Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#385418 12/21/16 02:57 AM
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,725
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,725
If you have a hankering to do more and spend more..... buy a farm.

It seems I spend money and time out there every time I go out there.

recap: we bought the 28.5 acre farm back in March. The long time occupant moved out at the end of June and we took full possession on July 1.

The place was filthy and that word doesn't begin to accurately portray how bad it was. We burned the house and cleared up the lot.

We added a 24x30 shop and started to rehab an old shed. We dug the well 100' deeper and had the old surface water sealed off. We're now getting a solid 20+gallons per minute from 150' down in bedrock. Cold clean, and tasty water from thousands of years filtered by rock. We also found the surface spring down the hill and the foundation of the old spring house.

My wife and I have signed the papers to get the process started towards putting a new 3 bedroom, open floor plan modular home on the old home site. Hopefully by the spring, we will be getting it installed and connected.

So... here's what I've been working on.

The old shed on the property was in bad shape. This is what it looked like. Rotted wood, siding falling off, wasps in it.




I asked my wife if she wanted it for a garden shed. She recommended that I fix it up and put my studio and office in it. We would be downsizing a bit on square footage in the new house so that made sense.



I pulled some siding off the old house before we burned it down and used that to repair the rotted siding. I added 2 windows on the south side facing the woods.



I installed 2 french doors that were found in the back of this shed. My wife picked the green color for the paint.



A neighbor sold me some tongue and groove pine boards, and I salvaged a bunch from inside the old house/cabin on the property. A friend helped me hang some sheetrock.... I installed wiring for power and internet.



And most recently, I rummaged through the many paint cans I had in storage under the laundry room sink. I found several colors that were close enough to the ones I wanted to make them work. In both cans, there was almost exactly enough to finish the ceiling in brick dust red and golden yellow on the walls.



Still more work to do... I'm planning to stain the wood on the window wall a darker color. (Walnut) and add a beam down the center of the ceiling, also walnut stained.

Now, I have to figure out what to do with the floor since it's very rough concrete. Ceramic or terra cotta tile is a viable option and since I know how to do tile work, it's probably what I will end up doing. Add a throw rug, some sound diffusers, and my gear, once we move to the farm of course, and it'll be ready to rock.

Anyway, that's the update on the Kill Branch recording Studio.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,805
C
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,805
Finally, a real brick and mortar "Upper Room" recording studio! Will Upper Room name change to "Backshed Recordings"?

Everything is looking really good Herb. You will need to add a small doorway for Lily though.


Start watching some episodes of Daryl's House for inspiration.

Of course, if you need any guest artists to help you with the grand opening, I'm available.....

Charlie


BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,270
L
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
L
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,270
We have a saying back home regarding farmers:

"If you want to be a millionaire farmer, start with two million."

Great job on the studio!
LLOYD S

Off-Topic
E
eddie1261
Unregistered
eddie1261
Unregistered
E
That is AWESOME!!! Studio written all over that room!

If ever won the lottery, in the back of the new house I would buy I would have a log cabin built by those Barnwood Builders guys out of WV and make that the studio. I would also build it to seat 40 or so people so I could host house concerts. Isolated control room, tiered stage, kitchen area and some small bar tables for people to eat from the pot luck I would have as entry fee for the house concerts... I actually have it all drawn up!!

YOU, though, are living it! Good for you!!

Off-Topic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 408
W
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
W
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 408
That looks awesome -- please keep us posted on how it turns out! In terms of treating the room, sound-wise, couldn't you leave the bare concrete and just throw some rugs on there? Or would tile be preferable?


Will - PG Music
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,448
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,448
Great job Herb!


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,970
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,970
Looking real good Herb,

You're making great progress.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 7) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Have you considered cork tile flooring? My sister has hard cork flooring in her studio which I believe is 25 X 35 or whatever equals a 2 1/2 car garage. The cork floor really helps when it come to mic'ing things in different areas of the room. It's as difficult to clean or keep dry as some assume.

Congratulations on the new place.


Does the noise in your head bother me ?
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
BTW, where is it. It looks somewhat remote but must not be too far from Carl's Jr.


Does the noise in your head bother me ?
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,725
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,725
Originally Posted By: Will B - PG Music
That looks awesome -- please keep us posted on how it turns out! In terms of treating the room, sound-wise, couldn't you leave the bare concrete and just throw some rugs on there? Or would tile be preferable?


The problem with the concrete floor is that the previous owner of the property finished it and it's really rough and uneven. Whatever I do I have to provide some way to even it out first. Tile puts a layer of grout on the floor first.... if I did wood of some sort, it would need some sort of underlayment to make it even.

I will keep everyone posted as this project is nearing completion.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Tobias #385646 12/22/16 02:21 AM
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,725
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,725
Originally Posted By: Tobias
BTW, where is it. It looks somewhat remote but must not be too far from Carl's Jr.


Remote? Yes it is. It's on 28.5 acres and quite a distance off the road. Close to 1000' or so. There's no Carl Jr's around here anywhere, to my knowledge.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,285
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,285
This is looking really good Herb. You are a multi-talented man.


Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school.
Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,022
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,022
Coming together nicely Herb, that's for sure.


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.
Off-Topic
E
eddie1261
Unregistered
eddie1261
Unregistered
E
A layer of self leveling concrete will even it up.

Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,970
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,970
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
Originally Posted By: Tobias
BTW, where is it. It looks somewhat remote but must not be too far from Carl's Jr.


Remote? Yes it is. It's on 28.5 acres and quite a distance off the road. Close to 1000' or so. There's no Carl Jr's around here anywhere, to my knowledge.


Herb, Carl's Jr. is called Hardees in North Carolina.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 7) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Herb,


You sure have some mad construction skills- I only wish I had them! For the floor, have you considered Pergo? For a dry room you throw down some rugs, for some natural reverb you leave just the wood. It's pretty durable, and you could probably do it for the cost of tile.


Merry Christmas!


Regards,

Bob

Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,725
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,725
Well in that case, yep, it's actually the closest fast food joint. Hit the interstate a mile away, go east to the next exit 6 miles.... and waa laa.... Hardees on the corner.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
90 dB #385744 12/22/16 11:38 AM
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,725
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,725
I'm going to hit the habitat for humanity restore where they sell recovered and excess things. I picked up the windows for $25 each... they were in perfect condition, just dirty.

I'll have a look at the flooring and tile when I get ready for that.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,805
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,805
Quote:
I'm going to hit the habitat for humanity restore where they sell recovered and excess things. I picked up the windows for $25 each... they were in perfect condition, just dirty.


I love going to the ReStore store!


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window

In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
  • Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
  • Playable RealTracks Set 5
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:


  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
  • RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
  • SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,737
Posts795,545
Members39,945
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Diddlysquat, pun61, smitoz, Jonnyfartpants, Gengiz
39,944 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 193
Noel96 117
DC Ron 114
rsdean 103
DrDan 102
dcuny 93
Today's Birthdays
brassauditions, EddieV, glauber, Holly, MyZone1958, PLS, Tobin - PG Music Inc.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5