|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
The Outer Circle https://soundcloud.com/mark_hayes/outer-circleAn old Concertware instrumental for Yamaha PSS-680 updated to take advantage of new technology, as well as the wisdom and bitterness of advancing age. I would be so so so so grateful for any listens and thinks.The title is a vague allusion to Dante’s Inferno, and the music makes me think of the ghastly industrial view from the Tobin Bridge in Boston. It is a Hellscape of sorts. I hear this happening, at times quite specifically: A condemned prisoner is marched to his execution. As he walks, he is taunted on all sides. It gets very ugly, and there is much back and forth, but eventually he is taken to the quiet chamber. He is executed, at 01:51, by two pulses of electricity. What happens after that, God only knows. Thanks to Blondie for the idea of briefly switching to 7 then back to reinforce the terminal power of 4. Mark ======================================================= BIAB RealTrack stuff: * Style _GYPSYJD.STY ~~1204:Bass, Acoustic, GypsyJazzBallad Sw 110 ~~1209:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GypsyJazzBalladGonzalo Sw 110 ~~1210:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GypsyJazzBalladJohn Sw 110 GypsyJazzSw: a: Brushes Light * Style _YAZOO.STY ~2478:Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 110 ~522:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 120 ~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120 2824:Pedal Steel, Soloist CountryEddy12-key Ev 085 (x3) NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat * Style _CORRUPT.STY 1849:Bass, Electric, ModernCountrySync Ev16 100 3728:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm GrungePopGritty2-note Ev 110 3727:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm GrungePopDist8ths Ev 110 3730:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm GrungeChuggingLow8ths Ev 100 Everything else was done in Logic: Sugar Hill brass EastWest gypsy violins Wedding organ (festive, romantic, a little sexy!) Cop-show clavinet Wurlitzer electric piano Composed and assisted drums
Last edited by Mark Hayes; 12/22/21 05:08 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,189
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,189 |
Hi, Mark. The first third had a very Tom Waits vibe. The transition was a bit MIDI-ish, and the guitar interlude was unexpected. The increasing percussion and dissonance worked nicely, and the violin helped hold the piece together. The ending was effective. I think it matched your as well as one can expected music to. But there wasn't that much a sense of space, which (to my ears) made it sound more synthetic. I hope that was helpful! 
-- 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: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677 |
The Outer Circle https://soundcloud.com/mark_hayes/outer-circleAn old Concertware instrumental for Yamaha PSS-680 updated to take advantage of new technology, as well as the wisdom and bitterness of advancing age. I would be so so so so grateful for any listens and thinks.The title is a vague allusion to Dante’s Inferno, and the music makes me think of the ghastly industrial view from the Tobin Bridge in Boston. It is a Hellscape of sorts. I hear this happening, at times quite specifically: A condemned prisoner is marched to his execution. As he walks, he is taunted on all sides. It gets very ugly, and there is much back and forth, but eventually he is taken to the quiet chamber. He is executed, at 01:51, by two pulses of electricity. What happens after that, God only knows. Thanks to Blondie for the idea of briefly switching to 7 then back to reinforce the terminal power of 4. Mark ======================================================= BIAB RealTrack stuff: * Style _GYPSYJD.STY ~~1204:Bass, Acoustic, GypsyJazzBallad Sw 110 ~~1209:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GypsyJazzBalladGonzalo Sw 110 ~~1210:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GypsyJazzBalladJohn Sw 110 GypsyJazzSw: a: Brushes Light * Style _YAZOO.STY ~2478:Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 110 ~522:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 120 ~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120 2824:Pedal Steel, Soloist CountryEddy12-key Ev 085 (x3) NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat * Style _CORRUPT.STY 1849:Bass, Electric, ModernCountrySync Ev16 100 3728:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm GrungePopGritty2-note Ev 110 3727:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm GrungePopDist8ths Ev 110 3730:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm GrungeChuggingLow8ths Ev 100 Everything else was done in Logic: Sugar Hill brass EastWest gypsy violins Wedding organ (festive, romantic, a little sexy!) Cop-show clavinet Wurlitzer electric piano Composed and assisted drums Hi Mark, don't really know what to say: Simply amazing. Thrilling. Most admirable. Such a lot of creativity and effort ... wow, hats off. Loved it A LOT !!! Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2022. Stefan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,254
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,254 |
Program music or a tone poem of sorts.
My 1st thoughts were a soundtrack to Caligari's Cabinet or another fine German Expressionist movie.
I was pleased when the brass came over the top of the country rock section...I had been worried.
The space between the pulses was a little unnerving...well done.
Inner Circle is a VERY fine overproof rum from the Bundaberg Distillery...It was a favourite tipple when I tippled.
The end is reached and the La las quickly fill the void...that is amusing/weird coincidence.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,185
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,185 |
My favorite piece from you so far. Kept my interest throughout, which is no easy task. The only thing I question is the use of the gypsy jazz realstyle due to its swing groove. It immediately put my ear into an expectation that did not occur. But this became less of a problem as the piece went on. And overall, I really, really liked this. Great work!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647 |
HI Mark ...
