|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232 |
My music buddies and I have always had a warning we lived be, be careful of focusing more on the technology and less on the music! I am afraid I have failed to heed my own warning and have slipped in to the dark side, spending more time on gear and gizmos then on playing and making music. For the past months I have spent my limited precious time which I have allocated to music (due primarily to the day job) on fiddling with computers and buggy music software. It started when I began working on a cover of "I'm gonna live the life I sing about in my Song" < how ironic..>. First it was the drums, which not being a drummer have long been a curse to me. Then it was the bass. One drum machine VST after another after another, one more RT\RD to audition then another and another, why don't I just write out the midi? why don't I just play the part? - heck if these aren't just right the whole groove is wrong. The real answer is cause I can't! All this misdirection and trying to do it all has resulted in my knowledge of a lot of things and my mastery of none. It may be too late for me, but I write this to warn you younger guys. Focus on the Music!! Learn your instrument!! And when you need to record and mix and master and arrange then folks who have spent their time mastering these elements will find you. Do I sound frustrated?  You Bet!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129 |
Hey - I am in the same position, and to an extent of course you answered your own question. It's similar to the very reason when one sits at a computer to finish one thing, there are all of a sudden 10 other REALLY INTERSTING things that compete for your attention.
...And, chances are, many on the site LIKE and WORK WITH technology and gizmos, and this transfers to their music hobby. The very access to new digital music products and features brings out the tinkering child in us - hey that's new and cool, I want to play with that.
Just think about it - in previous times, there were SUBSTANTIALLY less options to buy such music production equipment within reach of the middle to lower class guy.
Something eye opening (which I intentionally haven't done) is to measure the percentage of time you spend with instrument in hand or studying music without the distraction of overcoming technical hurdles, vs. the latter.
I've rationlized my choice to "I enjoy tinkering with the technology and being able to do things the non-tinkerers can't." But I do often wish my musicianship was better, but this is the price paid.
And after - if you're bold enough to start measuring your time, you could always intentionally divide an allocated percentage (preferably bigger than your current) solely to your instrument.
PS - where does time spent on the forums belong ? lol - probably as much to the tech as to your primary instrument(s) skills.
This would make a good poll - assuming people were aware of where they actually spend their time, which I'm sure most aren't.
In fact - on the topic, I've spent way more energy scouring craigslist for music instrument deals than on perfecting my instrument mastery...shame on me : )
Last edited by Joe V; 07/20/13 08:42 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
Right on, jazzman. Everything I know about computers I learned in self defense--and I've spent a LOT of time defending myself. I'd be afraid to self-audit my time that way. Really, what's the ROI on hours spent at the PC versus minutes of music actually produced?
All I can say is, I'm between two places right now so don't really have quality time to spend on computer music. But I've got a little practice amp set up where I'm moving and I'm getting in a lot of time on my new fretless bass that I know I wouldn't otherwise. Still not music production, but I feel like I'm accomplishing something.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
To me the antidote for this is twofold:
1. Go on a gear purchase "fast". Do not even consider purchase of any new software or hardware until you have woodshedded out at least a new 25% of the gear you already own. For me, these fasts last 5-10 years.
2. Force yourself to play out in front of people either live or by raw recording simple voice and instrument. Do open mics, form a band or join one. Learn how to play bass. Buy one if you have to violating rule 1. Bass players that can hold down the low end and not get in the way are in high demand. You can get a very gig friendly bass at Rondo for just over a c note shipped to your house. I learned the fretboard by forcing myself to play bass and now I get asked to play in two different worship bands and I'm enjoying it. My guitar playing has ratcheted up as a result.
3., yes I know I said twofold. Write songs. Lots of them. Don't talk yourself out of it. Practice writing. Share the songs no matter how raw they are recorded. Work on this until it starts to feel natural. Work on it until you can say "I'm a songwriter" and you feel honest saying it.
All of these will distract you from the computer and hone skills that once its time to return to the technology, will only help not hinder.
That's been my journey so far.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232 |
To me the antidote for this is twofold:
1. Go on a gear purchase "fast". At first I thought you were trying to push me deeper down the rabbit hole. But then I saw the means to your madness. I have not bought a new guitar in more years than I can imagine. Perhaps a shopping trip for that bass is the proverbial "hair of the dog" to cure me. I appreciate all input guys.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 163
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 163 |
My music buddies and I have always had a warning we lived be, be careful of focusing more on the technology and less on the music! I am afraid I have failed to heed my own warning and have slipped in to the dark side, spending more time on gear and gizmos then on playing and making music.
Me too. Gotta get better....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706 |
Well said . . . I usually play at least one gig a week. The night before I spend a couple of hours going over my playlist for the upcoming gigs, song selection volume checks and song placing for the gigs. Of course with guitar in hand just be to sure I know not only what I am going to sing but also get some idea of what and where my solos will come in.
