Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#609510 08/05/20 04:45 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,572
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,572
Hello the nice members of the biab club.
Here is a simple composition with a guitar solo taken from Biab's realtracks. The realtracks used are as follows.

String quarted 2335
RockNorthenBallad
Guitar electric 2650 Brent Ev 085
Bass Na701 PopHalfnote Ev 085
Baustin 6 Realtrack Guitar 1
Choir, Oboe, Bell Eastwest

The Daw is studio one 5 – tempo 4/4 90bpm
If you have the time or the inclination, thank you for your comments.
Kind regards

Dero alias JaniJackFlash

my soundtrack turn turn the world
https://soundcloud.com/user-318966631/turn-turn-the-world

If you are interested my other soundtracks
https://soundcloud.com/user-318966631/tracks

Last edited by Dero13; 08/09/20 09:41 AM.

Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
User Showcase
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,572
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,572
Hi biab members,

I wonder. Why do I have no comment on this composition? It would be interesting for me to evolve to know what is wrong with this one. Is it the melody, the mix or something else. It would be good to tell me frankly because if you usually give your opinion on what you feel good, you never or very little criticize poorly done compositions.

Best regard

Dero13 alis JaniJackFlash


Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,325
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,325
Originally Posted By: Dero13
Hi biab members,

I wonder. Why do I have no comment on this composition? It would be interesting for me to evolve to know what is wrong with this one. Is it the melody, the mix or something else. It would be good to tell me frankly because if you usually give your opinion on what you feel good, you never or very little criticize poorly done compositions.

Best regard Dero13 alis JaniJackFlash


Howdy Derio13...

First....sensing your enthusiasm, you should not take the lack of comments personally.
People may be busy, not their genre to comment on or it's not grabbing current viewers.
No big deal.

OK....I gave it a listen....it's not a genre that grabs me and not my style of writing.

It's a fine mix of instruments....nothing jumps out at me as of this listen.
There a melancholy mood to it....easy listening.
If you're actually looking for honest criticism I think the drums are too busy for the piece/genre.
Also, I would not call it a ballad...to me, a ballad infers it's a song with lyrics.
I would categorize it as ambient/instrumental.

Don't be discouraged....others will likely chime in. (And disagree with me :))
Just keep on doing what you do with BIAB.

("you never or very little criticize poorly done compositions"...that's correct, I do not)

Last edited by chulaivet1966; 08/07/20 01:25 PM.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Originally Posted By: chulaivet1966
Originally Posted By: Dero13
Hi biab members,

I wonder. Why do I have no comment on this composition? It would be interesting for me to evolve to know what is wrong with this one. Is it the melody, the mix or something else. It would be good to tell me frankly because if you usually give your opinion on what you feel good, you never or very little criticize poorly done compositions.

Best regard Dero13 alis JaniJackFlash


Howdy Derio13...

First....sensing your enthusiasm, you should not take the lack of comments personally.
People may be busy, not their genre to comment on or it's not grabbing current viewers.
No big deal.

OK....I gave it a listen....it's not a genre that grabs me and not my style of writing.

It's a fine mix of instruments....nothing jumps out at me as of this listen.
There a melancholy mood to it....easy listening.
If you're actually looking for honest criticism I think the drums are too busy for the piece/genre.
Also, I would not call it a ballad...to me, a ballad infers it's a song with lyrics.
I would categorize it as ambient/instrumental.

Don't be discouraged....others will likely chime in. (And disagree with me :))
Just keep on doing what you do with BIAB.

("you never or very little criticize poorly done compositions"...that's correct, I do not)


As stated above, I expected lyrics, a story. I also was looking for the bridge. It gets redundant very quickly. It needs something to break the monotony. I think, by definition, a ballad IS a story.


Google says:
noun
a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas. Traditional ballads are typically of unknown authorship, having been passed on orally from one generation to the next as part of the folk culture.

Last edited by Don Gaynor; 08/07/20 02:27 PM.
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,735
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,735
Dero13,

Choice of instruments are good and mix is ok too. But I think it is a bit meticulous. Hard to follow the line. Almost pieced together like a quilt. To your defense, I scorched through a few of your tracks in random order (5 to be exact). In my opinion this is the weakest one. So yes, you are able to do much better smile

This is no way to be frank, rather share what I do. Fresh example. I was working out an arrangement a several weeks ago. I invested roughly 10+ hours in it.... Then left it to sit for a few days. Came back to it...listened and put it to rest, because I felt it was fruitless. The next day, I sat down and under 2 hours worked out something completely different that talked to me and I was SOOO glad I abandoned previous attempt.

Thank you for sharing and keep digging!

Misha.

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,081
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,081
It is a very pretty song. Nice arrangement. Good use of the band.


My music can be heard at: The Cracks
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,325
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,325
Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
Dero13, Hard to follow the line. Almost pieced together like a quilt.


Dero13....I almost made the same comment but decided not to.

