This is a co-write between my wife Kathy and myself. In addition to the audio, we also have a video for this song done by Christiane, link is at the bottom of this post.
Broken World (2022, Kathy & Dave Bell)
This world is broken The pain runs deep Distrust rules and talk is cheap
If war is the answer, what was the question? It makes no sense, all this mindless aggression.
Chorus: How will we heal How will we love When will we ever, see the dove
Distrust and doubt, we let them in Mankind has caused this world of sin
It's love my friend, for God and man, that will help us to be one again
The Band:
2621:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Swing16WahWah Sw16 085 3351:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm SwampyBluesBrent Ev 095 671:Organ, B3, Background Southern Ev 120
Christiane (Chris) Spruit: Lead vocal and BGV
Marty Straub: Bass guitar and BGV panned left
I'm playing the lead guitar, a wha guitar, and did the BGV panned right
I used EZDrummer2 to build the drum track.
Mixed in Reaper, mastered with Ozone.
All comments welcome!
Chris did a great video for the song that matches the message perfectly I think:
Another extraordinary delivery, and one that exemplifies how a visual accompaniment can further enhance the musical component of a composition.
This is uniquely fantastic from every angle. Musically, lyrically and visually, you have a great team in place.
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
v nice sound pictures and vocals. liked that change at 1.45 . it evokes for me somewhat pink floyd. i like the way the vocs come back into the song later. good arrange.
happiness 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.)
Excellent tune Dave. Kudos to you and your wife. An awesome song is born. Chris's vocal was perfect. Well done on the harmonies as well. Guitar was nasty. Marty's walking bassline laid down such a cool groove to the song. Video was excellent as well. Well done..
This is an exceptional production...the music is pristine in it's production quality...it is a beautiful, thoughtful and relevant lyric, well crafted...Christiane's vocal is captivating and so appropriate for the style, just beautiful...as usual Dave, you and Marty have seamlessly joined the players in BiaB to form a great band and as usual the video is so well suited to the song and adds to the powerful effect and message...so well done!
www.soundclick.com/firesong BiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10
You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
Chris done a great job on vocals and video. Dave, cool lead / Wah guitars. Marty perfect bass and BGV (maybe slightly louder). Neat harmonies. Clear mix, smooth listen. Well done! Thank you for sharing.
The angry wah & lead blend really well - particularly the angrier wah stabs. You've a team that seems to create excellent tunes as a matter of course. As fj wrote simple but not simplistic. Every one is in fine form and making music that make sense and a message that shames us all.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Great songwriting and performances by all... Excellent arrangement too. My only criticism would be; maybe too much Vocal & Lead Reverb... sounds a little too wet to me. Very cool Song/Production...
A good Rock write. Simple, not simplistic...and to the point. Nice soaring chorus!
Y'all's sound is well-honed. Like the band's been together forever.
Chris' vocals are excellent. Powerful.
Marty's bass, excellent (of course).
Dave's guitar - lyrical - as always.
Great drum sound! Excellent mix.
Has the sound of a Starship classic.
fj
Well, you will never get more than a simple lyric from me, my brain is not wired to come up with the clever stuff that guys like you and Marty seem to be able to do effortlessly
Thanks as always for the support, Floyd, it is appreciated!
Originally Posted By: justanoldmuso
v nice sound pictures and vocals. liked that change at 1.45 . it evokes for me somewhat pink floyd. i like the way the vocs come back into the song later. good arrange.
happiness om
I like that bit at 1:45 too. Thanks for the listen and comment, om!
Strong and sad message, world is broken, unfortunately, and there's only bigger guns in the horizon. Excellent guitar sounds. Enjoyable guitar and bass playing. Chris has strong passion in her voice once again, the backing vocals are also good. All instruments work nicely together.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
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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
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SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
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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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
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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!
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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.
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