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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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koalaD Offline OP
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Hi guys~

Just found out about BiaB and wow... I'm truly amazed at what it can do! Been using iRealB for the iPhone and that was great but this is like another level. I'm very excited to purchase the product!

I know things get updated and should not care about future updates but it sounds to me like BiaB will be updated soon for the Mac and I would hate to purchase it now and have to pay the upgrade if it comes out soon

What are your thoughts?

I have both PC and Mac. Should I just purchase the PC 2012 or wait for the Mac 2012? Ahhh I hate having two systems.. haha

Cheers~

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Hi Koala,
You could buy the PC version, and run it on your PC. You can also run it on a Mac under Bootcamp if you have Windows installed on the Mac. BB for Windows runs flawlessly on a Mac under Bootcamp.

Failing that, you could wait for the Mac version 2012.


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Peter Gannon
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koalaD Offline OP
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Hey Peter,

Thanks for letting me know. I don't have bootcamp but do run Parallels. How is the performance in Parallels?

If I'm bootcamping or parallels, would the latency still be lower than if I were to use the native Mac edition?

Cheers

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I haven't tested parallels. I program the Windows version of BB on a Mac with Bootcamp, so that's how I know that it works

Latency on the Mac version is great (low)

Latency on the Windows versn is not good with the default MME driver, but if you use ASIO (e.g. Asio4all.com ) then it is great.


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Peter Gannon
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koalaD Offline OP
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Awesome. All in all I'm assuming Windows version is the same as the Mac in features?

Sorry for all these nuisance questions. I just want to spend my money for the right platform.

Cheers!

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The Windows version has more features than the Mac version. We're working to close that gap.


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Peter Gannon
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koalaD Offline OP
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Ah, thank you for the prompt response.

I'm assuming you are saying even when both version numbers are the same Windows (currently) has/had more features than the Mac.

I'm leaning towards bootcamping, now. Hahaha

Thanks

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Yes, assuming that you have room on your hard drive, getting Windows running on a Mac is as easy as:
1. Buying a copy of Windows 7/64($199 from Best Buy http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Windows+7+Ho...;lp=7&cp=1)
2. Run Bootcamp on your Mac, you will divide your hard drive between Mac and Windows, and install Windows 7/64.

You're done, and then you can run the Windows or Mac version of Band-in-a-Box.

For someone who already has the Windows version of Band-in-a-Box, this option might actually be cheaper, since you don't have to buy Band-in-a-Box again.


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Peter Gannon
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Peter,
I have been considering this set up for a while using BIAB windows on bootcamp on mac. My question is that, Is the latency of BIAB win version on bootcamp (Mac) similar to BIAB Mac version on IMac? I asked that question because I am very satisfied with the latency on my BIAB Mac version on IMac but of course I am missing the full version of BIAB on windows, hence considering using BIAB win on bootcamp on mac.

Thanks.

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Hi Avid,

Good question. Mac latency in general is much better than Windows, using the default driver type that Windows uses, which is MME drivers. Most pro audio users on Windows would use ASIO drivers instead of MME. In this case (e.g. asio4all.com ) the latency on Windows is great, and as good as the Mac. There can be hassles with ASIO drivers, such as only being able to use one program at a time with ASIO. Also, latency only matters with Band-in-a-Box when you are recording, and want to hear the MIDI or audio as you are recording.


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Peter Gannon
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koalaD Offline OP
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Thanks for bringing that up Avid, cuz latency was something I was concerned about. But using asio4all should do the job.

While reading this, I came up with another question. If I were to buy both versions, say I buy the megapak for windows and just purchase the basic pack ($129) for the Mac, can the media files be used interchangeably from the Windows pack to the Mac or are the media files themselves have different extensions? So in short, if I have the MegaPak for one of the platforms is it necessary for me to purchase the MegaPak for the different OS?

Cheers!

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The MIDI styles transfer from Windows to Mac, but the RealTracks don't (we use wma files on Windows, and m4a files on Mac)


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Quote:

The Windows version has more features than the Mac version. We're working to close that gap.





YAY !!!

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Peter

Will the Mac version 2012 have the Loops support feature that the windows version have (i.e. that you can import your own loops?).



Paul


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Oh and meant to ask - do we have even a rough timescale on when 2012 will be here? (am hanging out for the 60s soul real tracks!!!)


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subscribing to thread . Thanks !
kj

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PG Music does not make any promises or pre-announcements, but extrapolating from past experience, this should have come out in the second half of March, with the .5 coming out in September. So unless there is a major slippage, this should be out any day now.

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I have tested Parallels -- running BIAB Windows 2012 on an IMAC with 6 GB RAM in the latest version of Parallels. I also own its main competitor, the latest version of Fusion, and for BIAB, Fusion is the only one that works for me. The main problem is, I'm getting some quiet-but-audible "clicks and pops" playing back BIAB in Parallels, which I haven't experienced in Fusion (and for testing purposes, I imported the same Windows machine into both). This has also been a problem for me in some (but not all) previous versions of Parallels. I actually slightly prefer the Parallels interface, and if BIAB wasn't my main reason for running Windows on a Mac, I'd choose Parallels. But BIAB ran really smoothly for me in Fusion, and I'm running the Audiophile version. I also found Parallels' tech support less than helpful -- though I haven't needed VM's tech support, and thus, can't compare.
Of course, your situation might be different, and it may be that BIAB and Parallels will run fine for you. It's obviously working for some folks.

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Quote:

I have tested Parallels -- running BIAB Windows 2012 on an IMAC with 6 GB RAM in the latest version of Parallels. I also own its main competitor, the latest version of Fusion, and for BIAB, Fusion is the only one that works for me. The main problem is, I'm getting some quiet-but-audible "clicks and pops" playing back BIAB in Parallels, which I haven't experienced in Fusion (and for testing purposes, I imported the same Windows machine into both). This has also been a problem for me in some (but not all) previous versions of Parallels. I actually slightly prefer the Parallels interface, and if BIAB wasn't my main reason for running Windows on a Mac, I'd choose Parallels. But BIAB ran really smoothly for me in Fusion, and I'm running the Audiophile version. I also found Parallels' tech support less than helpful -- though I haven't needed VM's tech support, and thus, can't compare.
Of course, your situation might be different, and it may be that BIAB and Parallels will run fine for you. It's obviously working for some folks.




I used to run the Windows version of Band in a Box before they had a Mac OS X version. I'd never do that again. It worked, but sorta. And with the Mac version pretty much having all the essential features of the Windows version (like the real tracks). The only thing I can think of that was in the Windows version (like the 2005 or 2006 version) was an ear training thing. And some sort of game for pitch stuff.

I'd either wait for 2012 band in a box, or perhaps email PG Music to ask if you purchased now, would you get an upgrade to 2012 for free within 30 days if they release a 2012 version. I think they would do that. They seem that sort of company.

There is so much in the 2011.5 that you'd be happy with that.....I am. Freaking awesome stuff.


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as long as I remember,you Do work to close that gap,but somehow it doesn't work,does it?

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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

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Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

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  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

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!

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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

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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.

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