Did you have to type the words in with phonetics in mind or is it that smart? Like if you wanted to say "though" do you type in "tho" so it doesn't want to say "thou"?
Think about rough and through. Rough may be interpreted as ruff or as rouf, but if the program treats "ough" as "uff" like in rough all the time, through would become thruff. Dough, or "duff"? Is it that intuitive to know the difference? If it gets those words right that would lead me to believe there is a dictionary in there somewhere.
Think about read. It can be pronounced "reed" or "red". Lead is the same way. "Leed" or "led". You can LEAD off first base, pronounced LEED, or you can solder with LEAD solder, pronounced led. Interested in knowing how the interpretation engine handles words like that.
"The Browns LEAD 21-10." Something we don't hear much around here...
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
Nope, no phoneme notation needed for this little project. It has them available, but I didn't have to use any. Nor did I have to do any disambiguation of words.
There is definitely a dictionary. If you type "glorkparm" it puts a red line through it and will not proceed until you resolve it to a known word or phoneme. It is also, to whatever extent it can, using complete recorded words – this is sort of a recording-based system of (gag) "RealVocals".
As for the learning curve, I'm sure there's more to learn here, but not a whole lot. Here's all it took to create this line in Logic:
– 1) Insert Emvoice plugin on track with MIDI melody to be sung – 2) Play piece in real time so plugin can record melody – 3) Type sentences into blobs
Apart from that, I had to do a little blob-sliding to adjust phrasing, to determine which notes are separate and which are part of a single sung phrase (staccato / legato). But that's all. It was REALLY easy.
Demo version lets you play with a limited pitch range.
I was able to make out about 75% of the lyrics. The really wordy phrases I couldn't get. Not bad software though. Not worth the money for me personally but very good performance.
That's a hoot... amazing technology. I can't imagine ever using this on a project, but I'd bet it would be fun to play around with. Thanks for posting Mark.
It's a pleasant sound, but - as other people have noted - intelligibility can be low.
The Emvoices seem to work well when the syllable rate is fairly slow.
They also have a glassy, over-processed tone, so they work much better with a production that uses that sort of tone.
With the progress of vocal synthesis and neural networks, we're rapidly approaching the point where synthetic voices is virtually turnkey. I expect to see a lot more high-quality synthetic singing programs in the near future.
In fairness to Emvoice, I didn't try to "help" at all, this is just what you get when you type stuff in! I find the least intelligible parts are repeated notes in the extreme high registers, and where odd complex phrases would be hard to decipher anyway (like "hot pepper bear spray tears streaming face covered all in sweat" or "why did he go don't know he quiet", which is talking-to-a-dog talk.)
For the record, here be the words (I deliberately omitted them to see if they were unnecessary, sorry!)
I went to turn off my television set When suddenly he caught my eye Hot pepper bear spray tears streaming Face covered all in sweat The insurrection had my guy
Why did he go Don't know He quiet Left me alone to stare and cry After the Capitol riot I sold him to the FBI
When I first heard this I was a bit dubious about it, but I was tempted by it. Having just watched the Youtube videos (Emvoice) on how to use it they can have my money right now. Finally I can have a singer for my songs. Its not going to put any vocalists out of work but its certainly going to work for me.
Edit: Having purchased the full versions I am more than happy with the product. I did have one query so I sent an email to support. This was on a Sunday morning and I had a reply in less than 5 minutes, which clarified my question.
In fairness to Emvoice, I didn't try to "help" at all, this is just what you get when you type stuff in! I find the least intelligible parts are repeated notes in the extreme high registers, and where odd complex phrases would be hard to decipher anyway (like "hot pepper bear spray tears streaming face covered all in sweat" or "why did he go don't know he quiet", which is talking-to-a-dog talk.)
Yeah, the problem with higher registers is that it's harder to make out the formant, so there's a lot more room for confusion about the phonemes. This is the sort of problem that sopranos run into all the time.
Add to that a low-level of predictability for the lyrics, and comprehension rapidly disappears, no matter how articulate the singer.
But I was also comparing some of the officials Emvoice demos when I was commenting on the voice quality of Emvoice. The voices are pleasant, but very synthetic. They remind me of the old Vocalwriter program - which I really liked the sound of.
Here's an example of someone using Emvoice to create choral music:
It sounds quite good, but the clarity isn't there.
Then again, choirs aren't ordinarily understandable, are they?
I have no doubt that Emvoice will only get better as time goes on. In the meantime, just don't print your lyrics to keep the haters in the dark.
I have heard some truly amazing productions posted here over the years using such technology. By “amazing” I’m trying to articulate how well the melody was presented, the manner of phrasing and how easy it was to understand the lyric. My caveat is that I’ve yet to hear one for which it is not immediately obvious that the vocal is synthetic. The best I’ve heard let that work for them. Once soul and other emotive aspects become apparent it will indeed be a new day.
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My caveat is that I’ve yet to hear one for which it is not immediately obvious that the vocal is synthetic. The best I’ve heard let that work for them.
That's my thinking. Yes, you can tell it's synthetic, so let's not try for convincing imitation or we'll just land in the "uncanny valley". I'm hoping to play more with things only a synth can sing.
My caveat is that I’ve yet to hear one for which it is not immediately obvious that the vocal is synthetic. The best I’ve heard let that work for them.
That's my thinking. Yes, you can tell it's synthetic, so let's not try for convincing imitation or we'll just land in the "uncanny valley". I'm hoping to play more with things only a synth can sing.
True flows into the past Where it ferments into lie Listen to the lie!
I think you avoided that valley! Fascinating.
Bud
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LOL...so now you will need the copyright on your voice.
I don't think we are very far away from very realistic-sounding synthetic vocals. Five years? Perhaps less. The speed with which technology is advancing is mind-boggling.
I have flown on this airplane at supersonic speeds.
Noise and cost is an issue that is currently being solved. We may in fact have another one in the, not too distant future.
There have also been some serious "over-promising" and "under-delivering". IBM Watson has had a very hard time in the medical field.
My guess is that looking out across a major city twenty years from now may be a very different picture.
Things tend to be evolutionary and not revolutionary but twenty years ago many things that exist today would have been hard to imagine.
We live in a very strange world/time. People on one street are setting under a bridge smoking crack while a few blocks away people are driving robotic cars around on Mars.
Many wonderful things will come to pass. IF...we don't destroy ourselves.
One of the reasons I think we will have great sounding software-generated vocals is money. There is a huge demand for such a product. Let's call it Voice In A Box. You get Whitney Houston, Sam Cook, and Taylor Swift for $1500. I would buy that in a hot heartbeat...lol
Hell, I would even pay good money for Brent Mason...lol
Of course, I want an animated vocalist to go along with the deal.
Pure science fiction of my younger days is now so common no one even looks up to see it. If you look around very much you will realize the future is already here.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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!
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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!
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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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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!
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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.
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.
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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)
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