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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1 |
Hi All,
Happy New Year.
I am keen to get BIAB for Mac this year and start practising standards and jamming Jazz again.
But the only gear I have is a Mac and no musical instruments at all.
I am a Piano/keyboard player and what would be best to start all over again?
My last gear was KX-88, JV80 and MC 500 That was ages ago.
Question:-
Should I get a piano coupled with a sound module (like what PG is recommending a Roland Sound canvas) and the BIAB
so I can practise, jam LIVE with friends and hopefully be mobile for gigs.
OR
get a digital piano (the Casio/Yamaha) type of digital piano and a BIAB just to practise over it.
Your recommendations and inputs will be helpful.
Anything else that I miss or you may find essential.
Thanks for the help and may I wish everyone a great year ahead.
Cheers
Dho
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,893
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,893 |
Those are personal preferences and either will work. Of course, buy a keyboard that plays to your liking and offers the features that you will use often. You will be motivated to play an instrument you like and enjoy it over one that does not play well or lacks the features essential to you.
BIAB can play midi sounds through a keyboard sound module so it can function the same as a stand alone sound module such as the Roland Sound Canvas.
I opted for a sound module because it provides the quality of the highest priced keyboards and offers many more sounds. The most basic and cheapest keyboard sounds like a million dollars from the output of my sound module. A quality keyboard, although expensive, will also sound great and it will play better than a cheap keyboard. I purchased the Roland Integra 7 which contains all the sounds produced by Roland for the last 30 years. Over 6 thousand total sounds, works as a computer interface and does not tax my computer CPU. I am not a keyboardist and tend to use existing midi files so it made sense for me to invest in just a module. Your needs are likely different.
BIAB 2026:RB 2026, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,065
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,065 |
Hi DHo and welcome to one of the most friendly forum on the Internet.
I would get a Digital Keyboard that has both audio and MIDI outputs. That way you would have the best of all worlds. You could practice, play out, or jam with friends without lugging your Mac along plus you could input MIDI via the keyboard into your computer to include those sounds when using the Mac.
These are a few items I am naming off the top of my head that you may need in the future:
1-good near field monitors for your computer. Computer speakers are really lousy for music creation. With good monitors you can hear every instrument clearly.
2-If you are going to record you and/or your friends you will need an audio interface, one that will record MIDI and audio simultaneously. Remember RealBand comes with Band-in-a-Box and it is a 48 track Digital Audio Workstation. That means you can have 48 different instruments/sounds playing at the same time. The number of inputs you will need on your audio interface depends on how many you will be recording simultaneously, i.e. guitar, bass, vocal, keyboard etc.
3-If playing out you will need a good PA and possibly a keyboard amp.
4-If you are going to record vocals you will need a good mic AND an audio interface. Computer mic inputs are extremely bad for recording. DO NOT buy a USB mic!
5-If playing without the Mac you may need a keyboard amp. You could start out with no amp and headphones if your keyboard has headphone outs.
If I can think of anything else I will let you know.
The above is just my opinion and others may or may not agree.
Basically what I am saying is that you have to build you studio based on what you want to do, both today and what you think you will need in the future. But you do not have to build it all at once. A keyboard and BiaB/RT can last a while as you relearn you playing skills.
I hope this helps and good luck!
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,096
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,096 |
Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of people here that jam with BiaB at home, use it as a practice tool and to create backing tracks to use while performing for a recording at home or at a public performance. I hope you'll find the forum to be a good resource.
I need to correct one of Mario's suggestions. In item # 2 Mario mentions RealBand (RB) is included with Band-in-a-Box (BiaB). That statement is true for the Windows version of BiaB but the Mac version does not include RB.
Many people with Mac computers use Garageband. Garageband normally is not included with the basic Mac operating system but is part of an add on software group available from Apple for a nominal sum.
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,065
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,065 |
Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of people here that jam with BiaB at home, use it as a practice tool and to create backing tracks to use while performing for a recording at home or at a public performance. I hope you'll find the forum to be a good resource.
I need to correct one of Mario's suggestions. In item # 2 Mario mentions RealBand (RB) is included with Band-in-a-Box (BiaB). That statement is true for the Windows version of BiaB but the Mac version does not include RB.
Many people with Mac computers use Garageband. Garageband normally is not included with the basic Mac operating system but is part of an add on software group available from Apple for a nominal sum. Thanx jim for correcting this. I had forgotten that RB was not included in the Mac version. I apologize for any confusion this has caused.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,096
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,096 |
I had forgotten that RB was not included in the Mac version. I apologize for any confusion this has caused. Sometimes it's easy to forget we Windows users do have something that Mac users don't have.  Our Mac brother-in-arms always have the option to purchase the Windows version of Band-in-a-Box (that includes RealBand) and set up their computer to run a Windows program. 
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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