I'm wondering if there's a way to force BiaB to spell things correctly in the notation window. Obviously, the sounds are not affected, it's just that, with a couple of chords in a piece I'm writing, BiaB insists on spelling the chords for the rhythm instruments and the melody associated with them incorrectly.
The piece is in the key of A. I have a D#m7b5 chord and the melody has an F#, which is the minor third in a D# minor chord. But BiaB insists on spelling the note in the chords and the melody as a Gb, even though the key signature has an F#. When I right click on the note in the melody and specify "sharp.' It will show the F# after I've done this, but as soon as I start the playback again, the notation changes to a Gb. Also, with an Fm7b5 chord, the b5 is a Cb, not a B. Once again, when I right click on the B and indicate a "flat," the notation changes to a Cb, but as soon as I click on the playback, it reverts to a B. Same goes for the rhythm instruments with this chord -- they're playing B's and not Cb's.
I have discovered that if I correct the misspellings in the melody and then go to print the chart that these corrections are preserved. So, there's that at least because I print out my charts. But when I save the file, the corrections aren't preserved. I'm sure these two examples aren't the only ones where BiaB misspells things, I just wish it wouldn't. Call it a pet peeve if you want. But I prefer accuracy.
Yes, you can change this by clicking | Options | Preferences | Notation | and toggling the | Use chord scale for enharmonics | option in this window. As it explains when hovering over the option, "If enabled, not accidentals will be based on chord scales rather than the key of the song. For example, in the key of Eb, an Eb note will appear as D# over a B7 chord. This is because B7 implies the E major scale which uses D# instead of Eb."
Thanks, Jerry -- I was looking at that window just yesterday and wondering what that box did. It wasn't clicking when I read it. But then I was looking for something else.
So I tried it out just now, and I'm getting mixed results. Some notes in the melody automatically get fixed, while others aren't. So it doesn't seem to pay attention to enharmonic spelling in all cases.
Like the Cb instead of B, for instance with the Fm7b5 chord. At another location, with this same chord, it's spelling an Ab (minor 3rd of an Fm chord) as a G# and won't accept my manual input. If it insists on G# because of the key signature, it seems to me that it must first look at the chord to determine the correct spelling of the melody. But guess what? It misspells the chord too. In the piano track, that Fm7b5 is spelled using G#'s and B's (Ab is the minor 3rd and Cb is the b5), so it's become some nonsense chord if you're trying to figure out the harmony by just analyzing the piano track.
With that D#m7b5, it automatically corrected that Gb to a F#, plus there was also a Db that got corrected to a C#, but in that same melodic run there's another Gb an octave below that didn't auto correct and it wouldn't accept my manual correction to an F#.
So, things are a little better now, but not yet fixed.
You can also use the Force Accidental feature in Editable Notation mode to force an enharmonic spelling of the note. To do this, enter Editable Notation mode and right-click on the note, then select ForcedAccidental and select whether you want to force it to the natural, flat, or sharp enharmonic.
Yeah, that's the only way I know how to try, at least, to change a note's spelling. Whenever I mention trying to change a note's spelling above, that was the feature I was using.
At first, force accidentals and unchecking the box (in Notation options) "use chord scale for enharmonics" seems to work. As long as you don't press Play: then your leadsheet goes back to the wrong notation. Just as Cooltouch notices it gets it wrong on printing... Have tried saving the song after every "force", but it doesn't help.
It's certainly not wrong to complain. This should be corrected. I believe what sets Band in a Box apart from other accompaniment software is the ability to have a lead sheet. It's reasonable to expect it works properly.
Biab, Kontakt, Sampletank and lots of nice libraries, from Fluffy audio to Abbey Road drums. Check out these great contemporary Jazz Styles: www.jazzstylezz.com
Bb note on a Bb chord. In the example the key is F (one flat) and the chord, I repeat myself is Bb. Changed the note repeatedly, forced accidental to flat, unchecked "use chord scale...". After pressing play or trying to print the lead sheet, it invariably goes back to A#.
This should be corrected. Thanks.
