Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
D
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Hello all,

Here is a tune of mine: A Squeaky Wheel

https://soundcloud.com/tom_marvan/a-squeaky-wheel

All instruments, except vocals, are from Band in A Box. Recorded into Mixcraft 9 using drag and drop, then exported as a WAV file.

RealTracks in style: ~684:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~686:Organ, B3, Background Pop Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 691:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming AcRockBright Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~522:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 850:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm NashvillePopClean Ev 120
RealDrums [in style:NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Lyrics
(C) Tom Marvan 2005

He walks into the bar, where serves the girl I love
And after my second glass, I swear she'll marry me
Wow! She's so beautiful, you'd better make it three,
But not before you give me your name, and my life meaning

Anyway, back to the merry man, who's doling out his acumen
To three girls in a corner. They giggle over spilling wine
As they murder time and listen to his spiel.
Careful, fancy that, a caveat: he's an a-hole, a jerk, a squeaky wheel

He walks into his home, where he feels so alone
Two kids and a mortgage, he treats them both interest free
Claims to love his wife, claims to hate his life
It's not so unusual for an a-hole, a jerk, a squeaky wheel

As you look up in the sky, as you walk up on high
You'll find the heavens staring back at you
The balance is in the stars, and the love that's in your heart
Will come back to you double, if you let it fly



Tom Marvan
dunbar7376



Last edited by dunbar7376; 06/13/21 05:05 PM.

Tom Marvan
Dunbar7376
San Diego, CA

Band in A Box Audiophile 2025

MSI GE66 10SFS 15.6" Laptop (Model GE66048)
Intel Core i7 10th Gen i7-10750H 2.6ghz
32GB DDR4 RAM 2666mhz
8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
1920x1080 Full HD LED
2x1TB NVMe SSD PCI
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677
Hi Tom,

that's prety cool - love the lyrics a lot.

Cheers,

Stefan

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
D
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Thank you, Stefan.

Tom Marvan.


Tom Marvan
Dunbar7376
San Diego, CA

Band in A Box Audiophile 2025

MSI GE66 10SFS 15.6" Laptop (Model GE66048)
Intel Core i7 10th Gen i7-10750H 2.6ghz
32GB DDR4 RAM 2666mhz
8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
1920x1080 Full HD LED
2x1TB NVMe SSD PCI
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,011
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,011
Like the lyrics, some good lines. Melody and singing were pretty good, too. Maybe the storyline needed some tightening up. Good work!


Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
D
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Thank you, TuneMonger!

Tom Marvan.


Tom Marvan
Dunbar7376
San Diego, CA

Band in A Box Audiophile 2025

MSI GE66 10SFS 15.6" Laptop (Model GE66048)
Intel Core i7 10th Gen i7-10750H 2.6ghz
32GB DDR4 RAM 2666mhz
8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
1920x1080 Full HD LED
2x1TB NVMe SSD PCI
User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,893
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,893
Cool song!! I hear Dylan and Petty. Really good lyrics, excellent vocal and good band. The whole fun experience had a good flow. Loved it, Tom.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,749
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,749
Unusual approach to lyrics.
Made me wanna listen to the end.

nice.

moto

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
D
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Thank you, Marty!

Dylan influence sound via Knopfler.

Tom Marvan.


Tom Marvan
Dunbar7376
San Diego, CA

Band in A Box Audiophile 2025

MSI GE66 10SFS 15.6" Laptop (Model GE66048)
Intel Core i7 10th Gen i7-10750H 2.6ghz
32GB DDR4 RAM 2666mhz
8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
1920x1080 Full HD LED
2x1TB NVMe SSD PCI
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
D
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Thank you, moto!

Tom Marvan.


Tom Marvan
Dunbar7376
San Diego, CA

Band in A Box Audiophile 2025

MSI GE66 10SFS 15.6" Laptop (Model GE66048)
Intel Core i7 10th Gen i7-10750H 2.6ghz
32GB DDR4 RAM 2666mhz
8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
1920x1080 Full HD LED
2x1TB NVMe SSD PCI
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,192
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,192
Needs something of an intro to set things up.
The narrative seems to be two stories combined and mixes 1st and third person to no great benefit.
I think the arrangement and melody, as well as your voice deserve a rethink of the package.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Nice song Tom!! Pleasant rolling melody, and nice arrangement! Do I detect and accent? Nice work!! Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,060
D
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
D
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,060
Tom,

There’s so much to admire in the write, my favorite being “As they murder time and listen to his spiel”. Might have liked to hear the lead vocal come up just a tad in the mix, but like what you’ve done with the back up vocals, particularly at the end of the song, sitting subtly behind the mix. Nicely done!

