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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728 |
How I Write and Produce Songs with BAND-IN-A-BOX: PART 2 - BASIC MIXING This is a new blog post on BASIC MIXING with Band-in-a-Box. This article was previously posted on the BIAB Fourms but not on my BLOGGER.COM page. If you have not read this article before or just need a refresher on getting started with mixing, please check it out. Questions and Comments welcomed. Thanks, Bob
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Songwriting
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,751
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,751 |
Nice article. Enjoyed it and it has good information, especially for novice producers.
Charlie
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590 |
Good to know I'm doing things right now. Having said that, I realised I need to be more disciplined. Sometimes I let my solo instruments go centre. :-) Do you sometimes mix in mono as well? I read a lot about that, I guess mixing in mono first to get a nice level before panning.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487
BIAB 2021 (Build 818)
Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor
Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi)
VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
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Songwriting
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 223
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 223 |
Thanks Bob, just a question about mono and mixing.
I am trying to produce backing tracks for a solo acoustic guitar/vocal.
I have a single JBL Eon powered speaker but sometimes use a Allen and Heath mixer. Should I be following your suggestions re panning even though my sound is coming through only one speaker which I would presume you would have to call mono??
Cheers
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK
Xtra packs 1,2,3,4,5,6,13
2019 and 2018 49pak
Asus Zen Book UX533F 1TB ssd
Windows10 pro, 16g i7 64bit
Allen and Heath Z10fx mixer
Alesis V25 controller
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Songwriting
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,751
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,751 |
One speaker is always mono.
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728 |
I never mix in mono. I mix in Sony headphones 99% of the time. Then when I think I have something I can live with I listen on a set of Mackie HR824s. I haven't found any benefit to mixing in mono but some folks claim it works for them. Whatever works for you, right? If you're listening through one speaker however it would seem your mix should be in mono also. Play with the panning while listening and move it from extreme left to right to see what difference it makes. It's all about listening and keeping what you like. It's a very subjective activity. Be sure to take good notes. Unless you're tracking and mixing every day you'll forget what you thought sounded good three months ago. Also, don't "piddle" your song to death. If you keep screwing around with it you'll end up not knowing what sounded good. I know it's time consuming, but when you find a mix you like, live with it for a few days. Give your ears a break and listen afresh. I'm always amazed at how a mix sounds the next day. You can't get around this step. It's like baking a cake, it's takes as long as it takes. And no matter how good you think the final mix is, a year or two from now you'll be thinking "Wow, that guitar is just too hot!" Happens to me every day. 
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
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One more tip on mixing and listening. I learned from producer, Jim Mason (Poco, Firefall) to listen to your final mix on everything, car, TV, boombox, earbuds, etc. His favorite thing to do was go out into the hall outside the control room and walk around and listen from there. It's so weird sometimes what cuts through the walls and open doors. If you've ever been surprised to hear your song on something you didn't test it on, you know what I'm talking about. Sometimes I flinch when I hear a mix...usually after it's been made into a CD.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,441
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,441 |
I agree. My "down and dirty method" involves two devices: 1.) The car. Bass and drums right? 2.) The speaker of my phone. Can I hear the vocals loud and clear??? I have found that if it sounds right in these two places I am 90 percent there most of the time. As a corollary I have found that if the only thing you use are headphones, God help you.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728
Journeyman
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728 |
David, can't imagine you only using headphones. But apparently you did... once. B
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Songwriting
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,441
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Man!!! Dang it!! I have GOT to come back to Colorado and sit around that campfire with you Buford. The medical straw you are burning out there gets stronger every day!!! I can smell it from here. Maybe for next year's song contest it should be "Songs I Wrote When I Didn't Have the Rocky Mountain Highs."
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728 |
Man!!! Dang it!! I have GOT to come back to Colorado and sit around that campfire with you Buford. The medical straw you are burning out there gets stronger every day!!! I can smell it from here. Maybe for next year's song contest it should be "Songs I Wrote When I Didn't Have the Rocky Mountain Highs." "What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law." ~Sheriff Buford 
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Songwriting
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
Thanks for sharing, Buford! A very informative article indeed. It's nice to see such a clear and concise explanation of headphone mixing. I use a very similar process myself
Last edited by Deryk - PG Music; 09/06/17 03:45 AM.
Cheers,
Deryk
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Like finest wines, this forum only improves with age!
So glad that Bob has joined us.
Donny
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Songwriting
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,018
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,018 |
Good article.
While there are plenty of different ways to go about it, I like the way you present a simple framework and explain all your choices.
It's easy to get the reader lost in the woods with too much information and too many choices. You've managed in a very short space to get the first-time mixer on the right track.
-- 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.
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Songwriting
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
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"Be sure to take good notes. Unless you're tracking and mixing every day you'll forget what you thought sounded good three months ago."
"Also, don't "piddle" your song to death. If you keep screwing around with it you'll end up not knowing what sounded good."
Wise words! I've been guilty of both but I'm trying to do better....the piddling is the hardest to kick....
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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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.
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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.
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