Here's a newie...this time it's finished already THOUGH I'm more than happy for comments on how it can be improved as I may revisit, but will definitely keeps such ideas in mind for the next song. Misha engineered the vocals by Katya.
BIAB supplied the SKA drums though not, strangely, from a ska style ,(SkaFast Pop Wes), I had to search for this one as the kit in the style was way over the top with splashy cymbals, and an organ from somewhere...I auditioned almost every Hammond sounding one until this jumped at me. No Farfisa to be found. AND the horns which are a blend of a coupe of different funk and RnB styles, (3257 Horn Section Blues Shuffle & 2348 Horn Section Funk 2 part), with added Mel 9 lines for some bottom end. LOTS of cutting and pasting was needed for these.
Bass & guitar are me using a Vantage bass through a Behringer BDI21 - Sansamp clone, (15% of the cost and a remarkably good replica), and an ancient Guyatone LT125 guitar through a Marshall Superbass & Marshall cab double mic'd with a Sennheiser e609. Audio interface is an SSL2. The 4K button was used on bass, guitar and vocals.
Set in A major and moves from 130-140bpms
Tracked & mixed in Reaper...non native plugin was PSP Vintage warmer 2.
Lyrics are in the video.
Thanks Misha and particularly Katya for advice, assistance and THAT VOICE! Excellent.
Oh, YES! So cool. First of all, the music. Right from the idea in the lyrics this is superb. Love the bass in particular, very creative and supportive. Excellent guitar work. The organ sounds fine --Farfisas are tough to find. I like the protest vibe of the song. Katya is the perfect choice, and sounds great in the mix. The video was also superb, supporting the lyrics with visual aides. hehe Loved it, Ray. No suggestions for mix improvement because it too was perfect. Everything sits in the right place and each piece can be heard.
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
I read your description and was looking forward to hearing female vocals and horns, but could barely hear either. Made me wonder if my headphones were messed up. But otherwise, I totally dug the song and its message. The male vocal was good and there is always a great feeling in your live instruments. Very well done.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Oh, YES! So cool. First of all, the music. Right from the idea in the lyrics this is superb. Love the bass in particular, very creative and supportive. Excellent guitar work. The organ sounds fine --Farfisas are tough to find. I like the protest vibe of the song. Katya is the perfect choice, and sounds great in the mix. The video was also superb, supporting the lyrics with visual aides. hehe Loved it, Ray. No suggestions for mix improvement because it too was perfect. Everything sits in the right place and each piece can be heard.
Thanks Marty, I was going to retrack the bass to be more frenetic like it often was in ska but the loping lines seemed to be a nice contrast to the guitars so I resisted. The guitar was difficult I have to own up to A LOT of slicing & dicing to get the rhythm consistent. Thanks again.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Cool! Rather edgy, the video fits the music. I'd like to hear the vocals a tad more forward though. Those images of the "American Nazi Party" are a stark reminder of how easy it is to warp minds. well done! moto
Thanks Cpt., I've commented on the vocals above...I didn't want to be cruel. Yes, Maddison Square Gardens with 20 or 40 thousand neo Nazis in 1939 does suggest the media had a little to do with it. I wonder how George's family felt about his image being used? Things change but some things don't.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Wow, that's ambitious, really edgy-cool, where's Trump? That was entertaining, good job all.
Phanks Frank, Thanks. DT is in there but not a key figure as the song is about media minions. My Prime Minister & his deputy are in there though. The former having been a Marketing man. A few North Americans and a few Australians flicker in n out for contrast and demographics.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I read your description and was looking forward to hearing female vocals and horns, but could barely hear either. Made me wonder if my headphones were messed up. But otherwise, I totally dug the song and its message. The male vocal was good and there is always a great feeling in your live instruments. Very well done.
Thanks Tunemonger, The female vocals top n tail the song as well as reinforce the verse n are more present in the chorus. The horns are in the intro, choruses and outro. I can hear them, I just checked the vid and I can hear them in it as well...they are at a level that's about right for 2nd wave ska. I'm sorry to disappoint...I struggled with Katya's vocal level for a few days- clearly I didn't quite win that part.
Thanks for the listen and I'm glad that, over all, you liked the thing.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Ray, Cool tune! Dark, but listens easy, thanks to genre and your ability to fluidly convey message. Strong and unusual progression. Solid lyrics / phrasing. Speeding and slowing parts kind of gets you out of "listening" square. Good work on spooky video. Katya thanks you for the invite. I was only a bystander pressing button Thank you for sharing.
G'day Ray Bought and paid for politicians - Surely not! I thought they were all pure as the driven snow! "It's their living it's their job Like accountants for the mob" ghsrttyryrtsrgrgccf (laughing too hard to form words) There is a lot to unpack here, music and lyrics. I am going to have to listen and digest this more closely when I have some time and comment further. Sounds and looks good on first spin. regards Gary.
Hi Ray, Really interesting song and lyrics. Yes I agree with others - if you were to revisit this song then I would love to hear more Katya and Horns. Well done and thanks for the listen. Best Regards Nigel
Thanks Nigel, Druther noted.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Ray, Cool tune! Dark, but listens easy, thanks to genre and your ability to fluidly convey message. Strong and unusual progression. Solid lyrics / phrasing. Speeding and slowing parts kind of gets you out of "listening" square. Good work on spooky video. Katya thanks you for the invite. I was only a bystander pressing button Thank you for sharing.
Misha.
Thanks Misha, you are, as always, generous and kind. Thanks to you & Katya for our valuable assistance with & without the button pressing.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
G'day Ray Bought and paid for politicians - Surely not! I thought they were all pure as the driven snow! "It's their living it's their job Like accountants for the mob" ghsrttyryrtsrgrgccf (laughing too hard to form words) There is a lot to unpack here, music and lyrics. I am going to have to listen and digest this more closely when I have some time and comment further. Sounds and looks good on first spin. regards Gary.
Thanks Gary, We've a right pickle at present with the Fox n Republican nexus in the USA plus the LNP Shy/Murdoch one in Australia...the Torys with Sky n Murdoch as well. Seems there's a thread somewhere in there to be pulled.
I like your sound canvas word.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
The Pygmy Beat Extended sound. The Pygmy Beat Extended subject matter. The Pygmy Beat Extended video styling. You have developed a truly original identity. The Pygmy Beat Extended.
Might be your best video yet. Mix is good. I agree that Katya's vocal and the horns could be brought up some. Nice job on the vocals, the guitar and bass...
That Pygmy Beat Extended thing is really catchy. It sticks in my head for a LONG time after hearing the song. Cool.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac 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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Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
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Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
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.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
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!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 60 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
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Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, 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, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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