> Band-in-a-Box is an automatic music accompaniment program that
> produces background tracks from your chord changes. You simply type
> in the chords to a song using standard chord symbols(C, Fm7, G9,
> etc.), pick a musical style, and click the Play button. Band-in-a-
> Box then generates a multi-part arrangement that plays back through
> your sound card or MIDI synthesizer. [...]
>
> [...] Over the years, many people have scoffed at auto-accompaniment
> programs as not being creative or challenging enough for "real
> musicians." So when Band-in-a-Box introduced its new automatic
> soloing feature, I figured that PG Music had finally succeeded in
> removing the last remnants of creativity from electronic music-
> making. No longer does this program simply provide you with a backup
> band. Now it takes care of your leads, as well.
>
> But there's more to this program than first meets the eye. I've
> found that Band-in-a-Box is excellent at forcing me to change my
> playing style so all my songs don't start to sound the same. And the
> new Soloist feature is a great tool for education and practice: when
> you hear something you like, you can print it out, practice it, and
> play it yourself! In fact, this new version of Band-in-a-Box has
> great potential for encouraging creativity, developing new musical
> ideas, and learning different playing styles. [...]
>
> [...] The program is an excellent tool for learning and practicing,
> especially if you're a jazz musician. I believe that the program is
> worth the price simply for the anthology of solo and accompaniment
> Styles it provides. What's more, Band-in-a-Box never gets tired,
> never cops an attitude, and never tells you to turn it down.

? from a review by Allan Metts, excerpted from "Electronic Musician" (December, 1997), as originally found on [PG Music's website][1] (deadlink).



> ### Band-in-a-Box� Version 7.0g5 Update
>
> This patch is necessary for Mac users who wish to use Styles Disk 16
> (Blues).
>
> This patch will update any version of Band-in-a-Box� 7.0 to version
> 7.0g5. Please note that you must have version 7.0 or greater to use
> the 7.0g5 update. If you are using an earlier version, the update
> will not succeed.
>
> Before using the Band-in-a-Box� version 7.0g5 update, be sure to
> backup your existing version of Band-in-a-Box� (just the application
> file) in case you experience any difficulties. The update is in .hqx
> format (BinHex) . Most current browsers, such as those by Netscape
> and Microsoft, will decompress the .hqx file automatically. Place
> the decompressed file in your Band-in-a-Box� Folder. Don't forget to
> keep a copy of your old application file!
>
> Changes For 7.0g5:
>  ? Allows for styles files larger than 30K
>  ? Fixes a small font issue.
>  Changes For 7.0g4:
>  ? Fixes a patch change bug, and a melody transpose issue that was
> occuring only when QuickTime was used.)
>  Changes For 7.0g:
>  ? Allows playback of live drums and drums with custom drum kits.
> (For use with Styles Disk 9 and 10.)
>  ? New "recording metronome" option in the prefs dialog (useful for
> styles without drums e.g. classical styles).
>  Changes From 7.0b to 7.0c:
>  ? OMS preferences can now be saved
>  ? Soloist settings can now be set to negative numbers
>  ? Adds setup information menu items for the "Cybersynth"
>  Changes From 7.0a to 7.0b:
>  ? Jukebox will now work when not soloing
>  ? All bar options now function when bar numbers are greater than 64
>  ? Improved notational features an longer songs
>  ? Improved support for older versions of Band-in-a-Box� songs
>  Changes From 7.0 to 7.0a:
>  ? Improved "humanization" of soloists that are swing based, when
> playing a "straight" feel ? style.
>  ? Fixed display of "Loop Screen" button for 512x342 on 9" screen
> mode.
>  ? Popup for # choruses fixed (when accessed by command L)
>  ? If user chooses QuickTime and volume is set to zero, will set the
> volume to 7 so it can be heard.
>
> \- Updated Nov 30, 1997

? [Band-in-a-Box� for Mac Patches & Updates][2]

Compatibility
Architecture: 68k PPC

Mac: 68030 (or higher) or PowerPC CPU; System 6.0 or higher; 8 MB RAM;
MIDI interface for QuickTime 2.5 (to use QuickTime Musical
Instruments)

This may run under emulation - needs testing to confirm.

  [1]: http://www.pgmusic.com/review9.htm
  [2]: https://www.pgmusic.com/support_macintoshupdates.htm#8.0c