Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 3 of 3 1 2 3
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
Hi, James.

Originally Posted by musician17
This is superb, David. Love it. You make it sound so easy. We (of course) all know it ain't, but, to the listener, it does sound effortless. Bravo.
"Sounds effortless" is high praise - thanks! smile


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
Hi, Marty.

Originally Posted by BabuMusic
Excellent band and mix. Man, I like how you incorporate dynamic stops perfectly.
Yeah, they're my guilty pleasure. laugh

Quote
Dig that fiddle solo.
BiaB has a whole lot of good stuff in it, doesn't it?

Quote
HAHA! I like the short story. "I wrote a song..." Yep. One thing I really enjoy about your songs, David, is that I get to listen at least twice right from the start. The first one is mostly dedicated to your writing of the post.
Three times, if I write an especially long post. wink

Quote
You crafted the vocals so well. I have no clue how to do that, but understand it takes a lot of learning. You learnt is well.
Thanks!

The trick (I think) is to find a vocal that the synth voice can sing. If it doesn't work, I'll look for a different phrasing, note, or even different word.

Because it's easier to accommodate the vocalist than the other way around.

Thanks for stopping to listen and write! smile


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
Hi, Jona.

Originally Posted by JONA
There are excellent singers / singer
the song captivates you right from the start and takes you with it!
Thanks! laugh


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
Hi, Janne.

Originally Posted by jannesan
Surprisingly different song, never would have otherwise guessed whose song this is, but Synth V vocalist revealed it smile
Ha!

Yes, it's fun trying something different.

Well, more rewarding than fun, even if it doesn't work out. wink

Quote
I could imagine Dolly Parton singing this.
I think Dolly's set when it comes to having songs to sing.

I went through one of her books of lyrics recently, and man, are there are lot of good songs in there!

Quote
I like the lyrical landscape with a decaying town, corporate vultures and a mystical raven smile Strongly melodic and the harmony supports the melody excellently. The simple band fits the message and the minor key. Catchiness gives the song a positive boost. Great work on going down a new road!
Thanks, I appreciate the positive words!


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
Hi, Mario.

Originally Posted by MarioD
David, I am extremely impressed on how you got those synth voices to sound so real. Their wording and expression were outstanding.
Thanks, although it's less me and more the tech.

All I really do is adjust things a bit when they're off, which isn't often.

Quote
Great groove and mix. One of your best for sure.
It's nice to hear I'm not getting worse. wink

Thanks for listening and posting! laugh


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
Hi, Lee.

Originally Posted by Knee Wobbler
Really good song David,
Thanks! smile

Quote
Sounds like you did a lot of subject research, and you tied that into a very fitting style.
Not nearly as much research as Al Stewart did for "The Roads to Moscow". laugh

Quote
It says it’s Bluegrass, but there is still a crossover there to Folk….and I’m partial to a bit of Folk.
Yeah, more bluegrass by way of Woody Guthrie.

Quote
Yeah, a really good production, loved it. Great job.
Thanks again! smile


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
Hi, J&B.

Originally Posted by Janice & Bud
This is reminiscent of the early Dixie Chicks, both in subject matter and sound.
The “girls” are sounding really good and you got the bluegrass car horn tight harmony down!

(We played in bluegrass bands for years. Nice to hear a reminder of those decades here).
I figured if there was someone on the forum who knew the style, it was you two.

And, of course, you'd both be too nice to say where it missed the mark. wink

Quote
We enjoyed the long story and being from the south where chalk mining is a huge business in our area we especially enjoyed your research on Appalachia and the coal mines.
We’ve often wanted to write about the social aspects of the mines here but there are too many locals that would find it contentious.
And conversely, it feels strange writing about other people's troubles. Too close, and too far away. 🤨

Quote
The mix is standout and thanks for the tech stuff re how you created it.
Thanks!

It's strange how things can be improved by paring them back. But I still resist it every time! laugh

Quote
Your dedication to getting things right truly pays off!
Well, it helps when you have people pointing out you're going in the wrong direction!

Quote
Enjoyed it! And you nailed the way we would say Appalachia. smile
Just don't ask me to say "Okefenoke" correctly. wink

I'm glad you enjoyed your listen, and thanks for the comments!


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
Hi, Scott.

Originally Posted by Scott C
Awesome tune David. Loved when those harmonies kicked in. Excellent vocals and backtrack. Well done....
Thanks! smile


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
Hi, Hans.

Originally Posted by Birchwood
Hi David, in your reply to me you said a lot of things about the 'harshness' I mentioned. Thank you for that.
But I was thinking more of female vocals a tone lower. Is that possible in this case?
I could have changed the key, but I think high and slightly strained sound is part of the style.

Quote
I had/have a female singer (a real one), but her voice was too high for some songs. And she couldn't sing lower, or, well..., than it didn't sound so good.
We took a break...
Although I primarily accompany on piano these days, I started out on guitar. We'd transpose songs in a heartbeat if they felt like they were out of range.

And since my range is less than impressive, that's a habit I've carried on.

But again - I think stylistically is was a good match.

Quote
The song itself is beautiful, that's not the point. I don't want you to have a little break with your singers wink
She's got a whole instrumental interlude to catch her breath.

Who needs more of a break than that? (Cue Van Halen - "One break, coming up!) wink


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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: May 2015
Posts: 3,119
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,119
David,

To best express these lyrics, a minor key melody is definitely appropriate.
However, there's little sense of over tragedy, and it reaches the heart as a great country song.
Changing the interlude to a major key is also a nice idea.
The choice of Solaria II for vocals is also great.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138
B
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
B
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138
Hi David,

Great bluegrass tune, I really enjoyed the lyrics, and the guitar and fiddle solos, too!

You do a superb job of bringing out the best in your AI singers' vocals.

And thanks for walking us through your songwriting and production process. It's very interesting to me, and often helpful.

Excellent write, production and mix. Well done!

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,005
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,005
There's a lot to like about this song. The energy of the music, mixed with the pathos of the lyrics, works wonderfully well. I cut my musical teeth on murder ballads and Tom Paxton's deeply moving story songs back in the 60s, so it certainly resonates with me.
Great job.


ProTools; Ableton Live Lite; Reaper
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 MK4 interface
Novation Launchkey 61 Mk4 midi controller
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 3 of 3 1 2 3

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Video: New User Interface (GUI)

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,295
Posts790,699
Members39,854
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
StratMan1965, CPIA2002, janhardo, Minstrel, Deb D
39,854 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
jpettit 321
MarioD 218
DrDan 211
Noel96 161
DC Ron 146
Rob Helms 127
Today's Birthdays
Kara Music Production, Алик
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5