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.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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; 08/09/1802:36 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.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows® Today!
If you’ve already purchased Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®, great news—a new update is now available! This update introduces a handy new feature: a vertical cursor in the Tracks window that shows the current location across all tracks, and more.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator
With Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®, we've introduced an exciting new feature: the AI Lyrics Generator! In this video, Tobin guides you step-by-step on how to make the most of this new tool.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator video.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins
Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows® now includes support for VST3 plugins, bringing even more creative possibilities to your music production. Join Simon as he guides you through the process in this easy-to-follow demonstration!
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins
Video: Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows: Using The BB Stem Splitter!
In this video, Tobin provides a crash course on using the new BB Stem Splitter feature included in Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®. During this process he also uses the Audio Chord Wizard (ACW) and the new Equalize Tempo feature.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using the BB Stem Splitter
Check out the forum post for some optional Tips & Tricks!
Congrats to Misha (Rustyspoon)…downloaded/installed a full Audiophile 2025!
Breaking News!
We’re thrilled to announce that Rustyspoon has made PG history as the very first person to successfully complete the download and install of the full Band-in-a-Box 2025 Windows Audiophile Edition (with FLAC files)—a whopping 610GB of data!
A big shoutout to Rustyspoon for stepping up to be our test "elf!"
With the launch of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows, we're adding new videos to our YouTube channel. We'll also share them here once they are published so you can easily find all the Band-in-a-Box® 2025 and new Add-on videos in one place!
Whether it's a summary of the new features, demonstrations of the 202 new RealTracks, new XPro Styles PAK 8, or Xtra Styles PAKs 18, information on the 2025 49-PAK, or detailed tutorials for other Band-in-a-Box® 2025 features, we have you covered!
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until December 31, 2024! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Windows 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
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