|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,640
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,640 |
Progression helper I would like to see BIAB add a function to be able to audition potential chord progressions and then pick and choose chords to taste. There are several tools that allow this but it would be great to see it built into BIAB. Suggested capabilities: 1. Circle of 5th 2. Chords maps 3. Potential next chords for (intro ,verse, chorus, bridge etc) 4. Potential chords for a given melodic input (MIDI) by measure I know that BIAB has a lot of similar things like the ability to figure out chords from audio files, and generating random chord progressions via melody maker, but I just am not aware of a tool that pulls songwriter chord /harmony options together in a pallet to pick and choose from of to suggest chords for a given melody. Here are a few examples: 
Studio One (latest version), Win 11 23H2 , i9 -10940X 3.3 GHz, 32GB Mem, a 4K 40" monitor, PreSonus Studio Live III Console as interface/controller. secondarily test on Reaper, Cakewalk, and S1 on Surface Pro 3 Win 10 (latest versions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,640
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,640 |
I would appreciate any feedback on this idea. Would this be useful for Singer/Songwriters who are using BIAB to write music?
- The chart on the left dynamically shows next chords by color schemes.
- The table on the bottom show progressions (statistically gather form 1000 of songs) by song part.
- The Chart on the right shows the flow of typical chords changes via arrows.
- All three audition the chords when clicked.
They can be used to build better and more complex progression very quickly. Thanks in advance
Studio One (latest version), Win 11 23H2 , i9 -10940X 3.3 GHz, 32GB Mem, a 4K 40" monitor, PreSonus Studio Live III Console as interface/controller. secondarily test on Reaper, Cakewalk, and S1 on Surface Pro 3 Win 10 (latest versions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,872
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,872 |
Some form of chord sequence library could be vuseful - e.g. 2'5'1s 1'4'5' , cycles, with user definable key and lenght of sequence (ie. two to a bar one to bar).
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,640
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,640 |
Yes the key must be defineable.
These tools are usually there to help in the full progression writing process.
So for example a typical 1, 4, 5 ( and then what for the pre chorus?) well let’s try a ii,V,iii,IV progression or perhaps to find a chord that goes well with the melody line. (There might be 6 alternative chords that contain the melody movement)
They are very helpful for guitar players or less formally trained musician that relay on their ears. (Like me)
Studio One (latest version), Win 11 23H2 , i9 -10940X 3.3 GHz, 32GB Mem, a 4K 40" monitor, PreSonus Studio Live III Console as interface/controller. secondarily test on Reaper, Cakewalk, and S1 on Surface Pro 3 Win 10 (latest versions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
I see this kind of like asking BIAB to be a teacher of music theory. I mean, the 4th is the 4th note of a scale in every circumstance, so I never even refer to a chord wheel. It's just not that hard to count D-E-F#-G to get to the 4th in a song written in D.
Remember, when you are writing, it's your song and you can take your song anywhere you want to that sounds right to you. I mean, intro, verse, bridge, chorus, half verse, bridge, chorus, solo, break, chorus... why be boring and cliche if you don't have to? Start with a chorus if you want. One of my songs starts with a bridge in a minor key! Just because I can.
Sit at the keyboard and play every chord in every progression and see what sounds right to you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886 |
HERE is a free program that will generate lot's of fun chord progressions....... 
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
It's an interesting suggestion and could probably be done. Perhaps I don't fully understand the OP's needs, but I am not sure what benefit would be received.
I would suggest taking a basic course in music theory at a local college or music institute. (I recommend this as opposed to buying a book. In a class you can ask questions and hear the teachings used by a skilled musician.) IMO this would give a better understanding of musical structure overall and let the student/user pick apart their own or others' compositions in order to better apply these principles to BIAB and to his or her instrument. Besides, it's fun, if you're kinda geeky about it, and you get to pick other people's brains.
