2 months and I'm in love with BIAB. When I have a prob, searching for the answer nets me answers to 100 other problems/cool things that I didn't know, so it's all good.
But, I cannot find what I'm doing wrong here, and I'm sure it's me. Chord Builder works/sounds great, but sometimes it goes mute. Clicking won't produce a note or chord sound. I'll reboot, etc. So, must be a setting. I'm stuck.
Help?
2016 BIAB UltraPlusPak HD Windows 8.1 8 GB, 64-bit, 2 TB Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB 2.0 Audio Interface M-Audio AV40 Monitors (powered) Zoom R16 Recorder - Interface - Controller
Does everything on your system become muted, or just the part delivered by Chord Builder. (i.e. if you quit chord builder, does the song itself still play?)
If you select the volume control on the Windows task bar, and adjust the level, do you hear a sound when you release the mouse?
The reason I ask is because this sounds like it could also be an audio problem on the computer itself. We need to narrow down the cause.
PS: not a dumb question, either.
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.
Ha! Thanks. I feel so overwhelmed by everyone's skill levels here. I'm a longtime musician, but can't read or write it.
All other audio works fine. The song(s) play, Youtube plays, the Windows volume icon sounds a note when I adjust it.
It's just in the Chord Builder window. Neither the note or a chord will sound. I ran into this before and I consequently upgraded to 2016 mega and that reset everything, I guess, so it worked fine.
I'm always tinkering trying to "discover" stuff, and why things don't do what I tell (shout) them to do, and I'm sure when I was e.g. trying to get a new instrument to play, so I probably just checked/unchecked something I should not.
Still can't figure it out...still muted... Thanks for helping.
Last edited by CocoTex; 03/02/1606:26 PM.
2016 BIAB UltraPlusPak HD Windows 8.1 8 GB, 64-bit, 2 TB Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB 2.0 Audio Interface M-Audio AV40 Monitors (powered) Zoom R16 Recorder - Interface - Controller
OK, in that case, try Options > Return to Factory Settings.
Try the first option first, and see if that resolves, otherwise, repeat and use the 2nd option
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.
DA MAN! I had to do the 2nd (full) reset, and about passed out hitting "Reset"...
Chord Builder works now, song plays. Hopefully there is not a lot I'd set up that would need to be re-set up.
Thanks so much for your help. I was/am intimidated about asking such a sophomoric question. The tutor vids and this form are great, but often they leap beyond my initial knowledge. And troubleshooting is so problem specific.
This whole BIAB thing has really changed my head about how/what music is and why things sound like they do/can. I'm a songwriter, and I'm diving back into my best and deconstructing/reconstructing.
Thanks again, VT.
2016 BIAB UltraPlusPak HD Windows 8.1 8 GB, 64-bit, 2 TB Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB 2.0 Audio Interface M-Audio AV40 Monitors (powered) Zoom R16 Recorder - Interface - Controller
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.
Sometimes it happens, just out of the blue, that midi doesn't sound.
Before doing the full reset, on my computer here it works that way, I just open "Options"; "MIDI/Audio Driver setup..." and close it again. Usually the sound is back after that.
It happened again just now, but I resolved. I don't know for certain if this was the setting issue for the previous events, but for this most recent, and it's so #$%& obvious, I am working on a multi instrument arrangement, and was isolating the guitar, starting from there and building out.
The CB's root uses the bass, and the chord column, the piano. Once they were unmuted CB was fine.
Dough....!
Thank you both for your help, and I'll have options in the future just in case.
2016 BIAB UltraPlusPak HD Windows 8.1 8 GB, 64-bit, 2 TB Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB 2.0 Audio Interface M-Audio AV40 Monitors (powered) Zoom R16 Recorder - Interface - Controller
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.