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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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I really want to know the reasons why some of the features are not included in the Mac version, why it takes six months to create the Mac version, and why Real Band is not included.


Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021
DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine
plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard,
music producer/engineer
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Of course I can't speak for PG Music so these are just my thoughts.

First of all, Peter Gannon has stated in the forum that the ultimate goal for Band-in-a-Box is for the Windows and Mac programs to have the feature set. Each year the Mac program gains features that previously only existed in the Windows program. For whatever reason the approach is to gradually merge feature sets instead of trying to make all the changes at one time. So, this is happening, just not all at once.

Why do the two programs differ? I don't know and really don't know enough about the Mac operating system or programming in general to even guess.

My guess for why the release of a new Mac version lags the release of the Windows version by six months is it makes it easier for PG Music to effectively manager resources. It's easier to manager two waves than it is to manage one tsunami. Documentation, server downloads, sales and service support, programming all get split into two cycles instead of one large cycle.

RealBand does not exist for Mac because PowerTracks Pro for Mac does not exist. Jeff Yankauer developed PowerTracks Pro before becoming a PG Music employee. Apple provides a DAW, GarageBand, at no or little additional cost to Mac users so there is no benefit to porting PowerTracks Pro to a Mac operating system.

There have been several wishlist requests for PG Music to provide a RealBand for Mac product. Heck, I've even made the request myself even though my computer uses a Windows operating system. But, considering both the DAW foundation as well as the feature set would need to be created from scratch, I haven't seen the groundswell of support for the idea from Mac users.

Finally, I haven't asked for a video but myself and other users have created multiple wishlist requests for a feature comparison chart. Having such information available would be a help to PG Music sales and support as well as a guide customers can use to make an informed buying decision. I'm all for having SOMETHING publicly available that states here is a feature by feature comparison between Band-in-a-Box for Windows and Band-in-a-Box for Mac.


Jim Fogle - 2024 BiaB (1111) RB (5) Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
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You can get RealBand for Mac here RealBandMac or REATRAK for short.
It gives you a way to integrate Biab to a powerful do anything DAW, It will import the chords and tracks from BBMac BBWin (BBLin ?) to the DAW REAPER 32/64 Mac Win Lin.

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This is only my guess, I have zero inside information about how PG works.

Mac computers comprise about 5% of the market. PG has a limited number of employees because let's fact it, auto-accompaniment on a computer is a niche of a niche of a niche market. (Musicians -> musicians who make music on computers -> musicians who use auto-accompaniment to make music on their computer.)

So being that Mac is 5%, for every hour placed writing for the PC, the return in cash is much greater. For every $1 made writing for Mac, $20 is made for the same amount of time on the PC.

So it seems to me it would make good business sense to release the PC version first, and then put the focus on upgrading the Mac version.

Fortunately there are still enough Mac users to make it profitable and desirable for PG to make a Mac version at all. Other software companies have abandoned Mac completely.

Insights and incites by Notes

P.S. all my BiaB aftermarket products are available for Mac and other than the installation routines, they are identical to the PC version.


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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PG Music News
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!

Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!

Learn more about this free update for PowerTracks Pro Audio & download it at www.pgmusic.com/support_windows_pt.htm#2024_5

The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!

The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!

Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.

This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245

The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option

Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!

Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!

For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.

Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.

Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!

Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.

Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.

Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!

Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!

With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!

Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.

A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."

"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."

"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."

Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!

The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!

There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.

If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.

We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

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