I am considering installing BIAB on my desktop. What chords are and are not available in BIAB? In the jazz world things can get kind of extreme with stuff like A13#5b9#11 and so on. I just wondered what the limits are. Thanks.
It is not necessary to type upper or lower case. For example type c6 to get the C6 chord. You should never have to use the Shift key, as Band-in-a-Box® and PowerTracks will sort this out for you.
Any chord may be entered with an alternate root ("Slash Chord") e.g.: C7/E = C7 with E bass.
Separate chords with commas to enter 2 chords in a 2 beat cell, e.g., Dm,G7.
Use the letter "b" for a flat; e.g., Bb7
Use # or 3 for a sharp; e.g., F#7. The pound sign (#) is the uppercase symbol of 3, so you can actually type f37 to get F#7. Band-in-a-Box® and PowerTracks will sort out the case, saving you the effort of using Shift+3 to type the # symbol.
Tricky Chords:
C5b This is "C flat 5." It is spelled this way to avoid confusion.
C2, C5, C4, C69, C7alt, Cm7#5
Shortcut Chords:
If you enter a lot of songs, you'll appreciate these shortcut keys.
J = Maj7 H = m7b5 (H stands for Half diminished) D = dim S = Sus
Example: To type CMaj7 , just type cj (it will be entered as CMaj7).
BiaB also has a Chord Builder that shows what 'standard' chords are available, and encompasses the list above. Using the Chord Builder feature, you can create the chords without needing to know their full syntax.
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.
Yes, welcome. And yes, the list of chords is quite thorough. Even if you type one that doesn't seem to be accepted, check that there isn't an alternate spelling required by the syntax of BIAB.
The real trick in that graphic shown above is the pull-down to the right of Other.
Also don't forget the slash root, or even pedal bass.
One last thing, getting really picky. BIAB has some built-in shortcuts. An add9 or add2 or sus2 chord are all written as a 2 chord, for example. If this interests you, we can show you how to see more about this.
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.
The full chord list is shown in the User Manual that is online or as a download from the Support Page tab at the top of the screen. BTW this manual is a much better information source than the context help.
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643) Windows 10 (1909)
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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!
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
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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
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SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
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