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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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I see that this upgrade is now $349. Up from $299. I really don't understand why it's gone up. Not everybody can upgrade every year. This is the same price as Sonuscore The Score, which was actually $239 at Best Service for Black Friday. I like the new features for BIAB but at this price I can't bite. At Canadian that's 71 dollars more and approximately $494 total for the upgrade. It just feels like if you don't upgrade yearly you are punished. That is all I wanted to say.
Fivehands
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But you are getting 2 years (or more!!) years in tracks and other content, not 1.
You are paying mainly for content.
If you want to just upgrade the software, its only $69 from any year version, or $49 if you have 2024. That's very reasonable.
Also, keep in mind, Audiophile is shipped on 1TB SSD, not a spinner drive.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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So, are you saying I can use the Audio Stem Splitter, and added VST3 plugin support, and customized AI lyrics generation, and the other program enhancements with just the software upgrade? Plus all the years previous enhancements? My latest version is 2022. My first question was why did it go up to $349?
Last edited by Fivehands; 12/10/24 09:19 PM.
Fivehands
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I believe so. You will get all of the software enhancements, splitter, vst3,etc. but not the Rt tracks or other content from 2023 and 2024.
Program itself is the same across all packages.
I am not sure if cross grade price went up. Usually its $199 (at promotion period) yearly. If you upgrade consecutively.
Again, I have no clue if cross grade went up (or it didn't). Some reasons: it ships on a large SSD instead of spinner drive, postage went up significantly too in the last two years, that also could be a factor. Just guessing.
Last edited by Rustyspoon#; 12/10/24 09:38 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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OK, will investigate. Thanks for your replies. I have a couple of stem splitters, Rip X and Spectralayers, but I like the fact that you can run the stems in BIAB and use the Chord Wizard, then experiment with styles and such after the bar alignments.
Fivehands
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No matter what you decide, it's going to be worth it.
In 2024 they made generations / re-generation super fast. Several folds faster. Introduced non modal Library with all the PGM content in one place vs monkeying around as with prior version modal and orphaned pickers. VST3 with enhancements to Chord Track- so you can drive complex VSTis that use key switches and everything will be in sync with your BIAB project. Track View that allows for shortcut driven sectional partial regeneration for most tracks in one place / single view. And other tools.
Specifically Audiophile,
Is now distributed in Flac format that takes about 60% less space. This is amazing if you are like me - installing full BIAB to internal drive. So much saved space! Also it ships on SSd, instead of a spinner. If you have a desktop and somewhat handy, you can just add the drive as extra internal drive to your system.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I see that this upgrade is now $349. Up from $299. I really don't understand why it's gone up. Not everybody can upgrade every year. This is the same price as Sonuscore The Score, which was actually $239 at Best Service for Black Friday. I like the new features for BIAB but at this price I can't bite. At Canadian that's 71 dollars more and approximately $494 total for the upgrade. It just feels like if you don't upgrade yearly you are punished. That is all I wanted to say. If you hover the mouse over each option it tells you more about that option. I think for many the Audiophile PlusPAK at $149 will be a good choice ... download, not SSD; just the new stuff as FLACs.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Gordon,
OP is thinking about Audiophile Crossgrade (version prior to 2024)
"The Audiophile Edition PlusPAK Upgrade requires the Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Audiophile Edition."
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Gordon,
OP is thinking about Audiophile Crossgrade (version prior to 2024)
"The Audiophile Edition PlusPAK Upgrade requires the Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Audiophile Edition." Indeed. The "...if you don't upgrade every year..." strongly implies that. And I do rather agree with the sentiment. I try not to presume, though. PGM's buy/upgrade options can be quite confusing. The hover definitely can help.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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"And I do rather agree with the sentiment"
Gordon, you are paying for accumulation of content recorded those years that you "missed". It's actually a fantastic deal if you missed 3 or more years.
Software by itself is only $49 to upgrade from last year's version or $69 from any year before that during promotion. A cost of an average single plugin. I think that is a very fair price.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I think many equate the cost to other apps or software products. With BiaB you get hours of recordings
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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I bought the $199 audiophile to audiophile upgrade on SSD. It comes today! I will get ALL the RealTracks and Drums as Flac files, not just the new ones as Flac with the $149 downloadable option. These will go on a fresh internal drive.
I imagine someday there might be a downloadable version of all Flac; however, I won’t need it. Next year all my existing RealTracks and Drums will already be Flac and I’ll just need the downloadable new ones. So think of the two-year process going forward.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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"And I do rather agree with the sentiment"
Gordon, you are paying for accumulation of content recorded those years that you "missed". It's actually a fantastic deal if you missed 3 or more years.
Software by itself is only $49 to upgrade from last year's version or $69 from any year before that during promotion. A cost of an average single plugin. I think that is a very fair price. I do agree. Where it feels a little harsh is if one missed just one update and especially so if one has spent much time tracking down bugs. I've done every upgrade since I rejoined after the newer interface came out. I'll do so again, partly as a "thank you" to PGM for some of the changes they've made. I suppose part of my personal feeling is due to the fact that I have a number of large bills that arrive around Christmas, as well as Christmas itself, so I don't really need an elective bill. Ho Hum. The Audiophile PlusPAK is significantly less painful then the shipped whole drive upgrade. I quite like Matt's idea, though I'll likely just set a script on converting the existing WAVs to FLACs. I copy everything from the shipped drive to a built-in drive anyway, so I'd still have the WAVs if I needed them.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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If you want to keep the WAV files, there is no reason to get Flac files as long as you point BIAB to the WAV RealTracks and Drums. If both Flac and WAV are present, BIAB Reads the WAV.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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If you want to keep the WAV files, there is no reason to get Flac files as long as you point BIAB to the WAV RealTracks and Drums. If both Flac and WAV are present, BIAB Reads the WAV. Space on the drive would be a good reason, though personally I'm not actually short of space, so it's unlikely I'll bother.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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I didn't see the $69 option. Have to check again.
Fivehands
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https://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.packages.htm"Upgrade from 2023 or earlier or crossgrade for the PRO $69." - That will give you the core 2025 program - no new content Keep in mind that if you would want to upgrade to higher tier that has new tracks at a later time, you will likely need to contact customer care as $69 is not a sequential update. I am sure they will be able to work something out as you have a higher tier older base product. But if finances are tight the $69 option is the cheapest cross grade if your last version is 2023 or older. Please verify with PGM (chat would be quickest). Keep us updated 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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Apparently I CAN buy the Pro as you said and just install over my 2022 Audiophile version. I'll get nags about missing Real Tracks at first but they said just to ignore that. Thanks for pointing the way.
Fivehands
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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If you want to keep the WAV files, there is no reason to get Flac files as long as you point BIAB to the WAV RealTracks and Drums. If both Flac and WAV are present, BIAB Reads the WAV. Space on the drive would be a good reason, though personally I'm not actually short of space, so it's unlikely I'll bother. Exactly. I assumed that someone already had space if they determined they would keep the WAV files. Today I exchanged Flac files for all my WAV files and put the whole program on my fastest internal drive (which would not have been possible before). I have all my PG Music supplied USB drives and kept all installers if I ever need them. And the new 1TB audiophile drive is amazingly small and light.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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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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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!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
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