For the one familiar with Real Guitar, will know that it displays the name of the chord played on the keyboard. Since BB really sucks big time recognizing chord in imported midi files, it would be helpful for us "non musicians" if the name of the chord was showed also in the guitar and the piano window. I guess you guys that can recognize a chord name by seeing the notes on the fret or the piano, does not need this, but I and other with no such knowledge, need it badly... As for know, I have to use google to find the name of the chord when the group of notes is f.eks. D-A-D-A-D-F#... and all other combinations of notes.
Hope this makes sense, or that I have not overlooked some feature in BB...
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
Since BB really sucks big time recognizing chord in imported midi files
Trygve,
This is not true. BIAB is actually very good at recognising the chords in a midi file if the midi file contains enough musical information that makes identifying the chords possible.
If the midi file only contains a single melody, then identifying chords is much less accurate, impossible even, because a single note can belong to huge number of different chords.
For chord interpretation accuracy, the midi files should contain the key of the music, and at least three (and preferably more) notes playing in harmony with the melody.
Since BB really sucks big time recognizing chord in imported midi files
Trygve,
This is not true. BIAB is actually very good at recognising the chords in a midi file if the midi file contains enough musical information that makes identifying the chords possible.
If the midi file only contains a single melody, then identifying chords is much less accurate, impossible even, because a single note can belong to huge number of different chords.
For chord interpretation accuracy, the midi files should contain the key of the music, and at least three (and preferably more) notes playing in harmony with the melody.
Regards, Noel
Well, perhaps I do something wrong then?.. I have tried it on many songs like this, where I imported a midifiles found on the net, but I just had to mute the RT when I render it because of that... ; Grieg -Aaases Death -Remix but i sound just terrible to me.... Could u give it a try and see if it sound right to u ?
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
For instance; Should not F# C# A# F# C# give a different chord then B D B F# ?
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
Using chords to analyse classical music is fraught with difficulties. The reason for this is that most of the music that we popularly call 'classical' is composed using a mixture of harmonic principles and rules of counterpoint. 20th century chord theory does not apply.
In the 'classical' system of composing, chords arise as the vertical alignment of melodic movement. Some of these chords have no suitable names in terms of modern chord theory (for example the French or German augmented 6 chord).
Also, because the vertical alignment of notes happens all over the place, on beats and between beats, it's difficult, if not impossible, to simply reduce this to just a single chord that relates to today's popular music. The more complex the classical music, the more impossible this becomes.
Grieg is highly complex and mere chordal analyses is a challenge for all who try to deconstruct it.
That said, you can get BIAB to look more closely at the chords. Rather than simply open the midi file in BIAB which causes BIAB to use 2-beat resolution for chord interpretation, use the 'Import chords' function and set it to 1-beat resolution. It's also important to make sure that you get the various midi channels correct - these will vary from file to file. (see the images below)
When analysing classical music, though, you'll never get the perfect results you are after if you use complex works. With simpler works that are much less rich in counterpoint, the results will be ok but will still require some tweaking.
Just to confirm what Noel said. BIAB does recognize well the chords in a MIDI file. I very often use this feature and it works fine. It is a very powerful tool. But according to the overall quality of the MIDI file, the number/type of tracks,etc...BIAB may generate some erroneous chords. So, at the end of the process, the user has to check all the generated chords and changes some of them if required.
So do that, you need to get a minimum knowlegde of harmony. My advice would be to get some basic skills on chords/harmony - on the net or in some books - So, you'll get a better control over your music.
As you carefully state, the identifications issues are extremely complex. It's definitely not a matter of looking at what notes form a basic triad and announcing the chord.
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.
So for a simple guy like me. On guitar there may be 20 ways to play a C chord. The chord will be recognised as a C but not the inversion, where one would play the particular C chord or the shape of the chord on a guitar. One may play a C6 but the way it is played causes the program to see it as an Am. This can get way more complex but it is just the concept. Then again I guess experience and knowing the style of music one is playing should steer one in the right direction.
To expect ACW or whatever to get every instance correct is probably asking too much. It will take some human intervention to get it exactly how we want it.
Just another rant
Tony
Last edited by Teunis; 01/18/1812:30 AM.
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
Fundamentally, the ACW does an absolutely amazing job of handling these complexities.
Picking a relative minor is probably the easiest.
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.
Tony, yes, I certainly didn't mean to refer to your 'human' example.
I meant to say 'for the ACW to be able to pick the relative minor is probably the easiest'. After that, the task of the ACW become exponentially more complex.
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.
ACW also works the best with only a rhythm and bass tracks. If you can separate these from the MIDI file then ACW can be very good.
ACW will analyze what ever is given to it thus with lead lines and counter points it can get confused. For example if all ACW hears is A-C-E with an A in the bass line then ACW calls it Am. But if the C is in the bass it becomes C6. Add a lead line that contains a D it becomes either a Cadd9 or an Amsus. The less data ACW has to work with the more accurate it can be but you will need at least a triad. YMMV
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Wow ! This is extremely helpful for me... A good lesson to understand something I have not been aware of at all... Thank u soooo much guys for stepping in and explain, especially u Noel. As usual, ur lecture with image explanations are very very helpful. I will give that a try today to some of the classical midi files that I have given up on in the ordinary way to get right.. Love this forum more and more...
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
Tried this out last night on The death of Aase, by Grieg, and it became almost correct. Just had to do a few corrections... A few other songs, did not show up with the melody on the melody track by this method, by I guess I did something wrong then...
So thank u a lot again guys...
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
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.
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!
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.
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