|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,672
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,672 |
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/bad-luckHi everyone, I made a song about a survivor of a planecrash and called it Bad Luck. The story is more or less a metaphor for the challenges some of us face in real live. Especially where you feel you're on your own to face them. But instead of letting the main character die, I gave it an open end  . He can die or wake up from a nightmare... The style I used is Ordeal, tempo 60, key Em. I added two fiddles, 5-string and Celtic (for rhythm and solo-purposes) and a synth. PopBelieve. And in the Daw I gave the soft drums more body The lyrics Bad LuckI'm in the middle of an ocean Drifting in a leaking dinghy The only thing I can recall our plane plunged in the sea I am the sole survivor rowing maybe towards land With no food or drinking water and no signals I can send It's getting darker by the hour Than I will only see the moon The waves are getting higher Land must be reached soon I'm rowing on the ocean No idea where to go This is called Bad Luck as far as I know Oh I see, it's not my day But you're with me, You see me rowing on And I'm smiling but you don't know in my heart I'm so afraid as can be Oh, I start weeping but you must not see I'm rowing on an ocean and only a moon to shine Sharks now pay me more attention They're getting closer all the time And I'm the sole survivor No idea where to go This is called Bad Luck as far as I know Refrein Solo Refrein + Oh, than woke up that morning and saw you're there near me, You watched me sweating But you're smiling to me So no bad luck at all I close my arms around you https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/bad-luckThanks in advance for listening Hans Berkhout
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,992
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,992 |
I definitely really liked the open ending to the story you left us. Lets our imagination fill in the blanks. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Ember
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,620
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,620 |
I like the plaintive, haunting mood in the music. Interesting subject for a song. Strong vocals!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,128
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,128 |
Hans, Awesome tune! This is the best one to my taste, from others you presented here. Good lyrics, interesting arrangement and performance! Certainly your artistic muscles are getting more flexible  The only suggestion I have, is try to glue vocals more to the rest of the mix. It is tricky. (One of most challenging thing for me). Your tune is solid, I feel by interweaving vocals will put it level above. Thank you for sharing! Misha.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615 |
This song definitely has plenty of mood. Nicely done Hans. Rob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,672
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,672 |
Thanks all for the compliments. I appreciate yournice words. Especially about the filling of the blanks ;-)
And Misha, it's not the first time you pointed me at the glueing of the vocals. This is a big challenge for me, I can assure you!
But I'm improving my skills little by little (and sometimes a setback. Keep on making these remarks.
Nice weekend,
Hans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647 |
Hello Hans ...
As previously mention, somewhat haunting. I also find it captivating. Excellent write and a real fine performance. Very, very nice! Wishing you the best ...
Alan
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: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,236
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,236 |
Wow such a sad visual in the lyrics. Excellent song. Super vocal and backtrack. Well done
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944 |
Another nice tune...
Great set of lyrics with much food for thought...
The individual trials & tribulations each of us have to face...
You pulled it off very well...
I enjoyed listening & thinking about what you had to say.
Jim
†=☮&♥
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664 |
Hey there Birchwood , I really enjoyed the overall mood on this. Great mixdown on and the vibe is quite sentimental. Very captivating lyrics!
Cheers,
Joe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,203
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,203 |
The rattle thing initially worked for me as it suggested water slapping the sides of a ducky but it was a little too prominent after a while - you could vary the volume of it to increase the impact etc.
Interesting story and melody.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,672
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,672 |
Hi Rayc,
My brother asked me to put in a tiny deflating noise (from a balloon or so) and watersounds as well, even as 'blubblub'-sounds at the end. But I didn't. And now you come up with this 'rattle thing'. You hear things he wants but I don't. But seriously: what do you mean? The violin in the beginning? I never deliberately intended this soundeffect.
And thanks very much for listening and comments,
Hans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,672
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,672 |
And thanks Allan, Jim, Joe and Scott for you nice and kind words.
This will help me improve my music skills. Next song will be something as Rammstein has...
Nice weekend,
Hans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,203
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,203 |
And thanks Allan, Jim, Joe and Scott for you nice and kind words.
This will help me improve my music skills. Next song will be something as Rammstein has...
Nice weekend,
Hans The rattle that starts at the 52 second mark - sounds like a tambourine with wooden discs.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,626
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,626 |
You did a fine job with this one Hans! The mood of the music backing fits the lyrics nicely and you are presenting good work here on the forum! Thanks, Torrey
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,672
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,672 |
Thanks all for your replies. I have changed the song a bit. I sing it in another key (Dm instead of Em). I think it fits better with my voice. I also changed the solo-fiddle, because it was too joyful. Misha gave me a tip for using Izothope exiter. I had it all the time and I think it does work fine. at least to my ears. And than the nice part: I added the sound effects that my brother asked me for. I did it to please him, but to my surprise I liked it myself! So I kept them. You can imagine what I sang about an being in that boat. And I've searched for the rattle, RayC. I think you meant the multidrum SmoothJazzCoolsw16 with the Chajchas in it, or maybe the first Fiddle. I soften that one later on in the verse. Hope it won't bother anymore... But I could not ignore my need to allways do something else too: I made an alternative Bad Luck (we all have some of it). It has a rhythm I liked more. It gives more dynamics to the song. If you want to listen: https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/bad-luck-alternative-rhythmNice day to you all, Hans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
Nice work -there's nothing like a tune with an excellent story behind it. Love the flow of the tune, and thought it held it's weight before adding that captivating story - the fact the lyrics added so much was icing on the cake! Some great progressions as well and your vocals on this are top notch. You should be proud of this one - thanks for sharing
Cheers,
Deryk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,672
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,672 |
Well thanks, Deryk!
Those were very nice words you wrote about my song (although I needed a translator for some parts...).
A bit curious: were these nice words meant for the alternative Bad Luck or the original one?
I will do my best to improve my skills. If you can help with new styles in BiaB we both will become very succesful, don't you agree?
Nice day,
Hans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,827
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,827 |
Hans,
Such an interesting subject to choose to write a song...
The overall tone that the instrumentation creates works well to carry the message.
Good vocal. The addition of extra sounds adds to atmosphere of the piece...
fj
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,006
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,006 |
A very different, actually fascinating idea for a lyric and the unresolved ending adds a lot to the write.
We find it nicely textured with the instrumentation and sound effects - a video could work really well with the imagery.
Enjoyed it....
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
Posts797,377
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