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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124 |
Hi everyone. I have an ongoing post in the "off-topic" forum regarding buying a Mac or a PC for my next computer. I have gotten a lot of feedback from people using PCs (which I have been doing for some time). I don't want to get into a PC vs. Mac war, but it was suggested that I visit here.
Can you give me some feedback about how you like your Mac and, if you used or also use a PC, what your experiences have been on both.
I am also interested in whether you use the Mac as a dedicated DAW or BIAB machine or if it is used for everything (internet, family stuff, music, itunes, etc.), and what kind of Mac you use. I am considering an iMac, but I see some real benefits sticking with the WIndows platform also.
Thanks.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504 |
For BiaB I like the PC better than the Mac. If BiaB is your main purpose for getting a computer, I highly recommend PC because BiaB/PC has historically run better and had more features sooner on the PC.
As for as other experiences are concerned, I prefer the PC operating system for the way that I work, but I can see where others might prefer the Mac (I have both).
I recommend that you select the computer for the software applications you want to run. If more of theme are on the Mac and are better on the Mac, get it, if more of them are on the PC and better on the PC, get that instead.
Both OS's are fine, and the differences are not all that major. I see some advantages to each.
Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30 |
Hi, I have an intel core2 duo iMac, 4gb memory, 250gb HD. I have a 30 gb partition on it that runs windows XP. I use Bootcamp as my "switcher." I have both versions of BIAB 2010 on each partition. I also us 2 1tb external firewire drives for all my loops, RT's,sound files etc. 1 of course is dedicated to mac, the other XP. Yes, the windows version does have a few more features than the mac version. The difference is that the windows infrequently, I repeat infrequently likes to hang. I have never had a hang-up on the mac side. I use Real Band, and Powertracks on the XP side. Again, a few hang-ups. Had to reset external folders for RTs and Real Drums etc.
On the Mac side, I use Garage Band, Logic Pro, and Cubase 5. With the ability to be able to integrate BIAB with my DAW's, no hang ups. I am in hog heaven. Both are dedicated DAW work stations.
Why do I have both? More XP users to go to for help when I get stuck. Also, I usually can transfer the info to the mac side. My next computer this fall will be a 27" iMac. 1tb hard drive partitioned with a 250gb for XP, the rest for mac.
In conclusion, BIAB windows..More features, but not that many more. BIAB mac.. fewer features, but not that many less, rock solid. If finances are a consideration, XP. If dual platforms are of use, especially with pro apps like Cubase,Logic mac. Either way, with BIAB you will enjoy making music.
Hope this helps.
TakeCare
Bill
ps. Mac will run windows 7.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504 |
The PC version of BiaB is very stable on my Windows computers.
Also the new features seem to come out on the PC before the Mac, sometimes years ahead of the Mac (version 12 is a prime example).
Again, if it was mainly BiaB that I was interest in, I'd get a PC. If it was Garage Band, I'd get a Mac.
I have no allegiance to either platform, the are just tools, and I really can't see where one is better than the other -- just a bit different.
Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9 |
Hi Enthusiast
I also feel like giving you my modest opinion for what it's worth since my use of BIAB is fairly limited compared to what I've read in this forum. I'm just a toddler...
I use it mainly to try out all my jazz lead sheets compositions or arrangements. I just lay out my chord structure, choose a style and play the theme in real time on a keyboard, while composing or just to check if everything is in the right place and then making adjustments. Afterward maybe I'll save them as audio files and burn them to practice until I try it out with real musicians.
I never use melody, solist or notation (I use another program for notation). So that's why I say my use of BIAB is limited compared to what I've seen here. But BIAB does a super job for my needs.
A few weeks ago I came back to MAC after a 10 or 12 years “leave of absence” in the Windows world. At the time it was high prices in the MAC world that made me change. Now I'm writing on an iMAC and I'm glad to be back.
I've been using BIAB (windows) since 2005. So I bought the latest MAC version. Even considering my limited use of BIAB I was surprised to see that they were no 1st & 2nd endings and no visible tag signs in the MAC version ! And I use them a lot. So when you play in real time and follow the chords, it's a bit of a hassle. I put that in the wish list...
But hey, like others said, no OS is better than the other it's just different. What I like about a MAC is that's it's one manufacturer. Along those years I dabbled in PC repairs and man, it's the tower of Babel. Every PC manufacturer wants to plug their own little “gismos”. For example : buy an acer and they'll install acer's “empowering technology”. Acer provides programs that Windows already has and that do the job as faster and better. Windows in itself is a good OS, but sometimes the machines on which it runs are crap. I'm not altogether through though, I still have a portable acer with vista but with no “empowering technology” !! But then again you have to take care of your computer, be it MAC or PC. Some small things are better in PC, but in all I do find that working with MAC OS let's you get faster to the essential of what you want to do : finding, archiving, installing / uninstalling applications. But that's personal.
All the best.
Best of all and hope your day is a nice one
Pierre
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124 |
Thanks all for your thoughts. It's a bit of a difficult choice for me. On the software side, I lean towards Windows. The primary software I use includes BIAB (better on PC -- but I am not a power user), Quicken (better on PC), Microsoft Word and Excel (I own the Office 2007 software, but I understand the Mac version works well too, and you can now use both on the web for free from a PC or Mac), music transcription software (equal on both platforms -- I own the PC version but not expensive to upgrade) and iTunes (better on Mac). I am not wed to any particular DAW software, so garage band may be something nice to try out. I will also be using some photo editing software, but again I am not wed to any particular package, so either platform is fine. Other things I use are available in both platforms and most are free.
On the OS side, I am leaning toward the Mac. The consensus in terms of the OS seems to be that that they are both good but most people report that they have far fewer glitches with the Mac OS and software (why is putting the computer in sleep mode such a hit and miss thing with Windows?).
I'm sure that either platform wil work fine for me. It also seems pretty clear that a PC will wind up costing a good bit less (mostly because I am looking at a 27" iMac and if I bought a PC I would be able to get a similar configuration with a much less expensive and somewhat smaller monitor. If I bought a PC with a similar monitor and configuration the price wouldn't be too far off as a comparable 27" Dell monitor would run about $1100).
The bottom line seems to be that a PC will allow me more choice in terms of hardware and I wouldn't have to replace licenses for any software. Windows is also what I use at work and we have another Windows machine (XP) in the house. A Mac may run more problem free and people seem to actually like using them.
So, there clearly is no right or wrong answer here and it seems to come down to whether I want to try something new and am willing to spend the money and take a chance.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 116
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 116 |
wrsm45 is right on the spot. Another alternative is to run it under Parallel Desktop.
I did the migration from PC to Mac last fall and I still haven't solved all my issues - plan for it to take time. You need a strategy and you need to understand that it wont be cheap, but it will be worth it in the end if you do music like I do.
If you edit your styles a lot in BIAB, you HAVE to have the PC-version of BIAB on your Mac. There are additional reasons for having the PC-version on the Mac, but the Mac-versions runs really well with Bandstand.
Product owner: BIAB Win 2009 MegaP|Mac 2011
PoCoX8|MD3|H4|VSS3|DVR2|
PT 9.0|Reason 5|K4|Goliath|Ivory|Trilian|VG2|
MacBook 17"|2.8 mhz|4 GB|OSX 10.6.7|One|Bandst.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335 |
Get a Mac. Band in a Box + Garageband (which is FREE with every Mac) is great stuff. You can drag audio or midi tracks from BinaB to Garageband and tweak them to your hearts content.
Plus, you don't have to have the added Microsoft Tax on your computer....ie: Virus Protection Software. And there is ONE version of Mac OS X for users, not the Basic, Premium, Ultra, and other non-sense Microsoft has for Windows 7.
Musician, Polymath, Google Jedi, Apple Master, Windows Wrangler and Digital Wizard. High ratings in Nerd-fu & Geek-fu.
M1 Mac Mini, MacBook Pro Touchbar 15", Intel 27" iMac, M1 Mac Mini
https://musician.social/@ericdano
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 483
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 483 |
I use a MacBook and have been using BIAB since the early '90s with one Mac machine or another. 95% of ALL my computing is done on this laptop. No problems with running BIAB even with other programs running, although it is just common sense to only run BIAB on gigs as well as closing mail down when connected to an external amp at home. Wow that mail "ding" can be loud through a PA or earphones  I love the newest version of the program. Having Garageband and Logic available is also a big plus when creating more advanced arrangements. Ernie
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63 |
I got a mac before discovering band in a box. I primarily use Logic and Guitar Rig for recording and playing and largely have no complaints. I used to use GarageBand and still do sometimes - it's a fantastic app and comes with every mac. (I won't exactly say it's free because it's really included in the purchase price.)
My decision for buying a mac was based on the ability to be platform-agnostic. I can use Parallels or vmWare and run basically any windows app right next to my mac apps. (Or Linux, or BSD, or Plan 9, or vxWorks, whatever.)
It is a little disappointing that the mac version is behind the windows version, but I've not really scratched the surface with what can be done with the 2010 mac version, so I don't have much of a leg to stand on there.
Macs are more expensive. I'm not going to go into how much bundled software like GarageBand, iMovie, iDVD, etc is worth - you'd have to buy some of that stuff on a windows machine to equal the mac. Would that make up the difference? I've never run the numbers.
In my experience, with that extra money you're buying name and reliability. My mac machines have outlasted my windows machines in reliability and usefulness. My 3+ year old iMac is still plenty fast and useful. After 3 years, my PC desktop was getting a bit pokey. My mac laptop is rock-solid and the fit and finish are far above my dell or IBM laptops. But as a previous poster mentioned, it's like fighting over tools - my screwdriver is better than that one, etc - at the end of the day, it's a screwdriver...
My $0.02.
-Hollister
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XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
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2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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.
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