Most of my audio software is cross platform for Mac and PC and available for download at no extra cost. Also many software programs allow for multiple computers installs,usually 2 or 3. The way it now the Mac version comes out almost a year after the PC version. The cost to purchase the Ultra pack for both platforms is not a cost effective solution for most of us users out there. I have no idea how the development team works on either version and what kind of resources that are available to them. Anyway this is what I would wish for. Brian
BIAB 2026 Ultrapack- Fender Studio Pro 8, Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio, Luna Pro
+1 "as well and the command, control,and option keys kind of mess with me going between the PC and Mac." You can also change the command, control, and option, alt, win keys around to suite using a Win keyboard on the Mac, System Prefs/Keyboard. You can also do a Crosgrade for just the app and if you convert the wma RT RD to wav (copy them first to a larger drive then use bb\data\decompress.exe or .zip) and they will work on Mac. The wma RT RD Style demos can be batch converted also to m4a. The folder structure is now the same so you can copy the contents of other folders over to the Mac. There's a free audio batch converter for Mac/Win MediaHuman Audio Converter https://www.mediahuman.com/audio-converter/ You can convert the wma to m4a but wav would be better.
Would be beneficial, and keep the Mac folk much happier. +1
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.
Must be nice running on Linux. You don't have to worry about disabling malware checkers.
I wouldn't know. This laptop uses Windows 7 and it appears me and a bunch of other laggards will shortly (January 20, 2020) be "upgrading" to Windows 10. I must admit I'm not looking forward to upgrarding at all.
While I admit Windows 10 is likely faster and more secure than Windows 7 two practices make me reluctant to update. One is the practice of major, build labeled updates resetting my preference settings back to default. The second is Microsoft considering a build out-of-date or obsolete 18 months after the release date.
Generally speaking it takes me anywhere from three to six months to get an operating system tweaked enough that it works the way I want it to. With the two practices above in place Windows management will be a constant task and irritant. I already feel the operating system requires too much maintenance, attention and is too intrusive. To me, the ideal computer operating system should be out of sight and out of mind. It should just work.
The Linux was half-joking. Does BIAB even run on Linux? And I wouldn't trust ANY operating system now to be immune from malware.
About the upgrade to Windows 10, I can give you some reassurance.
It's been many years now, but yes, Windows 10 did give me a performance boost, better than just a fresh install of anything would have caused.
It's also been many years since I fretted much about tweaks. Sure, there are a few like power options that any audio PC needs, but gone are the days of Black Viper tweaks. Windows 10 just works.
And you are correct about updates resetting some settings, but for all the griping, it's only in a couple of areas. For me, my HD audio driver keeps getting turned back for my video monitor (how stupid is that, when I have really good audio powered speakers), and sometimes I have to go back in and reexamine the Power Settings in Control Panel, such as making sure USB ports are not powered down to save power. It's annoying, sure, but not a massive task. Just something to gripe about, which is why you hear about it a lot. Overall, Windows 10 is by far the best operating I've used, and I go back to MS-DOS, UNIX, and IBM mainframes.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Just like some Apple users have workarounds to use Windows software programs on an Apple platform there are workarounds to use Windows software programs on the Linux operating system. In fact in some cases even hardware drivers can be used.
Another music forum I belonged to (today, Nov. 1 the forum moved to Facebook so my membership is now past tense)has numerous members with computers that use a Linux operating system. They constantly post about experiments they try so I had a good overview about what works and don't work.
Just like there are multiple ways to get Windows stuff to work on Apple and some ways work better than others the same holds true for Linux. There are numerous distributions of Linux and Linux with Wine seems to be the most friendly to music applications.
As with many things computer Linux has some geek element to it. Considering that I was just mouthing off in my last posting about the maintenance, care and attention Windows requires rest assured I've no desire to "geek out" with Linux.
I know I've said it before. I am not looking forward to upgrading my laptop to Windows 10; I've already tried twice and while it worked well for awhile, it started doing weird things as time went on. And there aren't proper drivers for everything on the laptop and HP won't provide them (because they want me to buy a new laptop).
While a new laptop would be wonderful, it's an expense I don't want to incur right now, so I may just have to live with the Win10 limitations on that particular machine. I know it's an old machine, but it's still solid...Intel i5 processor, 8GB RAM, dual 2TB hard drives. When I load Win10, I lose HDMI capability, so I can't connect it to the TV anymore (again, no driver).
My equally old desktop machines run Win10 fine, but laptops are just different creatures.
Alas!
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
John, you are absolutely right. As much as I evangelize Windows 10 over 7 & 8, it's a much different question with a name-brand laptop. Mine is a Toshiba. Those companies load their own drivers and it's difficult to overcome that.
Good luck.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
In most cases mainstream manufacturers like Lenovo, Toshiba, Dell and HP use off-the-shelf parts that are packaged to their specifications. The circuit boards maybe designed by the manufacturer but the chips used on the boards are off-the-shelf.
A utility application like +++ CPU ID +++ scans the circuit boards and identifies the chips. The application can display its findings or compile it into a report.
Once you know who makes the chips you can visit the chip manufacturer's website and download drivers that are specific to the chips.
My main (but not only) problem is that I have a dual video interface (high performance when running on AC and low power interface when running on battery) that auto switches. I bought the computer right when ATI Radeon became rebranded as AMD Radeon (which is the high performance driver) along with an Intel video interface for the lower power. And a year or so later, Windows 8 was released. Neither ATI/AMD nor Intel released new drivers, and HP flat out stated on their web site that they would not be providing updated drivers for Windows 8 (which also carried over into Windows 10), even though the laptop was only a little over a year old at the time.
There were a lot of folks unhappy at the time. There was even a developer in Russia who tried to create his own version of the dual driver, which worked for some models, but not for mine. I spent months trying to get Windows 8 to work properly on the machine. I later loaded Windows 10 when it came out (the free upgrade), but discovered similar issues with the video drivers as I had with Windows 8.
So when I load Windows 10, I get a somewhat new AMD driver, but it's not the right one and continuously has issues that force reboots, and in on case, I had to completely reload the OS. Similarly, I don't have a new driver for the HDMI interface as well.
HP's stated solution was, hey just spend another $1000 or so for a new machine.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
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!
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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!
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.
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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
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.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
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
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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