G'day Ray I was missing your Pygmy Beat creations and cool Videos too. I remember when you first posted this because I was impressed with the lyrics. This song has everything going for it ; lyrics,great chorus and attitude. I always seek your advice so take the following with a grain of salt. The guitar motiff at 2.33 is a very good . IMO it should be used as an intro and outro as well as after the first chorus at 1.24 . That will utilize this excellent hook four times instead of just once. Perhaps ditch the organ during the verses to create some space. The mix is a bit mono sounding and could do with a bit more instrument seperation. These guys will give you 2 free mixes per month. (i have no connection to them). This song is worth persuing. cheers Gary
I’m listening to Iteration Three—sounding really good to me. I might want the lead vocal to come up just a little bit, but it’s close to good as is. I’m not listening on headphones, so the laptop speakers may not be doing it justice. Like the tune—some really cool changeups on the melody throughout that really sparkle. Like that lead guitar a lot. Keep working it!
Hi Ray Interesting progression and Bob's short solo works well. For me, the vocals could still come up a touch; some of the lyrics are a little hard to make out (when listening without reading them). But that may just be my not so young ears. Incidentally, I checked out the band called 'Daniel' you referred to in your comment on our last song (hadn't previously heard of them). Those guys could play - probably deserved to be more successful. Regards, Leon
Hi Ray Interesting progression and Bob's short solo works well. For me, the vocals could still come up a touch; some of the lyrics are a little hard to make out (when listening without reading them). But that may just be my not so young ears. Incidentally, I checked out the band called 'Daniel' you referred to in your comment on our last song (hadn't previously heard of them). Those guys could play - probably deserved to be more successful. Regards, Leon
I'll bump the vox in the next mix Leon - thanks for the tip. Daniel were promoted by Yamaha with a flexi disc and interview B side in RAM. I loved the single but it wasn't widely available so only had the flexi. I didn't score a copy of the LP until 20 or so years later. it was produced by Mike Rudd of Spectrum/Ariel fame. Sadly the single was by far the stand out track.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
We're late to the party as usual so listening to version 3.0.
Good one Ray! I (Janice) hear the guitar riff and like it. We both think your lead vocal could come up a little and we like the BGV's. I (Janice) really love your phrasing on the chorus with the emphasis on "no" and "so" and just in general the dynamics are really good.
Bud here: What she said I'll add that Bob sounded excellent as do all your performances ... vocals and instruments.
"The man was in there somewhere Beneath his rhyme there was no reason His façade would someday crumble His humour his treason"
One can connect a lot of personal dots with your lyrics (a good thing) and those lines above really stuck with us. Lot of scenarios to apply that to.
Well done and enjoyable even with the disturbing lyric
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
A really good song Ray. I like the unusual chord progression. I think the vocals could come forward more but I think from your previous songs that you like the voice back in the mix...
I just noticed in your identifier that you live just up the road... I'm in Ilkley, near Eudlo.... We used to do the odd gig in the Cooran hall... We used to hire several of the old country halls around here - tack up some posters - put on a door charge - get someone to run a bar...
A really good song Ray. I like the unusual chord progression. I think the vocals could come forward more but I think from your previous songs that you like the voice back in the mix...
I just noticed in your identifier that you live just up the road... I'm in Ilkley, near Eudlo.... We used to do the odd gig in the Cooran hall... We used to hire several of the old country halls around here - tack up some posters - put on a door charge - get someone to run a bar...
Just 60kms away. I've only been a Queenslander for three weeks though. If you're in the mood for a jam or recording session I'm here.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Not my genre but I really liked the song so here goes:
Vocals - in tune, well sung and right level for this genre.
Instruments - all good - loved that organ in the intro - maybe could be featured more throughout the song. I did not hear any drum fills - is this on purpose?
Song - nice chord progressions. Could do with a little more light and shade. What about dropping out all instruments except say guitar, organ or just guitar, drums and vocals in the second half of the song for say 8 bars and bringing all instruments back for the chorus? Or What about a stop verse? This kind of light and shade doubles the value of any song. Plus no re-recording necessary - just do it all in the DAW in a few minutes. A good mastering engineer will also suggest this and the A&R folks will love it.
Good luck with your song.
Best Regards Nigel
Nigel Spiers Christchurch, New Zealand info@nzacoustics.com
I always take a song 'as is', no matter how it's composed or arranged, revised, or whatever. The music, is the music.
I think you captured the minor key feel you sought with a gripping intensity. Your vocal and the places in the song where you harmonized it were sharply-felt, which added some 'teeth' to the whirpool of your shaded lyrics.
Concentrated, yet crackling musical energy radiates from this one, for sure!
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
Hi Ray, Not my genre but I really liked the song so here goes: Vocals - in tune, well sung and right level for this genre. Instruments - all good - loved that organ in the intro - maybe could be featured more throughout the song. I did not hear any drum fills - is this on purpose? Song - nice chord progressions. Could do with a little more light and shade. What about dropping out all instruments except say guitar, organ or just guitar, drums and vocals in the second half of the song for say 8 bars and bringing all instruments back for the chorus? Or What about a stop verse? This kind of light and shade doubles the value of any song. Plus no re-recording necessary - just do it all in the DAW in a few minutes. A good mastering engineer will also suggest this and the A&R folks will love it. Good luck with your song. Best Regards Nigel
Thanks for the detailed response Nigel, There're plenty of drum fills - at each change in the structure if nowhere else..they may feel subsumed by the tom action but they are there. Organ...it's there as accent mainly and pops out more at the end of phrases/sections. Light and shade dynamics are important but so, in this instance of a short song, is full tilt relentlessness which I opted for - it's what the tom patterns reinforce. A good producer would suggest changes and an ME that one has a good relationship may do. My ME & I have a good creative relationship and he's suggested many great ideas and offered to do interesting things for gratis such as the snare treatment on this old track Thanatoginous...
in which he offered to do a Bowie/Hansa Eventide thing on a sep. snare stem and then insert into the snareless render. I think he did a cool job of it. A&R? Well, perhaps if I were 30 years younger and less self aware that may influence me. The track was mastered a couple of days ago so, to avoid spending again, it'll have to stay as is. I'll keep your ideas in mind for the next project though, (it has several holes punched it it already for dynamics and emphasis). Cheers
Last edited by rayc; 06/17/2102:51 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
None of your links in your introduction post worked. The song was removed or something. After reading all the posts about your song I saw your answer to Greg AND a new link. That worked! So I listened, but don't know if this is the newest version, or the oldest or one in between.
My foundings: Alhough it's not really my style, it is a good song. Very coherent and all the instruments can be heard in a clear way. I mean, not a messy bunch of noise. I have three things though: 1) The sudden start of the song with all instruments playing at once. Probably it's normal, but it would gain a little tension if you shad started with the drums and the bass (or a variation on that) and after some bars the other instruments come in. But that is a mather of taste. 2) Your vocals could use some more db. They have to compete with the other instruments and not always winning that 'battle'. 3) I miss a video on this song. You always have those special, but fascinating videos with your songs and now you don't. Why not???
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
I'll add that Bob sounded excellent as do all your performances ... vocals and instruments. 
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean