Ya, I knew that would be the next question. Let me get a picture for you...
Disclaimer... I have not done this in a while, but in the past did this a lot. So it does work, but I recall it can be tricky at times. Look close at the options in the menu. See picture below. Let us know how it works for you...
Remember my disclaimer... this can be tricky. Here are first four bars in triad root position... BIAB writes all the tracks to midi. You have to open in an editor and selected the "BIAB Chords" single track. Than delete all the others.
I did what you said and the tracks came out separately. The 'strings' track seems to have chords but not in root position as they are played during playback.
The BB Chord Output has got some weird notes in it.....?
I did what you said and the tracks came out separately. The 'strings' track seems to have chords but not in root position as they are played during playback.
The BB Chord Output has got some weird notes in it.....?
Yes, you want the "BB Chord Output", glad you see that.
Weird notes? Ya got to love BIAB. So, you are close. Adjust all options in chord output and in midi export to simplify the track. Assuming this works (remember you are on the MAC and I am on a PC) you should get it with a little more effort.
I would be glad to video the whole process, but first we might need a Mac guy to weigh in. Is this a new feature to the Mac or has it been around for a while?
While we wait to see what is wrong with your Output-Chords.
Here is a old work around (so many of these in biab). Put this style on your chord chart. This will create a midi track with just a piano. These chords may be triads from the root. But will be a simple non embellished single chord midi track which you can drag and drop from BIAB to your DAW. It may be what you can use.
PNOSIMP4.STY. Simple Solo Piano 4/4 Style All MIDI. Duo. Tempo=120 (60-180) Instruments: M-Ac.Piano Memo: This style will emulate simple Solo Piano playing in 4/4 tempo. Tempo range 50-200 -Examples: Wedding March, and most tunes in 4/4, Genre "Intensity" Score=30/100
This is great, but do I have to use the "Simple Solo Piano 4/4 Style"? Can't I use that 'piano' in another style or...???
Well in theory, yes, you can just insert the single piano track from the PNOSIMP4.STY Simple Solo Piano 4/4 Style into your current style and then you will have a piano playing just the chord (presumably root position) with no embellishment.
But that is currently a problem under discussion over here:
I didn't what to jump from one feature which is not working to another which is not working. I don't know your background with BIAB and did not want to discourage you. But go ahead and give it a try. Someone will come along and determine if the Output chords is working or not in the Mac version.
This is a very important feature in my workflow. I use it frequently to isolate a single simple midi track of the BIAB chord sheet with no embellishment to drive a number of Kontack VSTs. Using it now with the new session guitarists picked acoustic. Works well in the PC version of BIAB (although a bit tricky).
Which is why I am surprised this has not been resolved and is getting so little attention here in Mac Land. We have not seen one users other than the OP who is weighing in on if this works or not.
Megamads, if you are still troubled I can make a video of each button pushed on my PC version to generate the simple midi track in my DAW this weekend. It will be the PC version, but you may see something which could help. Just let me know.
Setting 'Output chords to external device' to true seems to be working OK for playback, but you're right it doesn't seem to write the chords properly a MIDI file. We probably need to revisit this, as it hasn't been updated for a long time. Either way I think there is a better way to do what you want, just by having a style play the simple root position chords.
After you do that, rebuild the StylePicker (Slow rebuild so that it picks up these styles which are not in the PG database yet)
There are two approaches you could take.
(1) When you want a MIDI file with the chords, simply load in the style chords4.sty (or chords3.sty if you're song is in 3/4), generate, and save as a MIDI file. The way I suggest that you save as a MIDI file is by dragging the Piano track to the "MID" quadrant of the Drop panel:
Then drag from there to Finder (desktop or wherever).
(2) Or you could add the Piano track of the style (where the chords are played) as a custom MIDI track to your current song, although that's more complicated. Let's say you wanted to insert it into the Soloist track:
1. Right-click on the Soloist track and 'Select Custom MIDI style' 2. Click [Choose style with this instrument] (any patch) 3. Type 'chords4' in the StylePicker filter to find it quickly and OK. 4. Set "From Track" to Piano, Press OK.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!
Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
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.