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While going through some old hard drives, I found some songs I did in BIAB from several years ago, so I thought I would post them along with explanations of what you're hearing. The first 3 songs go back 10 or more years: "Made For Lovin' You" This song was done before BIAB had a soloist function. Rodney did all the lead guitar stuff and sang harmony. What makes it kinda interesting to me is holding all the instruments, except drum fills, at points during the song for emphasis. "If I'm In, She's Out" This was right after the Soloist function was introduced and I used an Acoustic Steel String Guitar setting for the intro, the solo, and the ending. Deana's harmonies during the choruses were generated by the Digitech Harmonizer. "Lifetime Warranty"Like Rodney's song, I used a real guitar for the intro, the solo, and all the fills, and brought in Kathy Kersey to add all the backup vocals for Angie's main vocal. Again, I used drum stops to make it more real sounding. "(You're Keepin' Me) At A Distance"This one is the latest BIAB arrangement, using all Real Instruments and Styles, except I use an actual fiddle player, and Bob played mandolin, as well as singing the lead vocal. Switching to the "B' style kicks the choruses into overdrive, and putting stops in (except for the steel part) makes it a little more "real" sounding. Again, I brought in Kathy Kersey to add all the backup vocals. These songs may help give you some ideas for adding some flavors to your own BIAB songs. Anyway, I found them and thought they might be of interest to some of you.
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Hi Harvey Gerst, WOW and WOW again  You said Quote:
These songs may help give you some ideas for adding some flavors to your own BIAB songs
I think that it is going to be hard to achieve the professional sound that you have managed in your 4 songs.
I have downloaded them all and will try to learn from them.
Thank you very much for posting them,
Well Done 
Regards
Michee
Windows 11 64 bit, Biab 2024 1111, Realband 2024
i7 Desktop Computer 16Gb Memory
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It's a privilege to hear BIAB in the hands of an absolute professional. It is also interesting to hear how your utilization of the program progressed along with its development, pointing up that the notes you don't play are as important as the ones you do.
What synthesizer(s) did you use for the MIDI parts?
Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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On the older songs, I used the original Roland Sound Canvas. The last song was done with the RealTracks stuff.
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Harvey is one of the best in many fields, and has given lots of good advice. Thanks for letting us hear what's possible Harvey. Any outboard gear used on these?
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Probably some light compression on the vocals (FMR RNC compressor) and a cheap Lexicon Alex reverb.
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simply beautiful, harvey. thanks.
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That's impressive Mate. Nice clarity. Yeh a compressor really makes a difference in vocals. You can bring 'em right out in your face or put 'em in the background. Just depends on what you want to do. You do have to be careful with it tho'. Too much and you get either a mushy sound or a pumping feel. Not what you want.  Ahhh the stuff I've learned here.
Russ Anyday above ground is a good day Computer is Hp Pavillion Vision 6 Ghz quad core AMD processor 8 Gig memory 1 TB hard drive 6 GB hard drive Windows 7 Premium Loose nut behind the keyboard 
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Very impressive indeed, if this were a golf tournament some would be shouting "You Da Man!"
Later,
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Thank you all for your praise, but I really only posted these to point out that BIAB is very capable of achieving professional sounding results with almost any version. The trick is to capitalize on its strengths. It took me many hours to get those recordings: fine-tuning drum patterns, adjusting the A and B patterns, and adding live instruments where necessary.
BIAB is one of the most valuable recording tools I've ever come across in my 50+ years as a recording engineer. I've used it since the early DOS only versions - and it still amazes me as to just how well Peter has done in creating a perfect songwriting tool. With just a little creative input, anyone can make a really good demo.
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That's great sounding material! Thanks for posting Harvey.
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Quote:
That's great sounding material! Thanks for posting Harvey.
Peter, your program made it all possible, so it's me who has to thank you.
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Heya, Cap'n Gerst!
BIg Virginny WAVE to ya down theah in Tejas, podnuh!
Kinda figured you'd be around on big UPDATE announcement day.
The new RealTracks are likely gonna be right up your alley, Harvey.
Methinks there be some munnymakers in theyuh...
--Mac
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Quote:
Heya, Cap'n Gerst!
BIg Virginny WAVE to ya down theah in Tejas, podnuh!
Kinda figured you'd be around on big UPDATE announcement day.
The new RealTracks are likely gonna be right up your alley, Harvey.
Methinks there be some munnymakers in theyuh...
--Mac
Yup, but I'm wondering if I can just send PG the 80GB UltraPAK USB hard drive I have and have them load all the new stuff on it? Will it all fit?
It's definitely a "munnymaker" for me.
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They'll send ya a brand new hard drive already loaded, that's the way I'd recommend going.
Or, put an intern on the download helm and restock yer own hard drive.
--Mac
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Harvey, Your music is absolutely beautiful... thank you for sharing it. <<and putting stops in (except for the steel part) makes it a little more "real" sounding.>> Could you elaborate on this a little... what are drum stops and how are you using them? Gale
Mr. G
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I'm pretty sure that Harvey is referring to the judicious use of BIAB Hits and Rests, Gale.
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Quote:
I'm pretty sure that Harvey is referring to the judicious use of BIAB Hits and Rests, Gale.
Exactly, Mac.
There are four steps involved:
1. Insert a part marker AFTER the bar where you want a solo drum fill. In this case, we want a drum fill at Bar 4, so we put an "A" marker at the start of Bar 5.
2. With the cursor on Bar 4, right click and choose the Chord Settings option.
3. Select Hold, Shot, or Rest. (I usually use the Hold option most.)
4. Finally, select the box marked "Except" and then mark everything but the drums.
Now when you play the track, all the instruments will hold at Bar 4, while the Drums play a nice turnaround.
In the very last song ("Keepin' Me At A Distance"), I used a rest for all the instruments, but kept the pedal steel going.
Last edited by Harvey Gerst; 08/13/09 01:31 PM.
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Thank you Mac and Harvey... I appreciate the detailed explanation. Now I will listen to your examples again to hear what you are referring to :-)
Gale
Mr. G
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Quote:
Thank you Mac and Harvey... I appreciate the detailed explanation. Now I will listen to your examples again to hear what you are referring to :-)
Your help is much appreciated here, also.
Thank you,
Don S.
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