Hi Ray, To me this is a very cool song. Like the video; intriguing. I agree with Dave and Floyd the vocals could given some more volume, but that's a minor point. And speaking about the vocals, I was wondering how the lower voice would have sound. If it was like the 'Pogues', I mean the vocals I heard in the song before this one (I forgot the title of it, sorry Ray). Those I liked very much! But that is of course a matter of taste. Well done, Ray! Hans
Ray, this sounds wonderful to me! Is this your voice/vocal? It sounds great, but as others have mentioned, it needs a boost to my ears! You have serious ability in all aspects of music production and it's appreciated by me! Thanks, Torrey
Thanks Torrey, Yes it's me singing in a register I've not used for 30+ years. I'll attempt to get a more acceptable level if I can't replace it.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Pretty groovy Ray. I like the song and the arrangement. If you are looking for suggestions in the mix I would say the guitars could come down in volume a bit and maybe not panned so hard. Either that or bring the vocals up a bit. It would be interesting to hear the vocals with some compression...
Chris, Yes, thanks. The vocal level is up for debate and tweaking. I'm interested in your suggestion to narrow the guitar panning. I'd have thought a narrower image would crowd the vocal even more. I'm probably wrong in that though. I'll give it a try. Vocal compression...each individual vocal track, (it'd double tracked for mains), has two compressors - one for evenness and colour the 2nd being a fader rider. There's another compressor on the Bvox bus as well as the main vocal bus and, finally, there's a compressor on the VOCAL bus. Where ought I add another? I'll happily do it if it helps. The cops used are the Focusrite Red3 for colour, ReaComp for fader riding and Density MkIII for pinning down very dynamic tracks - used in different configurations to achieve different aims.
Last edited by rayc; 06/24/2002:16 AM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Hi Ray ... A really cool song! It's a genre I can't say I know anything about, technically. But, I tend to rely on my ears and instincts when I'm outside my normal coloring lines. Regardless of the general expectations for the genre might be, I found this to be very entertaining. I particularly liked the way the bass line moved ... not just quarter notes and half notes, but a real sense of a modified swing movement And yeah, the vocals could move a little more forward. Not much more I can add. I'm more a "Big Picture" guy than the "Nit-Picking" sort. Just entertain me, regardless of any little this and that quibbles. You entertained me. It was a very enjoyable listen. Nice work! Best to you. Be safe ... Alan
Hello Alan, Thanks for the kind words and positive world view. Yes, vocals are an issue to be dealt with. The bass part was fun.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Ray, Very cool. Super vibe! Acidic video, seems like you are having fun with it. Ok... bashing time. You have excellent vocals on it, but I wish they would come up more (More!). Also I think drums are fighting with bass a little and are not well pronounced (too much low end on drums?) If I decided to try something, I would: Raise vocals 3db, spike "panning guitar" with high EQ, so it is more on "top", less processing FX on drums so they are more clear. Sometimes, when I am stuck on the mix, I would just make a copy and do completely opposite of what I think it should sound like....and about half of the time I end up keeping the later mix What I am saying is, if you will experiment with it, try to push "suggestions" beyond your "comfort" level and post the result. Comparing side by side works best and will give you a more clearer picture of your ear vs "average" ear. Or you can disregard all my blathering Thank you for sharing. Good one Ray! Misha.
Misha, I love the idea of running contrary to expectations in a parallel experiment. I'll give that a go. The tweaks you mentioned, (in detail which REALLY helps), will get a run tomorrow. PHANQUE
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Musically, definitely you achieved what you were intending. Vocally, well, I had no idea what was going on there.
VT, the vocals are the problem and the reason for posting, apart from feedback about adding the final chorus. What was going on was me "singing" an octave higher than normal, blending a matched lower octave in and some bvox: not very successfully from my perspective. Thanks for the positive regarding the backing.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Cool tune. Loved the tone of the guitar. Excellent driving backtrack.
Thanks Scott, the tone is: humbucker into cocked wah setting on an ancient Ibanez EQ, High & Low from the same EQ, then Marshall Superbass (modded) at channel vol 8 and MV volume 2.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I guess we are the odd folks out as we thought the vocal level was fine for the genre. Actually every time we listen to hard rock or whatever genre you want to assign to this we think the vocals are a bit buried. It took us a while to realize that its part and parcel of the package. There being no intent to be warm and intimate just let it work with those crunchy guitars as it well does. Nice guitar performance and a cool baseline also. And we enjoyed the light show! Fun production... J&B JnB, Thanks. Yes, odd ones out, almost. Most ears prefer vocals set as the focus, pop and ballads have trained us for that. You're right in that it's often a stylistic choice to have the vocal at a level that requires a little effort or imagination to discern the narrative. In this track the narrative is a very short biography unlikely to be noted by most folk and, in truth, of little consequence. Some "in" jokes and a ghoulish tendency on my part. The video actually tells the story rather better. Thanks for understanding.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Ray, Add lyrics to the video and most listeners ( myself included) might not find vocal levels to be such an issue. You make an excellent dense driving sound and to my ears the higher pitched vocal is a good part of the noise. Robert
Thanks. A lyric video is an option but I'm more inclined to reward curiosity. The video, rather better than the viewer may imagine, tells the story of the narrative quite closely. I'm pleased you hear the higher voice as effective 1m below the surface of this maelstrom. I HOPE to have a better vocal soon and one that will be better heard as a result.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Nice rocking sound, Ray and trippy video. I wasn't too fussed about not being able to make out some of the vocals but agree that posting the lyrics would be one solution. Regards, Leon
Hello Leon, I'm glad you're not unduly concerned about the vocal level. As to a lyric video...please see my response to Robert.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
@rayc - This is a conundrum. I really like the effect of the dreamy/hazy vocals - it fits really well with the guitars. On the other hand, I concur with others that it would be better if the lyrics could be discerned. I would add that they could be improved at points with some effect which would add more dynamics - maybe something to bring out the peaks, but strategically. As to how to do that, it is beyond my ken. In any case, the vibe comes across instantly and with a powerful drive. You know instantly what type of song you're listening to and you just sit back and say "yeah - lay it on me baby!" So overall, loved it, great listen, no complaints. Edit: What about inserting some short holds or a couple silences in there at key points? For example, let one of those guitar chords ring out and then sort of hang and fade out, then come back hard with another chord and bring the vocal in strong. That might really add some tension. Just tossing out ideas.
I can toy with the idea of hold and silences but, as the backing isn't BIAB other than drums, I'll have to do some careful editing etc. I will give it a whirl though. Could be excellent. Thanks for taking the time and listening/considering options as well as the kind words.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Hi Ray, To me this is a very cool song. Like the video; intriguing. I agree with Dave and Floyd the vocals could given some more volume, but that's a minor point. And speaking about the vocals, I was wondering how the lower voice would have sound. If it was like the 'Pogues', I mean the vocals I heard in the song before this one (I forgot the title of it, sorry Ray). Those I liked very much! But that is of course a matter of taste. Well done, Ray! Hans
[quote=rayc][quote=Birchwood] Hi Ray, Yes I listened to that song as well and I liked the vocals. so I would suggest you use those vocals ;-) Hans
That would be my preference too Hans. It seems, however, that the low vocals bury any residue of melody in the verses. I THINK I have a vocalist lined up to save the day. New mix in first post pending new vocal.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Liked it a lot, vox sound good enough to me that raising them a tad wouldn't be a bad reveal IMHO. Surprised not to see a lyric sheet, even if it is a repeat. Excellent work, mate!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Cool video. Cool song, Ray. All of the instruments seem very well mixed. You know me, I always suggest the bass should be louder, but everyone pretty much ignores me. I'd like the vocals a bit more up front, but then they sound cool behind the guitars --period-like.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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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)
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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)
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