|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221 |
This song is based on a short story 'Big World' by Australian author Tim Winton. It so happens that Winton grew up in the same time and place as myself (Western Australia) so I have always connected with his characters and themes. It's kind of a plan to look at some of his other stories for inspiration. I want to enter this song in a comp in around 2 weeks so comments including nitpicking most welcome. PM me if you're not comfortable doing it on the forum. I'd really appreciate it! It's A Strange Ol Bug Eyed World Style is _SWFOLKM.STY RealTracks in song: ~1112:Fiddle, Background CountrySwing Sw 110 RealTracks in song: 2672:Pedal Steel, Rhythm HawaiianSwing Sw 110 RealTracks in style: ~~372:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Hank Sw 120 RealTracks in song: ~425:Organ, B3, Background Blues Sw 120 Mixed in Logic Pro X with the addition of self-tracked acoustic and electric guitars, bass, synth (Alchemy) and vocals. It's A Strange Ol Bug Eyed WorldMe and Biggie we’re heading up north Gotta get outta this town of course It’s cold down here, folks all turned to ice Gonna head up to where the mangoes grow Away from everything we know If we don’t I swear I’ll be going bad Me and Biggie we share big dreams Worked nights for years since we were seventeen We always talked about the time we would get away Eating up road, wind on our tail If you got a hammer, gotta drive the nail Gonna hit the jackpot, I know we will one day It’s a big ol, funny ol, strange ol bug eyed world Let your hopes and your dreams like sails be unfurled If you wanna reach the stars, don’t matter who you think you are It’s a big ol, funny ol, strange ol bug eyed world Well I ain’t never been this way before The desert wind warms me to the core Me and Biggie share a smoke as we take in the views outside I may not have witnessed all that much So who am I to sit here and judge But who would wanna stay at home and suicide (Chorus) It’s empty here looking at the sky Makes you wanna be alone and cry I aint so dumb I don’t fear what lies ahead But in this moment in this space in time Let me claim what I need as mine You’re a long time living, a longer time dead
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590 |
I don't normally respond, but as it's a competition and I'm probably going to put my own stuff up, I thought I would. Not to mention being a Brisbane boy:-) I loved the chorus, Maybe just putting a chorus in after the 1st verse might do the trick as I found it lost something going straight from verse 1 to verse 2. As far as recording etc etc. It all sounded great to me. I'm struggling with a similar problem and had to actually cut my story (verses) in half on the current song I'm working on.
Edited: Just had another listen and changed my mind.
Last edited by lambada; 06/04/17 10:08 PM.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487
BIAB 2021 (Build 818)
Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor
Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi)
VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052 |
Really like the feel of this one!! Cool, simple melody, just the right arrangement, and a vocal that is exactly what's needed. Great job! Good luck! Take care. Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,755
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,755 |
Matcham,
This may be my favorite of your songs... Excellent lyrics, vocal and mix.
Great job!
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221 |
Thanks Bob, Greg and lambada. lambada nice to meet another Aussie on the forum. I'm guessing the idea of going north to pick mangoes might seem strange to some of our cousins on top of the world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,006
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,006 |
We like it and the swing feel works very well. The write is obviously contextual to the short story but even without having read it the lyric flowed nicely and told an engaging story (as is so necessary with a folk tune). Your vocal performance matched the folk feel of the lyric very well. Since you asked regarding the mix  With a fiddle, steel and organ there are a lot of sustained notes happening but you did a good job of keeping them separate. Not really nit worthy. The mix presents a nice soundstage on our monitors. And the vocal is up front which is IMO is exactly where it should be for this type of tune. You have a strong entry and best of luck with the contest. We enjoyed it! J&B PS "I'm guessing the idea of going north to pick mangoes might seem strange to some of our cousins on top of the world." If I can accept the Nile River flowing north, i.e., the lower Nile is north, then I can handle the mangoes!
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664 |
Hi Matcham, Great work on this! Really enjoyed the lyrics and form. Well done!
Cheers,
Joe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,236
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,236 |
Excellent tune Matcham. +1 on Janice and Buds comments. Loved the intro but it was the swing feel to the song that drew me in first. Lyrics just fit right in perfectly. Well done. Another super track...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221 |
Thanks Scott, Joe and Bud. Actually there are a lot of sustained notes, particularly in one of the verses. I might consider that a nit and go back and have another listen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,360
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,360 |
very nice, some great lines in the lyric throughout the song
good storytelling, catchy chorus, nice mix
enjoyable
Kenny
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647 |
very nice, some great lines in the lyric throughout the song
good storytelling, catchy chorus, nice mix
enjoyable
Kenny G'Day! Kenny said a lot of what we were thinking as we listened. The sound is crisp and very nicely balanced. As has been mentioned several times, the swing feel is what really pulls the listener in. It seems to quietly but efficiently propel the song forward and keeps the listen fresh. Your vocal is very, very good. We found nothing negatively noteworthy, as far as technical merit and performance is concerned, anywhere as we listened. We thought it was delightful from beginning to end. Good luck in the contest! Alan & Di
Last edited by Al-David; 06/06/17 11:53 PM.
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221 |
Alan, Di and Kenny, thank you so much. Yeah I was hoping the swing feel would help drive the track as it is a type of road song. The intro section is part of the same idea ie motor noise without being a motor and a car radio without being literally a car radio.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,890
Posts797,386
Members39,981
| |
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