Greetings muzikluver,

Welcome to the forum and to Band-in-a-Box. The best answer is to purchase the largest package you can afford.

The Band-in-a-Box program is the same for every package. The pc version includes RealBand while the Mac version does not. Every package includes the same audio loops, Samplitude's Amplitude 3 (amp simulator program), Plogue's Sforzando (soundfont virtual instrument player) and collection of Soundfonts. I'm sure there are some other things included in every package I've overlooked. What changes in each package is the quantity of MIDI only styles, midi only Soloists and midi only Melodists; quantity of MIDI SuperTracks, quantity of RealTracks, quantity of RealDrums and quantity of styles that use RealTracks and RealDrums. MIDI quantity differences are detailed in the package chart available on +++ THIS +++ webpage. Quantity differences of included RealTracks, RealDrums and supporting styles is a little more difficult to figure out. It's easier to figure out looking from the top-of-the-line packages down to introductory package.

Both the UltraPAK & Audiophile include all available content except for bonus material and Xtra Styles. RealTracks and RealDrums in the UltraPAK are in compressed, lossy wma (pc) or MP4 (Mac) file formats. Audiophile contains both the lossy file format and uncompressed, lossless wav (pc) or aif (Mac) file format.

Both the Pro & MegaPAK lack content available in the UltraPAK and Audiophile. Both the Pro and MegaPAK contain content representative of all genres. Many users find that a style, RealTracks or RealDrums labeled for one genre works in another genre on a hit or miss basis.

+++ HERE +++ is a link that describes what is included in the Pro package in some detail.

+++ HERE +++ is a link that describes what is included in the MegaPAK in some detail.

In my opinion both the Pro and MegaPAKs are good if you want to explore the program's capabilities and concentrate on learning how to use the program. That can easily occupy most people for six months or more.

One of the great frustrations using either the Pro or MegaPAKs is you will encounter the term "N/A" (for not available) a lot since most of the content is not included with the packages. There are two ways to gain additional content: upgrade to the Ultra or Audiophile package or purchase sets.

PG Music typically sells packages and sets at a huge discount the first month a new edition is released. If you have the Pro or MegaPAK you will save the most money if you plan to upgrade when a new edition is released. Mac releases typically are in June while pc releases typically are in December. New editions typically include an annual program upgrade, additional midi SuperTracks, RealTracks and RealDrums added to each package and bonus content only available during the sale.

XtraStyles are styles that use existing midi SuperTracks, RealTracks and RealDrums differently than the way they were presented and used when released. XtraStyles also include a professional mix. XtraStyles are separate purchases and are not included in any package.

Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home