|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696 |
Gidday from Ottawa. I hope all you good ears will give it a listen.  Here is a new composition called "Rox In His Head", about a girl named Roxanne whom one of my sons once knew. Since I like to play with words, this song title was a natural and the pun was immediate and then I had to write the song – in fairness to the young lady (who is not in the picture) she was really very nice.  Collaborating with me is MarioD from Buffalo on Rhythm Electric, Lead Guitar and Steel Drums - a great job, captured the fun and gave it some drive. The tune is Jimmy Buffet feel just under four minutes but it goes fast. Comments please on the production – lyric clarity, instrumentation, mix/balance, ending – the usual drill and anything else pertinent. http://web.ncf.ca/ifraser/RoxInHisHeadMix2.mp3 Thanks for taking the time to do this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The piano and steel drum parts are too much alike at the intro. One or the other. Might put something smooth in there isntead of piano, such as an organ patch or other Pad to iron that out. The Pedal Steel that shows up later works as great Pad, might put that at the Intro as well.
Good songwriting, application of Auto-Tune or the like on the vox would be a good thing here.
Maybe have to put the AutoTune on the lead guitar track also (grin).
Good song, although the "margaritaville" aspect of the backing tracks may be a bit too much, this demo needs more work in the presentation dept. but that is how we learn how to do this stuff, may be a good thing to put this one to bed for awhile and go on to other things with an eye towards returning to this one in future -- but don't let it languish away.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,427
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,427 |
Love the puns!  The intro reminded me of Ry Cooder. The vocal sounds 'separate' from the backing. I'd bring it down in the mix a lot - I know the words are most important so the vocal therefore needs to be clearly heard, but I think you could still bring it way down and get a 'same room' feel to the vocal and the mix. 'Cos the backing is good, especially the guitar licks when they come in. John
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,126
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,126 |
Ian, The lyric is outrageous! Nicely presented, too. I like the way you and Mario have mixed the calypso and country sounds. There's also something "new wave" about the vibe, but I can't put my finger on it. Cool song
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696 |
 Mac: The Autotune comment on the voice took me a bit by surprise – now I know I’m a songwriter first and a singer second – but I didn’t think I was that off . Just now I ran GSnap-GJ (fits my budget – free) on the voice at 90% and there were a couple of a spots that could use some attention – but I always worry about artifacts that I can’t hear but better ears can if I go to say 95% . Could you cite the major trouble spots – if you say "all of it", I’m gonna shoot myself! NOT! About the instrumentation – I was hoping for this type of comment to help me sort out my own thoughts on which elements work best and how often to use an obvious hook like the steel drums riff. Thanks for the ideas. John: Vocal levels – You’re right –I put them so that the lyrics were front and centre. But this is where I get into trouble with my high frequency hearing loss – when I pull ‘em down I’m never sure if the average listener can make them out. Is there a basic rule I could follow? I try to keep competing frequencies away from the voice. Did you notice if the verb used on the voice was close to that of the instrumentation? Oren: Thanks – I had fun writing it. I like the country and calypso mix. I’m still trying to figure out the balance of each – don’t want to overuse either one, and don’t want either to be “old hat” by song’s end. Don’t want the “kitchen sink” feel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
G-Snap should be able to find the major spots okay.
Try it at a higher level and then try it backed off a little at a time until you reach the happy point where those artifacts are low but the vox is okay.
Try it over the entire vox that way just to see how it sounds. I'm not familiar with G-Snap, but it should work.
When all parts are in tune with each other, the playback of them all together should sound a bit fuller or louder, that's one clue you can listen for. This is because the slightly out of tune things will cause a "beat" frequency where they occur and that robs power from the overall amplitude of what is in tune vs what is not. In tune supports, out of tune subtracts. In a basic sense, you have to LISTEN for this, it cannot be told from staring at VU meters and the like (unless the thing is WAY out of tune, which this one is not).
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,646
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,646 |
Very nice play on words. Nice song. Thanks for sharing! My Music at Myspace My Music at Reverbnation
My TunesPsalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,487
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,487 |
Hey Ian, Your song is very clever and really skilfully put together. Congrats  I was just reading through your and mac's interchange regarding autotuning vocals. Thanks for finding GSnap I have been having a play around with it and it's really helped my voice home in on pitch. For your reference, I have found the following settings really useful. - Min freq = 80 Hz
- Max freq = 800 Hz
- Gate = -50 dB
- Fixed Mode
- Select Scale = chromatic
- Threshhold = 25 cents (to look at those notes that are "nearly" there but not quite; 100 cents is a semitone and is too much)
- Amount = 97%
- Attack = 5 ms
- Release = 50 ms
- Pitch Bend = 0 cents
- Vibrato = 0 cents (Vibrato speed is irrrelevant with 0 vibrato)
- Calibrate = 440 Hz (since I'm tuned in with BIAB)
Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722 |
Cool writing Ian, you can really pen them man!
Later,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696 |
Thanks Graham - good to hear from you. Question - if it isn't a state secret, where exactly in the Highlands are you located - nosy eh?
Ian
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696 |
Robert, Noel, Danny: I appreciate the feedback - now if I could only refine the production aspects before I hit my dotage I'd be a happy man. Songwriting has been my "life therapist" since high school. Noel - thank you for sending those GSNAP co-ordinates. I've been playing with this software for several years. It's interesting to note that you have found the Threshold at 25% - have you had artifacts beyond that 25%? I've always kept it at 100% not realizing what the control actually did. Can't wait to try this out when I get back. Any other discoveries, please put me on the mailing list.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258 |
Quote:
Thanks Graham - good to hear from you. Question - if it isn't a state secret, where exactly in the Highlands are you located - nosy eh?
Ian
Ian, It's Inverness. I'll be nosy too, are you the same Ian Fraser that's listening to All Scottish on Thursdays on MFR ?
Good crack eh ? The guys that do the programme are great friends of mine as is Andy Mack From Bluewater Radio in Ontario
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262 |
Great lyrics - love the Jimmy Buffet style.
Follow some of the comments on the mix and you'll have a good one.
The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696 |
Graham . . . what's an MFR? Something Radio (duh). Satellite? On-line?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436 |
Ian;
I really liked it. You are a very creative songwriter. Your play on words were really refreshing, instead of simple rhyming the first and third verses.
Gene
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
Quote:
Ian;
I really liked it. You are a very creative songwriter. Your play on words were really refreshing, instead of simple rhyming the first and third verses.
Gene
yeah, what gene said.
i liked the jimmy buffet steel drums and mario's guitar too. thanks for sharing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696 |
 Powderman, Gene, Don - took Mac's advice and stepped away from production to reassess the "style" of "Rox In His Head". I love doing lyrics - peer support is great - glad to hear from you. When I did the mix that started this thread I realized that the song had a JBuffet feel, and Mario sealed the deal with the steel drum tracks and he provided good rhythm and lead tracks. I added RTPedal and Midi piano solo from BIAB. So when I did the mix I threw in the kitchen sink with modifications. Now I'm trying to decide which elements will go. The steel drums provide a recognizable hook but I don't want to overdue it - I like Pedal Steel too - so the piano may be out. Any ideas? Cheers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,050
Posts799,404
Members40,018
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean