Think chord feel in songs like Bell Bottom Blues just before it goes back into the verse or punches in Born to Run. I’m new to BIAB. It seems that BIAB measures are limited to 2 Bars. Using 4/4 and 100 bpm as a reference point, I would like to achieve a four-chord walk-down in BIAB, where the first chord is on beat 1 (F), the second chord is on beat 4 (C/E), and the third chord is on beat 7 (F/D), and it lands on the next measure on beat 1 (C). I can’t find any info to learn how to input the chords with those specific beat placements within a measure. Anyone have any links to help?
Last edited by Bob Corry; 08/15/2505:46 AM. Reason: I corrected time signature
While I am not sure about the 8/8 time signature, you can achieve more than 4 chords within the bar using micro-chords (presuming that you have a recent version of BIAB).
With 4/4 though, you would separate the first two chords with a comma in the left hand part of the chord cell, and the same with the right hand part of the cell for beats 3 & 4, viz: F,C/E F/D, C
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.
I listened to two versions of Bell Bottom Blues and somehow doubt that the time signature is 8/8. I suspect it is 4/4 actually.
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.
All he wants to do, (I *think), is be able to have a chord on one (first cell), another in the second cell, then a chord on the eighth beat before the next measure ..
I thought I'd seen how to do that on here before with some kind of Chord Window wizardry Maybe someone else will remember or know .. and add some help
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Think chord feel in songs like Bell Bottom Blues just before it goes back into the verse or punches in Born to Run. I’m new to BIAB. It seems that BIAB measures are limited to 2 Bars. Using 8/8 and 100 bpm as a reference point, I would like to achieve a four-chord walk-down in BIAB, where the first chord is on beat 1 (F), the second chord is on beat 4 (C/E), and the third chord is on beat 7 (F/D), and it lands on the next measure on beat 1 (C). I can’t find any info to learn how to input the chords with those specific beat placements within a measure. Anyone have any links to help?
Indeed.... first of all, Welcome.
I've been quoted as saying that the only limitation you have using Band in A Box is your understanding of the program and your ability to think out of the box as needed. As others have mentioned..... Microchords allow you to add 16 different chords into ONE measure of 4 beats. Essentially 16th note chords. How that would work out or sound, is another topic totally. It is however, extremely useful to get unique rhythm patterns and accents as well as pushes exactly where you want them.
This is an old blues song which you might recognize. The iconic riff in this was accomplished with the use of microchords so the BB instruments would follow it. The guitars are played live but I really wanted the band to follow the riff. When The Levee Breaks The microchords are used in a few other places as well.... where the drums are intense and building and the ending. They are also used to get the bass to play specific notes. The key to working with microchords is to time it out so you know exactly which beats you want to use.
Combine this with the fact that you can also change the tempo of a given bar, as well as the number of beats in a given bar, there are a lot of options open to you. Stepping down using chords or simply bass notes under a chord.... using quarter note chords, is super simple..... |A,G F,E| or bass notes differing from the chord root.... |A/G, A/F G/F,G/E| for example. The first being a chord run....the second being the A chord with G & F bass notes followed by G chord with F and E bass notes respectively.
I know its a bit frustrating but realize the power and capability of this program. This program is really deep. I only use about 10% of what it's capable of doing. It's simply a matter of taking the time to learn what it's capable of, figuring out what you need it to do, learning how it does that, and don't worry about the rest. Use the support videos on the website and utilize the many highly experienced people in the forums. If you hear something in a song that you think is really cool and want to know how it was done, just ask.
Those songs you referenced are in 4/4. Don't overcomplicate things. BB likes to work in 4/4 or 3/4. I think it's capable of a few other time sigs but those are not common. You can do 97% of all songs in these 2 time sigs.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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.
All he wants to do, (I *think), is be able to have a chord on one (first cell), another in the second cell, then a chord on the eighth beat before the next measure ..
I thought I'd seen how to do that on here before with some kind of Chord Window wizardry Maybe someone else will remember or know .. and add some help
I was a little confused at first because the O/P suggested that the time signature was 8/8, which BIAB doesn't support.
If the O/P doesn't want chords on the exact beat, he can possibly use Micro-Chords which were introduced in 2022.
Here is a video on using Micro-Chords in BIAB:
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.
All he wants to do, (I *think), is be able to have a chord on one (first cell), another in the second cell, then a chord on the eighth beat before the next measure ..
I thought I'd seen how to do that on here before with some kind of Chord Window wizardry Maybe someone else will remember or know .. and add some help
If that's correct, then "microchords" are probably the way: Right-click the cell -> Chord Settings Or click the cell -> F6
Or pushes: Right-Click -> Chord Options and select "Push by 1/8" Or click -> Alt+F5
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 .
If trying Pushes, doesn't that remove the ability to also have a chord on the one of the next measure, since you are effectively pushing that chord forward? Sounds like MicroChords are the best answer.
I also think his initial frustration was thinking 8/8 equals 4/4, but BiaB doesn't really do 8/8 like that
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Thank you. I was trying to say that I wanted to be able to use any of the eight beats in a measure. Using Micro chords and 1/8 note push, I think I've done it.
Excellent Bob. Thanks for letting us know that you got your solution, and for marking the thread as resolved, as this can assist others in the future.
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.
Thank you. I was trying to say that I wanted to be able to use any of the eight beats in a measure. Using Micro chords and 1/8 note push, I think I've done it.
BiaB generally indicates those using even-eighths or swing-eighths (ev8 or sw8). It also offers 16ths. You'll see them next to the tempo on the window and also on styles.
Whilst on that subject, people often struggle to see how to set even/swing, and the easiest way is to select a style that has what you want. There are other ways, but probably for ther future.
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 .
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
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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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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)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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