I set the key...I set my first chord in the first bar...I would love if BIAB had a popup window that would suggest to me what chords are commonly played next AND give me a button to click so I can hear the chord. this would be a nice tool to use when songwriting.
this image is very simplistic but should convey the idea. more advanced chord options could be added and it should not be limited to only the more common chords. it would be great if it would play a bar using the currently selected track!
That's a great idea. I reckon there would be many users out there who would like ideas on what chord follows the one just used.
Believe it or not, I actually created my avatar with the Nashville notation to give users a way of working out what chords travel to and from other chords. I had intentions of writing how to do this in "Tips and Tricks". I just haven't got around to it yet. You've inspired me. I'll get my thoughts together over the next couple of days and write it up. (The beauty of using Nashville notation in BIAB is that because it is independent of key, it works equally easily in all keys.)
Sometimes I use the chord builder option to demo different chords to help me determine what chord sounds like a chord I hear in my head. The trouble is I want a progression but don't know music theory well enough to identify the progression so I end up using chord builder to go through the alphabet and demo chords to find the root and then go through the chord variations to find the right variation.
It would be great to have a pop up option ease that process. I just don't understand how an option can help me determine the chord progression I want when I don't know enough music theory to give the option a hint.
Jim, the hint comes from the key you chose and what chord you used last. So you would do nothing different than you do now...type in a chord and the popup automatically suggests possible chords to go to next.
This is a good idea IF you can select to turn it off!
Yes, because not all the users will use that.
My advice : buy a good a harmony book and study it seriously. You will get a real knowledge of harmony and a better control over your music.
So, for pro results, you have to envisage passing chord, modulations, extended chords, chords with bass inversions, frequency of chords changes, ....according to the genre (rock/pop/latin/world/...) and the style (ballad/fast T° songs/...), and not forgetting also that chords should also be driven by the melody and countermelody...
My advice : buy a good a harmony book and study it seriously. You will get a real knowledge of harmony and a better control over your music.
Do you also advise people not to use Band-in-a-Box because they should instead learn to play the instruments themselves to "get a real knowledge" and "better control over your music"?
Obviously, we use tools to get the results we want. Adding a tool like this will help us achieve those goals!
My advice : buy a good a harmony book and study it seriously. You will get a real knowledge of harmony and a better control over your music.
So, for pro results, you have to envisage passing chord, modulations, extended chords, chords with bass inversions, frequency of chords changes, ....according to the genre (rock/pop/latin/world/...) and the style (ballad/fast T° songs/...), and not forgetting also that chords should also be driven by the melody and countermelody...
Yes, of course you're right, but band in a box is widely used by a lot of people, with different interests and different backgrounds.
For example, I've extensively used BIAB to teach music theory and harmony, and I can clearly see how helpful would be a built-in Chord wheel for a lot of students (specially beginners).
I personally would not have a big need, but certainly there are many users who would get a benefit. So yes, +1
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.
This is a great idea! Thanks everyone for all the input on this subject! I agree this feature would be great with the option to disable for user not interested.
I also just posted an idea to also include the ability to select chord progressions using Roman numeral, similar to the Nashville number system but intended to be used for experimenting with chords and learning music theory.
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021 DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard, music producer/engineer
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.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean