Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#557752 10/04/19 09:07 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Thought I'd get my Christmas song (for this year) in early! haha. Would love to hear your honest as always thoughts on it - thanks so much for taking the time to listen and comment!

EDIT: just edited the song a little - wasn't happy with a couple of things. New version up now.

https://audiomack.com/song/jamesdelsono/merry-christmas

****** Song Summary *************
Title: Merry Christmas - 4 October 2019
File:Merry Christmas - 5 October 2019 C.SGU
Key=Bb , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=5:39
No intro. 88 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 88. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
Soloist track has 195 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Soloist is saved with the song : Vibes,Sol,JazzBaladSteveSw60 (1226)
Style is _MMRIVER.STY (Mmm River Gospel 12-8 with Vocal)

RealTracks in style: 1922:Bass, Electric, TexasBluesRockSlow12-8 Sw 060
RealTracks in style: 2734:Organ, Rhythm BluesSlow128Mike Sw 065
RealTracks in style: 1923:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm TexasBluesRockSlow12-8Brent Sw 060
RealTracks in style: 3320:Multi[Chorus] VocalMms, VocalMms, VocalMms, VocalMms, VocalMms, VocalMms, VocalMms, VocalMms,
RealDrums [in style:Pop128^4-a:Sidestick Brushes , b:SideStick, HiHat

*******************

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas is here, it's within our sight;
And choirs of children do sing "Silent Night";
Christmas is here, and, try as we might,
Christmas, at last, has now arrived.

The kids gorge on sweets and play with their toys;
The grown-ups eat well and make loads of noise ...
The pets play together, the cat with the dog,
The snow falls at last, 'mid mist, rain and fog.

Christmas is here - it's come once again
To tell us a child has been born, God made Man.
To tell us the fables of days long ago
When wise men came bearing gold, incense and myrrh.

[BRIDGE]

Santa has left; with him, the Christ Child,
Whom legend tells us were ever so mild;
The grown-ups yawn loudly and slowly retire
The children look up and play with a smile.

Christmas is over, and so we resume
Our daily routines, for New Year now looms;
The cat and the dog go fight as before,
The goodwill's for Christmas - and here no more.

[VIBES SOLO]

Christmas has gone, and with it all our light;
New Year is coming - oh Lord, see our plight;
Be patient Thou, Lord, if you can still abide
Our frail human nature, and it's not too late.

When stars shine in skies and people believe
In magical tales that wonder do give,
When Santa flies past and the Christ Child is here,
Stay with us, Lord, for evening draws near.

Last edited by musician17; 10/04/19 08:04 PM.
User Showcase
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685
Well you just couldn't wait !!!.

Neither can I.. love xmas and loved your song, loads of lyrics must have been a killer to write.

Thanks


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: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Wow, thank you beatmaster!!! I actually wrote the lyrics last year and left them somewhere, forgotten about ... and now that it's two months to Christmas, I remembered them and thought I'd finally set them to music :-)

Thanks for such nice comments! :-)

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,796
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,796
James,

An interesting reading. The music has a good "Christmas vibe" to it. The vocal is a little loud. I'd turn that down a bit and let ot "sit in the music".

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,992
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,992
A good Christmas song is still a good Christmas song regardless of the time of year, and you did a really good job on this one. Thanks for sharing!


Cheers,
Ember
User Showcase
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
floyd jane: Thank you! Yes, everyone tells me, on every song (haha), that my vocals are too loud against the music. It must be my headphones or something! hahaha. I'll turn it down a notch and see what happens :-)

Ember: Thank you so much for your nice comments and, of course, for listening!

User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,372
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,372
Hi James,

This is the very first Christmas song I've heard this year!

You have some nicely effective Christmas imagery in these lyrics.

The backing sounded very well suited to this presentation. It had a relaxed and friendly feel to it. My only thought, and I don't know if this was my headphones or my hearing, but as I listened, I kept wondering how this track would sound if the backing was around 3-4 decibels louder; it seemed a little on the quiet side to me.

I must say... I liked how the bridge is where 'Christmas arriving' transitions into 'Christmas leaving'... creative!

Thanks for posting.

Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Nice Christmas song, and a pleasant sounding backing.

Agree with floyd that the vocals could come down a notch or the backing up.

Nice work.

Peter

User Showcase
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Noel and Peter F: thank you. I'll have a look at the vocal / backing track levels asap - when everyone says it, they're probably onto something :-) .

Noel: thanks for noticing the bridge placing :-) . Yes, it was deliberate - great that it was noticed!!! Thanks for such a detailed comment and for listening!

Peter F: thank you - gave it a try at creating a Christmas song :-) Thankfully, Christmas is still a couple of months away, so I can tinker with it, haha. Thanks so much for listening!

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Nice one James!! Some cool lyrics and a good job with the narration! Well, you beat everybody (probably by a long shot) to the first Christmas release of the year! Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Haha, yes, I guess I have indeed beaten everyone to the first Christmas release of the year! :-) Thanks for every one of your kind words.

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
Nicely done, James smile I thought if flowed nicely and it definitely has those Christmassy vibes. Nothing wrong with it coming a little early - I found your vocal delivery to be very poignant as well.

Thanks for sharing!


Cheers,
Deryk
User Showcase
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Thanks so much Deryk! Really appreciate your comments and your taking the time to listen!

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,966
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,966
Nice early Christmas song smile

Well written (as always )and nice backing too.

Congrats on getting in there first!

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: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Haha, thank you Janice & Bud ... much appreciated!!!

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 239
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 239
Traditional imagery in the lyrics always works for Christmas. Especially liked the use of VocalMms in the backing track.

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944
Jim Offline
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944
A nice early Christmas present song...
Very pleasant backing tracks & instrumentation...
Merry Christmas to you & yours!


Jim
†=☮&♥
User Showcase
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,548
Mark and Jim: you're too kind, both of you. Thank you and enjoy Christmas when it does arrive :-)

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
Topics85,756
Posts795,848
Members39,951
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Tigerlily, BB Wilbur, anonymously, TinaLBZ, Guitarzan26
39,951 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 169
DC Ron 107
Noel96 106
rsdean 105
dcuny 100
DrDan 86
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5