|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,802
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,802 |
Hello David Cuny, Jannesan, Robert and Misha, Thanks for your nice and constructive comments and sorry my reply is so late. I'm busy with two older songs and with a learning course on Mixing and Mastering. Maybe it brings me somewhere... Good arrangement - I liked the changes in instruments. Good vocals as well. While not "entertaining", a good listen.  David, I was thinking how to interprete 'not entertaining' in your comment, but then the coin dropped. No, the message is certainly not, the melody maybe. Thanks! Very good lyrics on a timely subject, it really feels helpless not to be able to affect so many bad things going on in the world, but we can offer our shoulder to lean on - at least that we can do. The instrumentation is solid and the melody fits the groove of the band nicely. Another enjoyable vocal performance.
Janne Janne, I agree with you and David C. although personally I don't really like being helpless. But in this case eating less meat or putting solarpanel on your roof (I did two days ago!) while from some other countries like Poland the pollution comes in big amounts to us, makes you feel pretty helpless... And thanks for your kind compliments, especially on the vocals :-) Hans,
I enjoyed the groove of this ( you got the tempo right I think), its a little upbeat which keeps the mood from getting dark...and your return to the title theme is also positive.
Your vocals always hold my attention; you are as distinctive as ever here.
A good song!
Robert
Robert, those are very nice words! I was shining with pleasure (if you can say it like this) and mainly about the vocals, like I said to Janne too. Hans, Dark tune with glimpse of hope. Good progression and instrumental arrangement except... Since I believe you not going to cry about, I think piano entering at 1:43 how to say it right...off beat syncopated? it has a certain pumping feel which distracts a little bit. Ohh yes, if you noticed, I have not said anything about vocals. I feel you trained your "mix" ears very well. Do not let it slip, it is a never ending learning process, break the mold of your own expectations - all you need is 'clever' regulation Thank you for sharing! Misha. Misha, what nice comments. And with a little criticism too! That keeps me sharp, I like that (but not too often ;-)) I cry all the time when people say bad thing to me, but you didn't do that. But I disagree with you on the piano. At the point you mentioned (1:43) it was a 'total break' from the first part. At first it wasn't in the song, but the idea came when listening to another song. Still it is in tune and -for my ears- not off beat, only a 'sudden move'. And about my vocals: have you read all those nice compliments I got on them? No, seriously, they allways have my attention. It's a weak spot. Therefore I start a mixing/mastering course today on (what they call) a Mixing University (...) So you see, your wish is my command! Thanks again for your comment on the song, it felt we gave eachother one's shoulder, Hans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,802
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,802 |
Hi Derochette, Janice and Bud and Gruverider, Sorry I am late in responding, but thanks a lot for your nice comments on this song. I noticed that before you know you have to search some pages on this Forum to find back your own song... Hi Birchwood,
Lyrics that invites us to think. I like this progression in the introduction of the different musical instruments. As Floyd Jane mentioned, lowering the volume of the new instruments slightly in the second part would be a good idea. The mix is well done. Pleasant composition. Well done.
Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash Derochette, thanks for the compliments and your suggestion on the volume. After Floyd's post I already lowered it, but he pointed at my vocals and you to my instruments. So I lowered the volume of the drums and the piano a bit too. I would say 'at your service'! ;-) We were once told that an upbeat vibe can well deliver a
dark message if done right. This is a great example of that and your passionate
vocal is very powerful.
We really like the band. The build is excellent as are the
later track additions. The lyric and melody are standout.
Really good!
J&B Bud and Janice, thanks for the kind words and the underlining of what I always believed; upbeat and dark can go along very well. I only think people get confused and perhaps take the message less seriously. But that isn't my problem... yet. And thanks for the compliments on the vocals. I am always sensitive on that. Love that acoustic guitar in the intro! Very engaging chord progression. And I'm always a fan of a building and changing arrangement.
Well written and performed. Very creative!
(on my speakers the eq on the ride and cymbals is really bright and harsh and distracted my attention away from your wonderfully written song) Gruverider, thanks a lot for the compliments. I feared the song was perhaps a little too dark, but still I had to make it (for myself). And then you wrote a line between brackets. At first i thought it was a line under your signature that appears everytime you end your note, but that wasn't the case. It handled the loudness of my cymbals! I haven't noticed it before, but after hearing it a couple of times I still didn't hear it. But I tuned a bit less high in the drum-eq's and I think it must be better by now. But I am starting a Mixing and Masterig course today, so who knows what will happen to my future songs! Thanks everyone, Hans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,038
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,038 |
Hans, excellent song. Your vocal really stands out here - loved it!
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,285
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,285 |
Hans, you less treated voice is much better in a mix...well done.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,104
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,104 |
Oh, yes, Hans, your vocals, as always, shine. This is packed full of entertainment, man. Your lyrics are always thought provoking and wise. You mastered the art of dynamics and it shows. Perfect instrumentation and in, spite of the large group in your studio, everything is perfectly blended in the mix.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,060
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,060 |
Hans,
I’ve really been enjoying what I hear from you lately (actually, longer than just lately, I think). Here’s another one—great vibe on this. I like the mix a whole lot—great use of that piano on that first break; very creative. I think Floyd may be right about the vocal getting a bit hot; perhaps down a few dbs and a bit on the reverb? Dunno. But the vocal is stellar—really nice work there. Great sound!
My best to you,
Deej
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,607
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,607 |
Hi Hans, Yes! The melody is brilliant!  This style is F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C and you sound absolutely amazing when you sing along with it. ► I love the song! ► I love the arrangement! ► I love the production! If I had more than two thumbs every single one of them would be pointing upwards right now.  Thank you so much for enlivening my Easter Sunday! Now I'm struggling with getting the song out of my head. It's so catchy!!!!! Arrrgggghhh  All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,802
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,802 |
Bob, Ray, Marty, Deej and Noel, Thank you all for your kind words. All that's been said about my vocals I start to believe by now. It gave me a happy Eastern! Hans, excellent song. Your vocal really stands out here - loved it!
Bob Bob, with kind words I had you in mind! Thanks. Hans, you less treated voice is much better in a mix...well done.
Ray, I was a bit puzzled by what you said about my voice. I don't treat my voice so much. Just a little reverb, some eq-ing and a bit of compression. The ordinary things. I tried some pitch correction, but I don't like the results. So you heard a voice as it was in most other songs... Oh, yes, Hans, your vocals, as always, shine. This is packed full of entertainment, man. Your lyrics are always thought provoking and wise. You mastered the art of dynamics and it shows. Perfect instrumentation and in, spite of the large group in your studio, everything is perfectly blended in the mix. Marty, your comment made my day. I don't know if I can believe all is true, but not only your songs gave me smiles, your posts too. Thanks Hans,
I’ve really been enjoying what I hear from you lately (actually, longer than just lately, I think). Here’s another one—great vibe on this. I like the mix a whole lot—great use of that piano on that first break; very creative. I think Floyd may be right about the vocal getting a bit hot; perhaps down a few dbs and a bit on the reverb? Dunno. But the vocal is stellar—really nice work there. Great sound!
My best to you,
Deej Deej, what nice of you! I adjusted the vocals a bit when Floyd mentioned the same as you. But for my ears it is adjusted enough by now. otherwise I get complains you can't understand what I sing... Noel96, Wow, you had one of the nicest comments, because of the drawings and nice words. I didn't copy them, because that is a lot of space, but I certainly was flateered by it. I showed it to some people here (and a son). They saw how pleased I was by your words and cartoons, so only my son was teasing me. The others showed more respect... Thanks everyone and have a nice day, Hans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,900
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,900 |
I like it.
I immediately caught the hints of a song on the tip of my tongue.... I figured it out. It reminds me of nitty gritty dirt band american dream right there at the beginning.
Good stuff
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,631
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,631 |
Good mix, Hans.
I like the little breaks in it too.
Vic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052 |
Very cool tune Hans!! Love the rhythmic feel of the song, and the way your vocal accents it! Very good production! Enjoyed!! Take care. Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,675
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,675 |
Excellent vocal performance! The chorus is a winner. I could listen to it over and over. Good work with the build in the production---very effective.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,320
Posts803,341
Members40,096
| |
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