The above is correct....there's no real motif or musical reference for the listeners to associate with or relate to.
Maybe it would fit well in the soundtrack genre.

From my POV....instrumentals have to be well constructed to keep my interest.
They can easily get very dull and uninteresting.
So....it may be more challenging to compose a catchy composition to retain a listening audience than it is to write a song.

This music writing is not easy. smile

Carry on....

EDIT: I checked out several of your other compositions.
I would categorize them as soundtrack/soundscape/ambient/instrumental genres.
Not to be confused with songs....these are compositions..... and they sound fine.

Last edited by chulaivet1966; 08/07/20 04:14 PM.
User Showcase
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,572
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,572
Thank you to

Chulaivet1966,
Don Gaynor,
Rustyspoon
And
Jptjptjpt

Your remarks are thoughtful, frank and well thought out. It will allow me to improve myself. It is true that the instrumental without words must be impeccable, original with many variations to hold the attention. Which is not the case with this soundtrack. But you answered my questions and it's really nice of you for taking your time to comment.

See you on your songs

Best regard

Dero13 aka JaniJackFlash


Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
A good clarity to the instruments. Having the strings all to the left felt a bit off-balance (typically expect strings to span the stereo field). Other then that, the mix is good. (I thought the drums were at a good level).

As others have said, this could make a nice "background" piece, but lacks an easily discernible melody to qualify as a strong instrumental. As a background piece is quite a pleasant listen.

User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,325
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,325
Originally Posted By: Dero13
Thank you to Chulaivet1966,


You're welcome.
You'll find this is a very helpful forum.

NOTE: it's been said here that the "Showcase" is not necessarily a forum for song critiques but to show/emphasize the versatility of this fine BIAB progrem.

Depending on one's desired response sometimes the "Song Writing" forum may be a more appropriate forum to request specific critiques/feedback.

You asked for some feed back and I'm glad you received all the comments as intended.
Being....candid and respectfully submitted.

Carry on....

Last edited by chulaivet1966; 08/08/20 02:53 AM.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,051
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,051
Second instrumental of yours I've heard today.....much different than the first but equally good!! Very nicely composed and produced!! Great work!! Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,572
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,572
Hi Greg Johnson,

I thank you for your encouraging comment.

Hi Chulaiveet1966
I thank again ch for his complementary analysis of my composition

Best regard

Dero13 alias JaniJackFlash


Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,325
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,325
Originally Posted By: Dero13
Hi Chulaiveet1966 I thank again ch for his complementary analysis of my composition


Your welcome....

You obviously have a talent for the cinematic/ambient genre.
I think I would suck at it. smile

Thanks to BIAB I've finished up (8) songs in the last few years that would still be residing in my "Unfinished Songs" folder. smile

(EDIT: just saw you commented on my song "Adrenaline"...many thanks for taking the time to listen/comment favorably)

Keep up the good work Dero.

A good day to all....

Last edited by chulaivet1966; 08/09/20 08:06 AM.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,423
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,423
Originally Posted By: Dero13
Hi biab members,

I wonder. Why do I have no comment on this composition? It would be interesting for me to evolve to know what is wrong with this one. Is it the melody, the mix or something else. It would be good to tell me frankly because if you usually give your opinion on what you feel good, you never or very little criticize poorly done compositions.

Best regard

Dero13 alis JaniJackFlash


That is a very nice what we would call "mood" composition. Soothing but essentially background
music...as one would imagine in a film.

Our thoughts. There are so many new folks on the forum and many are posting multiple songs in short order. That means a song can get bumped off the front page very quickly. And often people who visited the forum do not look past the first page. Posting your song during a low traffic time can help it get responses before it's pushed to the second page.

Be safe.

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 are here on our website.
User Showcase
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,572
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,572
Hi Janice and Bud,

I am new and still do not understand the rules of this forum very well. Thank you for your good advice and I wish you all the best for the excellent songs you post on this forum. Thanks again

Kindly regard

Dero13 alias JaniJackFlash


Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,423
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,423
Originally Posted By: Dero13
Hi Janice and Bud,

I am new and still do not understand the rules of this forum very well. Thank you for your good advice and I wish you all the best for the excellent songs you post on this forum. Thanks again

Kindly regard

Dero13 alias JaniJackFlash


Hey, I wasn't referencing rules smile Just how things tend to work out when posting. The only forum rules are posted by PG Music at the top of the forum.

Bud


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 are here on our website.
User Showcase
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,572
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,572
Hi Janice and Bud,

I understood correctly but thank you for your wise advice

Best regard

Dero13 alis JaniJackFlash


Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
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
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.

Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)

And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.

You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.

Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!

The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!

Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!

With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
  • Playable RealTracks Set 4
  • RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
  • SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
  • 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:

  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
  • Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
  • RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,397
Posts778,650
Members39,646
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
misha pelt, Slick Locrian, daveg68, snares33, The Jam Shop
39,646 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 132
DC Ron 111
WaoBand 104
rsdean 84
dcuny 82
Today's Birthdays
sanityblues
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5