I'm entering a chord sequence for a song with a key signature of Eb
I wish to enter a chord of Cb. How do I get BiaB to display the Chord as Cb and not automatically change it to B natural?
Thanks
Trevor
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.
As I recall, BIAB will not display C-flat or F-flat chords. I remember this was discussed previously on the forum. I don't recall the reason for it (if there ever was one)
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
You cannot produce these four notes in BIAB, only their enharmonic equivalents, even with Edit, Force Accidental. I can thus see how you would not be able to form a chord with these four notes as a root tone.
This has been on the Wishlist, but not for many years. Might be good for a refresher.
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.
Thanks everyone for replies. It's going back on the Wishlist now.
What's interesting is that BiaB happily allows me to enter 'Cb', but then displays 'B'. From this, it clearly understands the letters 'Cb'.
I'm rather surprised that BiaB still doesn't correctly represent enharmonic equivalence.
See the Wishlist if you agree...
Trevor
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.
Is it possible to force one accidental in a chord?
I'm trying enter A/C# (A triad, C# bass, i.e., first inversion), and it keeps substituting A/Db ... If there is a way to "force" the correct one I can't find it...
Noel's on the money here. Depends on the song key signature.
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.
I have a Technics SX PR603 which displays chord names when I play them. If I am playing in the Key of Eb major if I play a Cb it displays B, in all inversions. As I remember this happens on other brands of electronic keyboards I have played.
So...I don't find that very strange, perhaps not what you want to see written as a chord. In standard notation the notes will be the same. Perhaps I am missing something. There is only Bb and C in the key of Eb so you will either raise the 5th or lower the 6th and I assume BB plays that note or triad. Correct??
If enharmonic keys are identical when played on a keyboard, composers don't just chose the key with the fewer sharps or flats. It is only with the modern tuning system we call 'equal temperament' that the pairs of enharmonic notes have the same pitch. In other tuning systems these two notes are actually different. I am not sure if the above has any bearing on the issue you are having.
I would love to hear more about the issue. Also any misconceptions I may have on this issue.
I have been told E=MC2...but I know better E=Fb....lol
Cheers
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
It's a matter of the music theory. It's not so much an issue of equivalence. If I'm playing in the key of G-flat, I am not playing in the key of F-sharp (which, at least on a piano, is tone equivalent to G-flat), and so if I go up a 4th for the next chord, I expect that chord to be a C-flat, not a B-natural (which is what I expect were I in the key of F-sharp.
Notation-wise, the G-flat chord would have notes on G, B, and D lines (in treble clef), but with the key signature consisting of 6-flats so all three notes are flatted. My brain has already acknowledged the key signature, so going up to the 4th would be confusing to all of a sudden see a B chord with accidentals on the notes B, D-sharp, and F-sharp, rather than no accidentals on the notes C-E-G (but all flatted by the existing key signature). B is not the 4th of G-flat; C-flat is. Likewise, C-flat is not the 4th of F-sharp; B is.
That's what's being asked for.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
I understand the issue better now. I sort of assumed this was just a question of standard notation and music theory and not BB playing out some notes that did not sound correct.
As I stated I have the same issue with my keyboard. It was a bit confusing when I first got it. For example if I play a C# the keyboard display returns a Db.
I made the assumption that the maker of the keyboard did not want to spend the money to cause the keyboard to return the correctly displayed chord name. I assume the same for BB. There must be a constant battle with BB to provide what people want and what is cost effective.
I also kinda of assumed Technics may have taken their idea from a "standard" circle of Fifths chart which only list the most common keys. There is no C# on that chart, though I never considered C# to be a strange key to play in.
I can see how this lack of adherence to standard notation would be very disconcerting to someone sight reading something and even more so if that was their only way of playing.
I will digress a bit to relate a story about a very fine classical piano player who player for the German National Symphony and live above me in France. Nicole could play anything that was placed in front of her. I placed a Robert Johnson guitar transcribed piece on her piano and it was scary as....Robert came right out of the piano...lol On the other hand she could not play a simple 1/4/5 by ear until I showed her how. I was totally amazed someone with such an huge skill set could not play something so simple by ear.
I think it would be a very daunting task to make a software product that would satisfy someone who came from the Juilliard School of Music and someone who learned to play on the back porch.
I can imagine such a thing...lol
The 2020 Band In A Box has arrived!! Also included is Talent in a Box, and the new vocal in a box which can change YOUR vocals to sound just like Ben King, Whitney Houston, Luciano Pavarotti, and most ant singer you can name. Plus we now have the add on pack Real Tracks that includes Itzhak Perlman on violin....well...one can dream...lol
Cheers,
Billy
PS, I forgot to mention the price of only $ 23,000.00 US...a real deal at twice the price....lollol
Last edited by Planobilly; 08/10/1510:57 AM.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
...The 2020 Band In A Box has arrived!! Also included is Talent in a Box,
What? Be sure to give Flatfoot a call eh?
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.
It's a matter of the music theory. It's not so much an issue of equivalence. If I'm playing in the key of G-flat, I am not playing in the key of F-sharp (which, at least on a piano, is tone equivalent to G-flat), and so if I go up a 4th for the next chord, I expect that chord to be a C-flat, not a B-natural (which is what I expect were I in the key of F-sharp.
Notation-wise, the G-flat chord would have notes on G, B, and D lines (in treble clef), but with the key signature consisting of 6-flats so all three notes are flatted. My brain has already acknowledged the key signature, so going up to the 4th would be confusing to all of a sudden see a B chord with accidentals on the notes B, D-sharp, and F-sharp, rather than no accidentals on the notes C-E-G (but all flatted by the existing key signature). B is not the 4th of G-flat; C-flat is. Likewise, C-flat is not the 4th of F-sharp; B is.
That's what's being asked for.
Great response John, precise and exact (no surprise). Just sight-read the score of Moonlight Sonata (Opus 27, Beethoven). Written in the key of C# minor, it includes significant intonation, with notes throughout such as B# instead of C natural, because the written note of C would not correctly fit with a melody written with a key signature of C# minor. Other double sharps persist throughout the movement. It's a reasonably simple song to listen to, but to play requires lots of concentration. Accidentals throughout. Hence this discussion.
Trevor
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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
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!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
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)
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