Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#543922 07/03/19 06:35 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,729
Veteran
OP Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,729
Hi musical colleagues,

I have made two songs, On the go and Wild times. I treat them in separate posts, so don't worry.
The song in this post is based on an real situation. My son went to Mexico. Actually both my sons did, but this one fell in love and not only with that country.
So within a month he will be there for the fourth time and so I made a song of this proces:https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/on-the-go-to-mexico
Of course I hope that it will change his mind, but what is stronger, love or a song?

I used the funky style from BB called Muzzle. The tempo is 110.
I used 2607 (a slap bass), 1436 (funky guitar), Drums, Modern Funk 16th, 3251 (bariton guitar), 3261 (cello, chops), and 2526 (keyboard, el.). In my Daw I had 2 tracks with Latin loops and 2 tracks for my keyboard with Blocks (Native instruments).
Hope you can enjoye this song...

Hans Berkhout

Lyrics:
On the go (to Mexico)
(c) HWBerkhout, june 2019

I went abroad, for fun I thought
Then met that girl who made me swirl
And back home, on my own
I sure got mad, cause she is in my head, so...

I will grabb my things, buy me wings
With that transfer I should see her
One last farewell to all my friends
Then I go to Mexico

It felt so bad, at least I'm sad
Every day she's more away
And back home, on my own
No I felt silly without my Lilly, so...

I grabb my things, buy me wings
With that transfer I should see her
Farewell sounds mad to my mom and dad
But I gotta go to Mexico

Only at work I say no word
Without a trace I leave that place
It'll take a while to get back my smile
But I gotta go to Mexico

And back home I have that stone
Can I settle, I said, without regret?

Don't talk no Spanish
Drink no tequilla
I have no money
am no guerilla, So? but...

-2x-
(Yes) I will grabb my things, buy me wings
With this transfer I (will) should see her
I got to go to let her know
I'm on the go to Mexico


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,987
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,987
Very nice, Hans! Like the arrangement. Nice changes, to keep it interesting. I appreciate you putting the lyrics on the post. Makes it easier to follow along.

Really enjoyed this!

Steve


Steve Young
Music
"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,186
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,186
Fun and funky listen!

The vocal has a Tom Waits sort of feel, and that's good in my book.

I had trouble understanding most the vocals, but - for me - some songs are more about enjoying the feel than the lyrics, and I love the feel of this song. laugh


-- 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.
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944
Jim Offline
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944
I enjoyed your funky tune...
It has great rhythm & feel...
Since you said this song was based on a "real situation"...
I hope the "situation" works out well for all of you!


Jim
†=☮&♥
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,124
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,124
Liked this a lot -as with your other recent one, the vocal processing is a bit much for me.


Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
So funky and urban. Really, nice hot band and mix. Your lyrics lie so craftily in the cracks of that funk--such a fun listen. Lots of good lines never heard before.

Don't talk no Spanish
Drink no tequilla
I have no money
am no guerilla, So? but...

Just great.

I like the vocal processing. It carves out a good space in the mix and gives it the feel of "inner monologue".

Overall, outstanding work and hugely enjoyed here. Best wishes to all, and a happy ending.


BIAB 2021 Audiophile. Windows 10 64bit. Songwriter, lyricist, composer(?) loving all styles. Some pre-BIAB music from Farfetched Tangmo Band's first CD. https://alonetone.com/tangmo/playlists/close-to-the-ground
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
Nicely done smile Someone else mentioned a Tom Waits comparison on the vocals and I 100% agree. Very gruff and definitely a standout for me. Paired with the funk-influence instrumentation and it makes for a really unique and captivating list.

Thanks for sharing!


Cheers,
Deryk
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Good funky driving background for your cautionary tale...as David said the feel of your vocal carries the song. I like the lyrics.Somewhere between the processing and vocal style they do get lost, but the overall sound is still edgy and enjoyable.

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,543
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,543
Really groovy, very nice to hear latin funk! Your voice needs some time get used to, but in the end I like it, suits the mood. Good use of loops and many nice little changes. Good mix. Funny story, a song is a good way to process your thoughts smile

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664
Well done Birchwood! I quite enjoyed the overall tone on this. Thanks for sharing!


Cheers,
Joe
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,040
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,040
"Don't talk no Spanish
Drink no tequilla
I have no money
am no guerilla, So? but..."

Now that is cool!

Funky Latin...great combo and it reflects a cool selection of BiaB tracks.

As Robert said the lyric presents a "cautionary tale"...great description.

The vocal...well different, but we felt it worked perfectly for the song as it found it's "place" amongst the instrumental tracks.

And the mix lays out a nice soundstage on our monitors.

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
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,845
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,845
Hans,

I like everything about this.

Cool music. Funky, innovative. A good write. Terrific instrumentation.

Good mix. Good music.

fj

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,729
Veteran
OP Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,729
Hello Steve, David, Jim, TuneMonger, Tangmo, Deryk, Robert, Janne, Joe and J&B, (a relative long row...),

At first thanks for your compliments and also for the worries about my son (Jim). Now he is in Italy for the weekend. Maybe I can make a sort of Italian song instead of another Mexico-song. But it is his choice after all. as long as I don't have to pay much!

Some of you mentioned the vocals as being a bit of a problem (my words). I mixed it with a new program called Nectar 3. Like the other song I posted them at the same time. and they had the same issue. But strangely, I did not notice it, although I always check them on my homespeakers as well. I'm serously concerned about my ears now. And those of my wife.
But I mixed both again the old way. I hope it got better by now.
I was curious what Janne meant with 'at the end he got used to my voice'. This worried me. And the remark from J&B about having a 'different' voice in Mexico makes my worries grow more and more. I went to my doctor (joke).

But on the other hand Tangmo and J&B point at that inner monologue. That was exactly why I wrote the lyrics that way (So? But...)
And I used the present tense for saying goodbye to mom and dad and leaving his work. Because he hadn't done it but was thinking about how that works out.
I'm sorry the words couldn't always be heard. I do my utmost to change that. Otherwise Janice has to sing those songs...

Bye,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Interesting tune!! Love the FUNKINESS of it! Again, your vocals are a standout. Really good job at arranging/mixing. Everything works well!! Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,231
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,231
The music is ace and I THINK the melody is also but it's sooooo adrift in the soup of processing that I can'r be certain. The "I grab my things..." chorus cuts through better and it works really well.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,214
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,214
Hans,
Really cool and unusual! A lot of personality in this one. I like your arrangement it is clear and upfront. I like your vocal delivery too on this, pretty strong! But, I feel it got somewhat diminished by the processing.
(My biggest mistake smile ) Unfortunately I can not suggest something useful, but I can describe it. Arrangement has a lot of presence and body. Vocals, although strong, feel a bit thin and distant.

Overall really nice tune!
P.S. I hope the situation works out for the better, one way or another smile

Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Hans

Strong composition and arrangement. I enjoyed the song and what you achieved.

Nice work.

Peter

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,012
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,012
Hi Hans,

Yeah, I really like this one! Excellent arrangement and production, mix sounds fabulous through the 'phones.

I would maybe back off on the vocal processing a little. It sounds great, but it makes it hard to understand the lyrics.

But, a very good song and I enjoyed the listen!

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,729
Veteran
OP Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,729
Hi Greg, Ray, Misha, Peter and Dave,

Thanks for your listening ears, compliments and nice and critical remarks.
I learn from that.

Greg and Peter, thanks for the best wishes. I let him know!
Ray, I think you're right about the danger making soup from all the (vocal) processing aspects.
Like Misha and Dave said the voice can get 'loose from the music'(my words)or the lyrics getting difficult to understand. And that is NOT what we want in our songs, don't we? I'm learning every day.

So thanks for all this,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,830
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,830
Hans,

Great song. Good vocal and lyrics. A strong arrangement as well.

Bob

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

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® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

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

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,029
Posts799,124
Members40,011
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
Newest Members
Brian Watts, 973Cig, TimTom420, drodger, GTRRO
40,011 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 154
rsdean 103
DC Ron 99
DrDan 74
Today's Birthdays
JimHurley, Shlatsa 03
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5