PGMusic XTRA Styles Pak #5 Contest Submission:

• Song Link --> A Fifth Goes Down Smoothly
• Style Used --> _ZEALOT
• Category --> Jazz (Classical) - mix of RealTracks/MIDI

I thought I would have a little fun with this one. This is definitely not my original song, but from the public domain. I was previewing the new XTRA Styles Pak #5 and just fell in love with the _ZEALOT style (described as Zealot Jazz Soul Rhythm Section). I then though I would marry it with a classical song, and I settled on Beethoven's Fifth, and I titled it "A Fifth Goes Down Smoothly". This is s combination MIDI/RealTracks song.

I created the melody using alternating flute and oboe (in MIDI). For the MIDI sounds, I used Auditory Labs "Real Flute" VSTi for the flute sound; the Oboe is from the Cakewalk TTS-1 DXi synth. The rest of the tracks are all RealTracks. In addition to the tracks created by the style (see song summary below), I also added RT2566, Horn Section as something of a pad, and also RT1877, Fiddle, Soloist, Country as a foil against the melody line.

I created it in Band-In-A-Box after laying out the chord chart and creating the melody parts in Noteworthy Composer (which I then exported from NWC and imported into BIAB 2018 as a MIDI file). After getting all the rests, shots, holds, etc in place, I saved the file and continued editing it in RealBand 2018. After getting it where I wanted it (and in this case, I didn't use any effects or plugins), I just did some final tweaking in Diamond Cut DC10 (to normalize the sound, enhance it a little, cut the tails off, etc).

****** Song Summary *************
Title: A Fifth Goes Down Smoothly
File:A Fifth Goes Down Smoothly.MGU
Key=C , Tempo 120, Length (m:s)=3:02
No intro. 89 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 89. Repeat x1 chorus
Melody has 439 notes, Melody harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Soloist track has 447 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Style is _ZEALOT.STY (Zealot Jazz Soul Rhythm Section)

RealTracks in style:
2609:Bass, Electric, ClassicFunkRootFiveAlex Ev 130
2809:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm SoulJazzMike Ev 130
1770:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkMovinChords Ev16 130

RealDrums in style:
JazzSoulDannyEv: a: Snare, Rideb: Snare, Kick

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Enjoy!

Neat idea cleverly executed. I especially like the intricate chordal/melodic movements of the two leads. Complex stuff made to 'look' simple.
Well done

WOW John this is fantastic. Great choice of instrumentation and you stops were perfect. Your mix is spot on and it sounds live to me.

Great job on this. This fifth went down very smoothly.

Very clever indeed John! I loved this!

Tons of fun!!



Good luck on the contest!

Hi John,

What a great listen! You did a masterful job playing the instruments off one another. I hadn't paid much attention to this style. I think I'll go back and take another listen.

The detail you employed is so clever and well-executed. I wouldn't know where to begin to create something this unique and sweet on the ears. Excellent! Totally loved it!!! Good luck in the contest. And thanks for making my ears smile.

Alan

Great example of how different programs can work together to create a wonderful audio production, when the programs are guided by someone with experience and taste.

I really like the arrangement. The song went in directions I would not have tried; good for you!

Good luck in the competition.

Hello, John

Very cool and clever!
I love Beethoven very much.
The styles you picked up and No. 5 symphony are going very well.
Personally I think that it is better if the tempo is much quicker.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Good luck with the Xtra Styles 5 contest!

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Yes! I could listen to this again and again. A perfect marriage. Good old Luddie would love this.

Thank you, all, for the kind comments. I had a lot of fun bringing this together. And thank you PGMusic for such awesome software.