What is the proper way to input augmented chords into BIAB? Is it best to use "AUG" or will a simple "+" do the trick?
Secondly, why do some instruments play them and some don't? And how can I know if an augmented chord is in the real track instrument's capability?
I am growing frustrated trying to find a real track keyboard player that will play the augmented chords in the chord chart!
Help
Jeff Taylor - 2023 for Windows BIAB Latest Build Ultra PAK + Windows 11 HP Tower AMD Ryzen 3 5300G with Radeon Graphics 4.00 GHz i3 16GB Memory 1TB SSD 1TB Hard Drive Focusrite Single interface Tascam DP-24SD Portastudio
Use the "+" to designate the sharp 5 augmented chord. Regarding what real tracks will play it and how they play it is left up to the magic of real tracks. I just tested with a Piano RT, see pic.
Unfortunately, it's apparent that too many real track instruments don't know what an augmented chord is. Even in the jazz style. Trying to use it as a passing chord to create a half-step line in the accompaniment is not working very well.
Am I the only one who has run into this? Keys playing an augmented chord against a regular triad in other instruments just sounds awful!
Jeff Taylor - 2023 for Windows BIAB Latest Build Ultra PAK + Windows 11 HP Tower AMD Ryzen 3 5300G with Radeon Graphics 4.00 GHz i3 16GB Memory 1TB SSD 1TB Hard Drive Focusrite Single interface Tascam DP-24SD Portastudio
Am I the only one who has run into this? Keys playing an augmented chord against a regular triad in other instruments just sounds awful!
So I thought about this. Fact is I don't recall ever writting a chord progression with an Augmented chord. So I did some homework. First thing I learned was Augmented chords don't sit in the regular Minor or Major scales. Instead, they live in the Harmonic or Melodic Minor scales. Guess what? I have never written in these scales either.
Next I listed to a number of songs which include an augmented chord. Google listed a ton of very well known songs. Very popular with Beatles tunes. This confirmed for me the sound and the fact that I actually like this sound.
Then I searched how to compose with augmented chords. The augmented chord is an odd and errie sound used to suspend resolution. And is often used to substitue for the major V chord in a progression. I tried a couple examples and liked it a lot. You don't want to stay in that sound for long since it is unexpected and really wants to resolve back into Key to the IV or the vi or of course the I.
So back to the question. I found the piano RT in BIAB to handle this chord well. But regarding how the bass, guitar or other instruments play over this chord I have not yet had any experience. So I wouldn't even know what to expect. But I plan to find out shortly.
I'm late to this discussion but here's what I've learned. When it comes to Realtracks, if the person recording the realtrack doesn't include an augmented chord you are SOL. I do a lot of gypsy jazz backing tracks and man is it frustrating. The only solution is to become adept at creating your own user tracks. I've got two songs right now that need an augmented chord and I'm about to do a deep dive to solve the issue using my own user tracks. Going forward I plan to redo all my backing tracks with my own user tracks. I hate to say it by as great a guitarist as John Jorgenson is, his "la pompe" is not very good.
Also, chord builder doesn't even have a + or augmented option. That really sucks.
Noel beat me to the punch here but I suggest you get Melodyne if you can afford it; it's not cheap. However it is excellent at moving notes around thus you will have access to all of BiaB's RTs, just move or delete any note in the RT. Plus the moved note will sound exactly like the rest of the track. I use Melodyne on many of my tracks.
I have no experience on fixed notes so I can't comment on them.
Last edited by MarioD; 11/14/2507:25 AM.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
3) Use a third party audio editor (such as Melodyne) and tune the pitch of the chord's notes to reflect what you want.
Regards, --Noel
I have been using Melodyne for over 10 years. It's fantastic tool. It's also very expensive, but if you need it, it's money well spent. To do what Noel suggests, you need Melodyne Editor with its DNA (Direct Note Access) capability to edit notes of a polyphonic instrument like a guitar or piano.
I now have the top edition, Melodyne Studio. It took me several years to get up to it. I got Melodyne Essential bundled with Studio One Pro (v2 at the time). On the next Black Friday sale, I bought the discounted upgrade to Assistant. The following BF, I bought the discounted upgrade from Assistant to Editor, where I quite happily stayed for several years. Then Celemony offered me an excellent upgrade price from Editor to Studio, so I said What The Hey, and bought it. And never looked back.
Pro Tip: If you are buying an audio interface, consider a PreSonus DAI that includes a perpetual license for Studio One Pro. Register the Melodyne Essential license that comes with it, and then start upgrading like I did. Note that the least expensive interfaces come with SO Artist v6, which does not include Melodyne Essential. It's a pretty good deal. Also note that some of the bundles that include an inexpensive DAI also come with Studio One Pro v7.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
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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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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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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)
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