Well, there's quite a bit to like here. Lots of variety with unexpected changes and instrument choices (good choices). The mysterious and provocative soundscape was nice. There's a lot of imagination and creativity on display here. Very dramatic. I like it!
Merry Christmas and wishes for a fantastic 2022.
Alan
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
> The first third had a very Tom Waits vibe. I think I know what you mean, and that only came about after invoking BIAB, so, thanks BIAB. > The transition was a bit MIDI-ish, and the guitar interlude was unexpected. You're not supposed to use words like "MIDI-ish" any more! =8^) Except of course you're right. I used BIAB to airbrush it, but this old piece is MIDI in its soul. There are a few sounds that embarrass me a little, but it helps to invoke a creepy program so any musical flaws can be explained as depictions of morally flawed characters. As for the guitars, I assume "unexpected" is some kind of not-good, and I guess I agree. On their own, they're just lightweight packing material, and I will probably change them to something else. I do like the 3 pedal steels, which are the same RealTrack triple-tracked. And the menacing low brass might be heard as expressing its own disdain for the guitars. > The increasing percussion and dissonance worked nicely, and the violin helped hold the piece together. > The ending was effective. Thanks! The harsh, loud parts of this one are really what it's about for me. I no longer remember how I constructed those dissonant chords, but I've always liked them. > I think it matched your as well as one can expected music to. Matched my... story? > But there wasn't that much a sense of space, which (to my ears) made it sound more synthetic. That might have something to do with a conscious restraint with reverb, it was even flatter at first. I will listen for other ways in which your advice might be applied. > I hope that was helpful! Totally, many thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
Hi Mark,
don't really know what to say: Simply amazing. Thrilling. Most admirable. Such a lot of creativity and effort ... wow, hats off.
Loved it A LOT !!!
Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2022.
Stefan
I am so glad you liked! I put a lot of work into this one, both years ago and in the past week. All sorts of holiday goodness to you too! Mark
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
Program music or a tone poem of sorts.
My 1st thoughts were a soundtrack to Caligari's Cabinet or another fine German Expressionist movie.
I was pleased when the brass came over the top of the country rock section...I had been worried. German Expressionism! That fits perfectly, thanks, I should try to exploit the idea in a video. Certainly nothing too subtle going on here. Though it might be fun to pair the music with gauzy footage of a romantic couple walking hand in hand through fields of sweet, soft summer. The space between the pulses was a little unnerving...well done.
Inner Circle is a VERY fine overproof rum from the Bundaberg Distillery...It was a favourite tipple when I tippled.
The end is reached and the La las quickly fill the void...that is amusing/weird coincidence. I confess, the thing about the pulses was a retrospective interpretation on my part. But, once that grisly idea occurred to me, it was like, yes, THAT is what those chords mean. I appreciate your comments muchly. Some of your material is after my own grim[m] heart.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
My favorite piece from you so far. Kept my interest throughout, which is no easy task. The only thing I question is the use of the gypsy jazz realstyle due to its swing groove. It immediately put my ear into an expectation that did not occur. But this became less of a problem as the piece went on. And overall, I really, really liked this. Great work! Wow, thanks, especially for mentioning you've actually my listened to other stuff as well! I can see how the gypsy jazz part kind of clashes with the rest. Perhaps I will change that to something else, breaking off this existing beginning as the start of a new piece. I do like that swingy part. Glad to know I kept your interest! That is my goal, really, with something like this, which is certainly not a tender love song. =8^)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
HI Mark... Well, there's quite a bit to like here. Lots of variety with unexpected changes and instrument choices (good choices). The mysterious and provocative soundscape was nice. There's a lot of imagination and creativity on display here. Very dramatic. I like it! Thanks for letting me know I managed to do all that successfully. It's a good feeling. I worked hard on it! =8^) Merry Christmas and wishes for a fantastic 2022. Alan And to you, sir. All the best, and thanks again!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,848
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,848 |
So... I got a Turtles Elenore vibe right there at the beginning sliding into a dark gypsy cabaret thing....
I was listening to Zoot Horn Rollo last night and I got to say that this is similar in many respects to his style of music.
Interesting stuff to say the least.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
So... I got a Turtles Elenore vibe right there at the beginning sliding into a dark gypsy cabaret thing....
I was listening to Zoot Horn Rollo last night and I got to say that this is similar in many respects to his style of music.
Interesting stuff to say the least.
Hey, I can't say I hear that here but I am not worthy of ZHR so I am honored. Thank you! (I love Captain Beefheart but am more of a Zappa type in what I try to do musically.) Look, Zoot gives lessons: https://www.zoothornrollo.com/lessonsHe also has practice tools online, about which I may start a separate thread. Thanks again!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,158
Posts800,967
Members40,046
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean