What is the proper way to input augmented chords into BIAB? Is it best to use "AUG" or will a simple "+" do the trick?
Secondly, why do some instruments play them and some don't? And how can I know if an augmented chord is in the real track instrument's capability?
I am growing frustrated trying to find a real track keyboard player that will play the augmented chords in the chord chart!
Help
Jeff Taylor - 2023 for Windows BIAB Latest Build Ultra PAK + Windows 11 HP Tower AMD Ryzen 3 5300G with Radeon Graphics 4.00 GHz i3 16GB Memory 1TB SSD 1TB Hard Drive Focusrite Single interface Tascam DP-24SD Portastudio
Use the "+" to designate the sharp 5 augmented chord. Regarding what real tracks will play it and how they play it is left up to the magic of real tracks. I just tested with a Piano RT, see pic.
Unfortunately, it's apparent that too many real track instruments don't know what an augmented chord is. Even in the jazz style. Trying to use it as a passing chord to create a half-step line in the accompaniment is not working very well.
Am I the only one who has run into this? Keys playing an augmented chord against a regular triad in other instruments just sounds awful!
Jeff Taylor - 2023 for Windows BIAB Latest Build Ultra PAK + Windows 11 HP Tower AMD Ryzen 3 5300G with Radeon Graphics 4.00 GHz i3 16GB Memory 1TB SSD 1TB Hard Drive Focusrite Single interface Tascam DP-24SD Portastudio
Am I the only one who has run into this? Keys playing an augmented chord against a regular triad in other instruments just sounds awful!
So I thought about this. Fact is I don't recall ever writting a chord progression with an Augmented chord. So I did some homework. First thing I learned was Augmented chords don't sit in the regular Minor or Major scales. Instead, they live in the Harmonic or Melodic Minor scales. Guess what? I have never written in these scales either.
Next I listed to a number of songs which include an augmented chord. Google listed a ton of very well known songs. Very popular with Beatles tunes. This confirmed for me the sound and the fact that I actually like this sound.
Then I searched how to compose with augmented chords. The augmented chord is an odd and errie sound used to suspend resolution. And is often used to substitue for the major V chord in a progression. I tried a couple examples and liked it a lot. You don't want to stay in that sound for long since it is unexpected and really wants to resolve back into Key to the IV or the vi or of course the I.
So back to the question. I found the piano RT in BIAB to handle this chord well. But regarding how the bass, guitar or other instruments play over this chord I have not yet had any experience. So I wouldn't even know what to expect. But I plan to find out shortly.
I'm late to this discussion but here's what I've learned. When it comes to Realtracks, if the person recording the realtrack doesn't include an augmented chord you are SOL. I do a lot of gypsy jazz backing tracks and man is it frustrating. The only solution is to become adept at creating your own user tracks. I've got two songs right now that need an augmented chord and I'm about to do a deep dive to solve the issue using my own user tracks. Going forward I plan to redo all my backing tracks with my own user tracks. I hate to say it by as great a guitarist as John Jorgenson is, his "la pompe" is not very good.
Also, chord builder doesn't even have a + or augmented option. That really sucks.
Noel beat me to the punch here but I suggest you get Melodyne if you can afford it; it's not cheap. However it is excellent at moving notes around thus you will have access to all of BiaB's RTs, just move or delete any note in the RT. Plus the moved note will sound exactly like the rest of the track. I use Melodyne on many of my tracks.
I have no experience on fixed notes so I can't comment on them.
Last edited by MarioD; 11/14/2507:25 AM.
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
3) Use a third party audio editor (such as Melodyne) and tune the pitch of the chord's notes to reflect what you want.
Regards, --Noel
I have been using Melodyne for over 10 years. It's fantastic tool. It's also very expensive, but if you need it, it's money well spent. To do what Noel suggests, you need Melodyne Editor with its DNA (Direct Note Access) capability to edit notes of a polyphonic instrument like a guitar or piano.
I now have the top edition, Melodyne Studio. It took me several years to get up to it. I got Melodyne Essential bundled with Studio One Pro (v2 at the time). On the next Black Friday sale, I bought the discounted upgrade to Assistant. The following BF, I bought the discounted upgrade from Assistant to Editor, where I quite happily stayed for several years. Then Celemony offered me an excellent upgrade price from Editor to Studio, so I said What The Hey, and bought it. And never looked back.
Pro Tip: If you are buying an audio interface, consider a PreSonus DAI that includes a perpetual license for Studio One Pro. Register the Melodyne Essential license that comes with it, and then start upgrading like I did. Note that the least expensive interfaces come with SO Artist v6, which does not include Melodyne Essential. It's a pretty good deal. Also note that some of the bundles that include an inexpensive DAI also come with Studio One Pro v7.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
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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.
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.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
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The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
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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
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
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)
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)!
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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.
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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.
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