I am new to BIAB this year and I was wondering if the program has the ability to create chord progressions on its own. Would someone please steer me in the right direction? I'm in information overload right now as I learn the software, and I can't find that functionality. I know that if it exists, it could well be right in front of my eyes.
I am new to BIAB this year and I was wondering if the program has the ability to create chord progressions on its own. Would someone please steer me in the right direction? I'm in information overload right now as I learn the software, and I can't find that functionality. I know that if it exists, it could well be right in front of my eyes.
Thanks!
Although I haven't actually used it, I think what you are looking for is the Melodist feature.
From Help, it states:
"Feel like composing a brand new song?
Using the "Melodist" feature you can compose a new song in the style of your choice, complete with intro, chords, melody, arrangement, etc. All you have to do is choose from one of the many "Melodists" available and press [OK] button. The program then creates the intro, chords, melody, and arrangement in any given style. The Melodist will also generate a melody over an existing chord progression."
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Within this window, you have many options to choose from and select.
To generate JUST the chords, simply remove the check-marks next to the other criteria: -Generate Intro -Insert Bass Pedals -Generate Melody -Solo in Middle Chorus (may already be unchecked, mine is!) -Allow Style Change -Auto-Titles
Make sure there's just a check-mark next to "Generate Chords" and then click [OK]
Voila a complete Chord Progression!
Give it a try on a new project to familiarize yourself with the Melodist feature.
It hasn't really been updated in a DECADE or more, but as suggested, the Melodist is what you're looking for. Songwriting is often a chick-or-the-egg proposition where the more theoretically inclined may write a progression and then fit a melody to it. Less scholarly types can often intuitively create a melody, but have no clue how to harmonize it.
I really wish PG would spend some more time on this. Some styles, like Ragtime, are almost indistinguishable from human creations, but some of the others can be kind of corny.
It hasn't really been updated in a DECADE or more, but as suggested, the Melodist is what you're looking for. Songwriting is often a chick-or-the-egg proposition where the more theoretically inclined may write a progression and then fit a melody to it. Less scholarly types can often intuitively create a melody, but have no clue how to harmonize it.
I really wish PG would spend some more time on this. Some styles, like Ragtime, are almost indistinguishable from human creations, but some of the others can be kind of corny.
Maybe a good item for the Wish List?
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
> It hasn't really been updated in a DECADE or more, but as suggested, the Melodist is what you're looking for.
The Melodist was updated in 2019 to use RealStyles instead of MIDI styles. This was because some of the MIDI styles gave a “corny” sound to the created melody, and the backing tracks now add a more realistic sound (just as they do for other songs).
There is a checkbox in the Melodist that allows you to choose if you want RealStyles or MIDI styles. It defaults to Real Styles.
The melodist can be used to create chords for any song (with or without an existing melody), in various styles.
The reharmonist creates chords from an existing melody (in various styles of chord progressions). It can be used interactively where you see various possibilities, and can replace a few bars for example.
Thanks, all. I've been experimenting with the Melodist and it seems that at least for me, the best way to use it for inspiration is to compose songs until I find a 4 bar progression that sounds interesting and them to embellish from there. The full songs it comes up with seem to meander around pretty loosely, so I try to catch a short segment that I can use. That's more than enough for me.
I have used the Melodist feature extensively, especially the Melodist preset 58 Rock Fast. There are ways to change how the Melodist creates the chord sequences, under the Melodist Maker "edit" button. I have asked for a video explaining the best use of the options under the "edit" button; nothing from Peter Gannon and team, so far.
Under the "edit" button, make changes to the numbers for "Choose Unusual Chord Progressions", "Mix Minor and Major Progressions", and "Number of Variations to Choose From." How those numbers effect the outcome is still a mystery to me and the reason for my video request. But they obviously are doing something.
I usually let the Melodist create a full song for me and then just regenerate the parts I don't like until I'm satisfied, or until I come up with my own chords.
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Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
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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.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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