Here is a full list of the chords recognized by Band-in-a-Box. The chord names have to be entered exactly as shown here. Alternative spellings for the same chord type will not be recognized. https://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_chordlist.htm
Instead of typing in the chord names, you could alternatively use the Chord Builder window. Right click the bar you wish to enter a chord, then select Chord Build in the menu.
Yes, and it's even more than that. BIAB does not distinguish between a 2 chord, an add2 chord, an add9 chord, and a sus2 chord. All are handled as 2 chords in BIAB. So even if you can type them in, they are treated internally as the same chord.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Here is a full list of the chords recognized by Band-in-a-Box. The chord names have to be entered exactly as shown here. Alternative spellings for the same chord type will not be recognized. https://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_chordlist.htm
Instead of typing in the chord names, you could alternatively use the Chord Builder window. Right click the bar you wish to enter a chord, then select Chord Build in the menu.
I don't quite understand. Can you tell me directly which Cadd9 is?
Yes, and it's even more than that. BIAB does not distinguish between a 2 chord, an add2 chord, an add9 chord, and a sus2 chord. All are handled as 2 chords in BIAB. So even if you can type them in, they are treated internally as the same chord.
Yes, as you enter them into BIAB, and they are all converted to a 2 chord. But No, as far as classical theory, where the meaning of the four chords I gave is different for each. Don't forget, you may hear any of the four being played by a RealTrack artist.
And if you mean, are there other ways to enter C7+ into BIAB? Yes. C7#5 or C7aug (which isn't on the 2018 chart).
C9+ is also possible by C9#5 but C9aug does not work.
I can't wait for the next question, about Bflat9 versus Bnatural with a flatted nine...
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Yes. Cadd9 is the same notes as Cadd2 because in C, the 9 and the 2 are both the note D.
Strictly, the 9 is in the next octave above the C, but in practice it is often played as the 2, because the "quality" of the chord is the same.
We often do the same with 11 and 13. Any or all of these may be modified by a flat (b) or a sharp (#).
If 9 is the same as 2, you might want to think about which notes 11 and 13 are the same as.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Yes, as you enter them into BIAB, and they are all converted to a 2 chord. But No, as far as classical theory, where the meaning of the four chords I gave is different for each. Don't forget, you may hear any of the four being played by a RealTrack artist.
And if you mean, are there other ways to enter C7+ into BIAB? Yes. C7#5 or C7aug (which isn't on the 2018 chart).
C9+ is also possible by C9#5 but C9aug does not work.
I can't wait for the next question, about Bflat9 versus Bnatural with a flatted nine...
thanks!
My next question is, Asus4 and Asus2 sound different But only Asus can be recognized in Biab?
If 9 is the same as 2, you might want to think about which notes 11 and 13 are the same as.
This has me wondering, what is the highest numbered interval? I mean, they could stop at 7 and start over at 2, but they don’t, so you get 9 etc. Where does it stop? 13? Could it go even higher, into the next octave, for 16ths and 18ths etc.?
To be clear, I'm not asking about what notes exist or what can be played, I'm asking if any musician would actually speak of something like a C18th chord.
I guess this is because the main intervals we express are odd ... 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 & 13, but the 9, 11 & 13 equate to even interval notes in the next octave up, then 15 would be back to the root note again. There's no need to continue.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
...I'm asking if any musician would actually speak of something like a C18th chord.
A fair question to ask. No, I've never encountered anything over 13. And for people just learning, when you see these upper notes above an octave, just subtract 7 to get the same pitch in the register one octave lower. 13=6. 11=4. 9=2.
So yes, Gordon, 15 - 7 = 8, which is the same tone (just in a higher register) as the root since 8 - 7 = 1.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Yes, as you enter them into BIAB, and they are all converted to a 2 chord. But No, as far as classical theory, where the meaning of the four chords I gave is different for each. Don't forget, you may hear any of the four being played by a RealTrack artist.
And if you mean, are there other ways to enter C7+ into BIAB? Yes. C7#5 or C7aug (which isn't on the 2018 chart).
C9+ is also possible by C9#5 but C9aug does not work.
[size:8pt]I can't wait for the next question, about Bflat9 versus Bnatural with a flatted nine...[/size.
I mean this message.
thanks!
My next question is, Asus4 and Asus2 sound different But only Asus can be recognized in Biab?
My next question is, Asus4 and Asus2 sound different But only Asus can be recognized in Biab?
When someone says to you, play a sus chord, 'sus' is an abbreviation of 'suspended' and it is just assumed they mean sus4. BIAB assumes that, too, and omits writing the '4'.
Sus2 is an unusual chord, and some musicians do not even recognize it as a suspended chord at all (does it resolve, and where - a discussion for a different day). Somewhere in one of these many threads on chords for BIAB, I explained to you that BIAB handles a sus2 chord as a 2 chord. Do you see why it should, and will, sound different now from a sus4 chord?
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Here is a full list of the chords recognized by Band-in-a-Box. The chord names have to be entered exactly as shown here. Alternative spellings for the same chord type will not be recognized. https://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_chordlist.htm
Instead of typing in the chord names, you could alternatively use the Chord Builder window. Right click the bar you wish to enter a chord, then select Chord Build in the menu.
Thanks Chantelle. This was very helpful. Love that trick for using "3" for "#" because I am often typing one handed while holding my guitar. Cool!
When someone says to you, play a sus chord, 'sus' is an abbreviation of 'suspended' and it is just assumed they mean sus4. BIAB assumes that, too, and omits writing the '4'.
Sus2 is an unusual chord, and some musicians do not even recognize it as a suspended chord at all (does it resolve, and where - a discussion for a different day). Somewhere in one of these many threads on chords for BIAB, I explained to you that BIAB handles a sus2 chord as a 2 chord. Do you see why it should, and will, sound different now from a sus4 chord?
OK. What the teacher meant is that in BIAB, Asus=Asus4, Right?
I'm on shaky ground now. I think by then we've gone right through the list and it's back to the Maj7 again, though I accept that's a weak argument on my part. One could also define it as ##13 and avoid the subject :-)
The simple(?) 9, 11 & 13 imply also the additional notes below them in the sequence, so 13 implies also 7, 9 & 11, though they're quite often omitted. I believe "add" means explicitely to only the named note, but I'm ready to be corrected on that. That still means that Cm7add11 has five notes in it.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
OK, looking at that chord, I think I've answered my own question. Partially.
A dominant 13th is adding a new pitch class to the chord, like A in the key of C. That pitch class is not present in the chord below it.
However, a "dominant 14th" just doubles the 7th, like Bb in the key of C. That pitch class is already present in the chord below it, so you're not really adding anything.
Of course, you could raise the seventh to a B and keep the 14th as a Bb, or raise the 14th to a B ...
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements 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.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean