|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,092
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,092 |
Charlie,
This is a beautiful song - the vocal with Debbie works so well. The mix sounded good to me - I actually like the up front vocal on this song...
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086 |
Beautifully done all around Charlie. Debbie has a very pretty voice. Especially enjoyed those harmonies.
Josie
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 313
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 313 |
Hi Charlie,
It is a beautiful write,
Debbie adds a great vocal to the song. I love both versions but... though v2 is the better production, yours make me really feel the desperation of the singer!
Grtz,
Fred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888 |
Noel96: Noel, thanks so much for taking time to listen again. That means a lot.
J&B: Thanks for taking time to listen and comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Tommyad: Hi Tom. I appreciate your comments. I'm sure you've played your fair share of tearjerkers over the years.
Bob: I'm glad you like the song. This particular chord progression works really well with an acoustic guitar and is just enough variance to have that melancholy, sad feel about it. Because of the limited time I had to actually record Debbie, I completed the music mix in BIAB and sent her the stereo backing track to learn and practice the song. I imported that complete track into RB and only recorded her vocals during our work session. So the final mix should have been as easy as setting a good balance level between the lead and backing vocals with the stereo audio track and adding effects. When I emailed the first rough mix to Debbie, she thought the lead vocal was too low and had too much reverb. I re-mixed and that version was the first I posted here on the forum. It was deemed the vocals were too out front and some suggested more reverb. I split it down the middle and left the reverb as is and turned down the lead in the mix and everyone seems to like it better. I accepting the reason to be as someone posted earlier, my excitement to have Debbie singing for me. ;=)
Hi Josie, thanks for listening. I did the harmonies in RB using the audio harmony feature. I kept the first take that Debbie thought had too much reverb and used it to create the unison track and upper harmony.
Fred: I truly appreciate your comments. The back story of the recording rather than the quality will keep the first version of this song a favorite of mine for a long time. As I've noted, I was still recovering from a seriously bad cold when I felt good enough to attempt what was to be a scratch track of this song. In the past, my body has let bad colds develop into pneumonia so I have to watch myself as does my wife, who is a Nurse Practitioner of many years. I was trying to sneak in a quick, single vocal scratch track while she was busy in the other end of the house. She heard what I was doing and could be heard on the recording fussing at me from two rooms away as she headed to the studio to put a stop to such foolery as 'singing' while I was still sick. After to listening to the playback, she allowed me to punch in that section....
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Hi Charlie!
I remember the first version, and I want to go on record as being one who likes your voice in your songs. There is an honesty to your songs that benefits from the honesty in your voice. You are the real deal, and don't let that important distinction get away.
Having said that, I do see value in collaborations. Bringing new voices, instruments, ideas and perspectives into the equation can keep the creativity new and dynamic. Debbie's vocals certainly work well in your song. You did a good job of recording her and of creating the song in BIAB/RB
all in all, I thought it was a very nice song. Thanks for resurrecting it! I enjoyed it both times!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888 |
Hi Pat. Been missing you recently here. Glad to see you back. I always look forward to your insights and positive outlook on topics and songs here on the forum.
You and Fred give me the courage to get off the ground and hop back in the saddle again.
Thanks for listening and commenting.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,945
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,945 |
This is a cool tune. Have you considered making this a duet? I think this would be in a whole different category if it was constructed as a duet.
I like what you've done with this. I listened to the first version as well and like your voice...... consider a duet. All you have to do is drop your vocal into the version 2 mix in places.... take a verse, harmonize the chorus....
I also have a few nits that kinda caught my attention.
One is evident to me in the first line. The lyrics and their phrasing don't fit smoothly into the melody so your singer has to rush to get all the words to fit. In cases like that, I set back, and examine both the melody and the lyrics, changing one, the other, or both to make it fit properly and flow smoothly. Of course if you change the melody and phrasing, you must do it on all the verses the same way. So that might entail re-writing those lines as needed. (yeah, more work)
Another thing that caught my ear was the slight case of "Yoda" speak..... (wink) .... "So my tears I try to hide".... my wife, a teacher, could tell you the grammar things about this, (predicate before the adverb after the conjunction before the passive noun kind of things) .... I will simply say, not too many folks speak this way today..... More naturally, we would say, "So I try to hide my tears"...and of course that puts you in the position of having to go back to the matching rhyme line and make that one fit the rhyme... or change the lyrics in both lines. most folks who use these sorts of "backwards grammar lines" in their songs do so because of the rhyme. It's more better good to work harder and rewrite the line to make the grammar correct and search to find a line that fits and rhymes within that parameter.
