Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#79687 07/13/10 05:39 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
H
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
H
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
I recently picked up BIAB for Mac 2010 and I'm curious about upgrade pricing. 2010.5 just came out, and the upgrade from 2010 is $149 until 7/31. I also noticed that the upgrade from 2009 is $349 or so. I've really only scratched the surface of 2010, but some of the real tracks of 2010.5 seem really useful.

With some software packages I've used in the past, there are disadvantages (price wise) to purchasing "point" upgrades instead of waiting for major upgrades. It seems the general idea for BIAB is that you aren't penalized by upgrading to 2010.5 if you later upgrade to 2011 (or whatever the next release is), meaning if you upgrade to 2010.5 and then later upgrade to 2011, you don't wind up paying more than you would if you waited and upgraded from 2010 to 2011. Is this the case?

Hopefully this made sense...

Thanks,

-Hollister

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,082
w Offline
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,082
I hope you don't mind me adding a comment to your thread:

personally I have a huge headache with the plethora of upgrade's.

Taking a look at the chart of upgrades http://www.pgmusic.com/band.htm i am more confused then i have ever been with trying to decide what to buy next.

And then i get a email offer from Mr PG and here again the price for
2010 Summer PlusPAK for Mac (DVD Version)

2010 Summer PlusPAK for Mac - $99
Requires Band-in-a-Box Version 2010 for Mac

does not even show up in the chart. Although perhaps it does and poor MR MAGO here can't put his finger on that item. What the heck is a DVD version. What? another version of the Band?

MR PG, there seems to be too much information presented.

Hope someone from the PG sales team read these puzzlement's.


Mac Audiophile 2020 2019 2018 2017 USB plus previous years versions

macOS Mojave - 10.14.6 @ Aug 16, 2019

iMac i3 3.6 GHz 8GB RAM 4K with Retina display

some examples @ sound cloud done with Mac Band and DAW's : https://soundcloud.com/you/tracks
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
DVD version just means that it comes on DVD media rather than on an external USB hard drive. The $50 diffference in cost between the two is the difference in cost between the media. If you already have 2010 with everything, then you can get just the Summer PlusPAK for $99. If you already have the external USB drive, then you can install the 2010.5 updates (and new RealTracks) from the DVDs to the USB drive; or if you installed everything locally, you can use the DVDs to install the new stuff directly to your computer's hard drive.

Or you can get the 2010.5 USB drive version, which just like the 2010 version, will have everything on it - all the files you already have plus all the new ones. Plug in the drive and get to work.

Or you could just call PGMusic, tell them what you currently have, and they will be able to walk through the options with you.


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
H
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
H
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
John-

That clears up the pricing differences and info for the PlusPAK, thanks. Do you have any additional insights on the pricing policies for upgrades?

I most probably will take advantage of the sale before 7/31. I'd just like a little reassurance I'm not going to wind up regretting it greatly when the next upgrade comes out and I find out I could have saved a little $ by waiting. Almost makes me wish I could just get an "Everything Subscription" and I'd get all updates for a set period of time - at least then I wouldn't have to think about it...

Thanks,

-Hollister

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,082
w Offline
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,082
OK thanks jford Team PG - Journeyman.

I don't know why but when i look at that chart i feel as though i am in a restaurant trying to choose from column a, or b, or c to maximize my dollars and fill up my plate in deciding my next step in upgrading.

Maybe Hollister feels the same way


Mac Audiophile 2020 2019 2018 2017 USB plus previous years versions

macOS Mojave - 10.14.6 @ Aug 16, 2019

iMac i3 3.6 GHz 8GB RAM 4K with Retina display

some examples @ sound cloud done with Mac Band and DAW's : https://soundcloud.com/you/tracks
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,382
K
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
K
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,382
Hi Hollister,

Buying the SummerPlusPAK now won't necessarily save you any money when you upgrade to 2011, but prices are never announced in advance, so it's hard to say. You just need to decide whether it's worth the $99 to get these new RealTracks now rather than later... If it is, then go for it. If it's not worth it to you, noone will fault you for waiting. :-)

Thanks
Kent
PG Music

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
H
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
H
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
Kent-

Thanks for the info. I picked up the new RealTracks and I'm running through them as I type this - good stuff!

-Hollister

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 70
C
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
C
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 70
My 2010.5 Hard drive shows 160 GB in total with about 60 GB free.

Can I presume that it is possible to buy the DVD and copy the files on my present drive? I am using BIAB off its HD drive and don't really want to do a computer hard disk installation. It seems a waste to keep buying HD drives off pgmusic.

I also agree with the comments that all these paks are getting very confusing. For example, what's the difference between Ultra Plus and Everything?

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335
E
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
E
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 335
Quote:

It seems a waste to keep buying HD drives off pgmusic.




It would be a bigger waste to get something like 14 DVDs worth of stuff......the HD option is great I think. I wonder if Apple will go that route in future versions of Logic. The last version of Logic was 9 DVDs I think.....and took forever to install.


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
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,918
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,918
Hello Cemil,

Quote:

My 2010.5 Hard drive shows 160 GB in total with about 60 GB free.

Can I presume that it is possible to buy the DVD and copy the files on my present drive? I am using BIAB off its HD drive and don't really want to do a computer hard disk installation. It seems a waste to keep buying HD drives off pgmusic.

I also agree with the comments that all these paks are getting very confusing. For example, what's the difference between Ultra Plus and Everything?




Yes, you can certainly get the DVD version and install to your Band-in-a-Box external hard drive. A full installation of the Summer PlusPAK requires about 18 GB of free space. When you run the installation, you just need to press the [Install on specific volume] button, and choose your Band-in-a-Box hard drive. One drawback to getting the DVD's rather than a new hard drive is the installation time. It takes about 50 minutes to install all the new 101 RealTracks. Of course, you wouldn't need to sit by your computer while it's installing, aside from having to swap DVD's (there are 5 DVD's).

If you get a new hard drive then you don't have that hassle, and in addition you get all of the files, fully updated, on a fresh hard drive. Then you can use your other hard drive for whatever you want, such as a backup drive.

The difference between the UltraPlus and EverythingPAK is that the Everything has the "Songs and Lessons". You might already have this from a previous purchase. You can find the files in the "Songs and Lessons" folder in your Band-in-a-Box folder.
http://www.pgmusic.com/songsandlessonsPAK.htm


Andrew
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
Quote:

OK thanks jford Team PG - Journeyman.




And just to be clear. I don't work for PGMusic. The "Team PG - Journeyman" is just a designation based on the number of posts I've made over the years. I'm just a regular user like everyone else.

I actually don't have the Mac version, just the PC version. But I read the Mac forum posts because there is now enough commonality between the two that I figure we can learn from and help each other.


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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.

Holiday Weekend Hours

It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:

Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Regular hours
resume Tuesday, May 19th!

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!

Don't wait - order today!

Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

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.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

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)

Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,439
Posts805,135
Members40,121
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Jerry Gerber, Fjane, vieumotar, dpckeys, Bloc
40,121 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 128
DC Ron 96
rsdean 93
WaoBand 67
Today's Birthdays
Jan van der Linde
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5