Now that we are approaching the end of the year, and Christmas is coming. I thought I'd write an atmospheric song ;-) Here in Europe winter isn't exactly coming anytime soon. It's way too warm for this time of year. So much for that old Christmas feeling.... In this one I've been experimenting with a couple of Kontakt instruments (Band in a Box has great support for Kontakt by the way). It's a solo project, so is the video.
Hope you like it! And as always, any comments are welcome!
I wonder where you'll sleep tonight and if you're still thinking about our love you see I watched your eyes as you came clean last night where you truthful? or did he never really leave....
oh my love, we're wandering far apart ran away again, oh and what if it's just me.. demanding, never giving in never a battle lost, yet nothing gained for real, for love, for me
deep down in the trenches of my soul I find myself craving for you, needing you I still claim your name, I still claim your love but I find my words echoing in these empty city streets
over here the night is closing in creeping over me, oh I wonder if it's real proclaiming love so easily into his arms again, oh
oh my love you will be leaving flying away from me, oh and I feel this time it's real demanding, never giving in with all my battles won, feeling love that's gone
it's me again time and again hollow again alone again fear again
We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.
Now that we are approaching the end of the year, and Christmas is coming. I thought I'd write an atmospheric song ;-)
Great song, Rob! Great "setting" (atmosphere, instruments, vocals).
Originally Posted By: RnAM
Here in Europe winter isn't exactly coming anytime soon. It's way too warm for this time of year. So much for that old Christmas feeling....
Those of us in Texas can relate! Temperature on Christmas Eve is supposed to be in the 70s (F)! We have had big snow and ice storms in prior years, so this is kinda different. But, being Texans, we're not really surprised.
Originally Posted By: RnAM
In this one I've been experimenting with a couple of Kontakt instruments (Band in a Box has great support for Kontakt by the way).
For the n00bs in the audience, what are Kontakt instruments? Are those midi? Real instrument tracks?
Enjoyed your song!
BIAB Audiophile 2016 for Windows, Cubase LE AI Elements, Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit, Axium Mini-Air 32, UR22, Alesis Monitors, AT2020
There is a certain forbidden aura about it. Love the fx sounds ... really cool! And the video was great, too! Excellent all around! Thanks for a super listen!!!
Alan & Di
PS: Where we live, here in Alabama, they're predicting a temperature of 71F (21C) on Christmas Day!!!
Hey, Rob, I loved that! Sounds like something from an 80s concept album. A big, BIG, sound with wonderful stereo and nice cryptic lyrics. Works well with the video. Got to be one of my favourites of yours. ROG.
A big +1 to what ROG said. Great mix! Excellent vocals. The guitar solos are very well done.
I enjoyed this a lot! You guys really do a fantastic job on everything you post. Great production musically and blended well with the video. Your vocals and lyrics are excellent. Nice use of BIAB instruments and how you used them. Sonny
Hey, Rob, I loved that! Sounds like something from an 80s concept album. A big, BIG, sound with wonderful stereo and nice cryptic lyrics. Works well with the video. Got to be one of my favourites of yours. ROG.
A big +1 to what ROG said. Great mix! Excellent vocals. The guitar solos are very well done.
Captivating.
floyd
+1, I agree with ROG and floyd. My favorite of yours to date. Great mix , vocal and guitar editing. A super sounding piece. Tom
Wow! This is a clinic in the heights that one can reach with talent, BiaB and a home studio. Amazing.
Like ROG alluded to the sound is monster big.
You absolutely nailed the 80's big studio production and as always it is extremely well supported by the video.
Merry Christmas y'all!
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
A big, BIG, sound with wonderful stereo and nice cryptic lyrics.
Works well with the video.
Got to be one of my favourites of yours.
ROG.
Plus 2!! Your production is always tops Rob. This is very cool to listen to. Love the mysterious, sensual nature of the video as well. Great job! Merry X-mas!! Greg
Hey, Rob, I loved that! Sounds like something from an 80s concept album. A big, BIG, sound with wonderful stereo and nice cryptic lyrics. Works well with the video. Got to be one of my favourites of yours. ROG.
A big +1 to what ROG said. Great mix! Excellent vocals. The guitar solos are very well done.
Captivating.
floyd
ROG and floyd have nailed it. This is spectacular from start to end! I loved it.
All the best to you and Anne-Marie for an inspired Christmas.
Yes. Great song Rob. Reminiscent to me of some of work when I first began listening to you here on the forum.
Enjoyed it. Merry Christmas.
Thank you Charlie! Best wishes to you too.
Regards, Rob
Originally Posted By: Al-David
Hi Rob
What a great listen! We both loved it.
There is a certain forbidden aura about it. Love the fx sounds ... really cool! And the video was great, too! Excellent all around! Thanks for a super listen!!!
Alan & Di
PS: Where we live, here in Alabama, they're predicting a temperature of 71F (21C) on Christmas Day!!!
Thank you Al & Di,
yes, this song is definitely somewhat different from my usual stuff. The Clara vocal is such a nice addition to the BIAB realtracks.
we wish you both a merry Christmas and a very musical (and healthy) 2016!
Rob & Anne-Marie
Originally Posted By: PeterF
Rob
Great production and very atmospheric! The usual high standard vocals set it off.
Yesterday some parts of Sydney hit 41c (106f) - much cooler today Christmas day looks to be 27c (80f). Been quite a hot December here so far.
Thank you Peter! I wish you and Leon a very good Christmas and a very musical 2016!
We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.
Hey, Rob, I loved that! Sounds like something from an 80s concept album. A big, BIG, sound with wonderful stereo and nice cryptic lyrics. Works well with the video. Got to be one of my favourites of yours. ROG.
A big +1 to what ROG said. Great mix! Excellent vocals. The guitar solos are very well done.
Captivating.
floyd
Thank you Floyd! We wish you all the best for 2016. You've created lots of very cool songs this year!
Rob
We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.
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!
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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!
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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.
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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!
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!
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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.
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)
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