|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7 |
Hi All, I am new to BIAB.
I saw it around in the 90's but never tried it out (how wrong I was), what a great tool for songwriting and arranging. My friend owns the 2016 PC version and my School (I am a music teacher) own the 2016 mac version.
I would like to buy a site licence to add it to our mac school systems for the next academic year, but I am not sure which version is best. We run both OSX and Windows 10 on our macs.
One big difference I find is that my friend can export full musicxml files from the PC version but the mac version only exports a maximum of 32 bars of music into musicxml (maybe I am doing it wrong). This is one of the biggest things my students would need so they could bring their BiaB creations into Logic 10.3 and Sibelius.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,484
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,484 |
Given a music school situation, it might be that Realband will also be useful. This is included at no extra charge with the Windows version of the program. The Mac version does not have this.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071 |
Good information above.
The latest features in the Windows version usually precede the subsequent release of the Mac Version by about 6 months.
Windows = Band In A Box + Real Band.
Mac = Band In A Box only.
Real Band has a lot of great additional flexible features that use the same tracks that Band In A Box creates, essentially providing an additional dimension to song creation flexibility.
The choice is of course yours.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,793
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,793 |
Hi All, I am new to BIAB.
I saw it around in the 90's but never tried it out (how wrong I was), what a great tool for songwriting and arranging. My friend owns the 2016 PC version and my School (I am a music teacher) own the 2016 mac version.
I would like to buy a site licence to add it to our mac school systems for the next academic year, but I am not sure which version is best. We run both OSX and Windows 10 on our macs.
One big difference I find is that my friend can export full musicxml files from the PC version but the mac version only exports a maximum of 32 bars of music into musicxml (maybe I am doing it wrong). This is one of the biggest things my students would need so they could bring their BiaB creations into Logic 10.3 and Sibelius.
Welcome Adebisi. For a school setting I would suggest highly that you contact PG staff and discuss this issue with them. I don't know but it is possible they may have educational licensing available where you either get a discount on the price or you get to use this on a group of computers under an educational license.... Like I said, they can tell you what, if any, perks you get in an educational setting. Regarding the 32 bar thing in the Mac version..... yeah, you're doing it wrong. You should always be able to export the entire song. Regarding the version....PC vs Mac. The PC version comes with Real Band which is a DAW (similar to Logic X) that opens up a whole world of using real tracks and editing the audio so much easier. RB lets you generate the real tracks that sound like live musicians that you hear in many of the songs here. Even if you have Mac computers.... if I understand correctly, there is a Windows OS that can be installed to run on those machines if you do not have PC's in the music classroom. That would allow you to use the PG music PC version and export the files to Logic X. Call the support line and talk to the people in the office. They can answer the questions you have accurately. BTW: I think it's really cool that you are using BB with kids in school.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7 |
Hi All, I am new to BIAB.
I saw it around in the 90's but never tried it out (how wrong I was), what a great tool for songwriting and arranging. My friend owns the 2016 PC version and my School (I am a music teacher) own the 2016 mac version.
I would like to buy a site licence to add it to our mac school systems for the next academic year, but I am not sure which version is best. We run both OSX and Windows 10 on our macs.
One big difference I find is that my friend can export full musicxml files from the PC version but the mac version only exports a maximum of 32 bars of music into musicxml (maybe I am doing it wrong). This is one of the biggest things my students would need so they could bring their BiaB creations into Logic 10.3 and Sibelius.
Welcome Adebisi. For a school setting I would suggest highly that you contact PG staff and discuss this issue with them. I don't know but it is possible they may have educational licensing available where you either get a discount on the price or you get to use this on a group of computers under an educational license.... Like I said, they can tell you what, if any, perks you get in an educational setting. Regarding the 32 bar thing in the Mac version..... yeah, you're doing it wrong. You should always be able to export the entire song. Regarding the version....PC vs Mac. The PC version comes with Real Band which is a DAW (similar to Logic X) that opens up a whole world of using real tracks and editing the audio so much easier. RB lets you generate the real tracks that sound like live musicians that you hear in many of the songs here. Even if you have Mac computers.... if I understand correctly, there is a Windows OS that can be installed to run on those machines if you do not have PC's in the music classroom. That would allow you to use the PG music PC version and export the files to Logic X. Call the support line and talk to the people in the office. They can answer the questions you have accurately. BTW: I think it's really cool that you are using BB with kids in school. I would like to keep it mac but that 32 bar thing is really confusing me!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071 |
I'm not aware of any 32 bar limitation on either PC or Mac versions.
If you want to take advantage of the benefits of RealBand also, get the PC version and run under Windows 10 on your macs.
As advised by others, definitely contact PG Music Support and get them to clarify for you.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7 |
I'm not aware of any 32 bar limitation on either PC or Mac versions.
If you want to take advantage of the benefits of RealBand also, get the PC version and run under Windows 10 on your macs.
As advised by others, definitely contact PG Music Support and get them to clarify for you.
It's only with exporting to musicxml - the note information stops at 32 bars and then only shows the chord info. The PC version does the full song correctly into musicxml format. Shame I really wanted to use the mac version so there would be no need to switch OS while they were working.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,484
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,484 |
Do you have the latest update for Mac installed? To double-check, it can be found at the below link. http://www.pgmusic.com/support_macintoshupdates.htm
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7 |
Just did the update but it still does it? Seems strange, i've looked all over for the settings in the program.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,484
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,484 |
What is the structure of the song that you're trying to save as XML?
Is it multiple choruses (i.e. the default 3x through)?
How many bars long?
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071 |
Could you email the song to PG Music support and ask them to verify in their mac environment?
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,026
Posts799,096
Members40,011
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean