|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 71
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 71 |
Hi
First off, thanks for the new on-line manual for BIAB MAC 2018. It looks great...
BUT
PLEASE PLEASE put a search facility on it. Without a search it is near useless when it comes to a quick 'how do I do this'.
Just a thought....
Cheers
Mark
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all...
BIAB 2019 Mac on a MacBook Pro. All paks & Styles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,098
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,098 |
I can't speak about the online manual but PG Music was able to quickly add hyperlinks to the
Windows Band-in-a-Box pdf file. All items in the Table of Contents (TOC) and Index are hyperlinked which makes it very easy to search.
I downloaded and opened the Mac BiaB manual and the TOC and Index do not have hyperlinks as the Windows manual do. Luckily all pdf creation programs I've seen have hyperlink capability and obviously the program PG Music uses does. I'm sure the oversight will be quickly corrected once they realize it was made.
Also I'll point out to you that the Adobe PDF Reader program has a built-in search feature. You can use the search bar at the top of the reader window or activate a pop-up search bar by using Command + F (I think).
Again, I have bare bones knowledge of building webpages so I'm not sure what it will take to add search to the online manual.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,149
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,149 |
Also I'll point out to you that the Adobe PDF Reader program has a built-in search feature. You can use the search bar at the top of the reader window or activate a pop-up search bar by using Command + F (I think). Nearly all web pages can be searched using Command F. This includes pdf files with embedded text (those that are picture snapshots of pages will not work this way—done so that you can't copy the text either). One should look at the Finale 25 help files. This is the best example I know of how not to do this. It is ridiculous. They refuse to upload a searchable pdf.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 71
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 71 |
Also I'll point out to you that the Adobe PDF Reader program has a built-in search feature. You can use the search bar at the top of the reader window or activate a pop-up search bar by using Command + F (I think). Nearly all web pages can be searched using Command F. This includes pdf files with embedded text (those that are picture snapshots of pages will not work this way—done so that you can't copy the text either). One should look at the Finale 25 help files. This is the best example I know of how not to do this. It is ridiculous. They refuse to upload a searchable pdf. Hi Thanks for the info. Yes I realise you can search a web page but that only searches the page you are on. If what you need is on another linked page it won't find anything. Thats why a proper search of the whole file is needed. For example, I was looking to try and find how the various 'Bar Settings' options work, in particular the volume adjustments. It is not in the index and not searchable form the index page. So I simple could not find it. I agree that not having a fully fleshed out help system is pretty poor for a product that has been around longer than Windows! (Yes I do still have my original 51/4 floppy discs with Band in a Box for Dos on them.) The world has moved on but we dont have a searchable Help file.... hmmmmmm. (stands back and waits for the flames to come in  ) Cheers Mark
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all...
BIAB 2019 Mac on a MacBook Pro. All paks & Styles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,098
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,098 |
I'm not going to flame you. I'm just trying to help so I try to ignore flaming comments and keep on subject.
It appears the online manual stretches across many web pages so the online manual will be restricted to one page. That is why they added the navigation bar on the left side of the webpage.
I believe the best way to overcome this search restriction is to download the pdf file so Command-F and the Adobe Reader built-in search feature can search the complete manual.
I'm guessing PG Music limited the online manual search feature to one page to minimize bandwidth. I've seen multiple forum members post comments that their website access is limited due to bandwidth constraints.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,149
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,149 |
Has anyone here actually tried this or is everyone just guessing? Click on the pdf manual for Mac. Mac PFD Manual 2018 In the Chrome browser (my default) it opens up 438 pages—not quickly but it does. Command f lets you search all 438 pages just like it's supposed to. I click Print (to pdf) and it saves the manual to my folder of choice. You may have to right-click and Save As depending on your browser and preferences. Ok... I open it up—it defaults to Preview. Type in the search term and it will display all pages on the right. It behaves exactly like every PDF file I know. I work with, download and/or generate 10–50 .pdf files a day. The 2018 BIAB manual for the Mac behaves no differently. The reason I use Chrome is because, in the past, I could search 800 page pdf files from a certain state web site in the time it took to type in the search term. While Chrome took a few seconds, with FireFox, the same file could take a half hour or more. Safari and Internet Explorer were ridiculously slow. Just for kicks, I tried downloading the manual in Safari and FireFox. Much, much better than the old days but still slower than Chrome.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,149
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,149 |
On my 2010 iMac i7 running High Sierra 10.13.3, from clicking on the manual till the full 438 document loads:
Chrome: 2 seconds
FireFox: 10 seconds
Safari: 12 seconds
Once you have done it the first time, subsequent attempts will load faster due to browser caching. Chrome is now under 2 seconds while Safari and FireFox are 3–4.
I like downloading a pdf manual and exporting it to my iPad or have it displayed on one of my monitors when trying to figure something out. I dislike accessing Help files from inside an application.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 71
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 71 |
Hey Mike
Thanks for the info, all good. Yes I did use the PDF in the end. Th only issue with PDF files, especially large ones like this, is that they get out of date and can be cumbersome for the developer to update. On-line HTML is so much easier to manage and update. As an owner of a software development company for 20 years I can vouch for that. And there are plenty of readily available authoring tools for HTML based help files that allow the generation of search indexes. But for now, searching the PDF is OK.
Cheers
Mark
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all...
BIAB 2019 Mac on a MacBook Pro. All paks & Styles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,098
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,098 |
Mike,
It still surprises me how different the times are for different browsers to perform the same task. There are a lot of tasks where Chrome handily beats the competition. Thanks for running that test and providing the results.
The search feature does not work as well with the online manual as it does with the pdf file as the online manual is divided into many small segments. That was why my first post suggested downloading the pdf file and using the Command + F or Adobe Reader search feature.
However the original comment in the initial post is correct that TOC and Index hyperlinks are not available in the Mac online manual. After checking I confirmed the same was true for both the Mac and Windows online manuals. However, the Windows pdf file does include hyperlinks in the TOC and index.
Hopefully this message thread will highlight the discrepancy enough for the issue to be resolved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
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 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!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 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!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,641
Posts807,851
Members40,179
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean