|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170 |
I've been stuck for a while in a lyric-less dry spell, so I figured I'd do an instrumental. I was aiming for a sort of "Ventures" sound without the surf: Shangri-LaThere's not much to say about this one. It's basically the _BARGPOP demo tune with a few minor alterations and a (not very convincing) MIDI guitar lead alternating with the PopCountryBrent RealTrack. The Usual Suspects:684:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 120 686:Organ, B3, Background Pop Ev 120 405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120 2499:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm PopCountryBrent Ev 120 888:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopBronx Ev 120 Drums: NashvilleEven8^8 Solo Guitar: Strum Maker IV AcousticAs always, comments are appreciated.
-- 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934 |
A very nice production all round David. I enjoyed my listen very much.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685 |
Nice instrumental, although it gets a wee bit too busy at times.
In my opinion I would thin it down a bit, take away the rabble.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,353
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,353 |
Hi David,
Great backing track! Always been a fan of that surf-sound.
What a pity your lyrics are going through a barren time - this would sound fabulous with
some harmony vocals over it. Maybe you could re-visit it at sometime.
Anyway, still loved the instrumental.
ROG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170 |
A very nice production all round David. I enjoyed my listen very much. Thanks, Joanne.
-- 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170 |
Nice instrumental, although it gets a wee bit too busy at times.
In my opinion I would thin it down a bit, take away the rabble. It's a bit flabbly in the middle, where the build is more "get louder" by adding instrumentation rather than building as a real solo would go (faster licks, ascending lines, etc.), so that's probably the biggest failing. Thanks for the feedback! 
-- 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170 |
What a pity your lyrics are going through a barren time - this would sound fabulous with
some harmony vocals over it. Maybe you could re-visit it at sometime. I've got a nice backing track I've been working with for weeks, but nothing's clicking. So I figured I'd focus on something else for a bit. I haven't cracked how to get a convincing guitar solo yet, but I figured I'd start with this. My son's suggestion was actually for me to have less notes, and add more expression to what's there. I was a bit lazy in that area and relied on the samples to do too much work. I don't generally use diminished chords that much, and now I've got that stepwise line stuck in my head, where the backing track does an E Fdim/F#m B chromatic movement. So I guess I'll be sneaking in more of those in the future. Thanks for listening! 
-- 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,447
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,447 |
The tone and mix on this are great.
Love the "sound."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,353
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,353 |
I don't generally use diminished chords that much, and now I've got that stepwise line stuck in my head, where the backing track does an E Fdim/F#m B chromatic movement. So I guess I'll be sneaking in more of those in the future. I've had a love affair with diminished chords for years - they're addictive! Ah, but have you explored diminished 7ths yet? ROG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170 |
Hi, David. Glad you liked it!
-- 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170 |
Ah, but have you explored diminished 7ths yet? Hi, ROG. You mean that lovely stack of minor thirds where every note is (and isn't) the root? I recall reading that Mozart had a particular love for diminished chords, and some people complained that they gave his music an "oily" sort of feel.  Back in my younger days, one of the first good music theory books I read was How To Play the Piano Despite Years of Lessons. It suggested that you could learn a bunch of diminished chords, or be lazy and learn just three diminished 7th chords. So for good or ill, if I see a dim chord, I'll play a dim7 unless it sounds truly terrible. I then read Jazz and Commercial Arranging that explained that harmonizing non-chordal tones using diminished 7ths may not be the best option, but it was often the simplest (and by implication, laziest). So I think of them as "cheater" chords, and probably don't use them nearly enough.  They're also a nice way of taking a linear progression and making it sound more jazzy, such as changing: I / / / | ii / / / | iii / / / | IV / / /into: Imaj7 / / I#o7 | ii7 / / ii#o7 | iii7 / / iii#o7 | IVmaj7 / / /Got any other suggestions on how to use them? I'm all ears!
-- 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,006
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,006 |
I, too, have been aimlessly wondering in lyric-less land. A barren landscape indeed.
I think it sounds good. FWIW, i've very rarely gotten a RT solo that I liked (other than turnarounds) w/o extensive comping.
May the lyric muse return!
Bud
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: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170 |
I, too, have been aimlessly wondering in lyric-less land. A barren landscape indeed. Sometimes, it's like the lyric is right there, but just out of reach. And I'll try writing something, and it'll fall so short from what I was aiming for, I wonder if I've ever written a song before. Sometimes it's a bit like chasing a ghost - T.S. Eliot comes to mind:  Who is the third who walks always beside you?
When I count, there are only you and I together
But when I look ahead up the white road
There is always another one walking beside you
Gliding wrapt in a brown mantle, hooded
I do not know whether a man or a woman
—But who is that on the other side of you?I think it sounds good. FWIW, i've very rarely gotten a RT solo that I liked (other than turnarounds) w/o extensive comping. Thanks! I've had the exact experience - the RTs sound awesome, but need some nudges (or shoves) to focus where you want them to be. That's why I'm looking at sampled guitars - but they have their own special challenges, because you have to build it from scratch. With RTs, it's more a matter of focusing in on the ideas that the player offers. May the lyric muse return! Yeah, I'll just keep plugging away. I'm looking forward from something new from you as well.
-- 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,827
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,827 |
Sounds good, David. Good mix.
Interesting that you've used a STRUM ACOUSTIC guitar to get a lead - that sounds like an electric...
I think you are a Studio One user? Did you download and install the VG Sparkle that they were offering for free??
(I often find RT leads that I like with very little comping...)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,236
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,236 |
Excellent tune David. Very nice listen. Well done.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170 |
Sounds good, David. Good mix. Glad to hear it. Interesting that you've used a STRUM ACOUSTIC guitar to get a lead - that sounds like an electric... A couple months ago I'd emailed Tracy at Indiginus asking which acoustic would be best for lead, and he suggested Strummaker IV. It comes with two versions - the "strum" interface, and a regular sampled guitar. That sampled guitar has a number of different options, including a simulated 12 string and an "amped" version, which is the one that I used. Ironically, I just dropped a bunch of money on the Orange Tree Samples sale and got a bunch of acoustic guitars and a really nice electric guitar, but I used the Indiginus guitar here because I find much more playable out of the box. I was really impressed by the Indiginus Renegade Electric Guitar, but was looking for something with a slightly different sound. But Tracy just recently announced an acoustic version of the Renegade, so I'm really looking forward to that. I don't really need another sampled acoustic, but his stuff is fun to play. I think you are a Studio One user? No, I use Reaper. But the VG Sparkle looks like a cool virtual instrument - a lot like NI Session Guitarist Electric Sunburst, which is what set me off on this virtual instrument buying spree in the first place. I've still got to get the NI Sunburst at some point, because I've really enjoyed playing the acoustic versions. But right now, I have a bunch of OTS instruments I need use before I can justify spending more money.
-- 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170 |
Excellent tune David. Very nice listen. Well done. Thanks, Scott. Glad to hear it.
-- 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,516
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,516 |
Very nice instrumental pop song with nice chording and melody, especially near the end. I would like to hear a vocal version of this, so I really hope you break the spell and find inspiration for lyrics Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,981
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,981 |
Nice instrumental, David. Midi guitar doesn't sound bad to me, probably wouldn't have noticed it you hadn't said anything. Mix sounds good also.
With the midi guitar VSTi, do you compose the melody on a midi keyboard to make a midi file and then send it to the VSTi? (Sorry if that is a dumb question, I'm totally ignorant on midi stuff :))
Overall a good tune, enjoyed the listen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,170 |
Very nice instrumental pop song with nice chording and melody, especially near the end. I would like to hear a vocal version of this, so I really hope you break the spell and find inspiration for lyrics Thanks, Janne! Actually, I think "inspiration" might be part of the problem. I need to be happy with "uninspired" ideas, and craft them into something decent. I think my "critic" filter is set too dang high.
-- 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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