Keith Forrest: Vocals, guitar, bass, piano, mandolin Frank Pratte: Mix, video editing BIAB - Resonator guitar solo, 2010: Guitar, resonator, soloist countryworkingrob EV16 090
Programs used: DAW Reaper, guitar Amplitube5, EZDrummer2; All from Reaper Cockos: EQ, Compression, Multiband compressor, Limiter, Reverb
Keith and I collaborate in various ways, in this case, he did the writing and recording. He sent me the stems I did the drum programming, mix, and video editing. He asked me to add a slide guitar solo, then he gave a shot at a mando solo. We weren't completely happy with it. BIAB came to the rescue and absolutely aced it. I used the Reaper BIAB plugin and the multiriff feature giving me 7 takes at the solo, used the 1st half of take 5 and the 2nd half of take 6.
Keith and I played in a band back in the 80s, we hooked back up a few years ago and collaborate between California and Florida.
Last edited by Andrew - PG Music; 10/20/2109:02 AM.
It has a very cool swamp blues figure/backing which then moves into an Eagles country bridge and chorus with vocal harmonies.
I don't think these harmonies are necessary - just stick with your voice which sounds fine.
I like the way you also break the song up with a vocals only section later in the song - top marks. Many a song writer on this forum could take note of this desire to entertain the audience.
Excellent effort - look forward to hearing more of your songs.
Best Regards Nigel
Nigel Spiers Christchurch, New Zealand info@nzacoustics.com
Wow, The Eagles have landed. This is an amazing production, Frank & Keith. Excellent choices on the multi-mando, too. Love the dynamics and the chorus really elevates the thrill. Masterful write.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 11, EZDrummer
Frank, Excellent tune! Well played & produced. Nice vocals! Thank you for sharing.
Misha.
Misha, thanks for the listen and encouragement.
Originally Posted By: CaptainMoto
This is right up my alley. I like it.
Good vibe, I like the driving guitar riff, all the instruments sound great!
I think the main vocal could be brightened up just a tad.
moto
Moto, thanks for the listen. That guitar riff, I added a few bars at the beginning so it could play by itself and be highlighted.
In that version you heard, the vocals are brightened up quite a bit in the individual track and there is some brightening in the Master channel. I like to tread lightly for a natural sound. I attached images of the brightening I did and did notice something, on the vox I have one eq before compression, I usually use two eqs, the high pass filter before compression, and the brightening after compression. I'll go back and change that and see what happens.
Originally Posted By: rayc
That's pretty cool. Nice mix and the vocal sits perfectly in it. Well done on the drum programming...it sounds pretty natural.
I did read somewhere that PG Music would rather not have their performers named outside the forums.
Ray, thanks for the listen. Drum programming was an overstatement, not sure what term to use. EZdrummer midi drum grooves come in style folders with a bunch of variations and fills and intros. You put them together in a timeline in chunks, sometimes the chunks are 1 bar, often 4 bars, 9 bars, 12 bars etc. They are performed by studio musicians and are not quantized, sort of like super midi. I spill these into a track as midi and from there I modify, often by subtraction, sometimes addition like cymbal hits. Once you get the hang of it, you can really customize it to fit a song.
I edited the video to remove the credit of the BIAB artist. Feels strange to not give credit.
Originally Posted By: NigelSpiers
Hi Frank,
Yes this is right up my alley also.
It has a very cool swamp blues figure/backing which then moves into an Eagles country bridge and chorus with vocal harmonies.
I don't think these harmonies are necessary - just stick with your voice which sounds fine.
I like the way you also break the song up with a vocals only section later in the song - top marks. Many a song writer on this forum could take note of this desire to entertain the audience.
Excellent effort - look forward to hearing more of your songs.
Best Regards Nigel
Thanks for the listen Nigel. I have to say that I like harmonies in this style of tune, I think it's idiomatic to the genre especially on the acapella break near the end of the tune (not completely acapella as there is the sidestick and kick on the downbeats, I'd still call it acapella though.)
Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
Wow, The Eagles have landed. This is an amazing production, Frank & Keith. Excellent choices on the multi-mando, too. Love the dynamics and the chorus really elevates the thrill. Masterful write.
Thanks for the listen. That BIAB solo came from a Resonator guitar comping the multi-riff feature.
An impressive delivery, great vocals including the backings, and a neat hook sitting in the background throughout.
Plenty to like about this number.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Tony Joe meets the Eagles with a Doobie Bros hint thrown in.
As Gregg used to say everything is hittin’ the note. - vocal/instrumental performances - lyric - melody - mix - video
The complete package … well done.
Enjoyed it!
J&B
PS Comping solo RTs is a technique we’ve often used. I’m surprised more folks don’t employ it as like your example it enables the RT to do more than just play generic riffs, i.e., it tailors the solo to your tune. It’s also helpful in getting the “right” segues from rhythm RTs into vocals/solos.
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.
nice character vocals. i like the backing...and the break later on.
very good lyrics/inventive song.
best to you. 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.)
First of all, very good song, that riff is hypnotic. Guitar sounds great as does the vocal.
Loved your mix!
You asked what kit I used for the song I just posted. I *think* I just used the basic kit, but I may have swapped a couple of pieces in from a different kit. I’ll check in the morning when I fire the studio back up again.
Which kit did you use if you don’t mind my asking? And did you do additional processing after the fact?
Really enjoyed this one, looking forward to hearing more from you.
I enjoyed your song. Like Dave said, an hypnotic riff. From the kind I like very much! And your vocals are outstanding. At first I had some (little) doubts on the first chorus, but as the song continues it was great. A bit a pitty it ended so sudden, and too soon. This could have going on for some more time. So I listened it again. Everything is ok. Sounded 'radio ready' as I learned you have to mention it, if it is classy!
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
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