Finally been able to record something with my own vocals again! I wrote this a few weeks ago but I've not been too well, so I was glad to finally be able to actually put the song together.
I have found that there it is so much harder to put together a song with a vocal recorded at home than the vocal samples I've been working with. My singing is improving but I still struggle with pitch control but it's also the other sounds in the room which is making it harder to mix it all. I'm not sure if the microphone is part of the problem as well. I've used a De-Verb plugin on this one but it's hard to get the balance right between removing the sounds in the room and taking away from the vocal performance. Any tips for improving recordings at home will definitely be appreciated!
I mixed this in Studio One and used the CLA Vocals plugin and a saturator plugin on the vocals as well as Waves Tune for pitch correction. I also used Waves AudioTrack on the instruments and the vocal, I do like that plugin for compression and EQ.
_NEONROK.STY. Neon 80's Rock w/ Synths RD: RETROPOP^08-a:Bass, LoudSnare, b:Bass, HardSnare :Ed (Great Oz) Clare RT639: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm HardRockThrash Ev 085 , Darin Favorite RT642: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm HardRockThrashHollow Ev 085 , Mike Durham RT2324: Synth, Rhythm Rock80s Ev 120 , Miles Black
Lyrics: When I look right through the crowd I can see that you're standing alone And you're looking right back at me
I take the time to catch my breath And find the courage to take a step Cause somehow I know we're meant to be
Now that I've found you I know that I see
When I look in your eyes I hope that I Find The future in your eyes I can leave the past behind
As I move across the room I don't know what it is that I should do But so much is said without words
I can't picture the words to say But it doesn't matter anyway Cause you take my hand and speak first
Now that you've found me I hope that you see
When you look in my eyes I hope that you Find The future in my eyes And you can leave the past behind
When I look in your eyes I hope that I Find The future in your eyes I can leave the past behind
And when you look in my eyes I hope deep down that you find The future in my eyes Cause when I look in your eyes I know what it is that I find I can leave the past behind
When I look in your eyes I hope that I Find The future in your eyes I can leave the past behind
There are reflection filters for reducing room reverb, but as this video points out, what you really want to do is minimize the reflections that are coming in from in back of you. If you can somehow hang a blanket behind you, that can be pretty effective. So can placing the microphone in a clothes closet, albeit often not very convenient.
Oversaturating your vocals makes sense in this style, but personally I think your voice sounds better without effects.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not sure I have any way of hanging a blanket behind me at the minute. But I've ordered one of those things Rustyspoon recommended. Hopefully it'll help!
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not sure I have any way of hanging a blanket behind me at the minute. But I've ordered one of those things Rustyspoon recommended. Hopefully it'll help!
It's isn't perfect but it's a cheap start & portable etc. I use a pop filter and screen that curves across the back of the mic. I'm lucky enough to have a room for my noise and it's filled to the brim with stuff including book shelves and 1000s of cds to help diffuse any reflected sound. I also have a couple of bass traps etc. The more stuff in a room the better - the more uneven surfaces and soft things to break up & partly absorb stuff the better too. Better still is an uneven room with bass traps for the corners, diffusers, clouds and good monitoring but that's expensive and unattractive in the living room or spare room in rented premises. Rustyspoon uses one and his vocals are pretty clean.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
There's a lot of skill on show here from creating the song through to arranging it, performing it and producing it. You've got talent!
In relation to recording... my setup is similar to rayc's. I have a mic with a sponge rubber semi-circle behind it (to absorb some sound echos) and a pop filter in front of the mic.
Recently, I've also started using 'subtracting' background noise in Reaper using a Reaper plugin called ReaFir. I like this.
With this plugin, what I do is to find a section of vocal track where the mic is on and recording and there no vocals. I then build up a noise-frequency profile of this section and subtract those frequencies from my vocal. I find this works well. If you are interested in how this is done, have a look at the 13 minute video clip below...
That's a good suggestion, hopefully that plugin works in Studio One and I can give that a try. I've been using the SPL De-Verb Pugin and it's OK but it seems to take a lot away from the vocal when you set it at any high levels.
Thank you very much for the positive feedback and taking the time to listen to the song. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and give feedback. I've put together a slight remix with different effects on the vocals but I'm not sure which version is better so I thought I'd link it on here.
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.
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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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I thought it flowed nicely, and you made good use of those RealTracks. Nicely catchy as well. Thanks for sharing!
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