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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 65
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 65 |
https://soundcloud.com/kybordr/ghostThis is a song I wrote last month for Song A Week Challenge, although this version is a bit different. Better I hope. I'm slowly exploring Band In A Box more deeply. The drums and bass here are BIAB, using rests and hits for my first time :-O ****** Song Summary ************* Key=C , Tempo 90, Length (m:s)=2:29 Style is ALANIS1.STY (Alanis 1 - Med. Arena Rock) Style MIDI Instruments are : Finger Electric Bass (34), 6/4 EP Phase, GM2 Bank 4, Acoustic Piano (1), Strings (49), MIDI Drums :17 Power Drums (17) ******************* The rest is me, recording and mixing in Cubase. I just discovered the simple drag-and-drop to move MIDI (or WAV) parts from BIAB to Cubase without writing intermediate files! Been there all along but what a great help :-) In this recording the BIAB-generated bass and drum MIDI parts were moved to Cubase, lightly edited and rendered using its HALion engine. The piano rendering is Pianoteq 6 using its modeled Kawai K2. Interestingly (?) I have a physical KG-2 -- which I love -- but micing that sucker and getting it to sound good is a chore so for most recordings I've been using Pianoteq. Anyway ... a bitter song about broken expectations. Fortunately, based on someone else's life experiences, not mine. ~Ghost~ You took a chapter from that book about departure, perfectly captured what goes on inside that heart you’re so concerned about somehow. You’re a ghost to me now. You stole the last scene from some ancient tragic movie where the hero hasn’t held some secret magic about who they would and won’t allow. You’re a ghost to me now. If these thoughts confuse you, let me state the moral clearly. The meaning of the words you use to tell your sorry story I fear is lost on me. I make this vow: you’re a ghost to me now. You made a choice between the empty and the torment. Something you could not see would leave you without comment as you take the stage to bow. You’re a ghost to me now. You face the future in the light of past transgression. You can leave it all in due course, you can leave the last impression of why you left and how. You’re a ghost to me now.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,891
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Excellent song. I really liked the instrumentation that you used as well as your strong vocal! The lyrics are great also.
If I were to nitpick I would say bring up the drums. The seem to be buried in the mix.
This is a very good song - two thumbs up.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 65
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 65 |
Mario...thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. I agree about the drums. Sounded more present in my studio monitors, but less so after exporting the mix to MP3. I also could have done a better job using EQ and pan to carve out space for the drums. Lessons learned :-)
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
Really well done! The first thing that stood out to me here is the vocal performance. It is strong, bold, and confident. It's the kind of vocals that grab your attention and make it impossible not to continue listening. That aside - the arrangement is very professional sounding, and it's got a great groove too. Great work, and thanks so much for sharing 
Cheers,
Deryk
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 877
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 877 |
Really well done! The first thing that stood out to me here is the vocal performance. It is strong, bold, and confident. It's the kind of vocals that grab your attention and make it impossible not to continue listening. That aside - the arrangement is very professional sounding, and it's got a great groove too. Great work, and thanks so much for sharing I like you, Deryk. PG Music is lucky to have you on-board!
Band-in-a-Box 2024. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Excellent intro. Super vocal.
loved the backtrack as well. Well done
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
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kybordr..I'll tell you something--your first two lyric lines immediately 'captured' me and hooked me into listening to the whole song...reason: you used a very interesting set up rhymes based on words having a "cha" sound:
You took a CHApter from that book about deparCHur,
perfectly capCHur'd.
Then you used something similar, an alliteration to start subsequent verses:
You STOLE the last SCENE
You FACE the FUTURE
Also "tragic/magic" is a similar kind of link.
Not sure if you did this intentionally, but I believe that it makes a kind of listening 'hook', and would be good to find other places to do it in the lyric.
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 613
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 613 |
Very nice! Strong vocal. I agree with Mario... the drums are pretty much buried and if I had to nitpick, they at times seem to be out of time (sync) with the piano track.
I think it's a good write!
Greg
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,124
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,124 |
You've further demonstrated your excellent flexibility as an all round performer.
This is another example of real quality from BiaB when put in the hands of a skilled user.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Love the lyrics, vocal and the melody. I especially like your "Phantom of the Opera" delivery.
As Tano Music said, the rhyming pattern really set the song apart.
But I agree with Mario about the drums - they're too far back in the mix, and sound like a drum machine clicking out a steady beat that doesn't match the drama of the rest of the instruments. Crank them up, and add some thundering, angry fills!
Despite the nits, I enjoyed listening to your song a lot.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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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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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®.
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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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.
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- 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
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- 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
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Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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