Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38
R
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
R
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38
I've searched past posts as best I can but come up empty-handed, so, does anyone have a clever 'work-around' way to input a 'Major Seven, Flat Five' chord? (ie. for CM7b5, it would be notes C, E, Gb, B)
Thnx,
Russ

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,504
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,504
In version 2016, this is directly supported. Type: CMaj7b5

I think this has worked for many versions now.

Next time you get stuck, do a right-click in the Chordsheet and select Chord Builder. Then (here's the trick) click on the pull-down that is labelled Maj over the Play button. You will see all the chord types supported by BIAB, and how to spell them. It includes some pretty exotic stuff.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38
R
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
R
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38
Wow, Matt . . You work fast! Only 6 minutes since I posed the question!
I'm in 2016, but since seeing your reply, I realized that I shouldn't have been using the shortcut key (J) for the M7, but rather should have typed 'maj7', before addressing the 'b5'.
I'll go and rightclick the Chordsheet right now and get acquainted in Chord Builder.
Thanks again,
Russ

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Yes, if you use a shortcut key, it is only for that chord. You can't add to it (so Cjb5 won't work). That being said, you could create your own shortcut key to enter it. So maybe you assign l to maj7b5; then you could just enter Cl, and it will substitute Cmaj7b5.

The instructions from the user manual are:

Quote:
Add your own chord shortcuts.
Have you found a chord that Band-in-a-Box doesn’t recognize? If so, add it to your chord shortcuts file, and Band-in-a-Box will allow you to type in that chord in the future. This also lets you define chord “shortcuts,” one-letter abbreviations for longer chord names (“J” for “Maj7” etc.). If you find a chord that Band-in-a-Box won’t accept like Csus2, when it expects C2 instead you can enter this on a single line (without the quotes) “Csus2@C2.” Then Band-in-a-Box will enter the chord C2 if you type in Csus 2.

The text file c:\bb\Shortcut.txt allows you to add new chord shortcuts. Note that this file doesn’t ship with Band-in-a-Box (or it would overwrite your file!). The file \bb\pgshortc.txt for shortcuts supplied by PG Music. You can add your own shortcuts in a text file you make yourself and name \bb\shortcut.txt.


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 50
M
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
M
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 50
Thank you jford! This is really great for people like myself, who consider Cm-5 to be a bit clearer than Cdim

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,504
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,504
Yes, shortcut keys are cool and I have added several. You should still remember how BIAB spells chords in case you have to help someone (or you forget the shortcut, a real possibility given the age of many of us). However, BIAB shortcuts can only help you to enter a chord the way you like to do it, but not display it that way. There are only a couple of choices in Preferences about how a chord displays. If you want another one, put a request in the Wishlist.

By the way, in a notation program, I also prefer using # or b in a chord rather than + or dim. I particularly hate + since this can be ambiguous. You can't stop on a gig and say, I wonder what they meant...


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.

The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.

The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.

Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!

Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.

Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!

Order now!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,047
Posts799,299
Members40,015
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
Newest Members
m3talmud, Chunie, Karandeep, beedo, Brian Watts
40,015 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 152
rsdean 104
DC Ron 101
DrDan 75
Today's Birthdays
John Kern, sampai
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5