I am new to BIAB this year and I was wondering if the program has the ability to create chord progressions on its own. Would someone please steer me in the right direction? I'm in information overload right now as I learn the software, and I can't find that functionality. I know that if it exists, it could well be right in front of my eyes.
I am new to BIAB this year and I was wondering if the program has the ability to create chord progressions on its own. Would someone please steer me in the right direction? I'm in information overload right now as I learn the software, and I can't find that functionality. I know that if it exists, it could well be right in front of my eyes.
Thanks!
Although I haven't actually used it, I think what you are looking for is the Melodist feature.
From Help, it states:
"Feel like composing a brand new song?
Using the "Melodist" feature you can compose a new song in the style of your choice, complete with intro, chords, melody, arrangement, etc. All you have to do is choose from one of the many "Melodists" available and press [OK] button. The program then creates the intro, chords, melody, and arrangement in any given style. The Melodist will also generate a melody over an existing chord progression."
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.
Within this window, you have many options to choose from and select.
To generate JUST the chords, simply remove the check-marks next to the other criteria: -Generate Intro -Insert Bass Pedals -Generate Melody -Solo in Middle Chorus (may already be unchecked, mine is!) -Allow Style Change -Auto-Titles
Make sure there's just a check-mark next to "Generate Chords" and then click [OK]
Voila a complete Chord Progression!
Give it a try on a new project to familiarize yourself with the Melodist feature.
It hasn't really been updated in a DECADE or more, but as suggested, the Melodist is what you're looking for. Songwriting is often a chick-or-the-egg proposition where the more theoretically inclined may write a progression and then fit a melody to it. Less scholarly types can often intuitively create a melody, but have no clue how to harmonize it.
I really wish PG would spend some more time on this. Some styles, like Ragtime, are almost indistinguishable from human creations, but some of the others can be kind of corny.
It hasn't really been updated in a DECADE or more, but as suggested, the Melodist is what you're looking for. Songwriting is often a chick-or-the-egg proposition where the more theoretically inclined may write a progression and then fit a melody to it. Less scholarly types can often intuitively create a melody, but have no clue how to harmonize it.
I really wish PG would spend some more time on this. Some styles, like Ragtime, are almost indistinguishable from human creations, but some of the others can be kind of corny.
Maybe a good item for the Wish List?
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 hasn't really been updated in a DECADE or more, but as suggested, the Melodist is what you're looking for.
The Melodist was updated in 2019 to use RealStyles instead of MIDI styles. This was because some of the MIDI styles gave a “corny” sound to the created melody, and the backing tracks now add a more realistic sound (just as they do for other songs).
There is a checkbox in the Melodist that allows you to choose if you want RealStyles or MIDI styles. It defaults to Real Styles.
The melodist can be used to create chords for any song (with or without an existing melody), in various styles.
The reharmonist creates chords from an existing melody (in various styles of chord progressions). It can be used interactively where you see various possibilities, and can replace a few bars for example.
Thanks, all. I've been experimenting with the Melodist and it seems that at least for me, the best way to use it for inspiration is to compose songs until I find a 4 bar progression that sounds interesting and them to embellish from there. The full songs it comes up with seem to meander around pretty loosely, so I try to catch a short segment that I can use. That's more than enough for me.
I have used the Melodist feature extensively, especially the Melodist preset 58 Rock Fast. There are ways to change how the Melodist creates the chord sequences, under the Melodist Maker "edit" button. I have asked for a video explaining the best use of the options under the "edit" button; nothing from Peter Gannon and team, so far.
Under the "edit" button, make changes to the numbers for "Choose Unusual Chord Progressions", "Mix Minor and Major Progressions", and "Number of Variations to Choose From." How those numbers effect the outcome is still a mystery to me and the reason for my video request. But they obviously are doing something.
I usually let the Melodist create a full song for me and then just regenerate the parts I don't like until I'm satisfied, or until I come up with my own chords.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
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