HTH,
Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Richard gets a "bravo". Being an old school guy, I believe KNOWING music is the framework for PLAYING music. Learn how notes relate to each other. Learn that no matter what note you start on, a major scale is whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step. More important, learn what a STEP is. Once you know how to look at a keyboard or guitar neck and know how to form a scale, you will never need a chord wheel again. The "Circle of 5ths" and "Counter clockwise circle of 4ths" will be ingrained.
Chord relationships come from practice and experimentation. You can sit and crank out status quo songs or you can experiment and play with chord progressions that are not "standard". If you are in C, standard composing sends you next to Dm, Am, F, G.... why not take it to Ab? Or F#?
Remember, songs are nothing more than stories set to music. You are telling the story. You can tell your story any way you want to. It all starts with fundamentals. An 8 week music theory class will open doors for you that will remain locked if you try to figure it out yourself. You will eventually figure it our yourself, but having a teacher there to answer questions will help a lot. I don't know how old you are, where you are and what your life is like so finding classes at a time you can attend them may be an issue, but for 8-ish weeks or so of sacrifice, you will get a foundation of knowledge that has value you can not put a price on. I was fortunate to have done all of this at age 5. I sat for 6 weeks before I was allowed to touch an instrument and took music lessons on a blackboard. And years later, had the man who taught me not been long since dead, I would have liked to find him and thank him. Seriously consider this. It will help you more than you know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610 |
+1 Ryszard and Eddie. There seems to more and more users here on the forum who don't have even a basic knowledge of musical theory and they want BIAB to do everything for them. It shouldn't work that way. Later, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Ray, that exact concept gets me into ALL kind of trouble in our local music community. I express this theory that there is a difference between someone who can play an instrument and a musician. I believe if I sit a chimp down in a room with a piano eventually he will play a song. The chimp, however, doesn't KNOW he played a song. He just did the same motion over and over and over and over until it became routine for him. The "musician chimp" knows why he pressed the keys in that specific order.
And SO MANY PEOPLE go off about that. Interestingly, the ones who go off don't know chord structures.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,640
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,640 |
Thanks for the input.
Although I have been using BIAB for about 10 years, and have written many songs without such a tool, this is my first post of the forum. I have many feature request ideas and just thought I would test the water with this one.
It was by no means a suggestion for replacement of formal music theory training nor should it paint someone in a” same old same old” music box. (in my experience they help to paint outside the box)
I am sure no one needs to be reminded that BIAB already has a chord recognition tool to help people to find the name of a chord that is being played. It already has chord generation options in the Melodist tool; it already has Chord solo generator tools, chord builder tools, harmony generator tools and chord substitution tools.
My examples were from SongFrame, Harmony Navigator, ChordMaps.com so there is a real market for such tools. This just seemed like a feature that might be useful for certain types of customers.
Again thanks
Studio One (latest version), Win 11 23H2 , i9 -10940X 3.3 GHz, 32GB Mem, a 4K 40" monitor, PreSonus Studio Live III Console as interface/controller. secondarily test on Reaper, Cakewalk, and S1 on Surface Pro 3 Win 10 (latest versions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,872
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,872 |
I learnt to improvise Jazz by playing exercises from pattern books - I suppose this would be an equivelent to this. I dont think many of us remember every chord sequence without reference to something, leadsheet or otherwise. I would use a BIAB chord sequence library for exploring and practice. Finding this a useful teeaching tool doesn't mean you have to ignore other learning roots, lets not be too hasty here 
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886 |
Quote:
It was by no means a suggestion for replacement of formal music theory training nor should it paint someone in a” same old same old” music box. (in my experience they help to paint outside the box)
Agree....
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026 |
Have you checked out chord substitution feature in chord settings ? It looks at your choice and gives it's opinion . Right click any bar >chord setting >chord subs ,looks ahead a few bars too . Has anyone ever made a really awful progression and auto-generated a name and gotten a snide remark for a name ? Try it and see ! Might be a funny post !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886 |
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,479
Posts805,525
Members40,129
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean