We usually keep our songs simple, chord wise. However, this one shifts and modulates a little bit and it took some work to get the vocals right. Particularly in the chorus section, since the pre-chorus had a tendency to 'lead' me in the wrong direction .
I built the basis mostly around the 1305 CelticReel Rhythm Guitar and then added more real tracks (trial and error!).
This song had been on the shelf for quite a while. We decided to give it the "RnAM treat" with layered vocals and additional real tracks and percussion.
Anne-Marie created the video.
We hope you all like! Feel free to leave your comments
Rob
Song specifics: Style is _WESTGTR.STY (Spirited Country Strumming) RealTracks in song: 379:Bass, Electric, Country DoubleTime Ev 088 RealTracks in song: 2778:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm TrainBeatMike12-key Ev16 090 RealTracks in song: 378:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming DoubleTime Ev 088 RealTracks in song: 1305:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticReel Ev16 110 (Drones only) RealTracks in song: ~2200:Guitar, Nylon, Background CountryBrent Ev 085 RealTracks in song: 2667:Pedal Steel, Background DreamySingleNote Ev 075 RealTracks in song: 2508:String Quartet, Rhythm PopEvenHall Ev 120 1946: Mandolin, RhythmModernCountrySyncEv16 100 RealDrums [in Song:CountryEven16: a: Brushes b: Snare, HiHat RealDrums [in Song:CongasEv16[single]: a: Congas b: CongasEv16[single] RealDrums [in Song:AfucheShakerEv16[single]: a: Shaker b: AfucheShakerEv16[single]
We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.
This is some really great work! Usually when someone tries to incorporate a vast amount of chord changes and modulations in a song, it doesn't have a very desirable effect, but you did in a very effective way that sounds great! Everything about this song sounds really good! Once again, nice work on the video. I also like that 1305 CelticReel Rhythm Guitar! I have used it myself a couple of times in songs. It really brings a song to life!
The RnMA treatment works - no surprise there. The pull of the progressions is strong but you've played that gambit well. LUSH. Oh, yes, the video - on point - illustrative without being tied down by the narrative.
Last edited by rayc; 03/02/2207:37 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
This is a song that makes you smile! But it also want you to make a long walk in the forest (with the song on your earphones of course)and sing along loudly. Then you don't mind the vultures (from J&B) anymore, or other bad things. A nice, good song with very good vocals! Like Josie said: "two thumbs up'!
What a great job putting this together, Ron and Anne-Marie. The modulation sounds perfect. Such a good song. That guitar is a very good driver. Your voices are sooo good, and so very good together. The video, too, is superb.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
Hello Anne-Marie and Rob A great song Excellent sung A really good melody Plus the very good video Together a great experience Thanks for sharing Many greetings Andi ;-)
Yes, there should be about eight changes or so. Some were present in the BIAB song file, but most of them were done in Cubase (shifting semi-tones). Either because we got stuck on what should be "the chorus", or because copying sections from one place to another didn't sound right (that BIAB Melodist can be so subtle, modulating all on its own!).
About modulations and key changes. Back in the 90s, we had a real Master in that here in the Netherlands. Valensia, singer-songwriter uses multiple key changes continuously throughout his songs. Here's a good example:
We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.
Yes, there should be about eight changes or so. Some were present in the BIAB song file, but most of them were done in Cubase (shifting semi-tones). Either because we got stuck on what should be "the chorus", or because copying sections from one place to another didn't sound right (that BIAB Melodist can be so subtle, modulating all on its own!).
About modulations and key changes. Back in the 90s, we had a real Master in that here in the Netherlands. Valensia, singer-songwriter uses multiple key changes continuously throughout his songs. Here's a good example:
I need to listen again to see how many I can catch.
Watched your Valensia video! Remarkable musician, and he's still live 'n kickin.
Sad story of his near-total invisibility here in the US, where apparently he's only known as a Japanese pop star. His later albums are hard to find if they even exist, and I find depressing references to commercial failure, and a crowdfunding site:
But look at this perk! (I wonder where those three songs are?)
Your Song PRODUCED By Valensia – €1,000 EUR / $1,107 USD
This is where things start to get really exiting: Do you have a song and always wanted it to sound like a HIGH END PRODUCTION? Valensia will speed record your song, play and arrange it on the spot, all in one day! You will be going home with a finished and complete MASTER of your song! If needed, Valensia will provide his harmony vocals afterwards!
Included Items: Your Song PRODUCED By Valensia Estimated Shipping: September 2017 3 claimed
Musically, it is creative with very well presented and interesting structure throughout. Vocally it is equally superb.
The added vision gives depth to the creativity without taking anything away from the focus of the music.
I liked every part of this. Well done.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Very good song. The "gonna, wanna" hook lines are very catchy. Wonderful vocal harmonies. Great mix. The band is super too. Nice professional sounding recording. Good one.
This is some really great work! Usually when someone tries to incorporate a vast amount of chord changes and modulations in a song, it doesn't have a very desirable effect, but you did in a very effective way that sounds great! Everything about this song sounds really good! Once again, nice work on the video. I also like that 1305 CelticReel Rhythm Guitar! I have used it myself a couple of times in songs. It really brings a song to life!
Thanks, Torrey
Thanks Torrey, your comments are always appreciated!
We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac 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 100 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!
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