|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936 |
The Wolf on Youtube It is with a little bit of trepidation that I post this song but I thought, what the heck, I am more than likely going to do a rewrite anyway and I sure you will give me some constructive criticism. A funny thing happened with my vocal on this one. I think the problem came in because I was not completely comfortable with the song before trying to record it. Also, having joined Dueling Mixes, I was messing around with my normal workflow. But the main thing was on the vocal was the “Dipthongs” (two sounds on one syllable) that I was doing. I suddenly started noticing them and they irritated me. So I tried to record not doing the “dipthongs” and the result was less than satisfactory. This is the first time this has happened to me since I started recording my stuff at the end of 2013. The song is another co-write with John C Gull, based on a true story and I like the lyrics. I think they could do with some sculpting. Any constructive feedback is much appreciated. Lyrics A helicopter in the sky Carries a hunter whose orders, wolves must die Ranchers want them out of state Killings happen at an unprecedented rate On the snow below he sees a pack He prepares to start his fateful attack Bullet strikes he hears the cry The snow below runs red with blood The snow is red with blood The snow runs red with blood A wounded wolf took off and ran Into the woods the hunter could not scan He told the pilot he must land He took a trail of blood to find the wolf’s last stand When he came to the place he realized That all he’d heard was a just pack of lies Just a web of lies Tissue of lies He put the wolf out of his pain Dug a grave and put him out of the snow and rain He cursed and smashed his gun against a tree He cried for lost humanity He had learned to expect an attack A wounded wolf will always fight back But the wolf did not attack The wolf did not fight back When we kill their natural prey How can we blame them when they stray? Help us save the forest that they grace Let them have their space help us save the forest that they grace Realtracks: Bass: 1759 Drums: Nashville Even 16 Shaker loop Guitars: 378, 833, 832,1032 Cello 1856 PS: Guenter - here is the link on dropbox for you The Wolf on Dropbox for Guenter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647 |
First I quite liked the overall song. Listened twice and really can't find an issue with the vocals they fit the song really well.
As far as constructive feedback I like the way you sing the 3rd last line sounds on each verse - perhaps if you swapped the melody of the 3rd last with the last line for more of a build up?
The song has a nice folk feel - perhaps an hammond organ rather than the electric guitar? (purely a matter of taste).
Anyway I've now heard it 3 times and it is growing on me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615 |
Hi Josie. I never thought I would hear the word helicopter in a folk song.
Great tune.
Rob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,360
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,360 |
Strong song, strong lyrics, very nice vocal and performance. Enjoyed the video.
Kenny
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936 |
First I quite liked the overall song. Listened twice and really can't find an issue with the vocals they fit the song really well.
As far as constructive feedback I like the way you sing the 3rd last line sounds on each verse - perhaps if you swapped the melody of the 3rd last with the last line for more of a build up?
The song has a nice folk feel - perhaps an hammond organ rather than the electric guitar? (purely a matter of taste).
Anyway I've now heard it 3 times and it is growing on me. Hi peter Thanks for this. I think the way I am singing the third last line is one of the things that is irritating me about the song so I will mess about with it when I rerecord.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936 |
Hi Josie. I never thought I would hear the word helicopter in a folk song.
Great tune.
Rob Ha ha rob! That is funny. I tried to find another word for helicopter and still retain the story but whirly bird and chopper sounded worse!
Last edited by JosieC; 09/12/15 03:36 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936 |
Strong song, strong lyrics, very nice vocal and performance. Enjoyed the video.
Kenny Kenny, thanks very much. The video was the easy part...I am not sure why I had such a fight with this song!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,867
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,867 |
Strong imagery in the lyrics and you created the right music that match and build on the emotion the words convey. I thought your vocals sounded ok but I know too well the feeling that I have when I'm not satisfied with how my phrasing and voice sounds in a song so I feel for you. You'll get it. Probably sooner than later. ;=)
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: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888 |
Hi Joanne,
unfortunately the video can't be
watched in Germany.
Guenter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936 |
Hi Joanne,
unfortunately the video can't be
watched in Germany.
Guenter Hey guenter. There is a link at the bottom of the op for you
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079 |
Joanne, I had 2 tabs open and I was poised to write here when I was blown away by the hard rock intro and thought SHE'S CRACKED so I sped to the other tab and saw it was an advert for perfume stuff. Phew....so I pressed play and all returned to normal. My poor heart  (First play of a song with a video is always without looking at the video so I get a feel for the song) I think the way I am singing the third last line is one of the things that is irritating me about the song so I will mess about with it when I rerecord. I sang that 3rd from last line with you  and thought substitute "let them" for a mmmm. So's the line goes "mmmm ha-ave their space". Maybe with some Josie C harmonies to emphasise and to be the "main vocal". enjoyed as usual, I do like your voice! Alyn He cried for lost humanity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,921
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,921 |
Joanne,
You put a lot of energy in this - you sing it like you mean it. (and I thought the vocal was fine).
Nice instrumentation.
floyd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 84
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 84 |
I can't comment on issues of vocal performance but I like the song, and again find your work speaking for animals that cannot speak very touching.
You could try:
A helicopter in the sky --> A searching plane up in the sky
Someday you will have worked through to your satisfaction an album's worth of animal advocacy songs, that will reach people emotionally rather then pedantically or preachy, and it will be something to share with many more people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888 |
Hi Joanne,
what a service! Thanks a lot for the link.
I'm glad I didn't miss it.
Have no problems with the vocals.
Enjoyed the song and the video.
Guenter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936 |
Strong imagery in the lyrics and you created the right music that match and build on the emotion the words convey. I thought your vocals sounded ok but I know too well the feeling that I have when I'm not satisfied with how my phrasing and voice sounds in a song so I feel for you. You'll get it. Probably sooner than later. ;=)
Charlie Hi Charlie. Thanks for this. I think this one will definitely get some rework. I think you are right when we know instinctively that the vocal could be better. As said though, I don't know what is going on in my head because the dipthongs have never bothered me before. I dont know whether it s a good or bad sign! I guess instead of being depressed about my voice I should just thank my lucky stars for it....maybe I need to give it a bit of a break! Joanne, I had 2 tabs open and I was poised to write here when I was blown away by the hard rock intro and thought SHE'S CRACKED so I sped to the other tab and saw it was an advert for perfume stuff. Phew....so I pressed play and all returned to normal. My poor heart (First play of a song with a video is always without looking at the video so I get a feel for the song) I think the way I am singing the third last line is one of the things that is irritating me about the song so I will mess about with it when I rerecord. I sang that 3rd from last line with you and thought substitute "let them" for a mmmm. So's the line goes "mmmm ha-ave their space". Maybe with some Josie C harmonies to emphasise and to be the "main vocal". enjoyed as usual, I do like your voice! Alyn He cried for lost humanity Ha ha! Alyn that is classic! I did some harmonies...but in my state of mind I didn't think they were much good so turned them right down so you can hardly hear them. Maybe when I get back from my trip my head will be in a better state! Joanne,
You put a lot of energy in this - you sing it like you mean it. (and I thought the vocal was fine).
Nice instrumentation.
floyd
AH, Floyd, thanks so much. If you think the vocal is fine that says a lot I can't comment on issues of vocal performance but I like the song, and again find your work speaking for animals that cannot speak very touching.
You could try:
A helicopter in the sky --> A searching plane up in the sky
Someday you will have worked through to your satisfaction an album's worth of animal advocacy songs, that will reach people emotionally rather then pedantically or preachy, and it will be something to share with many more people.
Hi MWG. Thanks for the suggestion. I am just a bit worried that they wouldn't actually conduct a hunt from a plane. I was asked to write this song for a wildlife park. I do hope it is not too preachy. Am still trying to get the album of rhino songs on the go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936 |
Hi Joanne,
what a service! Thanks a lot for the link.
I'm glad I didn't miss it.
Have no problems with the vocals.
Enjoyed the song and the video.
Guenter Thanks Guenter. Sorry the link was hidden at the bottom of the post. Will put it near the top next time
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052 |
Really thoughtful and beautiful song Joanne!! I thought the vocals were wonderful-love the back and forth-almost hypnotic. Cello worked great. Really well done all the way around! Take care. Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 11
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 11 |
wow this is beautiful! And the vocals are lovely!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,831
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,831 |
first I like the guitar strumming that opens the song, which one is it?
and the cello as well
overall a solid write and good song
thanks for sharing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,132
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,132 |
Very nice Joanne. A ton
of conviction in your vocal.
Janice and I have donated
to USA wolf causes for years
so this song is particularly
close to us.
Thank you for writing and
producing this!
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,191
Posts801,773
Members40,063
| |
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