|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5 |
Hello, My name is Al, I'm from California, and this is my first submission to the group: Helping Hands. I should warn you that, until very recently, I was a total beginner when it comes to producing songs. I had just a little idea of what recording a song on a computer was. I bought Reaper last year but, but being a just-mediocre rhythm guitar player and a truly horrendous singer, I had not been able to put together any music that anybody, except my dogs, could even tolerate. Being a total newbie to recording, the whole process was way above my pay grade (MIDI, VSTs, mixing? What the heck was all that?). But then I purchased BIAB a few months ago, and it's has been nothing short of a dream-come-true to me. For years and years (decades, actually), I have always had these melodies lurking somewhere inside my brain, with no real way of communicating them. Literally, BIAB has enabled me to play music that before I could only dream about. I had this thing called life happening to me (wife, kids, grandkids, work...) and for too long I didn't have the time, means and resources to dedicate to my music. But after more than 40 years of work, I have now retired, finally (finally!!) have some time to dedicate to my music, and BIAB has been a marvelous tool to put it into reality. And I'm loving it!!! The song I'm submitting today is my latest; my song creation process had been put off for the last 2-3 months while I was helping my son with his new business, but I dreamed of this song one night a couple of weeks ago, and decided to breathe life into it. If you feel adventurous enough, I have about 25 other songs on my Soundcloud Page which I created once I came acquainted with BIAB. My musical tastes are wide and broad, so there are Country, Blues, Rock, Classical and even Latin melodies there. All my songs have been created entirely within BIAB, using my keyboard (my computer keyboard, that is) as my instrument. Since I can't play a piano keyboard (yep, I suck at that too), BIAB's piano roll has become my best musical friend. :o) I have only shared my songs with my family and small circle of friends so far, but I've been following these forums for a while and developed a great deal of respect for you guys and gals as musicians, so I feel you'll be great judges of my efforts. As a matter of fact, I waited until now to submit any of my songs because I felt a little intimidated by your level of expertise, like a freshman entering a room full of seniors for the first time. But I also noticed that you are most polite and understanding with each other, so I finally took the courage to jump-in. I would really love to receive your comments and feedback. Sorry for the long rant, and thank you very much for your time. Al
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,727
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,727 |
Al,
We apparently crossed paths (I posted in your post in Off Topics).
I enjoyed your song. It is nicely done. The lead (melody) is quite well done - did you input that manually? Excellent mix...
Welcome to the Showcase! I'm sure you'll have a great time here...
floyd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5 |
Thank you, Floyd.
Yes, the melody was manually input via my PC keyboard on the piano roll screen.
Best regards,
Al
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052 |
Pretty music!! The program has been a dream come true for me as well. Amazing what you can put together with all the great tracks. Keep posting! Take care. Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888 |
Hi Al,
welcome to the forum and congrats on your
retirement. I liked the way you introduced yourself.
A really nice first submission.
Enjoyable listen.
Guenter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,838
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,838 |
Welcome aboard. We enjoyed the introduction also.
Inputing that via the keyboard is impressive but it
really stands on it's own. A very pretty melody.
We enjoyed it.
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 are here on our website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 188
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 188 |
Nice work indeed, Al.
I'm relatively new here myself, but I think the gang here is more than welcoming.
Thanks for the music,
Dan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,067
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,067 |
Hello Al,
welcome to the forum! A good thing you took the trouble to introducing yourself that's appreciated.
The song is nicely done, we like both the arrangement and the lead Melodies.
We are sure you'll find lots and lots of inspiration in this beautiful program.
Rob & Anne-Marie
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,926
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,926 |
Musico,
Welcome to the forum and to the User Showcase. Enjoyed reading your back story and feel a kinship through it. I'm glad you're enjoying BiaB so much. You are a quick learner.
I've listened to six or seven of your songs so far and enjoyed them all. I would appreciate you elaborating some of how you use the QWERTY keyboard and piano roll to create your melodies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615 |
Hello Musico.
We have two things in common.
I also am a mediocre rhythm guitar player and I also use Reaper.
However I don't have a dog to torment.
Think my chickens are tone deaf.
You have done a wonderful job here for a beginner.
The only way is up.
Would love to hear this with some vocals added.
Plenty of light and shade in the mix.
Very well done and welcome.
Rob.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5 |
Floyd, Rob & Anne-Marie, Janice & Bud, Rob, Dan, Guenter, Trev, Greg and Danny, Thank you very much for your warm welcomes and kind comments. You can't imagine how much I appreciate your words. Jim, Answering your question on how I use my computer keyboard to create my melodies in BIAB: I find the notes for the tune on my acoustic guitar and "transport" them, one by one, to the piano roll. I use ctrl-shift-leftclick to insert the notes one after another, and then I alter them as required by the tune, using the options that appear when you hover your mouse over the notes; for example, I make them longer (i.e., wider) or shorter, or move them up or down as necessary. I also left-click on the notes to verify that they sound as expected. After I've completed a few bars, I usually copy and paste (duplicate) the segment into the following bars, so I don't need to start from scratch creating notes every time (I just need to move them around). When I have at least 8 or 16 bars done, I start searching for a BIAB style that most closely resembles the melody that I have in my head, and adjust the notes as necessary. Then, I continue creating the rest of the bars until I have a complete draft of my song. And finally, I go back and adjust the individual notes, over and over again, until it all sounds as I envisioned it. It's not a complex process per-se, but labor intensive indeed. A true labor of love. I do this for all melody parts, and sometime for other instruments as well. For example, that's how I create the bass part in Love It Or Leave It, where I needed the bass to play a determined part. Hope I knew how to explain myself, Jim. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions. Thanks again to you guys and gals, and to everyone else who kindly took their time to listening to my songs. Al
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,752
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,752 |
Welcome to the forum. I read the comments first, from last to first so by the time I reached your introduction post and first submission, I was pretty anxious to both read your story and hear your song. Neither disappointed.
Your story is familiar to a good many of us on the forum so you are definitely in friendly, understanding company.
You did a good job on your mix, arrangement and production of your song and the melody performance was quite nice.
Hopefully retirement will grant you the time to get all of those suppressed melodies out of your head and onto the forum here.
Enjoyed your song and looking to hear more soon.
Charlie
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,365
Posts791,286
Members39,862
| |
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