Hello It's been a while 2009 was the last BIAB version I owned. Now I have MacBook Pro M1 and Good windows Laptop both capable of running BIAB. I do most of my work in Logic Pro and Cubase. The MacBook has 1TB ssd and the windows 2TB. I think the Windows version will be ok for a while but I'm worried about the Mac version becoming obsolete with the next MacOS upgrade. I would like to get the Ultra Pak. What do you think should I go PC or Mac?
Major changes in the Mac OS have sometimes delayed the release of the Mac version but haven’t ever prevented it from being released. I would be surprised and disappointed if that ever happened.
You’re going to be amazed at the improvements since 2009.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
The Windows version is usually released slightly ahead of the Mac, and I think the Windows version might have a couple of extra features, but any gap in functionality is getting more narrow every year.
The 2TB drive could be the decider?
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.
According to Peter Gannon himself (the big boss) the user base of Band in a Box has skewed in favor of Mac for the first time in history. Looking forward I would expect that gap to increase. My opinion.
You use Logic. You really don't need 2 DAW's, let alone 3. There's a BIAB DAW plug-in for Logic. It gets better each release. I'm not an expert on this portion of the software.
You have a nice Mac. AudioTrack does make a good point about storage. An external ssd addition might be in your future. Good thing they get cheaper each day.
I used PC BIAB for over 20 years. Then I used both (Mac and PC) for 4-5 years. I am only Mac for 2-3 years now.
Mac.
biab2025(Mac) Latest Build Mac OS (Latest) Apple Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram Logic Pro (latest or pretty close) Heddon Super Spook XT (Mullet)
I had the Mac version but gave up due to apple changing things all the time sending developers into overtime working to get their software compatible with yet another regular change. The Win version just keeps working on any OS version and it gets released 6 months earlier. I think there are more Mac users now as in the last few years there have been so many Win users lost with the plandemic as the forum is pretty dead.
RealBand can natively import and export BiaB files. I don't think other DAW's can do that directly.
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.
I think the real question is "what OS are you more comfortable with"? That is the BiaB version you should purchase.
Personally I am on a PC. I have a couple of Win 95 programs running on my Win 10 computer. My son has an old Mac and will not upgrade because the graphics program on it will not run on the newer Mac OSes. He also has a PC that he uses for his more modern software.
Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school. Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
That's my issue with Mac. It's the “Upgrade or die” OS.
I upgrade my apps, usually with no problem. And the OS, but with Windows, the OS upgrade doesn't prevent all the old apps from working.
I started with Mac OS6/Motorola CPU.
After OSX all my apps became useless.
Then Power PC chips, and all my apps became useless.
Then Intel chips, and all my apps became useless.
And that's when I abandoned Mac.
Most, but not all, of my old useless apps were upgraded, and worked fine after the changes. However, some were already orphaned, and with no parent company, there was no upgrade available. DOA.
My Master Tracks Pro app from the Win95 era still works. I love that sequencer.
As far as Mac OS and Win OS are concerned, they both work equally well. There are differences, but they aren't monumental.
Before I quit using the Mac, BiaB was better on Windows. Slight but meaningful differences, plus the StyleMaker allowed me to do things to my styles that the Mac version did not. The better styles played on both the PC and Mac. I don't know if BiaB and Mac are equal now, I've been without Mac for some years now.
I suspect that if there is a difference, it's so slight, most people wouldn't notice. So as MarioD noted, what are you more comfortable with?
Says it all ! apple should run behind uses not users run behind apple caught up as slaves. How can you use a 32bit app ? you can't they have been banned. If they were smart as they make out to be their number 1 priority should be app compatibility.
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.
Has anyone else noticed that the OP has not returned?
I don't think the default forum setting is set to notify by email any responses for a new user.
You're right but if one asks a question I would think they would come back often to see the answers. Hopefully the OP is busy and hasn't had the opportunity to respond.
Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school. Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Hello It's been a while 2009 was the last BIAB version I owned. Now I have MacBook Pro M1 and Good windows Laptop both capable of running BIAB. I do most of my work in Logic Pro and Cubase. The MacBook has 1TB ssd and the windows 2TB. I think the Windows version will be ok for a while but I'm worried about the Mac version becoming obsolete with the next MacOS upgrade. I would like to get the Ultra Pak. What do you think should I go PC or Mac?
Thank You
O/P. Are you still deciding?
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.
Honestly, for anyone not comfortable with the idea that they need to upgrade their software every year (or two years, tops), I'd go with the Windows version. Apple is quick to deprecate things in their OSs and ecosystem. While that pattern is super-helpful for making a more reliable and secure system, it's super-painful to consumers who don't upgrade. Coupled with a consistent lag in support by most audio software vendors, it's a tricky place. As Mac users, it feels like we're just upgrading to an OS two months before the next one is announced every year, and it's always a question if legacy hardware will get real support for the next OS, half-assed updates (yeah, Line 6, I want to lower the security settings on my computer and break Apple Pay to use your drivers...NOT), or die (anyone need a M-Audio interface - it works great in MacOS 10.6 or Windows Vista?). When an OS is two releases behind, it is quick to stop receiving security upgrades (more so for MacOS than iOS).
The real difference between Windows and Mac is that Windows strives to work as broadly as possible aiming for LONG software lifecycles. Reduced security/reliability(*) and slower updates are the trade-off for supporting old stuff. Mac is tightly focused on security and stability for specific use cases involving the latest/greatest hardware/software. Reduced software/hardware lifecycles are the trade-off for that leaner system. Neither paradigm is universally superior. They have a different set of pros and cons, depending on your use case.
(*) That said, the reliability on Windows has gotten WAY better over the years, for most use cases.
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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Norton Music
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean