Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#695834 01/03/22 04:58 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Ok, so I'm probably breaking some rule of PG's by posting this here, but I can't think of any other forum of theirs to place this. I just feel very strongly that reworking existing songs is the most fun to be had with BBox (and educating from an arranging standpoint), and if you ask me the rules should either be changed to accommodate, or they provide us with a forum for this very concept. So here you go (for however long till this gets taken down):

Just Called

There's only one BBox instrument, a Jazz Guitar "Solo-Accompaniment", rest is me.


Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,422
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,422
Your playing is outstanding. Great tone, pitch, expression... love the sound of the horn & flute. All it needs is a bass and brush kit...


Bandcamp
Win-11; BiaB-2026 Audiophile (latest version)
Cakewalk Sonar; Melodyne-5; Scaler 3; NI Komplete:
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20



User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
I suppose what any given arrangement "needs" is a matter of taste, and I will say the very minimalistic choice here is very much a deliberate one. I also wanted to test just how effectively this designated "solo-accompaniment" RT (emphasis on the prefix!) could really fill out a given piece of music on its own.

Thanks for the feedback.


Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,306
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,306
Originally Posted By: Icelander
Ok, so I'm probably breaking some rule of PG's by posting this here

It's at the top of the forum, in the "Forum Rules" section:

The songs must be originals, no copyrighted or "cover" songs. You must have all of the rights to the songs.

Originally Posted By: Icelander
I just feel very strongly that reworking existing songs is the most fun to be had with BBox (and educating from an arranging standpoint), and if you ask me the rules should either be changed to accommodate, or they provide us with a forum for this very concept.

The rules are in place because of copyright.

If you don't have the rights to a song, you don't have the legal right make a version of the song, and PG Music doesn't have the right to host that song - no matter how much fun you had in the process of making it.

"I Just Called To Say I Loved You" was written in 1984, so it won't be until at least 2054 before it gets into the public domain - perhaps even longer as copyright seems to be extended indefinitely.


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Originally Posted By: dcuny
Originally Posted By: Icelander
Ok, so I'm probably breaking some rule of PG's by posting this here

The rules are in place because of copyright.

If you don't have the rights to a song, you don't have the legal right make a version of the song, and PG Music doesn't have the right to host that song.
Doesn't seem to stop the guys at youtube, but fair enuff. It's not like I'm about to argue when this gets taken down or anything (which I sort of expected anyway).

At least I finally made something again...


Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,306
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,306
Originally Posted By: Icelander

At least I finally made something again...

Yep! laugh


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,379
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,379
Cool tune.


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Originally Posted By: Scott C
Cool tune.
You know what, I actually always felt that, despite its tremendous popularity, this was the lamest & most bland song Wonder ever made! crazy
That's rather why I wanted to see if it couldn't be spruced up a bit.... only to be then informed I completely picked the wrong venue to present the result, but there it still is.


Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,744
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,744
There is no such thing as an “international copyright” that
will automatically protect an author’s writings throughout
the world. Protection against unauthorized use in a particular
country depends on the national laws of that country.

Having said that Iceland has an agreement with the United States.

Iceland · Berne (Paris) Sept. 7, 1947; UCC
Geneva Dec. 18, 1956; WTO Jan. 1, 1995

However unlikely it is that you will suffer any negative consequences for Copywrite infringement, it is certainly possible. The penalties can be quite severe and are occasionally enforced.

Website owners also have some legal liability for illegal content posted on their site although laws concerning these issues are often contested.

You can however easily obtain permission to do a cover song. It is not free but only cost around $15.00 US in most cases.

Many of us, both owners of copywrites, and users of copyrighted material are not happy with the current laws but they are on the books and need to be complied with however frustrating they may be.

I am not trying to tell you what you should do but just informing you of the possible consequences of your actions. I am not a music attorney and this is not legal advice.

Cheers,

Billy

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Originally Posted By: Planobilly

I am not trying to tell you what you should do...
Thing is, I as just a general user can't delete this thread by now even if I wanted to. I genuinely expected it to have been taken down by the moderators straight away, but it's been almost two days now and it's still up. Given the site's rules, I'm as surprised about that as anyone.


Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Quote:
Thing is, I as just a general user can't delete this thread by now even if I wanted to.

Well, if you really want to, you can flag it for the mods to delete, and they will. Or just self-censor the naughty URL.

Anyway, just to mention something I regard as problematic:

The forum rules don't just prohibit copyright violations. They say, "You are allowed to post links to your own original songs." (emphasis added)

This, of course, not only disallows copyright violations but use of public domain material as well, so strictly speaking I am a violator for linking to a "cover" of Beethoven's violin concerto.

They also don't provide for the use of licensed copyrighted material, so even if I went to the trouble of getting the right to make a cover of this Stevie Wonder song I still wouldn't be allowed to post it here, under existing rules.

Regarding the PD issue, I (and I assume anyone else) just goes "eh, they didn't mean that" and ignores the rule as they break it. Never a great state of affairs for a rule you want people to take seriously.

And regarding the licensing issue, what incentive do I have to pay $15 to license my cover if the rules say that's still not allowed? (BTW, has anyone actually done that, licensed a song specifically to be able to post it here, and specified this in their post?)

SUMMARY OF SUGGESTION:

Amend the forum rule to explicitly allow use of public domain and licensed copyrighted material.

Thinking about it, I can almost guarantee this will result in more people paying that fee to do just that, which will be a good thing, yes? I personally have never had the slightest idea how to license a song. If it's really just $15, hey, I'll probably do it.

AUXILIARY SUGGESTION:

Create a new forum for licensed covers, with a sticky post explaining how exactly to do this and what you need to put in your post to show you're in compliance.

Last edited by Mark Hayes; 01/05/22 08:02 AM.
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,306
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,306
Originally Posted By: Mark Hayes
The forum rules don't just prohibit copyright violations. They say, "You are allowed to post links to your own original songs." (emphasis added)

You're correct - AFAIK the goal is prevent copyright violation.

Modifying the language to clarify that would be helpful, as would information on how to obtain rights.

PG Music generally polices the forum with a light hand, and forum users tend to be the ones who remind people about the rules.

I've seen people who have posted music that they don't own the copyright post the information about their license in the song post.

People who have used Public Domain music often will say that as well. Janice and Bud come to mind.

But the use of Public Domain songs can become complicated because the version that someone may think is under Public Domain may not be because it uses an altered melody or additional lyrics. The original material will place that particular version under copyright.

So, for example, J&B will often include some history of the song, and an explanation of how their version is based on the PD version, and not a more contemporary version.

Given the complexity of determining and demonstrating the rights to a song, it may be simpler to keep the prohibition as it is.

But I think your suggestion is a good one.


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Originally Posted By: dcuny
Given the complexity of determining and demonstrating the rights to a song, it may be simpler to keep the prohibition as it is.


It's not PGs responsibility to make such determinations and demonstrations, though. They don't have to, they properly charge their users with that.

I just covered (sort of) the traditional Irish tune "Star of the County Down", assuming the justification that it is public domain.

Suppose, now, that Fever Ray decides to (unfairly!) accuse me of stealing their style for my version and goes on to accuse PG of being complicit in that infringement by allowing me to post a link to a Soundcloud recording of it.

Well... at that unlikely point, PG can just delete my post.

I'm saying, non-lawyer that I am, that I cannot see PG as opening itself to any legal liability by allowing public domain material, any more than they already are by allowing "original" material – which could, after all, always be plagiarized.

Last edited by Mark Hayes; 01/05/22 11:06 AM.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

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
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

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, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!

Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.

Holiday Weekend Hours

It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:

Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Regular hours
resume Tuesday, May 19th!

Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!

Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!

Don't wait - order today!

Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!

Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.

Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.

If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!

202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!

With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!

Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.

Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.

The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
  • iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,455
Posts805,311
Members40,125
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Zoltan Bekesi, kmmkelsns874, Goodmanje, AlfredoR616, Jerry Gerber
40,125 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 135
DC Ron 90
rsdean 90
WaoBand 67
Today's Birthdays
jm12947, Morais
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5