Hello Folks, this is a stranger one for me. It was written in BIAB but there're no BIAB elements left in the track. AUDIO: A PERFECT STRANGER (Killing...) VIDEO:
It was hard to do in BIAB as the chorus is based on a riff that I couldn't replicate or match chords to but I built the structure in the program. I used a Drums In Demand set for drums as I'd paid for the files & needed to use them.
Lots of Squire Bullet Mustang tracks through an ACTONE pedal and a spring reverb pedal...Cab IRs in the box. Vantage bass through a BDI21. Vocals through a Focusrite Condenser mic and through an SSL2 interface for everything.
Lyrics A Perfect Stranger (Killing) V1 I'll do the research I'll find someone I'll chose the target I'll buy the gun pc1 This isn't dogma Or prejudice It's simple logic Not hit or miss c1 A perfect crime No personal danger Just me Killing A Perfect Stranger V2 I did the research I found the one I chose the target I bought the gun pc2 This isn't madness Or consequence It's my expression Not hit or miss c2 A perfect time No Texas Ranger Just Killing A Perfect Stranger V3 I've found a target I've mapped their day I've filmed their movements I've planned my way c3 A perfect crime Tracked social media Passed in the street A Perfect Stranger c4 A perfect crime No personal danger Just Killing A Perfect Stranger c5 My target's in No personal danger They are No longer A Perfect Stranger
Last edited by rayc; 02/25/2205:39 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Still a great use of the software. Really cool riff and melody you've got here, Ray. Really like your vocal out front where it belongs. Man, I love that bass track. Scary thought though. Glad we're not strangers and I'm in no way perfect.
Awright! I didn't have to suffer thru that awful Firehouse Subs Commercial that time... The Guitars & Drums sounded bad-a$$... The Bass performance could be cleaned up a bit (too busy, timing issues) I'd love to hear a simpler Bass part, dead-nuts with that Kick... Did I mention, I love the Lyrics..! Vocals work fine... Way Cool Tune.
A sparse arrangement that’s more melodically focused than one might expect from all the geetars. Rather than sounding like yet another a chord progression topped with a vocal, it sounds like melodies and countermelodies, and that is great.
Your workflow of starting within BIAB and finishing without it is interesting, and has produced good results here. Part of what I really like about this is that sparse, very clean layout, as well as knowing that each guitar is actually you and not a prisoner escaped from “The Box”. If temptation to overproduce was resisted, it was resisted wisely.
I have been playing my (real, physical) Les Paul Studio some lately, and your work makes me want to focus more.
OK, having said all that, I feel vaguely idiotic offering all this nicey-nicey stuff about a song with as grim a theme as this, but on such matters ATM I am mute, I know others will have more to say.
Still a great use of the software. Really cool riff and melody you've got here, Ray. Really like your vocal out front where it belongs. Man, I love that bass track. Scary thought though. Glad we're not strangers and I'm in no way perfect.
Thanks Marty, Using the ABA/form part of the program is really useful...auditioning a structure rather than having to track it and re work it...ace.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Awright! I didn't have to suffer thru that awful Firehouse Subs Commercial that time... The Guitars & Drums sounded bad-a$$... The Bass performance could be cleaned up a bit (too busy, timing issues) I'd love to hear a simpler Bass part, dead-nuts with that Kick... Did I mention, I love the Lyrics..! Vocals work fine... Way Cool Tune.
bloc-head, Thanks. I used a simple bass line for one section of the song to test out that possibility and for contrast. It remains as it was a decent contrast but, for me, didn't work across the song. Timing wise...I did a fair bit of slicing & dicing to get the bass n drums together...if they don't sound that way then I've goofed somewhere. I'll listen again for any timing errors. As to the bass being busy - it, for the most part, follows the guitar except for the occasional run between otes. In fact it the only time it is "busy" is during the chorus as the other sections are very simple chord movements - I think. I will relisten with your comment in mind though. Sometimes "awful Firehouse Subs Commercial" is all I can manage vocally.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
A sparse arrangement that’s more melodically focused than one might expect from all the geetars. Rather than sounding like yet another a chord progression topped with a vocal, it sounds like melodies and countermelodies, and that is great.
Your workflow of starting within BIAB and finishing without it is interesting, and has produced good results here. Part of what I really like about this is that sparse, very clean layout, as well as knowing that each guitar is actually you and not a prisoner escaped from “The Box”. If temptation to overproduce was resisted, it was resisted wisely.
I have been playing my (real, physical) Les Paul Studio some lately, and your work makes me want to focus more.
OK, having said all that, I feel vaguely idiotic offering all this nicey-nicey stuff about a song with as grim a theme as this, but on such matters ATM I am mute, I know others will have more to say.
Thanks Mark, I've only produced one song that was 100% instrumentally BIAB. I started simply using BIAB for the drums and now incorporate additional elements but, while I'm able, I prefer to play along. LPS - a very cool guitar that needs to be heard! The most prestigious instrument I own is a Fender 12 string acoustic - but not MIA - a gift from my wife a couple of decades ago - rough on the fingers too! Thematically speaking..it was a laugh as I had the ending before the beginning.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
ray, LOVE IT! An excellent write. Well executed (pun intended). Perfect development. It was like watching a Netflix movie (or series). Cool guitar. There was a good deal of James-Bond-Theme-Song-ness to it. Your vocal is perfect for it. Good mix. LOVE the drums!!! My favorite PBX song. fj
Thanks Floyd, I'd been playing the chorus riff for donkey's as a finger and thumb E string A string blues. I decided to do something with it and, fairly organically, the three parts came to me. DOD & BIAB set the form and bango. I have a chap in Nashville who wants to sing it but he's been busy with life and I've tinkered non stop with the backing...I figured I may as well have a version by me.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Yep.... when you say " this is a strange one for me" I gotta know because your music is always out there on the edge. This is no exception.
Dark and a little more than slightly psychotic. But who hasn't had those thoughts. The scary thing is the fact that there are people sitting around in their basements and bedrooms thinking this very thing. Takes courage to write something like this.
I caught the James Bond movie song feel that someone else mentioned too. In that light, it is redeemed.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add 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.
That is some project (music and video). The song is very good. I am impressed that you created all the music by playing the instruments your self. The music is very good. Well written lyrics. The video is superb too. Good one.
Last edited by jptjptjpt; 02/27/2206:41 PM. Reason: Correct typos.
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.
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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.
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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
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!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
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
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 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 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 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 20 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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