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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3 |
Hi all
This is my first post on this forum, hope you all are well :-)
I've been a BiaB user since 2011 and bought some updates along the way.
I have some points that I have to get of my chest, here goes:
1) I've have a MacBook with M1 - so I searched the net to see if 2024 would run natively on apple silicon. And it looked that way - but to my surprise it doesn't. I contacted support to make sure that it wasn't my setup that was making in run in Rosetta2 mode. They sounded surprised that it didn't run natively, and promised to pass it on.
2) The stand alone DAW plugin runs natively, but when you open songs made in the main app, there are things that sound different.
3) The DAW plugin (AU) is missing shortcuts for copy/paste
4) The DAW plugin (both AU and Stand alone) is snappy, but so many things are missing. I really don't see the point in using them.
5) The main app crashes 2-3 times in an hours session (macOS Sonoma)
6) The menus are confusing - and when you search menu items, and click the result - it doesn't alway take you there.
7) Both the realtracks and super midi tracks I've used, makes bad decisions about octave shifts - ex walking bass going G A Bb B and jumps to C and octave lower. And no easy option to avoid the Bass going under deep E.
8) Realdrums makes fill ins from bar 2 to 3 after I inserted 2 bars intro - even set to 'simple arrangement'. Realdrums going from cymbals to brushes, makes the cymbal cut in an unnatural way.
9) Of the programs I use this has the most confusing user interface
10) It always takes to long to make the ending sound right - BiaB never gets it right by default. Ex start ending 2 bars early does weird things, or if you have Tonic chord for the last, the bass sometimes choose the 5'th as last note.
I really want Band in a Box to work, but as of now it's frustrating for me.
Thanks for listening
Kind regards
Brian
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,029
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,029 |
While I don't have any answers, I hope that someone from PG Music might read and analyse these issues and offer some ways for the O/P to overcome the suggested issues and move forward.
As you have indicated that PG Music Support is involved ("They sounded surprised that it didn't run natively, and promised to pass it on."), it would possibly be beneficial to many others if PG Music identifies the cause and advise on the resolution of these issues.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,971
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,971 |
I've have a MacBook with M1 - so I searched the net to see if 2024 would run natively on apple silicon. And it looked that way - but to my surprise it doesn't. ("They sounded surprised that it didn't run natively, and promised to pass it on.") What surprise? BIAB is not Apple Silicon Native. It would be nice if it were... but it isn't. There is nothing to "pass on". Peter has posted about this many times over the last four years. The main app crashes 2-3 times in an hours session (macOS Sonoma) Most of us do not experience this. What build of Sonoma? The current build is 14.7. Some earlier builds were problematic.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,199
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,199 |
Realdrums going from cymbals to brushes, makes the cymbal cut in an unnatural way. Cymbal cut offs happen within a variety of circumstances under w10 as well BUT I can see why & how that happens. The recordings are sliced into phrases and if the cymbal carries across that edit it cuts out. To deal with this I simple cut & paste the same cymbal from the file in that Real Drum track's folder onto a percussion track in my DAW, match the levels, ensure the drum files have a common send/FX etc. and all is well. I use this also to change, swap, re-use drum fills etc. as I want to hear them. Most folk seem not to hear the edit or, if they do, don't care. It's a quick fix as far as I'm concerned and is a limitation of the way the source material needs to be edited to make the program work mas well as it does.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 875
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 875 |
At times BIAB can be a frustrating tool.
The UI is complex, aged.
Sometimes it crashes for no good reason
Its a project over 3 decades old.
But mostly it works. Eventually you figure out a workflow that is good enough.
Important to remember- BIAB does NOT come with a "read my mind" switch.
It has no idea what you specifically want. Basically It knows what neighborhood you want to be in
For example , If you want to create an arrangement of a song in a certain key, at a certain bpm, in a certain style, its hard to beat.
There are some things you can tweak to change it, but you can't yell at the bass player and tell him to do specifically X at bar y without using midi or recording the line you want yourself.
For me its great.
I can machinate the output of a BIAB arrangement in my DAW a little bit and end up with pro level backing track.
Say Its a swing tune, It sounds just like swing AND Ron Carter's on the bass.. Thats a good enough groove for my level of playing.
For some of us, that's the wrench that BIAB is... A tool. Pretty damn good little combo if if you ask me.
THey show up on time, they play in tune, the drummer doesn't hit on your girlfriend. What's not to like.
For others that's not enough. They want to reproduce EXACTLY some part or arrangement.
Sometimes that does happen, but mostly not.
For that you need either midi or a bunch of musicians (or yourself who can play all the parts).
Anyway, OMIO.
Good Luck
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)
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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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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!
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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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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