This is my song La Nueva (The New), but is not new, is old, I recorded the song in the year 2000.
I create the song in Band in a box (I don´t remember the number of the version at that time) when BIAB was only midi.
I take the bass, piano and drums midis from BIAB and exported to Cubase for edition.
I add the guitar parts, and with my Casio midi guitar add the vibes and flutes parts.
The percussion is a mix from midi and loops.
At that times my "studio" was a Pentium Pc with 256 mg Ram and windows98. My soundcard was Soundblaster Live, with the Soundfonts useful sampler.
The Realtracks are an amazing progress on quality on BIAB,I love it, but I think we must remember how we can use midi with good results.

La Nueva

Rafa,

I love MIDI, and this is a masterful use of it! You made this sound very good!

Your playing is absolutely wonderful, and its a perfect match with the very interesting chord pattern!

You did a lot of cool things here to keep the song lively and interesting. It is a study on how NOT to loop the same everything through 3 verses...

Naturally, I ESPECIALLY like your guitar work, but a close second is your implementation of percussion throughout the song. You also apparently put a lot of thought into mating tracks so what is being played on different tracks at the same time complements the whole. VERY very cool song! I am totally impressed by what you have presented here! You are a real pro at this! In fact, I must ask: are you a performing musician? I would guess you are... I can't imagine getting this musically proficient as a hobbyist.

Hi Rafa,

absolutely fabulous.
What a percussion. You got me with the beat starting 3:22! And your guitar playing is awsome.
The whole arrangement is so multifaceted it fascinates me all the time.
That's not my last listen.

Guenter

Wow, great playing and way better than I expected for midi only percussion.

Loved it when the rhythm just takes you over. Very cool

Rafa,

Man! I like your stuff!!!

Pro sound, arrangement, mix and playing.

Just beautiful.

What a delight!

floyd

@PAT


Thank you very much for your words and for taking the time to point out the details of the song. In fact I would like to take this opportunity to show my admiration for the work you do on this forum, always doing interesting analysis, with arguments, constructive and valuable feedback to us all.

And as for your question, you're right, I have 56 years old, and miraculously so far I have managed to live always working on live music. Playing with Latin music Orchestras , pop groups, and many years in hotels, where I live, in the Canary islands, tourism is the main industry.
The future never know, but in Spain we are experiencing a difficult season after the international financial crisis and our particular crisis caused by corrupt politicians. In canary islands we now have a 30% unemployment, and in Spain there is a 50% unemployment among young people, many are having to go to other countries to seek a better future ...
Let us hope that the storm someday pass ...

Again...Gracias!!!

@B0EHM, ENCORE, SCOTT & fLOYD

I am so glad that you liked the song, honestly
Thanks to all of you!

Rafa, fabulous guitar and what a great arrangement. One of the best examples of what can be done with midi that I've ever heard. Great percussion sounds and I look forward to hearing much more. Fantastic job. Tom

Wow, that guitar is sweet and fluid!! Almost had me dancing and that is no small feat (No small feet either). Excellent tune, great arrangement, great mix, great playing! (I think that covers it). Thanks for posting! Take care. Greg

F A N T A S T I C ! !

What a package. Great playing with a strong arrangement
and mix. Everything works. Inventive percussion.

Just an enjoyable listen all the way around.

Best to you and your career. Hope things improve for you and all economically.

J&B

@TOM @GREG @JANICE & BUD

Thank you very much to all of you for your support, I appreciate your feedback, coming from great musicians like yourselves is an injection of joy ...

Thanks and ...Feliz Navidad to all ;-)

Rafa,
I picked up the guitar again after many years, I'm studying jazz at the local academy now. You are brilliant! Great composition, professional production. A standard to look up to. Hope to hear many more from you
F

@ Fred

Fred thank you very much for your opinions about my music, it is a pleasure that you enjoyed it!

And I'm sure you're going to spend time very happy now back to playing guitar.

And as you know, Band in a Box is the most useful study tool for learning and enjoying at the same time!!!

I agree 100% and I couldn't have said it any better. You know your way around your axe, outstanding technique!

Those Casio MIDI guitar controllers are great are they not!

This is a keeper.

Sweet. Masterful Rafa. I'm looking forward to hearing more songs from you.

Rafa

This has to be one of the best instrumentals ever produced with BiaB. Superb music, brilliant percussion, polyrhythms working beautifully. Stylish guitar work and perfect mix. I could listen to this style day-in, day-out and never tire. More please!

Trev

hi rafa, this is good stuff excellent playing midi sounds great arrangement very pro sounding thanks for sharing eric

@ MARIO, JIM, TREV, ERIC


thank you very much for your kind words companions, I feel as if Santa Klaus has come early this year to my house ;-)

Gracias y Feliz Navidad!!!