Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#474749 05/26/18 06:50 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 45
Leeky Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 45
Greetings everyone,

This piece is my foray into more rock-oriented music.

I have been using Power Tracks Pro almost since its inception and for this piece, I used the latest version (2018) exclusively. The instruments were generated by Garritan and IK Multimedia vst sound banks. The vocalist is not me because, quite frankly, I want people to like the piece. laugh

The work is called "May I" and I wrote the words, played all the tracks, and produced the entire song. I hope you like it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApTxbvm34M0

Leeky #474750 05/26/18 07:48 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,365
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,365
Hi Lorne,

Welcome to the forum (I'm guessing this is your first post because I don't recall seeing your name before).

We don't see all that many PowerTracks Pro users on here. You're the second or third.

Firstly, that 2-bar rhythmic vamp at the start pulled me into the song nicely. That it keeps on returning throughout makes it a clever instrumental hook. It's got a Latin feel but it's a little different too... very memorable

Kudos on all the work you've put in to get this to the forum. Maggie's vocals are excellent and your writing and performing are a credit to you.

You said that you want people to like the piece. Well you're safe with me. I loved it!

All the best,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Leeky #474777 05/27/18 02:42 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Welcome! Really enjoyed this, especially how you took the rock groove up a notch with some unexpected chord changes...also liked the subtle but effective added textures (like the background piano) when you ran thru the sequence the second time...lyrics are nice and tight to the core idea, with interesting variations that repeat the main idea...overall production top grade...looking to hear more, but include your lyric in the post, and any notes about how you constructed your track.


Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
Leeky #474791 05/27/18 04:26 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,796
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,796
Lorne,

An well done piece. Well played, well sung, well mixed. A good arrangement.

Enjoyed that.

fj

Leeky #474850 05/27/18 12:02 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647

I did like it. Very good song, an excellent arrangement, some strong playing and a nice vocal.
Good work all round.

Peter

Leeky #474862 05/27/18 01:23 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615
Really enjoyed this. The beggining reminded me of West Side Story. Love the riff and bridge. This would be great ti jam to. Great tune thanks for listing.Rob

Leeky #474877 05/27/18 03:49 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,218
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,218
Cool intro. Super vocal and lyric. Well done..


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
Leeky #474880 05/27/18 04:01 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 45
Leeky Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 45
Thank you everyone for your kind words. Very encouraging and much appreciated!

Lorne

Leeky #474912 05/28/18 02:06 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
Nice work on this one, Lorne smile I love the upbeat nature of this, and how the piano is the vocal point. It reminds me of Elton John at parts. The harmonies on the chorus are superb. If it wasn't you who sang this, tell whoever it was that they nailed it! The guitar solo was a fantastic touch as well.

Really well done - thanks for sharing!


Cheers,
Deryk
Leeky #474943 05/28/18 04:34 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,427
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,427
I love the very original chord changes I can hear in this, they precisely fits the song's sentiment and lyrics. Top marks for the vocals and guitar break; again just right for the piece.

John


Songs web site
YouTube Channel
BIAB 2024
Cakewalk by BandLab
Studio One 7
Leeky #475032 05/28/18 11:35 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,991
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,991
It was really cool to hear a song made entirely in Power Tracks. It had a really nice "bop" to it, and I think you nailed the rock vibe really well. The vocals were perfect for the style. Thanks for sharing!


Cheers,
Ember
Leeky #475073 05/28/18 02:10 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,143
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,143
Cool! It's got a sort of Wade in the Water feel to it, without sounding derivative.

Interesting arrangement, well played and sung. Lots of interesting things to hear, and excellent use of dynamics, bringing instruments in and out.

Fun listen.


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
Leeky #475263 05/29/18 06:34 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 45
Leeky Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 45
Greetings all.

Again, thank you for your kind words and encouragement. As you all know, it's not always easy posting your work for everyone to hear.

Because folks have asked, here are just a few notes on how I created the track:

- I first hear the tune in my head and I sketch the idea into a rough piano track.
- I settle on chord structure and melody and then I begin to populate the individual parts, usually starting with a good piano line, bass and percussion to give me a "click track."
- I quantize sparingly.
- I add additional acoustic instruments (if applicable).
- After the piece is done, I mull it around for a while till a lyric theme develops and I stitch it together with my melody.
- I processed it using PG Music effects including: flanger, compression, reverb, and EQ.

Here are the lyrics:

Mama may I go down to the water, see the people wash their sins away?
Mama may I enter in the water, cleanse my soul and live for another day.
Make haste, and don't be late! Keep the fires from burning.
Hold fast, and don't look back! Keep your mind from yearning. Oh, oh, oh.
Mama may I sit next to the water, forget about the past and the pouring rain,
And live my life again?

Father may I look towards the heavens, watch the wonders fold up in the sky?
Father may I glance below the oceans, feel its mighty power that's in your design.
Make haste, and don't be late! Keep the flames from burning.
Hold fast, and don't look back! Keep your mind from yearning. Oh, oh, oh.
Father may I hold on to the future, forget about the past and the pouring rain,
And live my life again?

May I open my heart to my brother, be a friend and not a distant soul.
May I help with truth and understanding, let that be my constant eternal goal.
While I live my life again.

Copyright 2018 by Coffee Notes Music
www.coffeenotesmusic.com

Leeky #475266 05/29/18 06:45 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,026
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,026
Pretty cool throughout, the video is really well done, and Maggie's vocals are superb including the layering.

This is really, really musical. I definitely enjoyed it.

I also like the way you've used the intro as a hook. Really nice.


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.
Leeky #475302 05/30/18 03:41 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 785
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 785
Excellent song, lyrics and instruments so well placed, love the vocal on this!!! Great message!!!

Cliff

Leeky #475349 05/30/18 08:11 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664
Hi Leaky, welcome to the forums and thank you for sharing! Very lovely guitar strums and excellent song arrangement too. Well done!


Cheers,
Joe
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

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)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,750
Posts795,777
Members39,950
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
BB Wilbur, anonymously, TinaLBZ, Guitarzan26, Metro6
39,950 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 165
DC Ron 109
Noel96 106
rsdean 105
dcuny 100
DrDan 92
Today's Birthdays
idon'tunderstand, Kelly Sapergia, Michl, der Dolmetsch, Totally Savage
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5