Charlie, trust me when I tell you that I encounter both of these things I have pointed out here on a regular basis when I am writing songs. In fact, in almost every song I write or co-write, this issue occurs. How well you handle it and resolve it determines how nicely, and naturally the song comes together.
Don't misunderstand me here..... this isn't a slam, it's simply encouraging you to have a look a bit deeper into the details of writing a good song lyric and melody.
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: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888 |
Hi Herb. Thanks so much for listening and taking time to share your thoughts and recommendations. I do not take your comments as slamming at all and truly appreciate you or anyone sharing their reactions to my work. My admiration for you and respect for your work is quite high for the particular reason that I inadvertently found you on SoundClick before I had ever purchased BIAB or visited this forum. You had recorded a local girl (I think with a bluegrass background) and the song, recording, mix and production was so good to me. I thought Upper Room was a small,complete recording studio complex in a building with a big mixer in a control room with racks of gear and a group of pros running it. So from the start, I have considered you an both expert and professional. When you speak, I listen. ;=)
I appreciate your kind comment regarding my vocals. You and others give me hope and inspiration.
"Yoda". A technique (bad habit) I have wrestled with my entire writing career. I don't recall its beginning but speculate it is a Beatle influence. I was in a band that recorded an album in May 1975 and during the recording process, we had two production squabbles. One was restructuring the song chosen as the title track and the other a Yoda line in the lyrics of one of the songs. We had practiced the songs of the album for several months prior to going into the studio to save time and money as well as performed the songs live. It was placed in the song for emphasis rather than rhyme but to accentuate the phrase to not sound cliche. "But now it's the morning after; And still I am wondering" It sounded right to the band (desensitized?) and the band won that creative battle. That moment probably empowered me and I've retained the habit. Looking back on this song, I'm surprised Debbie did not approach me to change the lyric. I think she may have been more focused on the 'hopelessness' of the main character. I'll certainly experiment with changing both the phrasing and Yoda but not sure if this song deserves a third posting. We'll see.
Duet? Most of my work with Debbie over the years have been duets. She also does a lot of duets with her sister. The only song I've had picked up for recording by another artist was a duet with Debbie. So, maybe.
Again, I appreciate your comments and thoughts and critical listening of the song.
Charlie
Last edited by c_fogle; 05/01/15 03:24 AM. Reason: Duet remarks
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,138
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,138 |
Very enjoyable, solid write, mix and performances.
I agree that the vocals are a little too hot, but not by much. Getting vocals to fit in the mix is the hardest thing for me to do.
The singing is great:) It's consistent throughout with feeling and controlled fire!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888 |
Thanks for listening Olemon. After generating the song in BIAB, everything else was completed in RealBand. I have not gotten completely comfortable mixing in RB yet and also deferred to Debbie's thoughts on the song too.
Debbie sings a lot with her sister and they really sound good together and I'm hoping I can come up with a song I can record them together, I think the forum would really enjoy it.
I appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,070
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,070 |
c_fogle,
Your best production yet. The volume levels are about perfect.
One suggestion, during the harmonies the voices need to spread farther apart left to right and keep the center filled. To my ears it sounds as though the harmonies are in one spot of the left channel and a single voice is in one spot of the right channel while the center vocals are partly muted.
As others have mentioned the sparse instrument arrangement stands out.
Your vocalist, Debbie Lanier, gave you a wonderful performance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888 |
Jim, thanks for listening. In the limited time I had Debbie available, we only captured two takes. The first take, Debbie felt had to much reverb so we recorded a second take.
The second take was the lead vocal. I used the first take during the harmony sections as a unison track panned a little to the left. I also created the higher harmony part from the first take and that was panned right. The lead vocal was centered. If the unison track pulled the lead vocal to sound left panned, that was likely due to the unison volume level being a bit to high. My attempt with the unison was to create more of a doubling effect and have the harmony stand out on its own. In the last line of the song, I did not do the higher harmony and thought the unison/vocal effect worked perfectly.
I've got the tracks so I can experiment some more with panning and maybe add some Biabettes style harmonies as well.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079 |
Charlie,
sounds really superb now.
nice chorus with the harmonies
"but wait your arms surround me" so unexpected to hear the spoken word.
Debbie has a lovely voice.
This is really nice, an enjoyable listen
Alyn
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888 |
Alyn, thanks for your kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the song. Debbie is a dear friend and a joy to work with. Busy lives provide us the opportunity to work together only about once a decade though.
She's the kind of person that if I keep my mouth shut and stay out of her way, she comes out with all kinds of unexpected bonus's that take the song up a level or two.
I appreciate you listening and taking time to comment.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,408
Posts804,505
Members40,116
| |
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