Scenario: I have that chord in my head and I'll know that I've got it when I hear it, but I've got nothing at hand to play around with to find it.
What to do?
My first thought was to use the Big Piano interface, but so far I've only been able to click on individual notes with the mouse, and finding a chord that way, let alone identifying it for the sake of then correctly type it into the sheet, is looking less than ideal or simple. Is there a way to play chords on the Big Piano without an external device that I just don't know about? Or will I just have to accept that BBox is pretty useless for those without an external instrument, at least in this respect?!
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
Interesting, if slightly convoluted, idea, thanks for the input.
Are you by that suggesting that my hopes for the Big Piano having the solution are a dead end, then?
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
I think the limitation with the big piano is not the piano but that the mouse can focus on only one location at a time. The Chord Builder provides a method for multiple notes to be selected.
The Chord Builder is always just a button click away from opening.
I suppose that's true, but on the other hand, to use the chord builder for this particular purpose (i.e. not really what it was initially conceived for, I'd wager) has its limitations too. For one thing it rather depend on the user having some elementary notion of the connection between the sounds and the chord's names. On a keyboard you can e.g. change just one note with your finger and instantly hear if you're getting closer to the mark while the name of what you did doesn't matter one bit, whereas attempting to do the same - while at the same time having no idea what the chord names in that interface actually mean (not even that a "minor" chord means that a certain note of the chord is a half-tone below a "major" chord!) - will have you face a helluvalot of some very random guesswork. And again, are you sure you can't somehow use the computer keys to play that Big Piano thing? I haven't found a way, but if there is one I very much would like to know about it!
p.s. Maybe this just requires some designated implementation of something new by PG worthy of a request thread...
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
One way to accomplish your idea (multiple contacts on the onscreen piano keyboard) would be to add multi-finger touchscreen support to the program. I can't think of an easy way to do it using a computer mouse.
I know it is guitar, but here you can find the chord based on the notes you play - and I found quite a few chords that are not in the BIAB supported list (or are yet to find out -that my music theory stinks, and the chord is there just in a different name).
I hope it helps a bit
MacMini M1 - BIAB2021 - Logic Pro X - iZotope Music Production Suite - Scaler 2 - far too many Waves plugins and Line 6 Guitars and boards + a fantastic Yamaha THR10ll mini Amp - Avid MBOX Studio
Peters' Garage is available on all major streaming services
Well, this seems like a bit of let's go around rather than across, but to venture outside the Box (pun intended) for the answer is an angle I admittedly have overlooked. So I'll absolutely give this one a look, thanks for the tip
And now that you mention it, I've got another "long way round" inside my Daw, where I can use a feature which attempts to define (in writing) the chord of any cluster of notes that are playing simultaneously, so there's that too... but again, those do still fall under that "let's go around rather than across" which I find so annoying as solutions...
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
Another workaround is to play the notes of the chord in your DAW - save it as/render to MP3, and let Audio Chord Wizard do the translation and see if that works.
Again it is not that path across - but maybe the view from going around is not the worst ;-)
MacMini M1 - BIAB2021 - Logic Pro X - iZotope Music Production Suite - Scaler 2 - far too many Waves plugins and Line 6 Guitars and boards + a fantastic Yamaha THR10ll mini Amp - Avid MBOX Studio
Peters' Garage is available on all major streaming services
I don’t have the Mac version here, but doesn’t it have MIDI Chord Detection? This is one of my favorite functions in the Windows version. It’s in the Windows menu, and I don’t know what that might be on a Mac.
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 have the Mac version here, but doesn’t it have MIDI Chord Detection?
If by that you mean that quick'n-easy holding down the notes on your midi instrument and hit a certain keystroke combo to enter that chord into the sheet, then yes that's available on our end too. But that still hinges on actually having a midi instrument, which goes against my initial premise of this thread. If, however, you are thinking of something entirely different, then a screenshot would be just the thing to clarify.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
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)
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!
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