That sounds "too perfect" and therefore apparently/obviously not real. Humans have irregularities in their voices that make them sound, well.... human.
One of the forum rules clearly states that no covers are to be posted unless you have obtained the license. Copyright violation etc....
You're supposed to use PG products as well in the production.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 04/21/2310:14 AM.
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.
How all this sounds also depends on if you own these voice databases. If you own and use them, they are almost instantly recognizable as software generated.
That is not a bad thing or a good thing. It is what it is.
While AI and software-generated voices are commonly compared to human voices, that comparison is not very meaningful. AI sounds like AI and humans sound like humans.
I assume the idea is for AI to perfectly replicate human vocals. I assume someday that may happen. Just not today.
What I think will be more interesting is for AI voices to be able to produce really interesting sounds that humans can not.
Well, yes, I would like to "own" a robot that I could send to the store to bring me some Blue Bell ice cream using their own money they made working for someone else while I was asleep. Then come home and sing in the style of Willie Nelson to some BIAB song that I combobulated. No, I am serious, that would be cool.
That does bring up some legal and ethical issues. If the robot is so "human-like" is it OK to "own" it? What would Willie have to say about all that?...lol
So far it is pretty easy to tell the difference from a robot singer and a human...lol
"While AI and software-generated voices are commonly compared to human voices, that comparison is not very meaningful. AI sounds like AI and humans sound like humans." If the purpose of A.I. Synth vocals is to replace human vocals then the comparison is both meaningful and necessary. Synths were, initially, promoted as ways to synthetically replicate traditional instruments. Wendy Carlos et al were pressured to do this but knew that, at that stage of development, the results weren't impressive. Instead they wanted synths to have their own "voices" as created by the user and continued to move along that path. When we hear "samplers" we intuitively make comparisons with sounds from our own experience and with the labels we already have. These days a Mellotron track will get comments about how it sounds like a cheap, noisy string sample whereas it used to be a sound that wonderfully replicated things - to most ears. These days I hear Mellotron and rather than comparing it to the samples I think of the classic recordings made using it and note how closely those are replicated. Comparison, like judgement,is an evolutionary survival tool.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
That sounds "too perfect" and therefore apparently/obviously not real. Humans have irregularities in their voices that make them sound, well.... human.
One of the forum rules clearly states that no covers are to be posted unless you have obtained the license. Copyright violation etc....
You're supposed to use PG products as well in the production.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
"One of the forum rules clearly states that no covers are to be posted unless you have obtained the license. Copyright violation etc...."
One of the forums. Best of YouTube (6 viewing) Videos related to music (instruction, performance, mixing tips etc.)
So how does this work? If Mike Halloran puts a cover song on Youtube without obtaining a license, can I post a link to it here?
Billy
Hi Billy,
I believe that Youtube handles all of the copyright violation infringements meaning if it is no taken down by youtube it is OK. There is now and has been many copyrighted songs on the Best of Youtube forum that PGMusic has not taken down thus it must be a safe place to post copyrighted songs.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
During COVID, my church posted a YouTube video of a service. (The sanctuary has 18 inch thick stone walls so no internet in there to live broadcast.) Last year, we got a notice about our copyright violation. Once I deleted the service the legal problem went away.
So it is possible to get a serious copyright violation on YouTube and not just a "this may be a copyright violation" notice. BTW, it was copyright problem not a royalties problem. I would have thought both would have been an issue.
due to the sheer number of songs on YT that are covers, I would have thought YT has worked out and agreement with the copyright issues.
My understanding is that if there is a copyright issue, and the copyright owner doesn't want their music infringed, YT will remove it as soon as their software figures out your song is in the banned from YT list. All others, unless you have obtained the license and are able to show that to YT, they will monitize your video and music and remit the proceeds to the proper copyright owner.
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.
It would appear, from my very few instances of being hit with a copyright notice that some copyright "strikes" are resolved by Utub capturing monetization if established or monetizing it and directing the $$$ to the complainant.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
It would appear, from my very few instances of being hit with a copyright notice that some copyright "strikes" are resolved by Utub capturing monetization if established or monetizing it and directing the $$$ to the complainant.
Yes.... That's exactly what I said. I have a couple of videos that use copyrighted material. One of those is a foreign artist from Argentina... it's been hit with a copyright notice in my dashboard and monetized. At least they didn't pull my videos or silence them.
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.
"One of the forum rules clearly states that no covers are to be posted unless you have obtained the license. Copyright violation etc...."
One of the forums. Best of YouTube (6 viewing) Videos related to music (instruction, performance, mixing tips etc.)
So how does this work? If Mike Halloran puts a cover song on Youtube without obtaining a license, can I post a link to it here?
Billy
"Mike Halloran" has sync licenses for every cover I have ever posted — all three of them in my capacity as a choir director, none done with BIAB. I negotiate each one with the publisher.
I negotiate sync licenses for several organizations & churches and fight take-down notices from copyright trolls. This is good money if you have the knowhow and experience.
Quote:
Hi Billy,
I believe that Youtube handles all of the copyright violation infringements meaning if it is no taken down by youtube it is OK. There is now and has been many copyrighted songs on the Best of Youtube forum that PGMusic has not taken down thus it must be a safe place to post copyrighted songs.
PG Music is not liable for links to those videos since they do not host them.
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
[quote=rayc]It would appear, from my very few instances of being hit with a copyright notice that some copyright "strikes" are resolved by Utub capturing monetization if established or monetizing it and directing the $$$ to the complainant.
Yes.... That's exactly what I said. I have a couple of videos that use copyrighted material. One of those is a foreign artist from Argentina... it's been hit with a copyright notice in my dashboard and monetized. At least they didn't pull my videos or silence them.
That's good.
YouTube can pull videos, let publishers monetize, issue warnings, cancel your account… Just try to post a Led Zep cover and see what happens. We can also listen to Rick Beato moan and groan about it.
Although it appears that YouTube, I mean Google—excuse me, Alphabet—does as they like, they are under considerable pressure to take it down when certain music is posted. Not from the US but definitely from the EU.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
It would appear, from my very few instances of being hit with a copyright notice that some copyright "strikes" are resolved by Utub capturing monetization if established or monetizing it and directing the $$$ to the complainant.
Yes.... That's exactly what I said. I have a couple of videos that use copyrighted material. One of those is a foreign artist from Argentina... it's been hit with a copyright notice in my dashboard and monetized. At least they didn't pull my videos or silence them.
You'll note that I used the term "complainant", (mashup of claimant & complaint), rather than copyright holder. The claimant doesn't seem to need to establish ownership before getting the benefit.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
… You'll note that I used the term "complainant", (mashup of claimant & complaint), rather than copyright holder. The claimant doesn't seem to need to establish ownership before getting the benefit.
When a video is pulled without warning, that should only be done in response to a request by a legitimate rights holder and the only defense is a sync license.
Otherwise, these things can be fought, often successfully, especially when done by a copyright troll. There is no reason to let the bad actors win.
Sync licenses are often easy to get once you know how to contact the publishers and those who won't allow them tell you over the phone or by email. If someone wants to start a separate thread, I'll be glad to share some of my tips on this and dealing with copyright trolls. Sure beats paying the hourly I charge for telling corporate clients the same thing on the phone. Of course, I deal with specific situations in that environment and often write the exact response that is needed.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
I'll be glad to share some of my tips on this and dealing with copyright trolls. Of course, I deal with specific situations in that environment and often write the exact response that is needed.
It's not happened to me for quite a while BUT I'm certain the voice of experience would benefit me & anyone else ready & able to pay attention.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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)
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