Well, I don't have any personal stakes in this suggestion, it's just what I would have wished to find somewhere in the menues as a new user and what might help other new users (and even more: people who are quite new to making music in general) in the future: A Dialog Window for creating a Simple Songform in order to get started smoothly for the first weeks in BiaB - no Codas etc., no "Minus 1"-Count-Ins, and no weird Ending-Settings.
A short explanation of the picture below, although the most components should be quite self-explanatory:
The user begins with a start setup - e.g. BiaB offers 10 Start-Setups to choose from, like Intro-Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Ending, Intro-Verse-Chorus-Verse-Prechorus-Chorus-Ending, Intro-Verse-Verse-Chorus-Verse-Ending, etc.; from there the user can then customize to a certain degree in the bottom area of the window
The Minus-symbol deletes the according section
The Plus-Arrow-Up-Button adds a further section right above the according section
The Plus-Arrow-Down-Button adds a further section right below the according section
The Arrow-Up-Button moves the acccording section in front of the section that is currently right above
The Arrow-Down-Button moves the acccording section behind the section that is currently right underneath
The user can define the length of all sections
The Intro-Section and the Outro-Section can't be deleted or moved in the dialog-window, but they can be set to zero bars, so that they would then not appear in the resulting songform
The dialog-window also allows to go back a couple of steps, which might be helpful if the user deletes a section by accident or the like.
The dialog-window also allows to restore a couple of steps that the user had rewinded before
If the user wants more options like Codas and so on, he has to use the Regular Songform-Options.
The "Type-in-Custom-Name-for-this-Section"-fields could be completely left out of the dialogue-window, if the programmer's goal is to make the window as slim as possible at all
BiaB UltraPak+ 2026; Windows 10 Bass: Intermediate; Piano: Beginner I came to this forum in order to suggest feature improvements for non-professional musicians like myself that use BiaB mainly as a playalong tool and as a learning tool
I haven't studied this enough but at first look it looks like this can be made by script and included in the Script menu. It is just a thought as things can take years to be implemented if at all, this is the very reason I have been using AHK scripts, it's different in Reaper you have all the api access. I made the Chord Picker Tool below with AHK scripting.
I can't build a clear opinion on things like that, since I only have trivial knowledge at software scripting. But I would think that especially for a Songform Tool, the work of an externally created script wouldn't pay out: Although beginners have to fight through some unconventional songform creation aspects in BiaB, they'll find their way to a process which they can live with at least quicker than they would get aware of a user-generated solution. So if this is not built into BiaB by PG, it would probably "come too late" for BiaB-Newbies.
I'll check out your Chord Picker Tool!
BiaB UltraPak+ 2026; Windows 10 Bass: Intermediate; Piano: Beginner I came to this forum in order to suggest feature improvements for non-professional musicians like myself that use BiaB mainly as a playalong tool and as a learning tool
Uuuh, maybe I haven't used the right musical terms in English;
1 Bar = 4 Beats (=> "12-Bar-Blues"), right?
A section is a complete verse or a complete bridge or a complete Chorus (and the like), no matter out of how many bars it consists. Isn't it?
I hope that I haven't caused the misunderstanding by using some wrong vocabulary.
From that apart, the general function is what I mean, yes.
Last edited by MoveToGroove; 10/08/2101:43 AM.
BiaB UltraPak+ 2026; Windows 10 Bass: Intermediate; Piano: Beginner I came to this forum in order to suggest feature improvements for non-professional musicians like myself that use BiaB mainly as a playalong tool and as a learning tool
The point that I'm trying to convey is: is this what you would like to do, insert song parts ? just look at what the script is doing and think can this be modified and used just how you want ?
Yep, I think it can be modified to function as suggested.
But we should be clear about the terminology, just in order to avoid misunderstandings. I'm quite sure that I used "Bar" in the right way, but maybe I used "section" wrong.
If I should go on using both as I've defined them in my last posting (otherwise let me know), I'd suggest the following modifications at first:
Renaming your "Insert Chord"-Button to "Insert Basic Songform"
Renaming your "Insert Bar"-Button to "Insert Verse" and letting it insert an 8-bar-A-Section.
Adding an "Insert Chorus"-Button and letting it insert an 8-bar-B-Section.
Renaming your "Delete Bar"-Button to "Delete Section" and letting it delete the whole section (= the complete A-Part resp. the complete B-Part) that contains the currently marked bar.
Afterwards, there would be also needed a user-friendly way to toggle Count-In, Intro and Ending, as well as to shift a specific section to another place.
Last edited by MoveToGroove; 10/08/2111:31 AM.
BiaB UltraPak+ 2026; Windows 10 Bass: Intermediate; Piano: Beginner I came to this forum in order to suggest feature improvements for non-professional musicians like myself that use BiaB mainly as a playalong tool and as a learning tool
Don't worry about the look of the GUI I'm using, that is just the Chord Progression Library script that I was using for a demonstration. The proper script will look just like your GUI pic.
BiaB UltraPak+ 2026; Windows 10 Bass: Intermediate; Piano: Beginner I came to this forum in order to suggest feature improvements for non-professional musicians like myself that use BiaB mainly as a playalong tool and as a learning tool
Here's a basic script you can try. Download https://www.autohotkey.com/ If you have Biab running As Administrator go to the install folder C:\Program Files\AutoHotkey and set AutoHotkey.exe to Run As Administrator. Run my script.ahk
You can put any name on the end of the button code Gui, Add, Button, x430 y80 h38 w130 gAction08, Action?
and it will run the Action08: function below in the code.
I've installed AutoHotkey now, and I've started both BiaB and AutoHotkey as Administrator. I've stored the script as "my script.ahk" on the desktop, from where I open it by double-click on the icon. I can see the Window with the buttons then - but if I click on a button, nothing happens in BiaB.
Maybe the script has to be in a specific folder?
BiaB UltraPak+ 2026; Windows 10 Bass: Intermediate; Piano: Beginner I came to this forum in order to suggest feature improvements for non-professional musicians like myself that use BiaB mainly as a playalong tool and as a learning tool
If Biab was already set to run as administrator then you set Autohotkey.exe to run also so it should be the same as the pic below, you can remove run as admin on both and try:
Ah, I had to set them permanently to Run as Administrator.
Well, now it does something - but no matter on which button I click, it just puts in an F-Chord.
What do you think about an area within the tool, where the user can first see/plan/construct his whole Song Form as kind of a compact sketch - and when he has done that, then he sends the complete desired Song Form to BiaB as a whole? Since if he sends each "add section" and so on directly to BiaB, there is not much additional benefit in comparison to doing it just with a couple of more clicks via the regular BiaB-Right-Click-Menu.
BiaB UltraPak+ 2026; Windows 10 Bass: Intermediate; Piano: Beginner I came to this forum in order to suggest feature improvements for non-professional musicians like myself that use BiaB mainly as a playalong tool and as a learning tool
I think this mode of thinking is in line with modern software. However, if you adapt to the band in a box mode, it is actually very convenient. According to the current situation, I suggest adapting myself to the method of band in a box. As users, we must make a compromise in order to feel some functions of the software. I believe band in a box also knows that it may need to be revised in some aspects. It is estimated that it will take some time. Let's adapt to the current band in a box, and we can make our favorite music accompaniment Especially BB VST, I think it's easy to use
I agree with swingbaby, in particular for this tool here. Since users that are new in BiaB will not come across this external tool anyway, as I've written above.
BiaB UltraPak+ 2026; Windows 10 Bass: Intermediate; Piano: Beginner I came to this forum in order to suggest feature improvements for non-professional musicians like myself that use BiaB mainly as a playalong tool and as a learning tool
BiaB UltraPak+ 2026; Windows 10 Bass: Intermediate; Piano: Beginner I came to this forum in order to suggest feature improvements for non-professional musicians like myself that use BiaB mainly as a playalong tool and as a learning tool
The Arrow-Buttons work, but Button 1-6 all insert an F-Chord. Button 7 Start/Stop Play now, Button 8 nothing
Edit: 1-2 and 5-6 insert F-Chord, 3-4 work like an ArrowRight-Button
Last edited by MoveToGroove; 10/08/2110:56 PM.
BiaB UltraPak+ 2026; Windows 10 Bass: Intermediate; Piano: Beginner I came to this forum in order to suggest feature improvements for non-professional musicians like myself that use BiaB mainly as a playalong tool and as a learning tool
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
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.
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.