I am new to BIAB this year and I was wondering if the program has the ability to create chord progressions on its own. Would someone please steer me in the right direction? I'm in information overload right now as I learn the software, and I can't find that functionality. I know that if it exists, it could well be right in front of my eyes.
I am new to BIAB this year and I was wondering if the program has the ability to create chord progressions on its own. Would someone please steer me in the right direction? I'm in information overload right now as I learn the software, and I can't find that functionality. I know that if it exists, it could well be right in front of my eyes.
Thanks!
Although I haven't actually used it, I think what you are looking for is the Melodist feature.
From Help, it states:
"Feel like composing a brand new song?
Using the "Melodist" feature you can compose a new song in the style of your choice, complete with intro, chords, melody, arrangement, etc. All you have to do is choose from one of the many "Melodists" available and press [OK] button. The program then creates the intro, chords, melody, and arrangement in any given style. The Melodist will also generate a melody over an existing chord progression."
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Within this window, you have many options to choose from and select.
To generate JUST the chords, simply remove the check-marks next to the other criteria: -Generate Intro -Insert Bass Pedals -Generate Melody -Solo in Middle Chorus (may already be unchecked, mine is!) -Allow Style Change -Auto-Titles
Make sure there's just a check-mark next to "Generate Chords" and then click [OK]
Voila a complete Chord Progression!
Give it a try on a new project to familiarize yourself with the Melodist feature.
It hasn't really been updated in a DECADE or more, but as suggested, the Melodist is what you're looking for. Songwriting is often a chick-or-the-egg proposition where the more theoretically inclined may write a progression and then fit a melody to it. Less scholarly types can often intuitively create a melody, but have no clue how to harmonize it.
I really wish PG would spend some more time on this. Some styles, like Ragtime, are almost indistinguishable from human creations, but some of the others can be kind of corny.
It hasn't really been updated in a DECADE or more, but as suggested, the Melodist is what you're looking for. Songwriting is often a chick-or-the-egg proposition where the more theoretically inclined may write a progression and then fit a melody to it. Less scholarly types can often intuitively create a melody, but have no clue how to harmonize it.
I really wish PG would spend some more time on this. Some styles, like Ragtime, are almost indistinguishable from human creations, but some of the others can be kind of corny.
Maybe a good item for the Wish List?
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
> It hasn't really been updated in a DECADE or more, but as suggested, the Melodist is what you're looking for.
The Melodist was updated in 2019 to use RealStyles instead of MIDI styles. This was because some of the MIDI styles gave a “corny” sound to the created melody, and the backing tracks now add a more realistic sound (just as they do for other songs).
There is a checkbox in the Melodist that allows you to choose if you want RealStyles or MIDI styles. It defaults to Real Styles.
The melodist can be used to create chords for any song (with or without an existing melody), in various styles.
The reharmonist creates chords from an existing melody (in various styles of chord progressions). It can be used interactively where you see various possibilities, and can replace a few bars for example.
Thanks, all. I've been experimenting with the Melodist and it seems that at least for me, the best way to use it for inspiration is to compose songs until I find a 4 bar progression that sounds interesting and them to embellish from there. The full songs it comes up with seem to meander around pretty loosely, so I try to catch a short segment that I can use. That's more than enough for me.
I have used the Melodist feature extensively, especially the Melodist preset 58 Rock Fast. There are ways to change how the Melodist creates the chord sequences, under the Melodist Maker "edit" button. I have asked for a video explaining the best use of the options under the "edit" button; nothing from Peter Gannon and team, so far.
Under the "edit" button, make changes to the numbers for "Choose Unusual Chord Progressions", "Mix Minor and Major Progressions", and "Number of Variations to Choose From." How those numbers effect the outcome is still a mystery to me and the reason for my video request. But they obviously are doing something.
I usually let the Melodist create a full song for me and then just regenerate the parts I don't like until I'm satisfied, or until I come up with my own chords.
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
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean