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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 26
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 26 |
Hi,
I'm new to the forums and am planning to purchase BIAB 2015 soon. I'm a guitarist/bassist of many years and from what I can tell, BIAB is a pretty comprehensive tool for songwriting, jamming, etc. My problem (though it's not a *real* problem) is which platform works best (or has the most features) for the application, or are they the same regardless or platform? I tried to find an appropo forum other than the dedicated Windows and Mac forums to post the question into but none of the other ones seemed to be the right place so I just chose one. Please feel free to move it if necessary.
My computers are a MacBook Pro with either a 2.4 or 2.6 dual core processor and 8 GB RAM with a 1 TB hard drive. But I also purchased a Dell Inspiron a couple of months or so ago that runs Windows 8.1. It has an AMD K10 processor, also with 8 GB RAM and a 1 TB drive. I'm not a fan of the OS but had to take it for other purposes not related to music production.
I'd appreciate any comments from fellow members having experience with the application on both platforms so I can make a decision that works best. There's more free space on the Windows laptop. But I like working with the Mac and am leaning toward making it work there since I do most of my computing on the Mac. However since I'm considering the Audiophile version because I want the quality of the music I create to be great and the product comes on its own drive, space will probably be a non-concern.
The only thing left is to decide which platform to go with and I'd like to have to opportunity to learn from the experience of others that use the software.
Best Regards,
davidgitar
Last edited by davidgitar; 02/17/15 01:03 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 393
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 393 |
David,
You can find several threads on this topic if you search the forums. I switched from Win to Mac about 3-4 years ago, so have used both. There's no questions that the Win version always comes out months ahead of the Mac version (there's no BIAB for Mac 2015 yet), and has always been a little more feature rich. BIAB for Win also comes with the Real Band program, which is a DAW with some built-in BIAB features.
I personally haven't found that I really miss anything the Win version could do, and I usually "drag and drop" into Logic, and work on projects from there.
Another option is to run BIAB for Win on a Mac, using Boot Camp or Parallels or such. I've never done this, but others have reported on these boards that it works okay.
You'll also find that the BIAB for Windows forum gets a lot more traffic than the BIAB for Mac forum... In the end, I think this question comes down to "personal preference". The good news is, you probably can't go wrong with either option! Good luck
Bruce
Macbook Pro 2018
2.6 GHz 6-core Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM
OS Monterey
BIAB for Mac 2022
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,509
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,509 |
IMHO BiaB PC has always been better than BiaB Mac.
If you didn't also have a PC I'd say that especially at the entry level the differences aren't that great, but since you do also have a PC, I'd advise you to get the PC version of BiaB.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 26
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 26 |
Thanks Bob. I've done more reading and have come to the same opinion as you. So when I do buy the software, it will be the PC version. '
Edit: I bit the bullet and bought the Audiophile PC version today. Based on what I've read, seen and heard, I believe BiaB is going to allow me to complete a special music project for some of my extended family a lot easier than would be possible otherwise. Appreciate the feedback guys! - David
Last edited by davidgitar; 02/19/15 02:15 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,235
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,235 |
It doesn't answer your question which, of course, you've already answered it via your recent purchase. Congrats! You'll love it.
However, I do want to mentioned that my combination of an iMac with 32g RAM running 2014 Mac BIAB, Logic Pro X, Ozone 6 and Nectar 2 is amazing. Everything is very fast and relatively seamless.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 344
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 344 |
I have been using both along the last years and can say a thing:
Biab for win is much better featured, but:
- Biab for mac haven't crashed one time in several months on my 2009 macbook
- Biab for win sometimes, with some complex songs, unexpetedly quits, although my asus is new and with very few programs installed.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827 |
You went the right way as the Win Audiophile version has wav files that can be used by MacBB also, but the WinBB I don't think can use the aiff mac files. So for $79 you can do a crossgrade and get the MacBB app "Upgrade from 2012 or earlier or crossgrade"http://www.pgmusic.com/bbmac.packages.htmAll you need to do to use it on the Mac also is copy the drive or use the current drive (though it is always recommended to have a backup copy) or if you use that drive on the Mac just rename bb\Realtracks\"Library" to "LibraryM" and bb\Realtracks\Direct Input\"Library" to "LibraryM" This will allow the Shots n Holds to work. Depending on what version os x you are using if it has NTFS write to allow you to write to NTFS win drives, you might need to rename the folders first on windows. If you copy the drive use Mac as it will write to mac file system allowing you to rename folders and also run the MacBB app from the USB 3.0 Mac format drive. Or use the money on Parallels Desktop for Mac and get more features on Mac and as mentioned earlier Realband on the Mac.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
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- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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