Last edited by Dzjang; 08/24/2201:09 AM. Reason: Had to add something
Biab, Kontakt, Sampletank and lots of nice libraries, from Fluffy audio to Abbey Road drums. Check out these great contemporary Jazz Styles: www.jazzstylezz.com
You can also use the Force Accidental feature in Editable Notation mode to force an enharmonic spelling of the note. To do this, enter Editable Notation mode and right-click on the note, then select ForcedAccidental and select whether you want to force it to the natural, flat, or sharp enharmonic.
Hope this helps!
It doesn’t, sadly. Thx for following up on this.
Biab, Kontakt, Sampletank and lots of nice libraries, from Fluffy audio to Abbey Road drums. Check out these great contemporary Jazz Styles: www.jazzstylezz.com
Just today, in the key of E major, I forced an F natural on the Melody track to E#. It looked fine. The minute I double-clicked in Notation View to start playback, though, the E# reverted back to F natural.
I am dismayed by this but cannot remember the chain of events that got us here. What changed and when, and did it ever work correctly?
I don’t think Force Accidental has always been available, though it goes way back (decades, I think). Likewise enharmonic notation has been improved with E# and B#, Fb and Cb, but this was added not that many years ago.
It seems to me that the most important error here is in the inability for a manual change to ‘stick’. Then it would be nice to explain why in the Dzjang example the A# appears at all. As far as I can remember, BIAB has always done this on occasion (thus the need for the Force Accidental function to be added). But again, I’m not positive about the history of any of this. I think if anyone knows, it could be useful in tracking down what’s happening here.
Again: what changed and when, and did it ever work correctly?
Perhaps one of you could post an offending song, and someone from PG Music could test on earlier versions of BIAB. A few users can do this kind of testing also; I’m pretty sure John Ford can run versions from years ago.
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.
I don't usually pay attention to pop-ups. I guess I'm so used to seeing them appear that I treat them too casually. Tonight when I double-checked my E# issue, I notice that PG Music have included a pop-up with forcing accidentals that clearly states that it does not work with Cb and E#.
While this solves my issue, it doesn't doesn't explain the A# that Dzjang has encountered.
@Noel and Matt. Thanks for suggestions and looking into it.
The Cb and E# thing makes sense to me, too. Even if, for the sake of using chord scales, Cb or E# would make sense. I know really good readers, like those working professional classical orchestras have no trouble reading double flats or sharps on top of -say- a key signature of Ab, but, for the ordinary musician, reading is already hard. And an F is an F and E# is is F. So, I dig that feature. Professional classical players will turn to Finale and Sibelius anyway.
To look up the history of it is a clever idea. Since 2022 has a lot of issues with midi style making or editing, I still use 2018 a lot. So, to my surprise, the Bb was written as a Bb and not A#. The wrong note in the example above (C# instead of Db, since we’re in a F, a key with one flat) was still there.
When I corrected it in editable notation in BB2018, it survived hitting play AND even closing Biab2018 and reopening it.. BB2018 has other issues, so I am not using it for practice let alone performance, but it handles forcing accidentals just fine.
So, there must be a mistake in saving forced accidentals that crept in after version 2018.
Biab, Kontakt, Sampletank and lots of nice libraries, from Fluffy audio to Abbey Road drums. Check out these great contemporary Jazz Styles: www.jazzstylezz.com
Force accidental persists on my old windows machine running BIAB 2016 (438). It does not persist on my new windows machine running BIAB Version 2022 (927). It's embarrassing to give horn players a chart with a Db on beat 4 of measure 1, and a C# on beat 1 of measure 2. They yell at me!
I chatted with service about this today to no avail.
By the way, I was enjoying Brazilian Wish in my car today! You're THAT Matt Finley, right?
Well, yes. Thanks, pjred. You can't live all that far from me if you're 80 miles north of the city. I'm about 95.
Just checking, in that example you just gave, did you set the correct key signature of the song first? It often makes a difference in what accidental BIAB chooses for enharmonic notes.
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.
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.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
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
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
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!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 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 21 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 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 21 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