Dan I guess what I am saying is that I am the opposite of the example you stated, while I really dig playing I always find myself behind on writing and recording projects.
Maybe we can team up :>!
Later,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,790
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,790 |
My music buddies and I have always had a warning we lived be, be careful of focusing more on the technology and less on the music! I am afraid I have failed to heed my own warning and have slipped in to the dark side, spending more time on gear and gizmos then on playing and making music. For the past months I have spent my limited precious time which I have allocated to music (due primarily to the day job) on fiddling with computers and buggy music software. It started when I began working on a cover of "I'm gonna live the life I sing about in my Song" < how ironic..>. First it was the drums, which not being a drummer have long been a curse to me. Then it was the bass. One drum machine VST after another after another, one more RT\RD to audition then another and another, why don't I just write out the midi? why don't I just play the part? - heck if these aren't just right the whole groove is wrong. The real answer is cause I can't! All this misdirection and trying to do it all has resulted in my knowledge of a lot of things and my mastery of none. It may be too late for me, but I write this to warn you younger guys. Focus on the Music!! Learn your instrument!! And when you need to record and mix and master and arrange then folks who have spent their time mastering these elements will find you. Do I sound frustrated? You Bet! I am tickled that this advice is for us folks who are here primarily because we use software to generate music for us! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,494
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,494 |
Hi, Dan ! I have been following the discussion on this topic with great interest ! I may be wrong, but hold the impression that it is never too late to improve on your playing skills ? I learned to play rhytm guitar at a reasonably young age (I guess most boys do) but when I got married I left all playing. Then came the kids one, two, three and the time just floated away ! I did sing sporadically, though,during this period. Came the year 1991 (my kids were old enough for me to think a little of getting some of that music stuffed deep inside me out, so I bought an ovation (rhytm guitar) and started to compose music I wrote 16 tunes in a row and then I made a record with some old school mates. I give you an example from that 1992 record " Northward Bound" http://app.box.com/s/14a19f29e88be5b68895After that record we soon quit playing and started to sing barbershop instead. Now in older days after the death of my dear wife Beni, I picked up my dusty old ovation again and joined the Shadows Club Perth, where I found a lot of good friends that helped me get over the worst time of my life ! I had never really played lead guitar in my whole life, but I started to rehearse and after having performed lead to such gems like The Shadows "Shindig", "Dance On" and "Foot Tapper" Here is my rendition of Dance On played with the acoustic ovation(took me a month to rehearse) http://app.box.com/s/syil905xup5raaywf500I have continued to play lead to a lot of other tunes also. I know I will never be a master on that instrument, but I can always get better ! And that is precisely what I wanted to convey to you Dan !  It is really never too late as long as you are alive and kickin´? Cheers Dani
Last edited by dani48; 07/21/13 05:46 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
"All things in moderation."
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232 |
Thanks for the encouragement guys. Today, the sun rose and the lights came on again. And with that also a flash of insight in which I saw the root to my problem. My ear was not transcribing the song as well as it should, so with the chords a tad off, it just seemed like all hell was breaking loose. So this morning, in the light of a new day, I went to: http://www.onlinesheetmusic.com/And with this excellent resource I was able to get the actual sheet music - what a help it was. In past two hours I have made more progress in laying out this song then the past 2 days. My RT bass player is now all of sudden sounding much better (hehe).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232 |
Dani,
Nice work on the two pieces. Both rhythm and lead work is something you should indeed take pride in. And the vocals are stellar. Thanks for the insights and the music.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, 1TB WD Black NVMe SSD, 2TB WDC Blue SSD, 1TB WD Blue, 2 TB SK NVMe, 6 TB External, Motu Audio Express 6x6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,494
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,494 |
My good friend !:)
Thank you for your kind words but my real
intention was to get you off the dark side as
soon as possible ! You have to take the sunny
side of the street instead !!
Cheers
Dani
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232 |
I am tickled that this advice is for us folks who are here primarily because we use software to generate music for us! Advice still relavent. I have been using software to generate music (including using BIAB) for the better part of 20 years. So heed my warning, there comes a time when nothing can substiture for the real thing. In the case of BIAB no one will disagree, the more you know the better it gets. There was a movie recently where a guy took a pill to make himself smart. The best pharse in the movie was " it works better if you are smart to begin with".
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, 1TB WD Black NVMe SSD, 2TB WDC Blue SSD, 1TB WD Blue, 2 TB SK NVMe, 6 TB External, Motu Audio Express 6x6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232 |
You have to take the sunny side of the street instead !!
Cheers
Dani yes, understood and appreciated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
This could be a long discussion but my lack of typing ability will make it sort of short. This is only a general comment and not at anybody at all.OK?
We have all of these wonderful tools available to us for recording, writing,one man bands on and on. Mixing, mastering, burning & more.Editing, cut, paste, fiddle. get what I'm saying? The issues come when a person can't use all these tools to create some masterpiece. Well the bottom line is that some folks just are not meant to do this. They don't have the skills, talent etc. to create this master piece. My advice to anyone is to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and focus on the strengths and accept that things you just can't do.
I am never frustrated writing songs.Why? Because I realised many, many years ago that I was not a writer and just was not adept at that. Unfortunately there are also a lot of people that are not writers either and you hear, subjectively, some pretty bad material.
To say it another way I bet there are a bunch of folks that would LOVE to build their dream home with their own hands. You can buy all the tools, all the material etc. but I'd be willing to bet that even though all the stuff is available to build a house most would never consider it.My $.02
Last edited by silvertones; 07/21/13 02:51 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,790
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,790 |
This could be a long discussion but my lack of typing ability will make it sort of short. This is only a general comment and not at anybody at all.OK?
We have all of these wonderful tools available to us for recording, writing,one man bands on and on. Mixing, mastering, burning & more.Editing, cut, paste, fiddle. get what I'm saying? The issues come when a person can't use all these tools to create some masterpiece. Well the bottom line is that some folks just are not meant to do this. They don't have the skills, talent etc. to create this master piece. My advice to anyone is to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and focus on the strengths and accept that things you just can't do.
I am never frustrated writing songs.Why? Because I realised many, many years ago that I was not a writer and just was not adept at that. Unfortunately there are also a lot of people that are not writers either and you hear, subjectively, some pretty bad material.
To say it another way I bet there are a bunch of folks that would LOVE to build their dream home with their own hands. You can buy all the tools, all the material etc. but I'd be willing to bet that even though all the stuff is available to build a house most would never consider it.My $.02 I'd agree mostly but I'd say if it pleases you, regardless of whether you have any talent (or whether someone else deems you have talent), then do it! The vast majority of singer-songwriters will never earn their keep with this. So IMHO they should focus on having fun! And if having fun means learning to play twice as good as Al Di Meola then so be it. Or if you never learn to play anything except a radio (and maybe a little BIAB) that is just as valid! Like PG always says...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
This could be a long discussion but my lack of typing ability will make it sort of short. This is only a general comment and not at anybody at all.OK?
We have all of these wonderful tools available to us for recording, writing,one man bands on and on. Mixing, mastering, burning & more.Editing, cut, paste, fiddle. get what I'm saying? The issues come when a person can't use all these tools to create some masterpiece. Well the bottom line is that some folks just are not meant to do this. They don't have the skills, talent etc. to create this master piece. My advice to anyone is to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and focus on the strengths and accept that things you just can't do.
I am never frustrated writing songs.Why? Because I realised many, many years ago that I was not a writer and just was not adept at that. Unfortunately there are also a lot of people that are not writers either and you hear, subjectively, some pretty bad material.
To say it another way I bet there are a bunch of folks that would LOVE to build their dream home with their own hands. You can buy all the tools, all the material etc. but I'd be willing to bet that even though all the stuff is available to build a house most would never consider it.My $.02 I'd agree mostly but I'd say if it pleases you, regardless of whether you have any talent (or whether someone else deems you have talent), then do it! The vast majority of singer-songwriters will never earn their keep with this. So IMHO they should focus on having fun! And if having fun means learning to play twice as good as Al Di Meola then so be it. Or if you never learn to play anything except a radio (and maybe a little BIAB) that is just as valid! Like PG always says... I agree but when it stops being fun and you become frustrated & stressed it's time to give in and give it up or try and get back to a place were you are having fun again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,232 |
I agree but when it stops being fun and you become frustrated & stressed it's time to give in and give it up or try and get back to a place were you are having fun again. Exactly. In this case I found all my effort in covering this tune was dependent me being able to transcribe by ear the entire piece. Reality Check time! This was far more than I could actually do. Problem was solved when I simply purchased the sheet music. It was a painful learning lesson, but all is fine now. Did I mention I was doing this for a friend who was getting impatient waiting for me to finish the job? i sent the file late last night.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Sometimes all that is necessary to meat a deadline is to stop, take a break, rest, do something else, do nothing at all, then be sure to schedule the time when you come back to the thing -- with fresh brain cells, eyes and ears.
I don't like telling someone that they cannot do something and therefore should not make the attempt.
We all are at different locations along the same path, IMO.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
Join the conversation on our forum.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.
Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano
Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!
Bonjour à tous,
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation
Voilà, enjoy!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Stay up to date—get the latest update now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,312
Posts777,603
Members39,615
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean