|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996 |
Again, looking to try a new genre with this one. The musical backdrop started out in b-i-a-b (7.0) and was then imported into PTPA, 11.0 (4), where I re-recorded everything apart from the drum track. It was only after I had composed the whole piece that I realised where I had heard the chord progression before! Ah well, at least it was ‘borrowed’ subconsciously and not deliberately lifted! The melody and bridge sections are, however, to the best of my knowledge, totally original. Used Audacity at the end to make the final MP3 file. This game is harder than it looks – in terms of both composition and delivery. Any comments welcome as ever. Thanks for taking the time to listen Marc
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,489
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,489 |
Hi marc, This is excellent! Really excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed the way you wove the words, music, and instrumentals together - musicianship plus in my book. Also, I liked the quasi-electronica sound that you have happening. It suited the whole package. Kudos to you  Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
interesting composition, Marc! I liked the breaks and the Euro accordion sound. I listened all the way through, and I don't usually do that unless the song holds my attention.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 190
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 190 |
Very cool arrangement nice job. It has a Zappa Feel to it.
Love getting back into biab in 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 516
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 516 |
Great Marc,
New terrain and I love t. It has something familiar in it, but I can't exactly recall...
Anyway: I hope you'll be making more songs in this genre!
Cheers,
Superbron
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 223
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 223 |
Well that was the best three and a half minutes I've spent on here in a while! Have to agree with ol' Nolly 96 up there - this is excellent.Love it! It has a feel reminiscent of an old 70's favourite of mine called Lines by The Planets. I think it's mainly the keyboard / accordian thingy, whatever that is. The similarity ends there however - I think this is a cool song and I shall be playing it lots! Good luck with it. Martin
Music is what our feelings sound like.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996 |
Thanks so much for these kind comments. They made my day.
Yes Pat particularly at the moment you have to support anything with a Euro sound. We're in big trouble!
JC - I don't know too much about Zappa I'm afraid to say other than his reputation as half-genius half madman. I will check out more of his stuff and will take that as a compliment.
SuperBron, Martin, I could tell you the track I now think is similar but at the risk of losing credibility as an original composer. I guess this chord sequence is in fact not that original. As Martin points out, it does occur in 'Lines' (a tune I do remember if a little vaguely).
Anyway, glad you enjoyed it and thanks again for listening
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,489
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,489 |
marc,
There's nothing wrong if chord progressions are recycled. While that means that the harmony is not original, it does not mean that your song is uncreative nor unoriginal. There are an awful lot of 3- and 4-chord songs out there that share EXACTLY the same harmony yet each sounds unique.
Personally, I find that starting with an existing chord progression and tweaking it to suit often saves me a whole heap of time when it comes to composing. I am a great supporter of the automatic chord wizard in BIAB/RB.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 223
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 223 |
I meant nothing detrimental when I mentioned the "Lines" comparison. It was just vaguely similar that's all. Your song stands on it's own for me. I've written over 200 songs and I'd be very surprised if there's an original chord progression to found in any of them!! I can remember way back when, learning my first four chords on guitar. They were G Em C D. Instantly I could play probably fifty classic songs from Love Hurts to Every Breath You Take without even changing the order!! Like Noel says, it's what you do with them. Martin
Music is what our feelings sound like.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086 |
Hey Marc, I didn't hear anything overtly identifiable that gives away your subconscious inspiration. Not that I'm a big fan of this genre but I respect some of it. The story kept my interest. Also liked the way you used very melodic instrument arranging for balance and adding relief to the rhythmic vocal. Cool ending too. My only suggestion would be (if you should do another one in this genre) that you emphasize the beat just a tad more and also add a recurring melodic vocal phrase to further counterbalance the rhythmic vocal as that seems to be quite popular in this type of music. Would also lengthen the time a bit too. Just a thought. Nicely done!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
Pretty cool, I like that bass riff and the flute sounds really good. The overly rhythmic vocal line doesn't do a whole for me, but that is just a style preference. You may want to post the lyrics and I would consider titling your thread with the song title "Ribbon of Black" instead of the song's length. That never made much sense to me.
You have pretty smooth composition skills!
Kevin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996 |
Josie Kevin - nice to hear from you.
You're right Josie- that would be a valuable addition (the melodic vocal line, that is). I'll have to see what I can come up with.
IF you want more of it, then it can't have been all that bad!!
Kevin, thanks for the compliment, which I can say - in all honesty - is fully returned.
YEs, my vox on this one are probably too 'mechancial'. A bit metronomic, in fact. The trick is, I think, to have a looser, more colourful delivery but get back to the beat at the key points.
BUt you live and learn. This is a first time attempt for me, so if I ever have another try I'll know which areas to correct.
Marc
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996 |
As promised, you’ll find the video version (i.e. with readable lyrics) of this tune here And, if you have not already done so and you have a YouTube account, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,187
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,187 |
I can't say anything bad about a song that ends with bongos.
-- 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: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996 |
Thanks David.
One of my golden rules - even if all the rest is useless, work hard on the last few seconds.
Leaves them with a good impression!!
Thanks for listening to the end!
Regards,
Marc
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,057
Posts799,525
Members40,024
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean