This is a Chord Picker GUI created with AutoHotkey, see the guide below.
It should just run standalone, any problems just install AutoHotKey you can also right click > Properties > Compatibility > Run As Admin
Use the Bass, Drum, Piano.. buttons to set the instrument/s to play over a Rest, Shot or Hold. Use the < > to move or use the keyboard arrows. Use - for a comma between chords. Use / for slash chords. Use the Tabs to select your key and scale.
To run the script only just install AutoHotKey then double click on the Biab Chord Picker beta 1.0 script.ahk and it will run without having to use the exe. If you open the Picker beta 1.0 script.ahk by dragging into Notepad you will see it is just simple text:
This is the easiest way, install AutoHotKey > Double click the BB Chord.ahk. You can right click to Edit or Compile to an BB Chord.exe
Creating your own GUI:
I included the script, to edit it use SciTE4AutoHotKey or Notepad. To create a GUI use SmartGUI then open in SciTE4AutoHotKey to add the the hotkeys.
So for each GUI Button you create e.g 13b5#9 put the code at the bottom,
this will send it to the Biab window, { } are used to send some special characters.
You can use the GUI to do any Biab function by adding a button to send the shortcut keys or keystrokes to access the menus by sending down right and enter, see below. If you have AutoHotKey installed just right click the script.ahk > Compile, this will create the GUI.exe Use WindowSpy.ahk in the AutoHotKey Installation folder to get the window name to send the keys to an application, like ahk_class RealBand
The Sleep is just a short pause, so it sends !=Alt + G 1 times this selects the Generate menu, (pressing the ALT key will underscore the shortcut key to use) then goes Down the Generate menu 8 times then Enter to select MultiRiff.
So anything can be done with just one click of a button rather than having to navigate all through menus.
SmartGUI is simple to use, just drag in the button or any other components, save to file or clipboard, paste or open in SciTE4AutoHotKey or Notepad and add the keystroke send for each button.
Add this to the end to completely close the GUI so it's not running in the tray:
Here's a starter BB RB PT Action Button Set, you can rename the button and the keysend to what you like, just don't have any spaces in the name. So I renamed BB1 > BB-Play/Stop: and the keysend ButtonBB1: > ButtonBB-Play/Stop: the Send {space} is sending the spacebar
"Hot Keys" - Keyboard Shortcuts for Band-in-a-Box Commands Realband & PowerTracks search Help > Function Keys If there is not a hot key for what you need to do just use the menu, in dialogs you can use Tab (the amount of times you need) then Enter 1 or hold the ALT key down to see the shortcuts keys for each button.
Edit current style > Ctrl+Shift+F9 Send ^+{F9}
Play with last chorus looped > Ctrl+NUMPAD 1 Send ^{Numpad1}
(^=Ctrl +=Shift !=Alt #=Win Numpad 1=Numpad1)
Set tempo. Ctrl+Alt+T
I can renamed BB2 > BB-80bpm: and the keysend ButtonBB2: > ButtonBB-80bpm: Send ^!{t} Send 80 Send {enter 1}
This is a very useful idea and helpful especially quicker if you are inputting longer chord names with extensions. I had a quick go but found a few anomalies. I am in the UK so not sure if this maight be a UK computer keyboard issue. I called up B then m7 and it wrote Bb. I found that the m7 produced a flat in any key chord inputted. I used the tool to iput C maj7 and then when I went to the 2nd half of the bar the Cmajor 7 previoulsy there just disappeared. I tried it with some other major 7ths and each time it disappeared when you continued. I also used the undo control in the tool but it removed the previous chord and not the last thing being worked on. Tried inputting a push and it seems you have to call it up first before the chord. This is a problem as I find you are not always sure about adding pushes etc until afterwards.
I think it is a great idea but might need some testing. Have you had other feedback yet?
You are the only feedback I've had ! Thanks ! The m7 m6 Maj7 just had typos. The undo will undo the last entered chord, it won't undo the current chord you are typing, it just sends the normal undo command Ctrl+Z The Pushes ^ or ^^ are always put before the chord, that's just how Biab works, I will see if I can work out a way to add the ^ after the chord has been entered.
EDIT: Update, Added Set existing Chord to Push 1/8 or 1/16 Added View Mode Normal/Compact Added DAW Plug-in Mode (small)
EDIT: Update Added Remove Push Shot Hold or Rest from Chord Added GUI Color Picker Added Move BB Window with cursor keys or mouse
Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
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For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
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Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
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