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#310152 09/12/15 04:09 AM
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I re-mixed this write from a year or so ago, had a co-writer a few years ago that I've never met, she lives across the pond(as they say). I had sort of an innocent crush on her, she is a great writer of lyrics. I think I woke one morning and thought I'm gonna make her a character in my next song and I thought well who is she, answer..she's a painter of dreams. I hope you enjoy, I very much appreciate your listen and comments, any critiques are welcome, if I think it's a good idea I'm always ready for a re-write or re-record (got to keep busy at it). I'm proud of the bridge, I love writing bridge parts. Anyway thanks for listening.

https://soundcloud.com/kfl44/all-the-aces

All The Aces
© K Leverett 012314

You’re a painter of dreams
In tight designer jeans
Tell me what do you see in me
Maybe something that I could be

My cards are all on the table
With nothing up my sleeve
And I’ve got no plans to fold
If that’s what you believe

There’s a light in your eyes
Song from your heart
It’s catchy and contagious
And when you turn on the charm
It’s a pure work of art
And you hold all the aces

Where do I fit on your canvas of white
Will I be lost in the clouds and soon out of sight
Well you’re more than the girl next door
Maybe the one I’ve been looking for

There’s a light in your eyes
Song from your heart
It’s catchy and contagious
And when you turn on the charm
It’s a pure work of art
And you hold all the aces

And if it’s only a dream
Please don’t ever wake me
And if it’s not what it seems
Well I don’t want to know

There’s a light in your eyes
Song from your heart
It’s catchy and contagious
And when you turn on the charm
It’s a pure work of art
And you hold all the aces
Deal me in

44kfl #310166 09/12/15 05:03 AM
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Kenny,

this is almost a love song so maybe reduce the reverb (or even the top eq) on the lead vocals to make it more intimate. The vocal itself is good.
nice oohs!

nice song and I like the harmonic type sound at the end.

I enjoyed it a lot.

Alyn

44kfl #310183 09/12/15 06:04 AM
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Kenny,

I like the stuff you are doing - always a lot to like.

The production/instrumentation on this is good.
I'll throw in with Alyn on the reverb and/or hi EQ - a "darker" vocal sound would work better on this.

I don't often get into the lyrics here - but I will here (there's always a but isn't there? - and maybe that needs another t smile ) because I like your writing...

"My cards are all on the table
With nothing up my sleeve
And I’ve got no plans to fold
If that’s what you believe"

The third line of this pulls the rest of it down - making it sound cliché.
You don't need to "card reference" (meaning "fold") - even though your title is "All The Aces" (cool title) - ALL THE ACES stands on its own and doesn't need to be explained. I would suggest (and that is all it is) that you change "With" to "There's" so that "There's nothing up my sleeve" is a separate thought from "My cards are on the table". Both of those lines can be considered cliché but used in context are not - I think they work here - A strong new thought in the 3rd line would transform this verse...

Feel free to ignore all of this, of course...

floyd

44kfl #310188 09/12/15 06:41 AM
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It sounds you've got a noise gate on your vocal, because your vocal is abruptly cut at the end of each phrase. It wouldn't be as noticeable, except that it cuts the reverb as well. If you modified the chain so that reverb was applied last, that would probably take care of it.

Since floyd has already broached the topic of lyrics (that's usually my impolitic faux pas) I'll just mention that I really like the "deal me in" idea, and I think it's would make a stronger idea to build the song around.

Whenever I hear a word like contagious in a song, it immediately sets up a guessing game for me - will the writer go with outrageous, courageous or perhaps turn the pages?

But when you sang "And you hold all the aces" I thought... Hrm... He's gone back to the card metaphor. But if she holds all the aces, he really should fold."

Anyway, a bold word choice like "contagious" just begs for a strong response. You let me down, man! wink

I'm being really naughty here, so I may as well go all in and mention that designer jeans is one of those songwriting cliches that you probably should avoid like the plague.

And while there are no real rules to songwriting other than "if it sounds good, it is good", asking my pea-sized brain to deal with with a card metaphor and a painting metaphor in one song is too much. I'm suddenly in fear that the next verse introduce another metaphor to keep track of...

The first half of the chorus sounds a lot like Read 'Em and Weep (Jim Steinman, James Richard Steinman). I know that's the worst thing ever to say to a songwriter, so sorry.

OK, I've been way too critical. I'll stand in the corner and give myself a time out.

Did I remember to mention that I liked the song? I probably shouldn't have saved that until the end. laugh

Last edited by dcuny; 09/12/15 06:52 AM.

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gibson #310189 09/12/15 06:48 AM
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Originally Posted By: gibson
Kenny,

this is almost a love song so maybe reduce the reverb (or even the top eq) on the lead vocals to make it more intimate. The vocal itself is good.
nice oohs!

nice song and I like the harmonic type sound at the end.

I enjoyed it a lot.

Alyn


You are right on with your assessment, I recorded the vocal about a year ago and wasn't usuing the best methods at the time. I believe I recorded reverb and compression from a source with the vocal because when trying to remix, I killed all other reverb and tried to "dry out" the vocal. It just needs to be re-recorded. Thanks for your input and kind words.
Kenny

Last edited by 44kfl; 09/12/15 07:15 AM.
44kfl #310190 09/12/15 06:52 AM
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Hi Kenny,

I like this song very much. I agree with others
to take a bit of the brightness out of the vocals.

Guenter

floyd jane #310193 09/12/15 07:00 AM
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Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Kenny,

I like the stuff you are doing - always a lot to like.

The production/instrumentation on this is good.
I'll throw in with Alyn on the reverb and/or hi EQ - a "darker" vocal sound would work better on this.

I don't often get into the lyrics here - but I will here (there's always a but isn't there? - and maybe that needs another t smile ) because I like your writing...

"My cards are all on the table
With nothing up my sleeve
And I’ve got no plans to fold
If that’s what you believe"

The third line of this pulls the rest of it down - making it sound cliché.
You don't need to "card reference" (meaning "fold") - even though your title is "All The Aces" (cool title) - ALL THE ACES stands on its own and doesn't need to be explained. I would suggest (and that is all it is) that you change "With" to "There's" so that "There's nothing up my sleeve" is a separate thought from "My cards are on the table". Both of those lines can be considered cliché but used in context are not - I think they work here - A strong new thought in the 3rd line would transform this verse...

Feel free to ignore all of this, of course...

floyd


Man, I almost wrote in my notes that the song was full of card cliches!, honest. I really appreciate your input. I guess I posted it so someone would tell me to get off my arse and redo it better. I don't remember writing it except for the inspiration and I'm sure that I didn't bother to critic it much being happy that I filled in the parts and got to the meat of the song (bad excuse).
A strong new thought on the third line, very good advice (take a sad song and make it better). I appreciate this, it's better than just trashing the song and saying it was failed effort. I should've had you for my co-writer. Thanks for the listen and kind words.
Kenny

dcuny #310201 09/12/15 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted By: dcuny
It sounds you've got a noise gate on your vocal, because your vocal is abruptly cut at the end of each phrase. It wouldn't be as noticeable, except that it cuts the reverb as well. If you modified the chain so that reverb was applied last, that would probably take care of it.

Since floyd has already broached the topic of lyrics (that's usually my impolitic faux pas) I'll just mention that I really like the "deal me in" idea, and I think it's would make a stronger idea to build the song around.

Whenever I hear a word like contagious in a song, it immediately sets up a guessing game for me - will the writer go with outrageous, courageous or perhaps turn the pages?

But when you sang "And you hold all the aces" I thought... Hrm... He's gone back to the card metaphor. But if she holds all the aces, he really should fold."

Anyway, a bold word choice like "contagious" just begs for a strong response. You let me down, man! wink

I'm being really naughty here, so I may as well go all in and mention that designer jeans is one of those songwriting cliches that you probably should avoid like the plague.

And while there are no real rules to songwriting other than "if it sounds good, it is good", asking my pea-sized brain to deal with with a card metaphor and a painting metaphor in one song is too much. I'm suddenly in fear that the next verse introduce another metaphor to keep track of...

The first half of the chorus sounds a lot like Read 'Em and Weep (Jim Steinman, James Richard Steinman). I know that's the worst thing ever to say to a songwriter, so sorry.

OK, I've been way too critical. I'll stand in the corner and give myself a time out.

Did I remember to mention that I liked the song? I probably shouldn't have saved that until the end. laugh


Thanks so much for weighing in, I really like that you have a good ear for sound and for lyrics. The vocal clearly needs to be re-recorded, see some of the responses above, I've learned better recording technics as I go along. Whoever thought that we'd become our own engineers and producers at home? I certainly started from scratch. Sorry I let you down with the rhyme for contagious ( I was almost too embarrassed to sing that). I don't like perfect rhyme if I can avoid it (does that make me a snob?) too many times I listen to someone's song and think that they forced a line into the song just to get a nice rhyme. I usually write out all my lines to get the story and then notice that I have no rhymes, then go looking for family or near rhymes. This was definetly an if it feels good go with it song, trying to write a modern day country pop drug store cowboy song (there's a title!). I value your input very much my friend, no time out necessary. (PS, I'm holding a straight flush, so I ain't afraid o no aces) Thanks,
Kenny

Last edited by 44kfl; 09/13/15 05:16 PM.
boehm #310204 09/12/15 07:18 AM
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Originally Posted By: boehm
Hi Kenny,

I like this song very much. I agree with others
to take a bit of the brightness out of the vocals.

Guenter


Thanks for the kind words, you're right on the vocals.

Kenny

44kfl #310235 09/12/15 10:26 AM
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Wonderful song!!! Love the writing, love the arrangement. I agree with the others that the vocal treatment clashes with it-first thing I thought when the vocal started. The track has like an "I can't tell you why" vibe and the vocal is not warm and intimate. Absolutely great song! Take care. Greg

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I'm with Greg that you have a wonderful song, arrangement and I'll add you have a great musical bed as well.

