|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679 |
Back after a while. Busy winter months + writer's block = not the best of combinations for me. Plus, my way of coping with writer's block is to disappear into the silence for a while, not listening to much music at all, in order to "clear the mind" and get back to the reasons why I write in the first place. Who knows if it works! it probably sounds more pretentious than it is. But ... I have a free day today, so I woke up at 6 a.m. to get this one done - hope it was worth it. https://soundcloud.com/jamesdelsono/ballad-of-the-memoriesA special "thank you" and "hats off" to Brent Mason and his superb playing which is the solo on this track - it's exactly what I felt this track needed and it would have been a very much poorer track without it. Aren't we so, so lucky to have these extraordinary artists "on tap", so to speak, with Band-in-a-Box? :-) Hope you enjoy - thanks for listening and for any comments! ****** Song Summary ************* Title: Ballad of the Memories - 10 February 2020 File:Ballad of the Memories - 10 February 2020.SGU Key=D , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=4:55 No intro. 76 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 76. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is _BALBMS1.STY (Rock Ballad w/ Brent Mason) RealTracks in style: 1036:Bass, Electric, NorthernRockBallad Ev 065 RealTracks in style: ~367:Guitar, Electric, Background Dreamy Ev 065 RealTracks in style: 1037:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad Ev 065 RealTracks in style: 1167:Guitar, Electric, Soloist RockBalladBrent Ev 065 RealDrums [in style:NashvilleEven16^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride *******************
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,319
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,319 |
That's a really nice chord progression.
The acoustic guitar really is excellent.
The dreamy electric guitar is reminiscent of a Rhodes el. Piano and slots into the arrangement like one.
I'm not a fan of Brent's BIAB stuff usually but this one proved a step above.
Currently I enjoy playing with Mike Durham's BritPsyc March solos - a enjoyable ride of long notes etc.
Not sudden BIAB shocks on this one - you've really put in the extra effort to make it flow James, well done.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679 |
Thanks Ray! I really just wrote the chords, fiddled a little with the arrangement because I couldn't find one that I thought would fit until I stumbled onto this one, and Brent's playing did the rest! I agree, this one was really great and a perfect fit for what I was trying to do with this track. So happy you enjoyed it - and thanks for taking the time! :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,222
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,222 |
Cool progression, and, yes, Brent is superb. Well done! Enjoy the rest of your free day --there's still time for another!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 13,032
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 13,032 |
Nicely done, James. A really nice listen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,342
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,342 |
Yes, that guitar solo works really well. It's often a struggle to get a solo RT to suggest the melody you have in your head over your chord progression. Luck and comping helps  It amazing what these RT's can do when given the chance - with some effort on the producers behalf! And having blathered all that we'll say that is is an excellent example of RT's/RD's in the hands of a talented user. 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! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679 |
Thanks everyone - many, many thanks!
And having blathered all that we'll say that is is an excellent
example of RT's/RD's in the hands of a talented user.
Janice & Bud, I am genuinely amazed and grateful for that comment - thanks :-) So happy you liked the end effort - it was fun to experiment with it all! Again, thanks :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,063
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,063 |
James,
Not generally being a great judge of instrumentals, my measuring stick is simply whether it keeps me listening . . . and yours does. Super lead guitar and some nice, well-accented chord changes does it for me.
As J&B note, really tough to get a guitar solo to follow a melody—I do find it’s more luck than anything for me given I often lack the discipline to do the comping (i.e., I’m too lazy, LOL). But it works so well here.
Pretty piece of work.
All my best,
Deej
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258 |
Writers block sucks, It happens to me a lot. Anyways, nicely put together, must try that sometime when I'm bored.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
Wow - this is a really great write. I loved the guitar work on this, and the arrangement is top notch. The way you implemented the realtracks on this is perfect, and the entire thing flows super well. Thanks for sharing
Cheers,
Deryk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,008
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,008 |
You did a really lovely job with the RealTracks, and I think this song has a wonderful flow to it and a great chord progression. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Cheers,
Ember
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677 |
Yes, James, I did enjoy this one. A lot.
I thin you're well-known here om the forum for developping most interesting chord progressions and this tune is just another example for your ability.
And Brent Mason - well, he's simply unbelievable. I had never heard about him before, but when I heard his first soloist RealTrack here I searched YouTube for his work - stunning. And after that I seriously considered using all my guitars exclusively as decoration.
Very well and tastefully done, James - liked it a lot.
Cheers,
Stefan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357 |
A good flow to this James, and so easy to drift away with that guitar.
Well done.
Robert
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679 |
Thanks Stefan and Robert!
Stefan: thanks so much for your very kind words! I will have to listen to more of Brent Masons' work, but all I know is that whenever I rely on him for a RealTrack solo, he really doesn't disappoint (to understate things!). But, of course, never ever give up on what you enjoy. I play music myself and, although there are so many that are so much more proficient than me (at least technically, haha), I play regardless. Seeing someone better only motivates me to practice more ;-) - and I'm also under the very persistent illusion that I have something to contribute, something to say :-). Anyway, thanks again - it's a joy to be on this forum and hear people like you and many others give such thoughtful responses to tracks they listen to in such a music community spirit. Long may it continue :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944 |
Well done James...
Yet kind of different from your many other compositions...
I enjoyed listening!
Jim
†=☮&♥
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,679 |
Thanks Jim! Your words genuinely do mean a lot ... you're an amazing musician, so, if you like my stuff, it means I can relax a little more about it :-) Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,638
Posts807,841
Members40,179
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean