But when really making music, it is often written as
C , G/B , Am , Em/G , F , C/E , Dm , G
I have two questions.
1:These two ways of writing sound different in BIAB, don't they?
2: How to judge when to write G as G/B....
What you should hear is the G chord will be associated with a B being played as the Bass note. The Em chord will have a G played as the Bass note, etc.
It is also available from the Chord Builder (right-click on a cell)
For your second question, this is usually used when you want to add anticipation or tension to a chord, or are intending it to resolve differently. There are no hard rules when it can / cannot be used.
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
What you should hear is the G chord will be associated with a B being played as the Bass note. The Em chord will have a G played as the Bass note, etc.
It is also available from the Chord Builder (right-click on a cell)
Does this change make sense? Just use G directly, or G/B Just rely on ears to decide? Are there any principles to follow here? For example, try to make the bass decrease or increase like a staircase?
Bass lines in an ascending or descending pattern are very powerful.
Thank you, teacher. That is to say, when writing chords into BIAB, let the bass line go up and down to avoid jumping. This will make the generated music sound better. is it?
Bass lines in an ascending or descending pattern are very powerful.
Thank you, teacher. That is to say, when writing chords into BIAB, let the bass line go up and down to avoid jumping. This will make the generated music sound better. is it?
It will not necessarily make it sound better, it will make it sound different. As the composer, you should experiment and listen to the result to determine if it gives you a desired effect.
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
Bass lines in an ascending or descending pattern are very powerful.
Thank you, teacher. That is to say, when writing chords into BIAB, let the bass line go up and down to avoid jumping. This will make the generated music sound better. is it?
It will not necessarily make it sound better, it will make it sound different. As the composer, you should experiment and listen to the result to determine if it gives you a desired effect.
To make sure I got this right, this C/G is aka Inversion, right? (no second G added to the chord itself, but the G is played an octave lower). One may play the root as the bottom note or in the middle or on top. These inversions are used often by piano players to make a chord progression more "compact". The hand does not need to jump around that much and the sounding notes are closer together, so the harmonies feel more "harmonic". Doing this does not result in a walking bass line in any case. To achive such, a more complex way to build the "Voicing" than to focus on the compactness alone may be needed.
“Musicians”: UltraPak 2025 DAW: Studio One Pro + "Instruments": VSTs and REs Notation: Notion 6 Interface: NI Komplete Audio 6 Mic: RØDE NT1-A Controller: Panorama P6/KAWAI VPC1/Atom OS: Win 10 64 Pro
From a 4-part, classical-harmony perspective, the inversion of a chord is determined by the lowest note. This is irrespective of how the notes are arranged above this lowest note.
For example a major chord has two inversions. The staves below show some of the many possible arrangements of these classical inversions.
I use a classical theory approach when I'm working with bass notes. This seems to give me good results.
For example...
If I have a progression that goes from chord I to chord IV (this is from C to F in the key of C major), chord 1 first inversion is often a pleasant transitional sound to get to chord IV.
For example...
|I |IV |
= |C |F |
I rearrange this to become....
|C C/E |F |
If I was in the key of A minor, chord I is Am and chord IV is Dm. The same principle still works, though.
So...
|I |IV |
= |Am |Dm |
Could be rearranged to give....
|Am Am/C |Dm |
Where Am/C is the classical first inversion of the Am chord.
You wrote a chord progression using slash roots. By adding the slash roots, you force a bass note to be played and can make that bass go up or down by whole or half steps. This can be very powerful in your composition. However, it’s just one way to do that. VideoTrack was right when he said it’s just different, not necessarily better. A ii V7 I is also powerful and is perhaps the most powerful chord progression in Western music.
Originally you suggested using your ears to determine what’s good. Yes, that’s exactly it. You can experiment with concepts like a descending bass line but ultimately it’s your decision as the composer to write what you think sounds best. Study the chord progressions of songs you think are great. Learn the conventions for what works well. Then when you get good, you can break those conventions and you will know why you did it.
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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Just to make explicit what is implied, regarding the original question:
What distinguishes this particular chord progression
C, G/B , Am, Em/G, F, C/E, Dm, C
from its unslashed counterpart is, specifically, a clearly defined descending bass line C B A G F E D C (I changed the final chord to fit.)
Presumably BIAB will generate tracks from such a slashed progression in a way that makes that bass line apparent to the listener. It may sound great, or it may not.
The fact that those chords can be inverted in that way to call out that bass line doesn't mean they should be, as this may have nothing to do with their function in the song, and may in fact distract from it.
what instrument do you play? the idea of descending bass lines is something a guitarist recognizes automatically and i am sure keyboard players know it too. just transfer what you are used to into BIAB and you'll find it makes sense
I use a classical theory approach when I'm working with bass notes. This seems to give me good results.
For example...
If I have a progression that goes from chord I to chord IV (this is from C to F in the key of C major), chord 1 first inversion is often a pleasant transitional sound to get to chord IV.
For example...
|I |IV |
= |C |F |
I rearrange this to become....
|C C/E |F |
If I was in the key of A minor, chord I is Am and chord IV is Dm. The same principle still works, though.
So...
|I |IV |
= |Am |Dm |
Could be rearranged to give....
|Am Am/C |Dm |
Where Am/C is the classical first inversion of the Am chord.
thanks！ Can you make a sug file, which is more intuitive
what instrument do you play? the idea of descending bass lines is something a guitarist recognizes automatically and i am sure keyboard players know it too. just transfer what you are used to into BIAB and you'll find it makes sense
I don't know how to play musical instruments. I just typed it into BIAB. I want to know how to input, it can be more in line with the actual situation, and it sounds better
...I don't know how to play musical instruments. I just typed it into BIAB. I want to know how to input, it can be more in line with the actual situation, and it sounds better
Have you considered taking music lessons with an accredited teacher? You can learn much about music theory this way, as well as practical knowledge of music. I would highly recommend that you consider this.
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
Have you considered taking music lessons with an accredited teacher? You can learn much about music theory this way, as well as practical knowledge of music. I would highly recommend that you consider this.
Never considered it. Because I am better at using computers. The music teacher around me may play the guitar or the piano. But they don't know how to make music. These are two things. The reality is that I can use the computer to complete a song. Although the music teacher around me knows musical instruments, they are limited to live performances. I can complete the accompaniment through the computer, with the lyrics, I can complete simple works.
I think Band in a box and Scaler are the best teachers. The most important thing is BIAB FORUM and you.
The music teacher around me may play the guitar or the piano. But they don't know how to make music. These are two things. The reality is that I can use the computer to complete a song. Although the music teacher around me knows musical instruments, they are limited to live performances. I can complete the accompaniment through the computer, with the lyrics, I can complete simple works.
Forget the idea of taking lessons on an instrument (and I'm not sure that's what VideoTrack intended anyway.) You clearly need a better grounding in basic music theory to be able to use BIAB effectively as a composer. You approach every question as if it were an issue of how to use a software product, and that will not serve you well.
Anyway, sorry to hear all the music teachers you know are incapable of creating music, like you already can. I can see why you wouldn't want to study with them.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.
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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows 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!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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