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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 Right now, it feels like a brilliant product held back by one outdated system.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: 26,937
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 26,937 |
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 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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & 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: 424
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 424 |
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).
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,404
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,404 |
+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: 10,766
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,766 |
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.
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 26,937
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 26,937 |
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 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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & 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: 22,985
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,985 |
.................................
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.
When you are at the checkout line and they ask if you found everything say "Why, are you hiding stuff?"
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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Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano
Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!
Bonjour à tous,
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation
Voilà, enjoy!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Stay up to date—get the latest update now!
Update to RealBand® 2025 Build 5 Windows Today!
Already using RealBand® 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 5 now from our Support Page to ensure you have the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Get the latest update today!
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 is here! This new version introduces many features, including VST3 support, the ability to load or import a .FLAC file, a reset option for track height in the Tracks window, a taller Timeline on the Notation window toolbar, new freeze buttons in the Tracks window, three toolbar modes (two rows, single row, and none), the improved Select Patch dialog with text-based search and numeric patch display, a new button in the DirectX/VST window to copy an effects group, and more!
First-time packages start at only $49. Already a PowerTracks Pro Audio user? Upgrade for as little as $29!
www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm
Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.
Band-in-a-Box® for iOS® :Summary video.
Check out the forum post for more information.
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