|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234 |
Soundcloud: Painting on a wall
YouTube: Painting on a wall This song is in response to two songwriting challenges (set by Knee Wobbler): the first: to write a ballad; the second: to write about an inanimate object. I succeeded with the second, but not the first, as I don’t consider this a ballad. On this recording, finger-picking and strings are provided by Band-In-A-Box while other guitars, 'foot tapping' and vocals are provided by me. I tried to learn Travis picking to record this song, and while I am someway towards my goal, I will release my full version in due course once I can use it more fluently. In the meantime, I’ll refer to this as the ‘BIAB mix’. The idea for the song came to me while doing the dishes one day, which is a pleasant change from the bathroom. The idea came along with the line ‘I am a painting on a wall. Nothing escapes me, I see it all.’ From there, the concept of the painting on the wall seeing the things going on in the family home, and particularly the life story of the only child daughter of a couple. The lyrics are fiction and not based on my experience. When my own children were approaching adulthood, I had a realisation of how good it would be that our grown up and departed children would want to visit their parents just because they wanted to. I relayed this to my late mother-in-law and she replied “Andrew, you don’t know what it would mean to your parents if you visited them more often.” It took me by surprise that I wanted something of my children that I was not providing to my own parents. Video notes: I realise the main characters change their looks slightly in the video. I've tried to keep them as consistent as I could while relying on stock video footage. I rationalise this by thinking that women change hair colour regularly, and the father is obviously wearing a hairpiece in some scenes. The painting on a wall is an AI (Copilot) rendered oil painting of a picture of me I took with my webcam. I asked Copilot to replace my daggy polo top with a suit and tie, which it obliged. ****** SONG SUMMARY ************* Key=F , Tempo 80, Length (m:s)=4:57 28 bar intro, 68 bar chorus, from bar 29 to bar 96. Repeat x1 chorus Style is _MIST.STY (Misty Fingerpicking Folk) of which I only used this track: RealTracks in style: 3057:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking SongwriterFolkAltBassQuinn Ev16 085 … and added this one: RealTracks in song: 2335:String Quartet, Rhythm PopHall Ev 085 Me: Vocals – doubled, and no pitch correction – can’t you tell? I manually aligned the second track to the main vocal using stretch markers in Reaper - boy, was that hard work! Acoustic guitar playing bass notes and Verse 6 strums Acoustic lead for chorus fills Foot-tap – a recording of a biro tapping my carpet protector – and ultimately discarded Mixed in Reaper ******************* LYRICSVERSE 1 I was watching when they first brought you home When you climbed to your feet, walking on your own I saw the pain when you cut your knee When you learned to tie your shoe laces at the age of three VERSE 2 Your first day at school filled me with pride You put your lunchbox in your case and off to school you’d ride I saw you come home with your crayons and your picture And showed them to your mother and described your new teacher CHORUS I am a painting on a wall Nothing escapes me – I see it all I’ve seen the highs and lows, the joy and the pain I hope I’ve been a constant for you, time and time again VERSE 3 Christmas Day was always such a treat for me Your family opening presents round the Christmas tree And Mummy cooked a roast – I could smell it in the air After lunch you had a nap with Grandad in his chair VERSE 4 I was there when you brought Johnny home to meet your Mum and Dad Your father let him know the expectations he had I saw what Johnny tried to do, when you were both alone And the tears you cried in shame and sadness sitting on your own CHORUS VERSE 5 Your parents were so proud in the graduation hall And a photo of you all next to me up on the wall I heard of your promotion and your transfer overseas And when you came to visit, your parents were so pleased BRIDGE For many years, your life was busy – your time was not your own Your parents would wonder if you’d call them on the phone Your Dad was often sick, your Mum had trouble remembering You promised them continually, but the telephone never rings VERSE 6 You finally came back home, but your Mum and Dad have gone This house is cold and dark without the light you shone You look up at me - the tears run down your face You can’t see mine, but I am looking over this place. CHORUS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,527
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,527 |
Hi Andrew,
WOW!!! This song is just fantastic.
Such beautiful lyrics and excellently played and sung.
The icing on the cake is the video.
Man, it fits the song so perfectly.
You couldn't do it any better.
Congratulations!!!
Andi ;-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,088
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,088 |
Andrew,
That's a beautiful folk song. Great vocal, guitar playing and mix.
Excellent all around.
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 454
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 454 |
I really love this song Andrew for its storytelling. And it’s a change of style as well, keeping it simple with clean acoustic tones, just adds to the reflective lyrics that spans a lifetime. The strings were really subtle, and work well. I’m looking forward to the Finger Licking Good version as I think that will also add to the overall production. I thought perhaps the picture had been done by your talented daughter, alas AI again! It is a rather stern looking you, worthy of being hung in the halls of the Australian Parliament.
Really excellent song, one of your best.
PS I was going to say no diminished or augmented chords were harmed in this song, but I realised there was an A aug. You do so like being augmentative!
Kind regards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,274
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,274 |
Hi, Andrew. When I first misread the title, I thought this song might be about painting a wall. I'm so glad to be wrong about that.  Really good write - you go right for the heart with this, and it works. On this recording, finger-picking and strings are provided by Band-In-A-Box while other guitars, 'foot tapping' and vocals are provided by me. I tried to learn Travis picking to record this song, and while I am someway towards my goal, I will release my full version in due course once I can use it more fluently. Nice job on fingerpicking! There's nothing that motivates learning a new skill so much as being able to immediately use it. Vocals – doubled, and no pitch correction – can’t you tell? I manually aligned the second track to the main vocal using stretch markers in Reaper - boy, was that hard work! Yeah, but it's easier than slicing the track, and then dragging the slice point to align the vocal. I once got to do that with a bunch of recording of my old choir, trying my best to align multiple takes of live playing. Ha! Now that was fun. As for pitch correction... I've got some songs that have no pitch correction on them that have some painfully out-of-tune moments, but I think it stands up better than some of the overly pitch corrected stuff I've done. So you made the right call there, because raw, imperfect vocals have a power that processed ones don't. You finally came back home, but your Mum and Dad have gone
This house is cold and dark without the light you shone
You look up at me - the tears run down your face
You can’t see mine, but I am looking over this place.The twist of the knife. Perfect.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234 |
… The icing on the cake is the video.
Man, it fits the song so perfectly.
You couldn't do it any better… Thanks Andi! I put about 5 hours into the video, and almost half of that was selecting suitable footage. I am glad you thought it served the song well. Thanks for listening and watching. Andrew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,311
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,311 |
Great song, Andrew! I had the feeling that you were going to slam dunk one soon, and this is it. Really great concept, loved the whole thing.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234 |
I really love this song Andrew for its storytelling. And it’s a change of style as well, keeping it simple with clean acoustic tones, just adds to the reflective lyrics that spans a lifetime. The strings were really subtle, and work well. Thanks Lee. This is one of my most non-metaphoric lyrics yet. I normally like to have some ambiguity about the lyrics, and sometimes take the view that ‘the words are just the vehicle for the music’. Not so in this one. I avoided vocal harmony on it because who in this story would be accompanying the painting? It’s a first person narrative. So you are right - a less cluttered arranged was required. Accidentally, the strings go a bit dark in the second half of the bridge and that matches the illness and dementia lyric - that was a fluke. I’m looking forward to the Finger Licking Good version as I think that will also add to the overall production. Yes, it’s coming along and I will release a version at some point in the future with my own finger-picking on it. In the meantime, the BIAB RealTrack served the song well and supported a post to this forum. I thought perhaps the picture had been done by your talented daughter, alas AI again! It is a rather stern looking you, worthy of being hung in the halls of the Australian Parliament. I am happy with the painting - it would’ve been creepy to have a smile. The unanswered question is - what is this picture doing hanging in the house? Am I an uncle or some long gone patriarch? I don’t know. If it was hanging in the halls of Parliament, it would have a voice bubble saying “What the hell are you doing approving the opening and extension of more gas fields?” PS I was going to say no diminished or augmented chords were harmed in this song, but I realised there was an A aug. You do so like being augmentative! You know I love augmented and diminished chords - they open up many options, but I usually use them for a ‘tension and release’ moment in a song. Thanks again, dear friend, for your words and our shared journey through songwriting. Andrew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234 |
… Nice job on fingerpicking! There's nothing that motivates learning a new skill so much as being able to immediately use it. Thanks David. Just for clarity, the finger picking is a BIAB RealTrack - my finger-picking skills are too primitive just yet, but I’m working on it. … So you made the right call there, because raw, imperfect vocals have a power that processed ones don't. ‘Raw and imperfect’ are my middle names! I have a cringe moment when I sing ‘proud’ on a high note. … The twist of the knife. Perfect. Yes, I loved the idea of the painting having empathy but not being able to demonstrate it. Hmmm. Is that my subconscious confirming I *am* emotionally repressed? Some would agree.  Thank you David for your deep dive listen! Andrew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234 |
Great song, Andrew! I had the feeling that you were going to slam dunk one soon, and this is it. Really great concept, loved the whole thing. Thanks Bob! I have to thank you for your encouragement a couple of my threads ago about prosody. I have to admit I had to look it up and watch a couple of YouTube videos … it came at the right time for me because I became increasingly aware of - being a melody before lyric writer - that I would sometimes have the emPHAsis on the wrong sylLAble, and also of the relationship between the music and the lyrics. I’ve become more conscious to create a lyric and melody that sounds as one would speak it. Conscious but imperfect delivery. I hope I am getting better at it. One example in this song is in verse 6 ‘run down your face’ - the equivalent melody in other verses is ascending, but in verse 6 I made it descending to mirror the words. However, this song is abnormal for me because I prefer to write in metaphor and ambiguity - the words are the vehicle for the music - but maybe that’s me being lazy, or in pursuit of enigma. Thanks once again! Andrew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,805
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,805 |
Andrew, very nice tune with an endearing, wistful nostalgia. Well put together backing track to support your narrative. Nice vocals, too. Didn't watch the video.
Funny story (to me)...When I was trying to learn the guitar 50+ years ago, my sources were Fred Noad's "The (Classical) Guitar Songbook", a "Play Like Chet Atkins" 33 RPM album/booklet and a Travis picking instructional. For understandable reasons, I got REAL good at fingerstyle guitar, using my thumb to trace the bass lines and chord melody, BUT...I couldn't use a pick at all. So my journey is the opposite of yours. Now I use a pick almost exclusively. But it's like riding a bicycle with the other stuff. Well worth the effort.
Anyway...aces tune!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,090
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,090 |
Hi, Andrew,
Love the lyrics! Really well written. Your vocal sounds fine to me, not hearing any pitch issues.
Good song, your best yet I think (that I've heard). Enjoyed your video also.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 2,336
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 2,336 |
A really clever song, lyrically, Andrew. A perfect mix and production for it too. Totally enjoyable!
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234 |
...When I was trying to learn the guitar 50+ years ago, my sources were Fred Noad's "The (Classical) Guitar Songbook", a "Play Like Chet Atkins" 33 RPM album/booklet and a Travis picking instructional. For understandable reasons, I got REAL good at fingerstyle guitar, using my thumb to trace the bass lines and chord melody, BUT...I couldn't use a pick at all. So my journey is the opposite of yours. Now I use a pick almost exclusively. But it's like riding a bicycle with the other stuff. Well worth the effort.… Thanks Ron for your encouraging comments. My early twenties were influenced by Simon and Garfunkel and Paul Simon solo and always loved Simon’s finger-picking … The Boxer, Peace Like a River etc. … unfortunately by then, I had plateaued in my playing reaching a fairly competent acoustic strum level and not pushing myself to learn lead and finger-picking. How I wish I had taken the opportunity earlier in life. But … it’s never too late, and while my fingers aren’t as nimble, I have time on my hands - so to speak. Life-long learning! Andrew PS Is your finger-picking on display in any songs of yours? If so, please let me know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234 |
… Love the lyrics! Really well written. Your vocal sounds fine to me, not hearing any pitch issues. ... Thanks Dave. It’s a self-preservation thing - my vocal excuses. Mentally, if I am vulnerable and mention it first up, listeners might be more forgiving. I should be more content because I can carry a tune as long as I stay within my 1 and 1/8th octave range. I am also growing to appreciate that many forum members love hearing the human voice, while others wish they could sing better. Moral of the story: I should go with what I’ve got. Thanks for listening! Andrew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,234 |
A really clever song, lyrically, Andrew. A perfect mix and production for it too. Totally enjoyable! Thanks Chay! This song is abnormal for me in that the idea of the lyrics flowed naturally and I was conscious of the tweaks required to help it fit the music and vice versa. I also had to let the music (I.e. the melody and harmony/chord progression) take a back seat to support the story. The lyrics have primacy. I’ve mentioned it in several other threads that my motivation is mostly the music - the lyrics are the vehicle for the music I.e. music has primacy - otherwise go write poetry. Of course, I say this as an extreme POV only to illustrate my motivation. In truth, my songwriting exists on a spectrum, with lyrical emphasis on one end and musical emphasis on the other. Despite the lyrical focus, I did sneak in some musically appealing sections - to me anyway. I like my acoustic lead phrases in chorus 2, 3 and 4, and also that I used Aaug, Am and Amajor in the chorus - not necessarily in sequence. Andrew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,853
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,853 |
Andrew, you have created one fantastic masterpiece.
Loved your vocal and really loved those lyrics. A fantastic story set to music that I am sure many can relate.
The backing band was perfect.
The mix was outstanding. IMHO this is your best to date.
Loved it!
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,805
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,805 |
...When I was trying to learn the guitar 50+ years ago, my sources were Fred Noad's "The (Classical) Guitar Songbook", a "Play Like Chet Atkins" 33 RPM album/booklet and a Travis picking instructional. For understandable reasons, I got REAL good at fingerstyle guitar, using my thumb to trace the bass lines and chord melody, BUT...I couldn't use a pick at all. So my journey is the opposite of yours. Now I use a pick almost exclusively. But it's like riding a bicycle with the other stuff. Well worth the effort.… Thanks Ron for your encouraging comments. My early twenties were influenced by Simon and Garfunkel and Paul Simon solo and always loved Simon’s finger-picking … The Boxer, Peace Like a River etc. … unfortunately by then, I had plateaued in my playing reaching a fairly competent acoustic strum level and not pushing myself to learn lead and finger-picking. How I wish I had taken the opportunity earlier in life. But … it’s never too late, and while my fingers aren’t as nimble, I have time on my hands - so to speak. Life-long learning! Andrew PS Is your finger-picking on display in any songs of yours? If so, please let me know. Andrew, my fingerpicking is NOT posted to date, as I tend to focus on BiaB instruments and the very occasional fill/lead guitar parts. But you've got me thinking, so...who knows?? I was a HUGE fan of Paul Simon's guitar work from the very start. "The Boxer" is a great piece to start with for sure. "American Tune" was another of my early learns, and still haunts me today. Well worth the time to learn. James Taylor was another early fingerstyle influence, if just for "Fire and Rain". Simple but effective techniques that serve SO many song styles. Good luck!!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,123
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,123 |
A life in a song - a wonderful idea, wrapped up in a beautiful folk song, unfortunately with a somewhat sad ending. Very good ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,128
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,128 |
You have a very engaging talent for writing songs, Andrew. Always a good feeling with a catchy melody singing catchy lyrics. Chord structure always has some cool turns and you always keep the listener listening with the dynamics you use.
Oh, and I'm looking forward to your guitar work in the next one.
Last edited by BabuMusic; 09/18/25 06:48 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
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!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
- 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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,404
Posts804,436
Members40,112
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean