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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577 |
I thought it might be useful to have some kind of tool built-in to BIAB to aid with composition.
For example, I am writing a Pop Ballad and have decided on the key of Em. I have entered the first chord Am and would like to play around with different ideas for the next chord. Based on the key and style when I hover the mouse to enter the next chord BIAB could automatically display possible chords based on various rules (chord wheel, style etc) which could then be selected by the user or maybe even generated randomly.
I can imagine a more complex development on the random option where this could be used to generate an entire verse, chorus or even song. A dialog box would pop up and allows the user to set the degree of randomness of various parameters e.g. how many bars, how often to change chords (maybe based on a list of patterns), type of chords - simple, jazzy, extreme (!), random.
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647 |
Have you tried Melodist?
Having set the key to Em, and the style to POPBal or equivalent, let BIAB generate some songs for you. You might find something you like
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,606
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,606 |
There are also the reharmonist and chord substitution options where-in BIAB will take an existing melody and offer suggested chords based on the melody and key signature.
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,589
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,589 |
Along the lines of the above answers, take a look at the Window menu. You will see:
Chord Substitution Dialog
Auto-Generate Chord Substitutions
Chord Reharmonist Dialog
Auto-Generate Chord Reharmonization
This is the way it looks in BIAB version 2014. The chord substitution has been in BIAB for over a decade at least. You enter a simple chord progression and it will suggest alternatives. Some are quite advanced. Very powerful tool.
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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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577 |
Thanks for all of the replies which are very helpful.
I should have said that I don't yet own BIAB as I am waiting for the December sales/BIAB 2015. I did buy it many many years ago when it was a much simpler program (I think it was version 5) but it is almost unrecognizable now. I certainly didn't realise that it already had many of the features mentioned in your replies.
By the way, some great work on your compositions Noel96 and Matt Finley.
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,589
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,589 |
By the way, some great work on your compositions Noel96 and Matt Finley. Much appreciated! And, you will be amazed at the improvements to BIAB if you haven't used it in some years. There are several levels of purchase now. Be sure to get as much as you can afford, so you get lots of RealTracks.
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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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,892
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,892 |
Yes, Melodist is a real cool feature. I used to use it a lot back when I first got BB several years back. I used it to create quite a few pretty cool songs. Of course, it works best when you go in after it does what it does, and edit the chords and song structure a bit. I think I've only used one or two songs that Melodist created straight out of the box.... (pun in ten did) .... but in all, it's a really good way to see what BB can do, and it's so easy..... if you don't like the results.... just click on Melodist again. Here is one of those songs: EMERALD EYES I added live guitar and some real tracks (trumpet)
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 11/14/14 03:07 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 174
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 174 |
Guitarhacker: really nice song. Congrads.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827 |
I thought it might be useful to have some kind of tool built-in .... Based on the key and style when I hover the mouse to enter the next chord BIAB could automatically display possible chords based on various rules (chord wheel, style etc)...
The Keyless Entry option sounds great ! especially if you are on a tablet. 
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577 |
I thought it might be useful to have some kind of tool built-in .... Based on the key and style when I hover the mouse to enter the next chord BIAB could automatically display possible chords based on various rules (chord wheel, style etc)...
The Keyless Entry option sounds great ! especially if you are on a tablet. Hey solidrock that looks great - is it a mock-up that you have created in a drawing package or an existing piece of software? If the former then I hope PG use it as part of their new features in BIAB 2015 (you should also get commission)! Nice work on Emerald Eyes guitarhacker - the guitar/trumpet combination works great. I would never have guessed about it's BIAB roots.
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6 |
A built in Chord Wheel is a great idea!
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,606
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,606 |
By the way, some great work on your compositions Noel96 and Matt Finley. Thanks receder. I didn't see this comment until just now. Apologies for that. I hope you're having fun with BIAB! Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 11
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 11 |
This is where a small amount of music theory can set loose your creativity. In about 30 minutes of googling "chord progression theory" or "diatonic chord progressions" or "circle of fifths chord progression" will generate all kinds of ideas for you. And the great thing is that Band-in-a-Box will give your ears immediate feedback on whether your idea works.
Another good starting place is to use some of the demo songs included with Band in a Box as a starting point. Erase the melody, transpose to a different key and start writing melodies. You can't copyright a chord progression, so you can even take your favorite group's songs, erase the melody and use their progression as a starting point to write your song. It is a great way to learn what works in almost any genre of music.
Good luck.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
Last edited by ZeroZero; 01/04/15 08:53 PM.
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,108
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,108 |
ZZ, I like the new Avatar. Works well!
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577 |
By the way, some great work on your compositions Noel96 and Matt Finley. Thanks receder. I didn't see this comment until just now. Apologies for that. I hope you're having fun with BIAB! Noel Sorry Noel, I hadn't looked at this thread in a while. Yes the more I use it the more I find out and these forums are a goldmine of information. I also thought my music theory was pretty good but I am finding out new things from these forums and using BIAB. Just saw another thread here where you mention Nashville Notation in BIAB which also looks v useful. This is where a small amount of music theory can set loose your creativity. In about 30 minutes of googling "chord progression theory" or "diatonic chord progressions" or "circle of fifths chord progression" will generate all kinds of ideas for you. And the great thing is that Band-in-a-Box will give your ears immediate feedback on whether your idea works.
Another good starting place is to use some of the demo songs included with Band in a Box as a starting point. Erase the melody, transpose to a different key and start writing melodies. You can't copyright a chord progression, so you can even take your favorite group's songs, erase the melody and use their progression as a starting point to write your song. It is a great way to learn what works in almost any genre of music.
Good luck. Some great ideas thanks songwriterbob. Interesting, thanks ZeroZero. Cubase has certainly improved since the last version I used a long time ago! Rec
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
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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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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
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Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
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!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
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!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- 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
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
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