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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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One more for Christmas The challenge was a co-write with a friend, Walter Davidson (yep, he's 100 % Belgian). No Bridge, 4-bar chorus. I put the lyrics in, and used the new features of BIAB 2015 (Avery's strings) to keep the song going. Had to set 140 Bpm to produce the two chords in the 4th time of the bar. RealTracks in song: 2489:Bass,Ac,Bowed HeldSimp Ev110 RealTracks in song: 2509:Cello,PopSwing Sw 110 (1Trk) RealTracks in song: 2507:StringQuartet,PopEvChambr120 The rest is produced at 70 Bpm RealTracks in stijl: ~~700:Bas,El,PopHalfNtPush Gel85 RealTracks in stijl: ~~368:GitaarAk,Rtm Slag Gel65 RealTracks in song: 1167:Gtr,El,Sol,RockBalladGel65 RealTracks in song: 1000:Gtr,El,Rtm,HdRkLAFzzHeld120 RealDrums in Stijl: NashvilleEven8^8-a:HiHatO, b:Ride Live acoustic guitar (DADGAD tuning) Reaper and EZ MIx did the rest! Merry Christmas, my fellow composers! Any comments are very welcome! Fred https://soundcloud.com/fred-marien/the-oneWinter days, early nights Christmas tree, Christmas lights A fairytale, a rednose deer It's the time of the year Chorus: And you, the one for me I'd rather have you near People shopping in the square Happy children everywhere Hear the sleigh bells... Santa's here It's the time of the year Chorus: And you, the one for me I'd rather have you near Now let us gather the family Presents under the Christmas tree Singing choirs are all we hear It's the time of the year Chorus: And you, the one for me I'd rather have you near Winter days, early nights Christmas tree, Christmas lights A fairytale, a rednose deer It's the time of the year Chorus: And you, the one for me I'd rather have you near You the one for me You'll always be... my dear
Last edited by FredM; 12/22/14 03:59 PM.
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Had to set 140 Bpm to produce the two chords in the 4th time of the bar Wouldnt it be nice to have 8 chords per bar. NICE song, the echo on the voice is perfect. Also the wind down starting about 3 mins is a wonderful technique. Enjoyed Alyn
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My new favorite of yours for sure. That will last until your next release which will become my favorite. This is first class, top notch in every respect. Well-written mixed and performed. I like the delay, especially with the acoustic intro. Personally, I would have dropped for the period 0.56 through I believe 1:42 where the guitars come in strong. That would build anticipation I think as my ear was expecting it and it being there I became desensitized during that period of the song. The anticipation would have been more interesting. Just a personal observation and it certainly still works as you have it.
Great song. No real nits at all. Good tune and catchy melody. Ready for your next (Anticipation - <grin> )
Charlie
BIAB 2026:RB 2026, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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This is a really effective production that strongly supports both the vocal delivery and the lyric. We much enjoyed it. BTW, did you add additional effects to the guitar track (1167)? It sounds very cool.
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
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Fred,
Terrific! Start to finish...
A good write. Excellent arrangement and mix. Nice vocal.
The live acoustic sounds great! The strings, too!
Very enjoyable listen. A very original holiday song.
floyd
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Beautifully done!! Acoustic guitar works perfectly. When the heavier electric came in, it surprised me but in good way-worked great. Love the way the song ratcheted down again later. The only thing I would change is to turn the vocal a bit louder during the electric part. You have a great voice and it should always be out front. Great stuff all the way around!! Take care, and Merry Xmas. Greg
P.S. I was very flattered to see you reposted Sausalito. When I hear my songs play on other people's soundcloud, it is very flattering. Thanks!!
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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My new favorite of yours for sure. That will last until your next release which will become my favorite. This is first class, top notch in every respect. Well-written mixed and performed. I like the delay, especially with the acoustic intro. Personally, I would have dropped for the period 0.56 through I believe 1:42 where the guitars come in strong. That would build anticipation I think as my ear was expecting it and it being there I became desensitized during that period of the song. The anticipation would have been more interesting. Just a personal observation and it certainly still works as you have it.
Great song. No real nits at all. Good tune and catchy melody. Ready for your next (Anticipation - <grin> )
Charlie Hi Charlie, THanks very much for listening and commenting. Is it the same with you that, the time that you're producing the song, a kind of gentle madness kicks in? The song is an absolute favorite of all times... untill the next song comes along  for the period 0.56 through 1:42, do I understand that you would let the second verse play like the first? I'm not shure I understand...
Last edited by FredM; 12/23/14 11:00 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2014
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Had to set 140 Bpm to produce the two chords in the 4th time of the bar Wouldnt it be nice to have 8 chords per bar. NICE song, the echo on the voice is perfect. Also the wind down starting about 3 mins is a wonderful technique. Enjoyed Alyn Alyn, Thanks for listening and opening the commentaries  8 Chords per bar comes in handy, sometimes...
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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This is a really effective production that strongly supports both the vocal delivery and the lyric. We much enjoyed it. BTW, did you add additional effects to the guitar track (1167)? It sounds very cool.
J&B Hi J&B, Thank you both for commenting and listening The lead guitar track is original, in the mix though I often put in the lead vocal presets for a lead instrument. Greatings, Fred
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Fred,
Terrific! Start to finish...
A good write. Excellent arrangement and mix. Nice vocal.
The live acoustic sounds great! The strings, too!
Very enjoyable listen. A very original holiday song.
floyd Hi Floyd, Finally my own Christmas song  Thanks for listening and commenting! Happy holidays!
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Beautifully done!! Acoustic guitar works perfectly. When the heavier electric came in, it surprised me but in good way-worked great. Love the way the song ratcheted down again later. The only thing I would change is to turn the vocal a bit louder during the electric part. You have a great voice and it should always be out front. Great stuff all the way around!! Take care, and Merry Xmas. Greg
P.S. I was very flattered to see you reposted Sausalito. When I hear my songs play on other people's soundcloud, it is very flattering. Thanks!! Greg, You are absolutely right. The vocals drowned in the orchestra. (never should post a song late at night or in this case, early in the morning  I raised the vocals in that part and reposted. Your comment made the song better, thanks! Fred PS Sausalito is one of my favourites!
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Hi Fred,
a good write. Great arrangement and mix. Nice vocals. Very enjoyable listen. Have a merry Christmas.
Guenter
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Beautiful song. Loved the lyrics. Vocal and playing well done
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Apprentice
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Hello, Fred.
I quite enjoyed this number.
Bravo!
Thanks for the music, Dan
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Love it Fred! Wonderful arrangement. Beautifully done and sung.
Josie
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Fred, Loved it! Thanks for a great way to start Christmas morning. Great arrangement and vocals. Very well done. Tom
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Such a pretty song. Really like the way the acoustic guitar strings ring. Not sure how you obtained the effect but it works well and matches the song. I like the way your vocal blends in the mix.
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Hi Fred, Very good song, the acoustic guitar is great, good vocals. We expected some backing vocals in the 2nd part of the song though, but that is because we love harmonies  Een goed uiteinde gewenst! Rob en Anne-Marie
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Great number, happy to see you have delighted in this time of the year.
DA...
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Hi Fred,
a good write. Great arrangement and mix. Nice vocals. Very enjoyable listen. Have a merry Christmas.
Guenter Thank you Guenter for listening and commenting Happy holidays Fred
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Holiday Weekend Hours
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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!
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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.
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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.
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