Earlier we announced a new video, Entering Chords in Band-in-a-Box®, which explains the different chord types, how to add 4 chords per bar, using pushes, and more. We're building on this topic with our latest video, Using the Chord Builder in Band-in-a-Box®. The Chord Builder is build right into Band-in-a-Box®, and is a great way to audition different chords!
I think adding the ability to also see the notes of the chord, rather than only hear it, would greatly increase the educational/overall value of this whole feature. Many of the available chords there go far beyond what I'ever even heard of, so getting to instantly see the notes that the more obscure ones actually contain would be a huge benefit.
There's only one thing to do in crisis like this - Sleep on it! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
This feature will play MIDI, so make sure that your MIDI Setup is working. To test this, within Band-in-a-Box, go to the Pianos tab in the top right (don't see it? Hit CTRL T to see the full BB screen)
Click on any of the pianos and you should hear something - if you don't, go to Options | MIDI/Audio Drivers setup and check your MIDI Output - if you do not have any output selected, you won't hear the Chord Builder (this happened to me too).
If you are using ASIO instead of MME, the important thing is to have ASIO Always On checked. If the driver wasn't selected, you wouldn't have sound at all, but if that box is unchecked, you would only have sound if the song is playing, so MIDI Thru would stop working as soon as you stop playback (added with Edit - thanks Kent!)
To change the instrument, within the Mixer, go to Patches and change the instrument for the "Thru" channel. If you do not see "Thru", you will have to click on the [THRU+] button (lower right of the mixer).
If the problem continues, please let us know!
Last edited by Callie - PG Music; 08/09/1803:36 AM. Reason: tech update
But technical problem or not, I think that initial idea of having some prefs setting to control the sound heard in the CB interface (which for decades has always been fixed as piano) is well worth examining. For instance, having the option to change it to guitar sound would very likely translate much better to the ears of guitar players, and so on.
There's only one thing to do in crisis like this - Sleep on it! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
I tried several things you suggested and now the chord builder sounds with a piano; so I'm happy. I did not have a midi output driver selected; fixing that seems to have solved the problem. Thank you.
I'm a guitar player too but I don't mind the piano sound. Oddly, if you follow Callie's instruction about the thru channel you can change the instrument name if you use GM patches. But it still makes the piano sound on my setup. I tried several instruments but all I heard was piano.
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.
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
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.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
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