Hello, forum friends

After a short blank again, this is my second post of this year.
This song is written for the latest recording session of our music circle last December.
I would like to introduce you two versions with the same score, which are the RealTrack version and the live band version.
I produced the RealTrack version first, and then I arranged it and wrote the score for the live band.
Any comments encouraged.
Always welcome.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Title: グッバイマイ一等星 (Translation: Goodbye My First Star)

Vocal: 初音ミク (Hatsune Miku, Vocaloid)

Link of RealTracks Version:
https://soundcloud.com/animarorecords/goodbye-my-first-star

Link of Live Band Version by Yamaha students:
https://soundcloud.com/animarorecords/goodbye-my-first-star-live-band-ver

Style is _SECRETS.STY Secrets Retro Hip Hop w Piano
RealTracks in style: 2743:Bass, Synth, AltHipHop8ths Ev16 085
RealTracks in style: 2704:Synth, Rhythm CloudRapLowOrgan Ev16 075
RealTracks in style: 2705:Synth, Rhythm CloudRapPercussive Ev16 075
RealTracks in style: 1837:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopModernGrooveHeld Ev16 075
RealDrums in Style: CloudRap^02-a:snare, HiHat, light perc, b:snare, layered perc
Obbligato Synthesizer played with Kontakt5 scored by me added

Summary of lyrics:

Falling down from the universe
Hundreds of millions of light years away
Your message reached me
“Hello, how are you? Nice to meet you.”
But where should I send my reply

I wanted to see you, I wanted to see you
And I waited for the night
I wanted to see you but I couldn’t see you
And I waited for the morning
I wanted to see you, I wanted to see you
And I had been waiting for you
I wanted to see you but I couldn’t see you
However I had kept waiting for you forever

Though I don't know your face yet
I kept singing my message to you
For years and decades
Nevertheless you still say
“Hello, how are you? Nice to meet you.”
And “It's your turn next time.”
I only think you're joking

I wanted to see you, I wanted to see you
And I waited for the night
I wanted to see you but I couldn’t see you
And I waited for the morning
I wanted to see you, I wanted to see you
And I had been waiting for you
I wanted to see you but I couldn’t see you
However I had kept waiting for you forever

Goodbye my first star
Please go back to the dust of the universe
And now please don’t say any more
“Hello, how are you? Nice to meet you.”
Goodbye my first star

Wow - really nice work on this A fine example of Band-in-a-Box's versatility. Really catchy, and the production is lush and professional. As always, the work with the Vocaloid here is among the best I've heard.

You should be proud of this one - thanks for sharing!

Shigeki Adachi,

I enjoyed listening to both versions. Often, I cannot decide between your RealTracks version and your Live Band version, but on this one, I much prefer the Live Band version. It has more "warmth". It is "organic" even though it is electronic based music. Excellent job of translating it to the band - they played it well. Also, in the Live version the Vocaloid sits in the mix better than the RealTracks version. In the RealTracks version the vocal seemed to "rise above" the mix a little.

You are an amazing composer/musician. And you use Band-In-A-Box so well.

I always enjoy your music.

fj

That was exceptionally pleasant.

I think I prefer the BiaB version, for the exact reasons that fj pointed out. The clockwork precision of the BiaB version seems a better fit, even though the live version is a warmer. The digital version seems a bit thinner and transparent, and the voice fits in a bit better.

In the live version, the contrast of the "warm" instruments against the digital voice of Hatsune Miku made it fit less well to my ears.

But as I've stated elsewhere, I'd take fj's advice over my own any day!

A very enjoyable listen, thanks for posting!

Really cool that you used BIAB to arrange the song and then took it to the real band to play. A lovely and sweet song. I love the lyrics:

"Goodbye my first star
"Please go back to the dust of the universe"

Great lines.

Great work.

I like both versions. Both are well done.

Thanks for sharing.

James

Shigeki,
I always enjoy your back to back recording comparisons; a taste test for the ears to find the subtle differences.
Its a very enjoyable flowing upbeat pop song.
My nod goes to the live band version for the warmth and balance in the mix.

Robert

Another pure (J-)pop perfection, you have created familiar sounding tune which grabs on the first listen. Reminds me of several European pop songs from my favorite decade the 80's.

Very catchy chorus and the production is very harmonious and balanced, the synthesizer melody part is very very nice. To simple ingredients you have added your own magic sauce with very enjoyable chord progression which shows your professionality and creativity in music making. Miku sounds better than ever. Very nice lyrical landscape with a glimpse of mystery in stars and fairies.

I think I prefer the RealTracks version because of the radio-friendly tightness when listening on the headphones.

Janne

Shigeki, I love all your work, and this one is up there with the best, keep it up please ! BIAB version is my favourite

Shigeki

I'm with floyd on this one, prefer the live band but both versions are exceptional.

Wonderful arrangement and an excellent song.

Peter

The BIAB version is terrific but the "live" band is a step up from that i terms of feel.
Top shelf.

Hello, there, Mr. Adachi ...

I listened to the 'Real Tracks' and the 'live' versions of Goodbye, My First Star, which is a sweet title that evokes a sense of a child's wonder at viewing the heavens.

The difference in each presentation is easy to note, because the 'live' band has that peculiar ambience that is instantly identifiable -- the sound of the space, of the air in the room that the 'live' musicians and instruments were recorded in. The Band-in-a-Box track doesn't possess that ambience, of course, but one could possibly add that through FX processing and make it really difficult to tell the difference between the two tracks .

But, concerning the song itself, it feels like a 'pop' lullaby! The Vocaloid singer, Hatsune Miku, has an innocent sound that one would immediately associate with a child's voice, and it's disarmingly cute and soothing to the ear.

The lyrics are unexpectedly moving, as they seem to describe the kind of painful heartbreak that is the result of someone missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter another who presence is strongly, achingly desired, and, failing in that goal, is left feeling inconsolably lonely:

"Goodbye my first star
Please go back to the dust of the universe
And now please don’t say any more..."

So sad , but the music is so fragile, so wistful, and has such a warm melody, that it 'sweetens' that sadness, just a little bit.

Sincerely,

LOREN

We would give q slight nod to the live version but,
as always, they are both excellent.

Great to have a new song from you!

J&B

Deryk,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
I am really glad you like this tune and Miku's vocal.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

floyd,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune.
And I much appreciate you teach me which version you prefer.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

David,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune.
I much appreciate your detailed comparison of both versions.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Hello jptjptjpt,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune and the lyrics.
I am very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Robert,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune.
And I am very happy you always enjoy my back to back recording comparisons.
The music circle to which I belong holds a recording session twice a year to maintain our ability to write scores.
So, I will be able to continue to post my back to back recording comparisons.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Janne,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune and the synthesizer melody part.
I am also a big fan of the 80's European pop songs.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Graham,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Peter,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune.
And I much appreciate you teach me which version you prefer.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Rayc,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Hi Shigeki ...

As always, your music compositions are stellar! It's **ALWAYS** a pleasure to listen to your music. I slightly prefer the live band version, but both are excellent. Thanks for a really wonderful listen! Your talent is amazing! Wishing you the very best ...

Alan

Dear Loren,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both versions.
I am really glad you like this tune.
And I much appreciate your analyzing the lyrics in detail every time.
I am always surprised at your really sharp analysis.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Sincerely,

Shigeki Adachi

Janice & Bud,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both versions.
I am really glad you like this tune.
And I much appreciate you teach me which version you prefer.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Alan,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both versions.
I am really glad you like my songs.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Very cool song. I also liked the real band version. That vocaloid is an interesting piece of technology

Scott,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both versions.
I am really glad you like this tune.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Well, Mr. Adachi-san, you have yet to make a single piece of music that I did not like!

Now, about the 'debate' - I would have simply kept the electronic drums (fits better with the vocaloid voice) and merged with the live band for a "best of both" outcome

Eddie,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both versions.
I am very happy to hear you like every single song I have written.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Very pretty Shigeki!! Your melodies are always superb!! Very sweet!! Take care. Greg