All my best to you,

Deej

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,633
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,633
Hi Tom,

I was surprised how relaxed you were singing this very nice song. You barely raise your voice.
But that is also what gives 'power' to your song! While a lot of things happened in the lyrics, you don't notice it when listening to the music. Very nice. I read Dunbar mentioned Knopfler.For me he is right on that. (Not too much, of course. Otherwise you become to vain).

Well done. Tasted like more,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,285
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,285
Great vocal and lyrics. I like the way you built the song up via adding the B3, excellent! The mix is also spot on.

IMHO adding a simple lead at the end might sound better then just the backing tracks playing, but that is just me.

This is an excellent song.


Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school.
Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
B
Expert
Offline
Expert
B
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
'dunbar7376'...

I chuckled like a guy would at the in-your-face lyrics you wrote for the first three verses of your song laugh! They seemed almost cynical on the underside of them, but there's interesting insights contained in them, too.

And then, in the fourth and final verse, you offered up lyrics that 'turned a corner', so to speak, on the dead-end that the subject of your song created for himself in the wake of his (implied) thoughts and actions, and it was like watching sunbeams breaking through rain clouds. A new path, perhaps? A transformational option?

The Real Band you assembled moved right along with its pop energy and served your doubled vocal track well.

In terms of what I perceive as its subtext, this is one of the most interesting songs I have listened to recently on the forum.

Last edited by bluage; 06/20/21 07:03 AM.

"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
D
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Thank you for the feedback, rayc. Have a good one.

Tom Marvan.


Tom Marvan
Dunbar7376
San Diego, CA

Band in A Box Audiophile 2025

MSI GE66 10SFS 15.6" Laptop (Model GE66048)
Intel Core i7 10th Gen i7-10750H 2.6ghz
32GB DDR4 RAM 2666mhz
8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
1920x1080 Full HD LED
2x1TB NVMe SSD PCI
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
D
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Thank you for the comments!

Your accent detection is on high alert, Greg! (Although, in these situations in person, I usually say, "YOU have the accent" which of course here makes no sense.)

I did indeed grow up in Melbourne, Australia. Have a good one!

Tom Marvan.


Tom Marvan
Dunbar7376
San Diego, CA

Band in A Box Audiophile 2025

MSI GE66 10SFS 15.6" Laptop (Model GE66048)
Intel Core i7 10th Gen i7-10750H 2.6ghz
32GB DDR4 RAM 2666mhz
8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
1920x1080 Full HD LED
2x1TB NVMe SSD PCI
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
D
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Thank you bluage for the kind words!

I think you are onto something with your interpretation of my song. I am glad you liked it. Have a great day!

Tom Marvan.


Tom Marvan
Dunbar7376
San Diego, CA

Band in A Box Audiophile 2025

MSI GE66 10SFS 15.6" Laptop (Model GE66048)
Intel Core i7 10th Gen i7-10750H 2.6ghz
32GB DDR4 RAM 2666mhz
8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
1920x1080 Full HD LED
2x1TB NVMe SSD PCI
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
D
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Hello Hans.

Thank you for the kind words!

I am massively influenced my Knopfler, and may try to add some more personal guitar playing in future tracks in addition to the lyrics and vocals.

Have a good one!

Tom Marvan
(I am also dunbar7376)


Tom Marvan
Dunbar7376
San Diego, CA

Band in A Box Audiophile 2025

MSI GE66 10SFS 15.6" Laptop (Model GE66048)
Intel Core i7 10th Gen i7-10750H 2.6ghz
32GB DDR4 RAM 2666mhz
8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
1920x1080 Full HD LED
2x1TB NVMe SSD PCI
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
D
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Thank you, Deej!

I had to find something that rhymed with "wheel," so "spiel" was the one! Plus a little influence from learning German and Latin ("caveat") in my high school/college years.

I agree - the lead vocal mix may need some more attention, but I felt this tune was just pushing to see the light of day, so here it is.

Have a great day,

Tom Marvan.

(Edit: Deej - I did not realize that you are DJ Lekich - I have been enjoying your tunes for a while now on Soundcloud - love your unique voice and lyrics, and am a big fan of "Songs from the Parlour" especially.)

Last edited by dunbar7376; 06/20/21 10:15 AM.

Tom Marvan
Dunbar7376
San Diego, CA

Band in A Box Audiophile 2025

MSI GE66 10SFS 15.6" Laptop (Model GE66048)
Intel Core i7 10th Gen i7-10750H 2.6ghz
32GB DDR4 RAM 2666mhz
8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
1920x1080 Full HD LED
2x1TB NVMe SSD PCI
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,734
Posts795,440
Members39,941
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Jonnyfartpants, Gengiz, MarcAlanMichael, Kylie jen, klausmus
39,941 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 201
Noel96 114
DC Ron 109
DrDan 103
rsdean 102
dcuny 93
Today's Birthdays
baz66, joesarahh, prsings
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5