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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 29
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 29 |
I've had '20, '21 & '22 Mac BIAB with little or no hiccups in loading or running BIAB. I'm always thrilled & excited by each new version.
'23, however, is so frustrating! Others seem to be having fun, but mine is a nightmare.
Yes, I've hit Rebuild at least a dozen times to no avail. Hasn't helped.
1) It's running verrrry slowly on the same desktop all the others ran smoothly on... 2012 iMac, 24G memory, macOS 10.15.7. Never saw the 'Beachball of Doom' w/ the earlier versions. Now, it's taking 15-20 secs to complete at least half the instructions I give it in '23.
2) Clicking the play button: sometimes the tracks start playing but it's out of sync w/ the moving chord box shading, so by the time they align, 8 or 12 bars in, I have no idea where I actually am in the tune.
3a) RE-GENERATE IS NOT WORKING!! I've lost the ability to add or update various instr tracks. '23 correctly plays any track that I placed there earlier in '20-'22. BUT -- when I need to add an instr now, I cannot get it to play correctly (despite it being a perfect match for the style picked, per genre, time, tempo, style, feel, etc.) -- i) I cannot get any instrument to play on correct pitch, time or feel (even w/ turning on the Fix Key & Chord buttons in the Track edits dialog); ii) it won't just be off-pitch, it's completely out of sync w/ any other track & painful to listen to. In the past, I've simply hit re-generate over & over -- and that would bring a new instr into line w/ the others & sound great together within 2 or 3 re-gens. Now I'm sitting there trying it 9 - 10+ times & it's not even getting close. It remains totally unusable.
3b) This is bad enough in trying to add a new instr track, but when having to update the re-generate on a long established track (by adding a few bars or otherwise updating the structure, etc.), I now LOSE THAT long-perfect track. Not just that one performance pass -- now that instrument itself will no longer work & creates the same problem as the new instruments. And I can't get it back, if I've saved something else along the way.
3c) I've been forced to completely re-arrange 3 or 4 songs now simply b/c of BIAB '23 blowing up on me! UNACCEPTABLE!
4) Upon opening a track I'd labored on, installing tricky bar lyrics into while in '22, Voila! Opening it in '23, all the lyrics are gone. Just not there.
5) Sporadic dropping out of saved instruments when opening a file in '23. I rarely use Utility tracks & will place instr. on the main tracks. So, I'll have a certain well-considered & chosen guitar or something else on some track, fully saved. I open that song file in '23 & it's GONE. Only the white empty Guitar, Strings, Melody, etc. track. I've always relied on BIAB's ability to save, & am paying for it as I have no recall as to which of the 10,000 RTs I had in that spot.
I sincerely do NOT like to complain & I've been totally blissed out by BIAB '20-'22. But I'm finding '23 nearly totally unusable. I haven't even had a moment since installing it to eagerly explore all the new aspects of '23, as I'm still battling all the destruction of what I've had in the earlier versions.
Please help. I'm at my wit's end...
Much appreciated!
E.J.
NYC
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,979
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,979 |
Now, it's taking 15-20 secs to complete at least half the instructions I give it in '23 Could you confirm that have "speed up generation of RealTracks" checked in the RealTracks Preferences? Also, I would suggest that you close BiaB, duplicate your Preferences folder to back it up (e.g. Preferences_saved), then delete all the files in your Preferences folder and see if the same problems remain. If not, please zip up your Preferences_saved folder and send it to us. Sporadic dropping out of saved instruments when opening a file in '23. Next time it happens, could you send us the file? I'm not sure what is going on, but hopefully there is a clue there and we can get to the bottom of this. BiaB 2023 should be just as fast or faster than 2020-2022. Also the Activity Monitor (Applications - Utilities) on your Mac and see if you spot anything unusual there..
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 29
Enthusiast
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|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 29 |
Now, it's taking 15-20 secs to complete at least half the instructions I give it in '23 Could you confirm that have "speed up generation of RealTracks" checked in the RealTracks Preferences? Also, I would suggest that you close BiaB, duplicate your Preferences folder to back it up (e.g. Preferences_saved), then delete all the files in your Preferences folder and see if the same problems remain. If not, please zip up your Preferences_saved folder and send it to us. Sporadic dropping out of saved instruments when opening a file in '23. Next time it happens, could you send us the file? I'm not sure what is going on, but hopefully there is a clue there and we can get to the bottom of this. BiaB 2023 should be just as fast or faster than 2020-2022. Also the Activity Monitor (Applications - Utilities) on your Mac and see if you spot anything unusual there.. Thx, Andrew. Yes, 'speed up RT Gen' is clearly checked in RT Prefs. I don't know what you're referring to on "Pref folder" points. I'm afraid you're gonna have to talk me thru that one. I don't see any PG/BIAB Prefs folder; either on the external PG HD or on my MAC HD -- merely my Mac Prefs folders & there's no PG/BIAB subfolder in there... You're gonna have to steer me better on that one... You're talking MAC, right? For its dropping out of '22 RTs when opening a '22-created tune in '23, I don't have one handy, of course, b/c I just dealt w/ the problem on the spot each time (2x). But, if/when it happens again, I'll send it along... Any thoughts on my biggest woe? The inability to add new tracks / update current RTs as noted above in my original post? That's my biggest heartbreaker of the moment... it's got me rather dead in the water. Thanks for the help, Andrew.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,979
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,979 |
I don't know what you're referring to on "Pref folder" points. I mean the Preferences folder in /Applications/Band-in-a-Box. Do you have Band-in-a-Box installed on your internal Mac hard drive, or are you running it from an external drive? I can't recall if you've told us either way. Let's assume you have it installed on your Mac drive. The idea is to try running Band-in-a-Box at (or close to) factory settings to see if the problem still happens. 1. Close Band-in-a-Box. Go to the /Applications/Band-in-a-Box folder, and you should see a Preferences folder in there. 2. Click on the folder and press Command+D to duplicate it. Name it "Preferences_backup_may24". It doesn't matter what you name it, this is only to keep a backup of the folder with your previous preferences in case you need to send it to us or do further testing, or restore your previous settings. 3. Open the Preferences folder and delete all the files in it. 4. Run Band-in-a-Box now and see if there's any change. Any thoughts on my biggest woe? The inability to add new tracks / update current RTs as noted above in my original post? No, I don't recognize this problem at all, it's very strange. However, often even the strangest problems turn out to have simple solutions once you figure them out, so hopefully that will be the case here. One question: is it only happening with certain songs? Does it happen for example if you load in a RealTracks demo song?
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 29
Enthusiast
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|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 29 |
I don't know what you're referring to on "Pref folder" points. I mean the Preferences folder in /Applications/Band-in-a-Box. Do you have Band-in-a-Box installed on your internal Mac hard drive, or are you running it from an external drive? I can't recall if you've told us either way. Let's assume you have it installed on your Mac drive. The idea is to try running Band-in-a-Box at (or close to) factory settings to see if the problem still happens. 1. Close Band-in-a-Box. Go to the /Applications/Band-in-a-Box folder, and you should see a Preferences folder in there. 2. Click on the folder and press Command+D to duplicate it. Name it "Preferences_backup_may24". It doesn't matter what you name it, this is only to keep a backup of the folder with your previous preferences in case you need to send it to us or do further testing, or restore your previous settings. 3. Open the Preferences folder and delete all the files in it. 4. Run Band-in-a-Box now and see if there's any change. Any thoughts on my biggest woe? The inability to add new tracks / update current RTs as noted above in my original post? No, I don't recognize this problem at all, it's very strange. However, often even the strangest problems turn out to have simple solutions once you figure them out, so hopefully that will be the case here. One question: is it only happening with certain songs? Does it happen for example if you load in a RealTracks demo song? Andrew, I just sent an email w/ the subj line: '23 Mac Woes. I've already trashed & regenerated my BIAB Prefs folder in my '23 BIAB HD. The song file here contains a track w/ emblematic problems I'm having w/ '23, w/ adding or updating RTs sounding horribly off. Don't know the tech reason but the aural effect is being off-pitch & off-feel and not coming into alignment no matter how many times I regenerate the track. This, when all the aspects (time, style, genre, tempo, etc.) SHOULD by rights work fine. I'm not shoving obvious square pegs into round holes -- these tracks SHOULD work, have worked in the past but are not now working. I cannot fathom why. I hope this clarifies. Many thanks! E.J.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,979
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,979 |
Thanks for sending the file. It sounds great, but maybe you sent the wrong file. This file has a Horn Section track that is frozen but completely empty, and has no guitar track.
However there is something strange - The song is set to the key of Eb but it playing in D. This could have happened if the song was generated, frozen, and then the key was changed later without unfreezing and regenerating again. If I unfreeze all tracks, unmute the horn section at bar 9, and re-generate, all tracks sound good, along with the Horns.
I'm not noticing anything else strange with it here.
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
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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.
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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.
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