|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59 |
Hi you all A lot of years back I made some recordings, playing country blues : Robert Johnson, Skip James, Son House and my own stuff and others in a more folk vein. Apart from family and a few friends, nobody ever heard these recordings. There are a few guitarists here. So I was thinking maybe to get a wider range of opinions. Also from the people who don't play guitar ! Nothing is done with BIAB. That's why I posted here. I don't use BIAB to make songs, just to make jazz play alongs. It's just me and my guitar.I didn't put everything but still, there's a lot of songs, take all the time you need. One more thing. Sorry but this NOT CD quality. The originals were recorded on tape. I still have them. It's audible. I tried once to improve the quality, but it's time consuming ! And I probably didn't have the right software. All I could do was lower the hissing and put a bit of reverb on certain songs. So all you audio engineers out there, take a pill or an herbal tea, to calm your nerves...  blues that are not mine http://soundcloud.com/pierre-julien/sets/blues-not-my-own/s-jEqIF my own stuff http://soundcloud.com/pierre-julien/sets/blues-folk-my-own/s-nNa4CPS : very nervous posting this. Be gentle... Thanks
Last edited by Pierre Julien; 02/14/11 01:56 PM.
Best of all and hope your day is a nice one
Pierre
IMac OSX 10.6.5 / latest BIAB
vista BIAB 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793 |
Quote:
One more thing. Sorry but this NOT CD quality. The originals were recorded on tape. I still have them. It's audible. I tried once to improve the quality, but it's time consuming ! And I probably didn't have the right software. All I could do was lower the hissing and put a bit of reverb on certain songs. So all you audio engineers out there, take a pill or an herbal tea, to calm your nerves...
PS : very nervous posting this. Be gentle...
Thanks
Well I listened to two and an audio spike at the very start of each made me jump out of my skin and rach to turn down my speaker (you should really remove those spikes - audacity is free and will do the job). From what I could hear (The train) you are a talented guy, but the sound and recording quality sound like Robert Johnson himself set up in a motel room. Do youself a favor and re-record the tunes. Even the most modest of studios would greatly enhance the listening experience. 
Hope I was gentle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,947
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,947 |
I had a listen to "Terraplane Blues", very good playing and vocal performance in my opinion, that is a very difficult style to play. I also listened to "Rambling on my mind", again a good vocal but it sounded like your guitar was out of tune??
Also had a listen to "Dirt Road", very good!
I agree, you should re-record them. Easy these days to have almost studio quality results in the comfort of your own home, and not very expensive to setup either.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Nice performance, Pierre.
While others are recommending total re-recording, which is one path, I would also say that these soundfiles could be cleaned up a LOT using the PC and softwares readily available today. The free Audacity.exe program would help a lot here.
You could do some Audio Editing, as in cropping out those clicks at the beginnings, you could also do a bit of Mastering by way of EQ and Compression to level them out.
The performance is strong enough that a bit of such work would likely allow you to post these soundfiles without having to put apologies in parentheses.
Besides that, from having to transcribe them off of those awful worn records so many years ago, I'm of the decided "audiophile" opinion that Robert Johnson's stuff *SHOULD* be recorded with a bit of audio distortion dirt! It is authentic, in a way. So don't go out and buy a ready-made stainless steel or porcelain slide with a brand name on it, use the back of a jacknife, like the boss did.
Good playin'
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59 |
Dan, Dave & Mac
Thank you very much for your listening, suggestions and nice remarks. Very encouraging.
Yes, I thought that the quality sound would be a main issue. I hadn't listened to these songs for a long time and when I had finished downloading them, said to myself, "ah go ahead you'll see". But that being said, I agree and you are all three right in your assumptions. I already downloaded audacity and I'll see what I can do with it.
I'll try to improve the recordings as much as I can and try to make the right decisions. I guess, I'll try a mixture of all your suggestions, anyway, it won't come out hyper polished 'cause I'm really not an audio engineer. But I'll try... I can't record any of them anymore, it's been too long and I don't remember how to play a single one !!
Dave, the guitar didn't strike me as being that out of tune. Maybe when I slide upward, it does sound a bit out of tune, but nothing that really grabs my ear.
And Mac,right on. I remember that I made my bottleneck from a glass bottle. It hasn't played for a while but I still have it.
Thanks again.
Last edited by Pierre Julien; 02/15/11 10:12 AM.
Best of all and hope your day is a nice one
Pierre
IMac OSX 10.6.5 / latest BIAB
vista BIAB 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,947
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,947 |
Quote:
Dave, the guitar didn't strike me as being that out of tune. Maybe when I slide upward, it does sound a bit out of tune, but nothing that really grabs my ear.
The slides sounds ok, there is a little riff you play that sounds a bit off to me, you can hear it between .03 and .05, and you repeat it throughout the tune, but might be my ears. But great technique on the slide, wish I could play slide half as good as you!
And great technique with the fingerpicking style of playing too! I used to do a little of the blues fingerpicking style, not as good as you mind you, but haven't been able to in years due to arthritis in my right hand. Can only play with a pick now. I haven't found any upside to getting older yet, but still hoping :P
But yeah, great playing overall and good original material too!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59 |
Thanks again Dave for your nice comments. Heard the lick your talking about. It doesn't strike me. Instead of being your ears, maybe it's just mine that can't hear well enough !! I really like playing slide guitar. I think Robert Johnson and Fred McDowell took bottleneck playing to a high level. I also like Son House and Bukka White, but their style is less "sophisticated" (whatever that means), and is more "gut" playing. I never played with a pick, so I'd be unable to follow you my friend...
I do have one question though. The "spike" that comes out at the beginning of the sound files which Dan was talking about, doesn't show when I listen to it in audacity... Must say that I'm really lost in all those possible sound remedies... But I'll take my time...
Last edited by Pierre Julien; 02/15/11 11:14 AM.
Best of all and hope your day is a nice one
Pierre
IMac OSX 10.6.5 / latest BIAB
vista BIAB 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793 |
Quote:
I haven't found any upside to getting older yet, but still hoping
Discount on coffee at McDonalds for Sr. Citizens. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,157
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,157 |
Pierre,
You are one fine guitar player friend !! Nothing to worry about with those songs, very nicely done. Get your set-up in Biab set correctly with your guitar and inputs etc . . . and you will be making CD quality stuff. I bet you could even sale some songs on a website like CD Baby etc . . .
Biab was made for you and your skills. Put it altogether and you will have some fantastic songs and backing tracks to accompany your music with.
I enjoyed listening and would encourage you to learn the ins and outs of recording in Biab. I think you would do very well with your original music and think people would support you.
Trax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59 |
Hey Trax
Thank you very much for your enthusiasm. As with the others, it's communicative and much appreciated. Your also right concerning BIAB. What some people can do with BIAB around here is downright astonishing ! So, I'd like to try and discover a bit more about BIAB. I just have to take the time and learn about recording myself in the proper way, with the right equipment. About selling my stuff I don't know, but I definitely want to learn how to make songs with BIAB. First, I'll try and "clean" the songs I have on line.
Last edited by Pierre Julien; 02/15/11 01:48 PM.
Best of all and hope your day is a nice one
Pierre
IMac OSX 10.6.5 / latest BIAB
vista BIAB 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59 |
Quote:
Well I listened to two and an audio spike at the very start of each made me jump out of my skin and rach to turn down my speaker (you should really remove those spikes - audacity is free and will do the job). From what I could hear (The train) you are a talented guy, but the sound and recording quality sound like Robert Johnson himself set up in a motel room. Do youself a favor and re-record the tunes. Even the most modest of studios would greatly enhance the listening experience.
Hope I was gentle.
Well Dan, I finally removed the big spikes as you called them, at the start of each song. True, they also made me jump. Now for the rest...
Best of all and hope your day is a nice one
Pierre
IMac OSX 10.6.5 / latest BIAB
vista BIAB 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793 |
Quote:
Well Dan, I finally removed the big spikes as you called them, at the start of each song. True, they also made me jump. Now for the rest...
Hey there , just for me? thank you very much. I will log back in and listen to more
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 664
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 664 |
Glad I caught this post before it slipped away. I play a some of these tunes myself and I thought
you did a good job on them. My favorites were Terraplane and That's No Way to Get Along. I thought the guitar
on Terraplane was good and I loved your vocal. Your playing and singing sounds very accomplished. There were some places on the originals where I think you probably hadn't worked the melody out. But in general there was some very nice music with kind of a Jack Johnson type feel. You have a lot of talent, I'd suggest you try playing out more, if that's what you'd like. You should be well received.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59 |
Hi Pete
Just wanted to thank you for the listening and your nice comments. Mitty appreciated. True that some of the blues are probably not 100% accurate compared to the originals. But in some way, without being too far from the originals, I wanted to "appropriate" them as if they were my own. Don't know if I could play out more, like you said. These days I'm more into classical and jazz music. But each time I pick up my steel string guitar, it's like riding a bike...
Listened to some of your stuff. Blues feeling all the way. Great guitar playing and technique. I never can get that metallic sound out of my guitar since I play with my nails. You mention Stefan Grossman. That's exactly were I started to learn the blues, with his books. I must say that I'm more oriented toward your playing the country blues, than country, but that's just a question of personal taste.
Thanks again.
Best of all and hope your day is a nice one
Pierre
IMac OSX 10.6.5 / latest BIAB
vista BIAB 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,750
Posts795,753
Members39,950
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean