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

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.

Both versions are excellent.

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?

And with Windows you get RealBand

I'd go with the Windows version.

They get released earlier, and come with Real Band.

But either one is fine.

Notes ♫

Mac.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Insights and incites by Notes ♫

"Insights and incites by Notes ♫"

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.

Ok

I had a 16 bit hex editor I used to love.
I miss it so much.


Embracing the future is scary indeed

Has anyone else noticed that the OP has not returned?

His BIAB is from 2009. But yes, I hope he/she returns. It will be interesting to hear the decision.

I'm also keen to know the chosen outcome...

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.

Well the OP has certainly been busy.

O/P. Are you still deciding?

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.

Thanks Everyone,

I went with the Mac version and got the external hard drive. Since I use Logic Pro all the time and been using it for years that made the decision for me. It looks like the 2023 version is night and day from 2009 and has many things I wished for in 2009. It looks like it's going to be a joy to use. I'm so glad I got the UltraPAK this time.

I'm still downloading files; the download manager is a joy to use as well.

Thank you again for all your advice much valued and appreciated.

Soundhauler,

Congrats on your decision. What a difference 14 years will make for you.

Lots of Mac/Logic users on the forum.
Some pretty big brains in that department.


The UltraPak, imo, is the best value. All the Styles and Real Tracks give you plenty of options
Good choice.

The Win version is released in Dec then the same programming has to be done to the Mac version that can take 6 months or more in some cases depending on what apple keeps changing, then when it's released there are usually lots of issues that need ironing out.
I would recommend going for the Win version if you have Win hardware also.
If the Win/Mac used a common crossplatform audio format you could do a crossgrade and have both versions.
You can use the Win Audiophile version with Mac as Mac will use the wav files. You just need to convert the wma demo files to m4a.

Thanks Musocity

Waited to long to get BIAB should of upgraded a long time ago, I may do what you said and get the Windows version as well later after I'm done kicking myself in the backside for not doing this earlier.

Your Windows laptop with 2TB sounds like a powerhouse that can handle BIAB and more for quite a while. But I get your concern about Mac versions becoming obsolete. If you're leaning towards Mac, you might want to consider the longevity of software updates. And hey, when I can't decide on something, I use a dice roller online to add a little randomness to the decision-making process. It can be fun! Ultimately, it boils down to your preferences and what works seamlessly with your existing setup. Both versions have their strengths, so go with what feels right for your music journey.

One point to clarify. I don't think Peter said Mac users out number Win users, he said Mac sales are edging ahead. I would bet there are still far more win users overall.

I just bought the Mac 2023 BIAB and I love it, but I'm wondering if there's any difference in stability with plugins in Mac BIAB versus windows.

*Kontakt 7 - mac biab : crash
*Falcon (UVI) - mac biab : crash
*Analog Lab (Arturia) - mac biab: crash
* IK Multimedia modo drums and modo bass - mac biab: crash.

I'm seeing a lot of plugin crashing.

Just a reminder but the Windows BIAB comes with ReaBand - a DAW with BIAB generation capabilities. and its much less fussy about OS updates than the Mac version from queries on the forum.

You might consider posting about your issues in the BiaB for Mac forums.
Hopefully someone there will be able to advise.
Also, please consider giving as much detail as possible on the steps you took that caused the crash.

If you use https://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/trial/ you can have a common hard drive with wav files that both MacBB & WinBB can use, there is also free https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads that can be used with the same hard drive.
Having the Win version also will give you the new RealTracks on Mac at the same time as Win and not 6 months behind.