd-fu & Geek-fu.
M1 Mac Mini, MacBook Pro Touchbar 15", Intel 27" iMac, M1 Mac Mini
https://musician.social/@ericdano
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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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Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows 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 60 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 Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. 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 Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.
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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
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