I'm with Floyd and David regarding the lyrics. Contagious was the first thing to stand out as being out of place to me as you used it in the song and the lyrics seemed overly cliched in places. I will add that I also felt the lyrics were unsettled between your love interest's persona; being an artist in some instances and a card player elsewhere. You introduce your love interest as a painter in verse one to you being a card player in verse two and then in the chorus, she's a work of art that holds all the aces. I suggest if you rewrite some of the other suggestions you tighten the relationship into more of the card game analogy and drop the painting artist because you never really develop that angle of her personality.

This is a very good song and well worth your time and effort to tighten it up.

Charlie

Last edited by c_fogle; 09/12/15 01:17 PM.

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Originally Posted By: Greg Johnson
Wonderful song!!! Love the writing, love the arrangement. I agree with the others that the vocal treatment clashes with it-first thing I thought when the vocal started. The track has like an "I can't tell you why" vibe and the vocal is not warm and intimate. Absolutely great song! Take care. Greg


Thanks Greg, you've given me some new ideas.

Kenny

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Originally Posted By: c_fogle
I'm with Greg that you have a wonderful song, arrangement and I'll add you have a great musical bed as well.

I'm with Floyd and David regarding the lyrics. Contagious was the first thing to stand out as being out of place to me as you used it in the song and the lyrics seemed overly cliched in places. I will add that I also felt the lyrics were unsettled between your love interest's persona; being an artist in some instances and a card player elsewhere. You introduce your love interest as a painter in verse one to you being a card player in verse two and then in the chorus, she's a work of art that holds all the aces. I suggest if you rewrite some of the other suggestions you tighten the relationship into more of the card game analogy and drop the painting artist because you never really develop that angle of her personality.

This is a very good song and well worth your time and effort to tighten it up.

Charlie


Well said Charlie, all good ideas and solid points. This song was begging for a re-write, guess I just wanted someone to verify that for me.
Thanks,

Kenny

44kfl #310372 09/14/15 01:30 AM
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Kenny,

I won't add to the advice already given... which has been very good. Just wanted to say that you've got a good song that with a little polish could be an excellent one.

Keep up the good work!

44kfl #310376 09/14/15 02:26 AM
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Nice work on the write.

Production nits seemed to bring it down.

Got to agree with others on the vox. The vocals don't even sound like they are a part of the same song. EQ is wrong, reverb is heavy and it kinda has a track doubling sound to it as well. It would work well on a John Lennon cover song but not in an intimate love song. Forget all the little tricks and gimmicks...just record a straight up vocal, sing close to the mic with a pop filter and only use a slight low cut (high pass) on the EQ. Keep the verb low.

I also heard the "gate" dcuny mentioned. Gates serve a useful purpose, but 98% of the time are not needed in studio environments. In this song, it is quite obvious the vox are either gated or poorly edited with envelopes. Since it's on the vocals, and you really need to record the vocal track again..... whatever you did there, don't do it the next time round.

I use a "process audio>mute" function in some of my songs... because yes, in a studio, with a hot condenser mic, you will get quite a few undesirable sounds into the track.... lip smacks, studio sounds, cars outside, the dog barking..... so it is acceptable to "clean up" the silence in the vocal track, but be sure you are not killing the reverb tails and other important things.

How I do this.... FYI: I leave the tracks 100% dry. No FX at all. I send the vocal tracks to a vocal buss and that is where the reverb and whatever else I have for processing is located. This allows me to cut off sharply in the track but since the reverb is in the buss, the tails live on. Dry tracks allow me to do other things in the tracks and apply it without printing permanently any EQ or reverb in the track.

All in all, a good song. I'd suggest taking the time to redo the vocal track and post it again.


edit: dang me.... forgot the last one...literally. Edit the drum track to stop in the correct place. It played a measure past where it should have ended.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 09/14/15 02:27 AM.

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Hi Kenny, nice song and production. Agree with the "excess" or reverb, otherwise, nicely done.

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Originally Posted By: gibson
Kenny,

this is almost a love song so maybe reduce the reverb (or even the top eq) on the lead vocals to make it more intimate. The vocal itself is good.
nice oohs!

nice song and I like the harmonic type sound at the end.

I enjoyed it a lot.

Alyn


I agree with the above comments.
Keep up the good work. Rob

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Really easy to listen to. The lyrics are very well done. The mix and melody and the harmonies all work nicely. Overall you'd be pretty happy.


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After reading all of the above and listening
I certainly agree that it is a strong song
lyrically and vocally and well deserving of a
new vocal production.

Like that bridge!!

J&B


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Curt Young #310471 09/15/15 04:35 AM
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Originally Posted By: Curt Young
Kenny,

I won't add to the advice already given... which has been very good. Just wanted to say that you've got a good song that with a little polish could be an excellent one.

Keep up the good work!


Thanks Curt,
I appreciate your listen and taking the time to comment.
Kenny

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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

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