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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 32
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 32 |
I’ve been a long-time user of Band-in-a-Box and really appreciate what the software offers. However, I want to raise a serious concern about the current state of its audio chord detection.
For the same song, I tested multiple online tools — Chordify, ChordU, and Moises — and all of them gave accurate chords. BIAB, on the other hand, consistently produces incorrect results. Even more telling: I exported the correct chords from Chordify as a MIDI file, then imported that MIDI into BIAB. Still, BIAB generated completely wrong chord data. This, to me, highlights a core issue with the detection engine.
This isn't just a technical flaw — it's a missed opportunity. If BIAB had reliable chord detection, it would unlock the full power of its other features, making it an unbeatable songwriting and arranging tool. Right now, it feels like a brilliant product held back by one outdated system.
I hope PG Music takes this seriously. BIAB deserves better.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,608
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,608 |
I've noticed that programs (and apps) tend to leapfrog each other in their ability to do this. I agree, now it's PG Music's turn to make a jump. One serious limitation is that, unless it just improved, it only supports two chords per measure.
Studio One 7 Pro gets some chords, and on my iPhone, I use Chord AI. Song Master Pro also does OK and attempts to define song sections. None of them get all the upper extensions correct on the genre I write, Brazilian jazz, but they get me closer. I'll have to try the second and third ones you cited.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 609
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 609 |
With so many alternative software products (local apps and online) available to the user, if a software company wants to be on top of their competitors it ought to be quite easy to set up some comparison tests for some functions and check the outcome, and if needed fix the problems to come out on top (to be a candidate for the users first choice).
BIAB 2026, Studio Pro 8, Song Master Pro, Win11 Home. i7-9700K CPU, 32GB, ESI MAYA44eX, ZOOM UAC-2, Guitar Pro 8, Transcribe, (EZKeys2, EZD3, SD3, EZBass, EZMix3)
Amateur: fiddle, guitar, vocal, beginner on bass.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,674
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,674 |
+1 to better chord detection.
heres what i would like to see...
a AI module in bb/rb that has several features that could be turned on and off by the user such as..eg a user utility.
examples of features might be...
1..chord detection of course improved.
2..6 part stem splitter...or at least mirror what the very best stem splitters do.
(a lot of sp's are based on public domain code i believe ?)
3..what i might term a 'make my created song final master radio ready'.
ie improve the master to help new people that cant afford a commercial
product used by big studios ?
4..a number of features for tracks split from a master...
eg cutting down sibilance and noise and generally improving the split track and its audio before adding pg content to the song.
5..an improved way of syncing new pg session musos to an existing master. it seems from posts that new users are struggling with this ?
eg just grab a track and slide it like one can do in rb and various daws ?
and i know ive missed something...but i think the general gist is there.
the whole AIM being to attract new users to pg that might not have a lot of money ? and thus save them haveing to buy third party add ons ?
just some ideas/blue skying it.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,075
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,075 |
jmorgan,
Why do you use the subject heading there is an "Urgent need to improve Chord Detection in BIAB"? There will almost always be a program that can perform a specific function better than another program that can perform the same function. That's true of Band-in-a-Box as well as the other programs you named. If you know of a program that performs a function better than Band-in-a-Box, use that program to perform the function. As long as one or more programs you use can perform a function to your satisfaction I don't understand the urgent need; the work you want to do still gets done.
At the same time there have been numerous threads to let other forum members know program "X" performs function "Y" better than Band-in-a-Box. Many times the threads detail how and why this conclusion was reached. Those are great threads for other forum members to keep up with advances in technology. Sometimes a program will not be well known so explanations with links to a program's website is very helpful about alerting people to programs they do not use or are not familiar with.
From your thread subject heading, I thought the chord detection function in Band-in-a-Box was seriously broke! I'm glad that's not true.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,608
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,608 |
I think the key term in the original post is ‘missed opportunity’ and I concur. When I think of what a typical person might use BIAB for, one use is to create an accompaniment track based on a popular song they may know, and then perhaps experiment with new tempos and keys. That makes sense to me as being one of the core functions of BIAB.
Now, what about how well it does that? Some of us here may have other skills and needs and a good command of available tools. I suppose my guideline would be, if BIAB chooses to include a particular function, it should perform that function in a way that is competitive with other programs. There has long been an opinion here by some who feel BIAB should stick to what it can uniquely do, and if it is going to include other functions, it should do them well. Topics in this category could include being a DAW, audio editing, offering stem splitting, or video functions. Are they nice to have, and convenient? Sure. Are they urgent? In my opinion, no. But if BIAB does these things, the performance needs to be competitive.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,906
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,906 |
.................................
Now, what about how well it does that? Some of us here may have other skills and needs and a good command of available tools. I suppose my guideline would be, if BIAB chooses to include a particular function, it should perform that function in a way that is competitive with other programs. There has long been an opinion here by some who feel BIAB should stick to what it can uniquely do, and if it is going to include other functions, it should do them well. Topics in this category could include being a DAW, audio editing, offering stem splitting, or video functions. Are they nice to have, and convenient? Sure. Are they urgent? In my opinion, no. But if BIAB does these things, the performance needs to be competitive. I agree.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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-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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- 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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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