I just got back from Walmart and it was a strange but unsurprising experience.
They had the entrance roped off with caution tape and a line formed with people 6 ft. apart heading into the store. They would only let people enter one at a time. You had to wait one minute so the person could get far enough ahead of you to keep the social distancing.
You were met inside by an employee with gloves on and he would give you a buggy. Each buggy was washed and disinfected after each use. I've got to say that was the cleanest buggy I've ever used at a grocery store.
They still didn't have any hand sanitizer, alcohol, disinfectant wipes or toilet paper. Even the items they did have were rationed. The meat section was about 20% of what it usually is.
Welcome to the new normal. The checkout lady asked how I was and I said "I'm socially distant, but that's nothing new." At least I gave her a little laugh.
Haha, good one Bob. It's been the same for me too. I left LA 8 days ago and did pretty much the exact same things all you guys are describing. Lots of wipes, sanitizer, paper towels. No mask or gloves though. I haven't needed to go shopping again yet but I will in a few more days, maybe next Monday. I really think with all the precautions everybody is taking plus smaller crowds everywhere the chances of catching anything is really low but I certainly haven't been walking around assuming that. Oh no, I'm as paranoid as all of us here. None of us want to get this until there is good medicine available to handle it. If this subsides to no worse than a bad cold or flu, fine I can live with that. I agree with Notes, lung damage or even dying is certainly a concern so we need some good drugs that stops it from getting that far. I'm seeing more and more stories about research that sounds promising but it's not there yet. Once that happens we can start getting back to normal.
As a gigging musician though not full time, I fear the entire summer season is pretty much over. I have a recurring gig at the Catalina Yacht Club every 4th of July but that involves taking a very crowded boat to the island and then there are big cruise ships that anchor a few hundred yards out and hundreds if not thousands take water taxi's into Avalon. That gig has always included 2 or 3 smaller gigs around town and I'll make $600-700 for the week and stay with a friend. Last year I was there 5 days. Somehow I doubt that's going to happen this year.
Here's a very interesting article I just found. It's about what I've been discussing with friends the "California Mystery". We get over 1 million visitors from China per year and it's been going for many years. There is still no huge spike in cases.
This is a fairly detailed article quoting many health professionals and the main point I get from it is the notion that COVID 19 was actually spreading starting last fall. He quotes Italian sources about that. This goes to the point that China has been lying to us all along not only about their true numbers of cases but when it actually started. No proof yet but very interesting none the less.
I’m listening to today’s installment of the White House COVID 19 press conference and the Treasury Secretary said that the SBA loans will be loans that turn into grants. He specifically pointed out that the loans were also available to businesses that are sole proprietorships. I assume that includes musicians.
Getting Zoom Bombed may not be totally eliminated, but at least they are going to focus on security for a bit longer, according to the article. That hole in the article was pretty major, but hopefully the report is true.
Having your meeting disrupted (even if it's embarrassing) is much less of a problem than a compromised computer. If you have used Zoom in the last few days, may want to run a scan just to be sure you're clean.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
The goal isn't to prevent the wearer from getting COVID-19. Rather, the goal is to help reduce transmission from asymptomatic carriers. Someone infected with the Coronavirus may not present symptoms for up to 14 days. During that time, they could be unknowingly infecting other people.
But there are a number of reasons for suggesting not wearing masks in public:
Prevent hoarding medical-grade masks needed by health professionals;
Not much medical evidence to show that it's effective;
May cause people to feel safe so they don't take other actions, like cleaning hands
But given how widespread the disease is, even methods that may have relatively small levels of effectiveness are worth reconsidering.
My son lives in Sweden where they are taking a more reserved approach to the virus. People are still working and going out to gatherings of less than 50 people. They are not having large increases in the virus. Actually my son did get it and had a fever, fatigue and body aches. No lung issues, didn't go to the hospital or need a ventilator. I do understand that the elderly or people with underlying health issues might need hospitalization as with any bad flu.
....Yesterday I left my house for the first time in over a week. We went grocery shopping for perishables. It's like living in a Sci-Fi movie. The enemy is invisible and could be anywhere (cue theremin music).
People wearing masks, keeping their distance, wearing mostly blue or purple gloves, spraying shopping carts, looking at each other with suspicious eyes.....
Insights and incites by Notes
So true and the way you tell it is so descriptive. I heard somewhere that hospital workers are calling the virus "the beast".
Your nurse practitioner sounds like they were just making unnecessary work for themselves. If it makes you feel any better, I'm like you. When I go out where people are, which is rare, I sanitise my hands every opportunity, keep the 6 feet or so distance between people and am very mindful of everything I touch.
When I get home, it's wash and change, also. I'm aiming to hang around on Earth a while yet so I'm doing all I can to keep covid-19 at bay.
I saw a woman yesterday who was wearing rubber gloves. I haven't gone that far yet because I don't have any open wounds on my hand. Fortunately the virus doesn't penetrate skin. If I had a cut on my hand, though, I'd definitely get out the latex gloves!
Where safety is concerned, it's much better to err on the side of caution, I think.
It's great to see you in the forums, again! It's not the same when you're not here.
Noel
It's great to see you in the forums, again! It's not the same when you're not here.
[Quote ]It's great to see you in the forums, again! It's not the same when you're not here.
You are dearly loved 'round these here parts, Josie. We need your logical mind during this unprecedented crisis. [/quote]
Virtual hugs to you Don. I don't know how logical but I'm hooked on dark chocolate m&m's. It seems the crisis has brought out an intense need for chocolate. Stay safe.
My son lives in Sweden where they are taking a more reserved approach to the virus. People are still working and going out to gatherings of less than 50 people. They are not having large increases in the virus. Actually my son did get it and had a fever, fatigue and body aches. No lung issues, didn't go to the hospital or need a ventilator. I do understand that the elderly or people with underlying health issues might need hospitalization as with any bad flu.
Lucky he was able to get tested and you are blessed he got through it with no serious complications. That must be a great relief to you. Maybe his antibodies can help us all someday with a vaccine.
This series of videos seems most appropriate in these times of coronavirus, 2019-nCoV.
On May 8 in 2007, 90-something year old cook and great grandmother, Clara, created a Youtube channel dedicated to teaching people recipes and meals from the Great Depression.
Learn how to make simple, yet delicious dishes while listening to stories from the Great Depression.
Clara passed away on Nov 29 in 2013 at 98 years old. Her legacy remains on Youtube.
I offer my sincere condolences. I was saddened to read this. I sincerely hope that your two late friends are now resting peacefully and that your sick friends pull through.
This is marvelous, Noel. I've watched Clara before and unfortunately forgotten about the skills she brought to more modern day living.
Wonderful people like her can give us great encouragement. There have been tough times before, and lessons in humility and resilience like she has delivered can help us all.
Trev
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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.
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.
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)
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean