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I notice when I open BIAB it defaults to the key of C. If a load a demo of a style it might be in some other key but I notice that the key setting remains at C. I find this confusing. Why does it not change to the key being played in the demo song?
Secondly let's say I want to write a chord progression in the key of A minor. Since Am is the relative minor of C, do I need to change the key setting on C, or change it to Am?
So I am not really sure of the best practices of how and when to use the key setting in BIAB. Thanks for helping a noobie!
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I notice when I open BIAB it defaults to the key of C. If a load a demo of a style it might be in some other key but I notice that the key setting remains at C. I find this confusing. Why does it not change to the key being played in the demo song? I just tried loading a couple of demos and BIAB loaded the correct key for each demo. I'm not sure what is happening for you. Have you installed the latest update? It could be that the demo SGU that you loaded didn't have the key set in it. If that's the case, I would let PG Music know so that they can correct it. Secondly let's say I want to write a chord progression in the key of A minor. Since Am is the relative minor of C, do I need to change the key setting on C, or change it to Am?
So I am not really sure of the best practices of how and when to use the key setting in BIAB. Thanks for helping a noobie! I've created songs where I've left the key signature unchanged and things seem to work out okay most of the time. That said, the main difference between Am and C is that Am usually uses E7 as the dominant 7th chord (whereas C uses G7). Because E7 has a G# in it, where soloists are concerned, I have found that sometimes the key information is useful. Because BIAB, by default, also automatically modifies chords if the program 'thinks' there are chord choices that give a smoother flow, it is likely that setting the key is important for BIAB to act correctly. If you want to disable BIAB potentially making chord substitutions for a particular song, you need to deactivate "Natural Arrangements" in song settings (CTRL + N). I hope this helps. --Noel ★ my latest song: How Do I Love Thee? (vocals by Synth V’s vocaloid, Natalie)
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Noel96, thanks for the great reply. I think I will try this and just leave things in the default C designation, unless I want to transpose a progression I have already written. AND great tip on disabling the setting for BIAB making changes to the chords I have entered. Didn't know about that. Does this sound like a good way to approach writing my own backing tracks to practice improvisation with guitar?
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...If a load a demo of a style it might be in some other key but I notice that the key setting remains at C. Are you loading a full demo song, or listening to a song demo (audio) of the style? The latter will not load a BIAB song, nor change the key.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Thanks for that. I see you point. Seems to be working now. Do you have any comments about best practices on making a quick backing track to practice improv over? Do I first adjust the key designation in the little drop down menu and then quickly write out the chords OR just leave it on the default C and write out the simple chords (no matter what the key) and then use the key drop down menu IF I want to transpose it for some reason? What is the best practice. Thanks so much for you comments! ...If a load a demo of a style it might be in some other key but I notice that the key setting remains at C. Are you loading a full demo song, or listening to a song demo (audio) of the style? The latter will not load a BIAB song, nor change the key.
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Your needs may dictate a different approach but I recommend setting the key signature as the very first step in entering a song.
I play wind instruments in many keys: A, Bb, C, F, and G. I sold my D/Eb horn. Point is, if you want to stay sane working with transpositions, I recommend always working in concert pitch (C instruments, like guitar, piano, flute or trombone). Then make the switch to a transposed part. For example, buy the Fakebook in C.
However, if you are given a transposed part such as a Bb trumpet part, then you set the transposition in BIAB first. Write back if that’s what you need help with, and give the song and instrument details.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Thanks Matt! I am not dong something complex in this case. Just slapping down a quick chord progression to practice guitar improvisation over. From your excellent detailed comments, I suspect that for this simple need, I would just leave the key menu set at C and plop down the chords in whatever starting key I want. Then I suppose IF I wanted to transpose the quick and dirty chord progression to another key so as to improvise over another key, but with the same function of the chords I wrote, then I would change the key setting in the drop down menu. Sound right? I appreciate your guidance and Merry Christmas to you.
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My answer depends on yours.
If you know the key, set it first.
If you are just making up a progression to woodshed over, then as soon as you know a key, even one that’s close, set it in the key signature when you can. Did you notice when you click on C to change the key signature, there are two columns? The left side changes the key signature and changes the sound, transposing to the new key. The right side just changes the key signature without transposing.
Why does this matter? BIAB uses the key signature to make decisions. For example, is that note or chord going to show as a G# or an Ab? I have read that it also makes a difference in the sound but I cannot prove that.
By the way, welcome to the forum.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Thanks so much and I will adopt that starting now. Appreciate your help and thanks for the welcome!
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You’re welcome. Go back and check my prior post because I edited in a bit more.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
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