|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,612
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,612 |
i'm curious what drives my fellow pg'ers to write songs.
i'll start.
for me , its the happiness i feel takeing an idea out of my brain , and finally hearing it back from even the rough bed
traks. my wife says its the core of my being.
its like i'm thinking of song ideas always.
what drives you ?
best
oldmuso.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
When I'm really in a musical state of mind, everything can sound like music.
This is not as psychotic, or as pretentious, as it may sound!
I make a lot of recordings where I convert natural audio into MIDI then orchestrate at will; what starts out as a chicken may wind up a fiddle. So, walking along the river, I might try to imagine what hidden, digitally-extractable melodies there are in the water sounds, and the wind in the trees.
Listening to the world like that makes me want to go back home and make music on my iMac, which, if it goes well, makes me want to take another walk somewhere else.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
I do it for the fame.
Regards,
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,612
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,612 |
Mark.
thats fascinating input.
i often just go for a walk , and new ideas come that way.
or my wife and i go for a jaunt/ride...manys the time ive
had an idea in the car, and had to rush home to get it down..lol
Bob.
not for me. would be too much razamatazz.
my wife and i like a quiete life.
(we got out of the big city rat race..for a quieter place with less stress.)
frankly my wife and i are just glad i came through very difficult surgery, and i'm all back to normal.
(i'm always very very active, and didnt like being in a hospital.)
it really focused us both.
best
oldmuso
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,033
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,033 |
Because we can’t (understandably) post covers … seriously. Writing for me is akin to a root canal but I do it for the aforementioned reason.
Bud
Last edited by Janice & Bud; 08/30/21 03:32 AM.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
Because we can’t post covers … seriously. You know, I was just thinking how frustrating that restriction is. Then I thought, but the effect on me personally seems to be that I'm actually motivated to produce original material, which is what I really want to do most anyway, so I can't complain about that! I find the "BIAB Only" restriction frustrating, too, though (almost) completely understandable. I do wish it were OK to post non-BIAB material somewhere. I actually find myself thinking of ways to add a BIAB drum track or whatever to a non-BIAB thing to get it to qualify, but then I feel like Farmer Hoggett writing "pig" on the sheepdog contest form.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 253
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 253 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,033
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,033 |
Because we can’t post covers … seriously. You know, I was just thinking how frustrating that restriction is. Then I thought, but the effect on me personally seems to be that I'm actually motivated to produce original material, which is what I really want to do most anyway, so I can't complain about that! I find the "BIAB Only" restriction frustrating, too, though (almost) completely understandable. I do wish it were OK to post non-BIAB material somewhere. I actually find myself thinking of ways to add a BIAB drum track or whatever to a non-BIAB thing to get it to qualify, but then I feel like Farmer Hoggett writing "pig" on the sheepdog contest form. Well, I suppose it has been good for me that I started writing again after a long absence before discovering BiaB in 2012. And we post a lot of PD songs...some real treasures. And the write collabs I've done with a couple of friends here over the years have been very rewarding. The "BiaB only" doesn't concern me. They are a business and promoting their product is part and parcel of the forum. There are other places to post non BiaB based songs. We were at JPF for a decade. But it will be hard to find as friendly and well moderated site as this. FWIW, grains of salt, etc., etc. 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,774
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,774 |
i'm curious what drives my fellow pg'ers to write songs. I do it because of several reasons. I like the creative process. Nothing in the world compares to the feeling of zen when you start on an idea and things just start to flow like a river. It's the best high in the world. The funny thing is that you can't force it. It has to be natural. I like that I can say things in a way that people are willing to listen. It's cathartic. It keeps me sane in this crazy world. I can get things off my mind. As part of the creative process, I enjoy the final result. Often the final song is different from what I was hearing in my head but it is in no way diminished from the original idea. Often, it is better than what I was originally thinking it would sound like. And.... last but not least.... it is just plain fun. I can lose myself in the process and several hours become like several minutes.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
The "BiaB only" doesn't concern me. They are a business and promoting their product is part and parcel of the forum.
Completely understood and completely reasonable. My thought is that, at this point in history, PG would not be hurting itself at all by saying, "Hey, these are BIAB-centric forums but feel free to contribute anything that contributes to the overall discussions". Of course, that probably already is the de facto policy, for anything less than spammy self-promotion. I don't imagine that if someone finished a three-part work, of which only the first and third parts involved BIAB, they would be reprimanded for discussing the second part here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,612
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,612 |
Guitarhacker.
my goodness , wish i had said that.
great comments. i have many of the same feelings often.
but i have trouble expressing them like you did.
kudos to you, cos i am sure lots of song creators feel the same way.
what bugs me often are my own inadequacies often in the creation process.
cos i listen say to a great 60s song write like summer in the city by the loving spoonfull, and other hits of that era where they didnt have the tech we have today, and i feel my own efforts are puny in comparison doing original songs.
best/kudos for your comments.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
cos i listen say to a great 60s song write like summer in the city by the loving spoonfull, and other hits of that era where they didnt have the tech we have today
Hey, "Summer in the City" was the high tech of its time! I remember thinking, wow, dig that echo on that electronic keyboard, and wow, are those really jackhammers and car horns?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,184
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,184 |
I find the "BIAB Only" restriction frustrating, too, though (almost) completely understandable. I do wish it were OK to post non-BIAB material somewhere. I actually find myself thinking of ways to add a BIAB drum track or whatever to a non-BIAB thing to get it to qualify, but then I feel like Farmer Hoggett writing "pig" on the sheepdog contest form. What "BIAB Only" restriction are you talking about?  The rules for the "User Showcase" don't say that. They do say: The User Showcase is an area where users of PG Music products (e.g. Band-in-a-Box or RealBand) can post links to their original song compositions, for others to listen to. This is to remind people that if they aren't a PG Music product user, they can't post here. But that doesn't mean it every song has to have BiaB in it. If Band-in-a-Box or RealBand have been used, please provide information as to which styles or RealTracks were used. (tip: In Band-in-a-Box, the Song Memo contains the names of the RealTracks used, and you can copy/paste from that.) Notice the if in the beginning of the paragraph. So just be upfront that the track doesn't use BiaB, and see what kind of reaction you get. Just know that many people are listening to hear what can be done with BiaB, so you probably want to also be really clear as to why you're posting it to the forum, and what sort of feedback you're looking for.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
What "BIAB Only" restriction are you talking about? Yeah, after a while, I was wondering what I was talking about myself. But you cited the relevant statutes, and judiciously built your case that that there really isn't one. Thanks, Mark
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,451
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,451 |
So, maybe just add in a very distant sound of BIAB Mark Tree bells no one can hear anyway and call it a day Mark?? OR--go to one of the other forums, but God help you. Make sure you are wearing three masks. Once or twice I ventured away to other forums and was forced to write a song about it all. https://soundcloud.com/davidsnyderchannel/just-plain-folks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
So, maybe just add in a very distant sound of BIAB Mark Tree bells no one can hear anyway and call it a day Mark??
Uhhh... ? (later) OK, now I get it! I didn't know those things were called "Mark Trees", and being who I am, that sentence broke my parser.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,081
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,081 |
It's part of me. It's not a great part of me but part of me just the same.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,451
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,451 |
Like 90 dB said, I do it for the fame only.
I also do it for one other reason but I can't tell you what that is.
Not here, anyway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685 |
Its in the Blood !!, veins, air that I breathe !!.
I also work, and love model building !, and car exploring new places !! L.O.L.
Last edited by beatmaster; 09/03/21 11:09 AM.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381 |
Age 8ish to 10ish. I was driven by the discovery that I could actually do it. Like discovering you can run fast, or do above-grade-level maths in your head, or draw well. Once that discovery is there, a kid is on a mission.
Age 11ish to 13ish. I was driven to inspire millions and change the world, all the while donating my royalty payments to charity. Dream well deferred.
Age 13ish to 17ish. I was driven to meet arty and/or brainy girls who were still hot. I wanted to impress, stand out, and be hot with them.
Age 18ish to 25ish. I was driven as an act of socialization on the internet and the desire to encapsulate my late adolescent thoughts and feelings into bite-sized and memorable chunks. Like photographs or film-clips.
Age 25ish to recently. I wasn't wasn't driven to write songs at all. I still did a lot of writing, but I no longer found "song-writing" very appealing. Besides being more fulfilling, I actually could turn a buck elsewhere.
Currently, I'm more driven to explore musical ideas "new to me". Though I've written a small number of songs lately, I am not motivated to stand in front of a microphone and record them. It's no great loss to the world of music. There are probably already enough songs.
I already know I can do it, I won't inspire millions or earn filthy lucre, I've already married my dream date, socialization is good, but it's never like it was when you were single, is it?
So I am not really "driven" any more, but who knows if these two semi-interconnected "song-related" interests may reconnect. I'm not driving myself crazy to get there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,977
Posts798,530
Members40,001
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean