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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 551
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 551 |
BIAB for Mac is way behind the windows version.
It seems clear that there are very separate “code branches” for each platform and so progress on OSX is slow.
wouldn't it make sense to put a pause on Windows development and apply “all hands on deck” to consolidating the code base
to allow better cross-platform development?,
Us OSX users for example don’t get ANY of the features for supporting plugins, Audiounits and the like. Nor the conductor features. It seems that
BIAB for OSX is written very much in parallel to windows.
i will be glad yo offer you my services to assist with rewriting this stuff.
I have much experience in working with C++ and REALbasic - which is a great cross-platform tool/IDE/language for writing app GUIs that work great on both platforms. I also have an in-house source code translator that i wrote myself, which allows me to convert REALbasic source code into pure C++, where i need the
extra performance edge, or features that RB cannot give me. If you PM me i will be glad to give you more information. And would be glad to offer my services to
help you unify your codebase once and for all.
I’m sure your current arrangement must be a right mess - not to mention that much of the BIAB GUI is just ugly and hasn’t been changed since the Atari ST !
MacOS Sequoia, M4 Pro Mac Mini , 64GB RAM 512GB SSD ,
BIAB, Cubase, Ableton, Logic Pro, SCALER 3, GigLad, AnyTune, Synthesizer V Pro,Vienna Ensemble Pro, Audiofuse, Fractal FM3, KOMPLETE 15, StreamDeck, iReal Pro
White beard, beer belly, bald patch
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 22
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 22 |
Excellent post and points. The GUI, while being old and familiar, a bit like a favourite old shirt, could do with some modernizing.
Also, Mac users need features such as you've mentioned, but also full notation and lead sheet functionality. That is sorely needed for those who use BIAB either live or in a studio setting.
Yet we Mac users pay the same price for BIAB as Windows users. So surely, the least we can expect is the same full implementation of all features?
And I'd rather have the features catch up to the Windows version than see a drop in price for the Mac version. I'm happy to have paid for the Everything Pak on its own HD, but the more I play with it, the more I see missing from the Windows version that a friend and co-musician runs.
Imagine if Adobe put out the Mac version of Photoshop for the same price as the Windows version, but left out a whole bunch of features??? Same thing....
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Quote:
Excellent post and points. The GUI, while being old and familiar, a bit like a favourite old shirt, could do with some modernizing.
Also, Mac users need features such as you've mentioned, but also full notation and lead sheet functionality. That is sorely needed for those who use BIAB either live or in a studio setting.
Yet we Mac users pay the same price for BIAB as Windows users. So surely, the least we can expect is the same full implementation of all features?
And I'd rather have the features catch up to the Windows version than see a drop in price for the Mac version. I'm happy to have paid for the Everything Pak on its own HD, but the more I play with it, the more I see missing from the Windows version that a friend and co-musician runs.
Imagine if Adobe put out the Mac version of Photoshop for the same price as the Windows version, but left out a whole bunch of features??? Same thing....
1. The company is not a government organization. They do what they do to make money. If there was money in it then they would hire all the required people. Mac systems have not reached 10 percent market share, and it might be a long time for there to be 'more', especially now that Mr. Jobs has departed.
2. The software was orphaned by generations of Operating Systems which lacked any compiler for the software.
3. Mac software is a one trick pony as pertains to the operating system of the day. The Mac folks may re-write some drivers or other thing and hamstring your program. And Mac users want the software to be look and feel like everything else.
So I guess unless you understand and can code in Lisp or whatever it was the PC version was written in, the ability to write in C or Cplus or plus plus whatever is moot.
I'd suspect that if there are efforts to move forward in development, that modules are being ported one at a time for 64 bit computing platforms.
In the great timeline of computing evolution there will come a day when the hardware will query the software and adapt for it. Until that day, Mac will continue to try to offer a closed everything is here that you need shop. If they wanted an open source thing it would have happened long ago. Truth is they want things to be an app for their computer, their phone, and their player.
Hollywood here you come.
Perhaps if Mac users paid double the development team would switch gears, I don't know.
Free Enterprise is still alive anyway.
Perhaps someday Dr. Gannon will pen a memoir and we can all see the evolution of the software and the impediments that exist to make a cross platform piece of software that runs on windows, linux, and mac. Until then it is what it is I guess.
BTW, I spent most of my adult life running a Unix shop, and much of the software I wrote is still running Canada's largest chain of fitness clubs. My wife was a key component and I sold her with the company to the Good Life guys, and she's still there, 26 years and counting.
I wish she'd come home for supper. The candles are lit, the pasta is handmade and waiting...
4.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 22
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 22 |
Staunch defence of PGMusic there, but I have not suggested they are a government organization, nor have I asked for anything free. Merely the same for our money as the Windows users get. Just on the point of market share - Macs are almost up to 10% - but that is of the total computer market. And of the 90% that is Windows and "other" (eg Linux etc), a VERY large proportion would be business computers. Not those who would buy BIAB for the most part. Yes, I know BIAB has traditionally been a Windows program, but in the music/multimedia world, Macs are a significant proportion. I suspect that the reason that the Mac version of BIAB may not (yet) sell as well as the Windows version is purely due to a lack of Mac users actually knowing that there IS a Mac version...! And perhaps some don't buy the Mac version because they know that several features are lacking compared to the Windows version. I know two people with Macs who run BIAB under Windows on their Macs via Bootcamp. They were amazed when I recently bought the Everything PAK Mac version! But they smile when they show me their lead sheets and notation etc..... 
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Sometimes there are reasons and reasons. A lot of people know alleged stuff, but that's it. Stuff. At the end of the day, when a business owner looks at the return, he or she says BINGO. Until then, you are, in the vernacular, SOL. That's as honest and as blunt as I can be.
No one, except those who wrote software for Mac, knows what really the impact was of these days when you got blindsided by Mac trying to lock up their platform. Who on Mac gets a 3rd party proggy to do graphics? No one!
Think in thru. Pretend to be business owner making a business plan. YOu'd go..MAC WhAT?
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 22
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 22 |
Try suggesting that attitude to the writers of programs like Reaper, Photoshop, Cubase, Reason, Ableton, and all the hundreds of plugins that work equally well on both platforms. Macs, with almost 10% of the TOTAL computer market, - is a LOT of Macs.... And of course, if we got an iPad version as well... I'm not sure why you're defending what is an obvious weakness in the BIAB stable - the Mac version costs the same as the Windows version, but lacks numerous features, some of which are game changers, like Notation and Lead Sheets. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Band In A Box. And I love the Mac version that I bought. But it wasn't cheap, and to find that mates with the Windows version can do stuff on their setups that I can't is somewhat galling. OK - I don't want to get into any arguments here - as I said, I love BIAB. I'd rather just ask nicely for parity with our Windows colleagues. So - no more from me on the topic.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10 |
"Who on Mac gets a 3rd party proggy to do graphics? No one!"
This is far from correct. The Mac has long been the dominant professional graphics platform (and a huge force in the music creation world), from the days of Pagemaker, Quark, Freehand, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and many more. Those are still huge installed bases, and they are not shrinking. Yes, the graphics capabilities of an out-of-the box Mac are great. So are the music capabilities!
I've been using BIAB for 10 years and I'm somewhat frustrated at the lack of updating in the Mac interface, but I appreciate the many improvements that have been made to the program as a whole. Lead sheets are high on my wish list.
Allan Smith
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Well, leadsheets get a lot of flac in the Windows version, people want professional engraving right now. Even sooner. When it doesn't work the first time it's deemed broken.
So...
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,987
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,987 |
As a user of both the Mac & PC versions, I can understand some frustration. However, the Mac version usually comes out within 3 or 4 months of the PC version. (But of course, I'm one of those users that usually buys the upgrade within hours of its release, and then have my computer downloading all night, just so I don't lose any precious time with this addictive software!) Also, as I recall, the Mixer (which most people really enjoy using) was introduced in the Mac version. Us poor PC users had to wait almost 6 months to get it.  There are some things about the PC version that I do prefer, but the Mac version seems to be catching up. And I still don't know of any program that comes close to doing what BIAB does, at least for me. Steve
Steve Young Music"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
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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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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
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.
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