Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8
S
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
S
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8
Sound Cloud Link: https://soundcloud.com/topstan/the-music-box?si=3388ba37d7e34bc6b3b4343c3efda4ab&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

The Music Box
by Stan Young
All Commercial Rights Reserved

Listen to the music box
When it plays, you’ll hear it talk
It tells a tale... a winter walk
Through Christmas long ago

Wind it up and it will play
Memories from yesterday
A simple song for Christmas day
Is its gift to you

And you will hear the sound of Christmas
At every turn around
As the notes float out so softly
Like snow upon the ground. You just...

Wind it up and it will play
Memories from yesterday
A simple song for Christmas day
When you play the music box

{Instrumental}

And at the end of each December
We pack the box away
So next year we can remember
The love we share today. We’ll just...

Wind it up and it will play
Memories from yesterday
A simple song for Christmas day
When you play the music box

A simple song for Christmas day
When you play the music box
******************************

Merry Christmas 2022 to the BIAB developers and the greater BIAB community.
-- Stan Young

I wrote this song some years ago and found one of the styles included with BIAB 2022 to be particularly suited to it. It was finished in BIAB 2023, exported to Mixcraft 9 Pro. I removed the strings from the original arrangement because it is, after all, a “simple song”. My acoustic guitar and vocal were added along with some compression and reverb. Here are the BIAB specifics:

****** Song Summary *************
Title: The Music Box
File:Music Box.SGU
Key=A , Tempo 85, Length (m:s)=3:11
4 bar intro, 60 bar chorus, from bar 5 to bar 64. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
Soloist track has 327 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes,
Soloist is saved with the song : Pop 16ths. Crusaders (135)
Style is _AIRCELT.STY (Airy Celtic Strings)

RealTracks in style: ~2483:Bass, Acoustic, Bowed HeldSimple Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2870:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticAirDave Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1875:Mandolin, Soloist CountryAndy Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2457:Strings, Rhythm CelticAir Ev 085 (Removed in final mix)
RealDrums in Song:NashvilleBrushesEasyBluegrass: a: Sidestick, Brushes b: Brushes, Stick

*******************

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,031
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,031
Stan,

That's a very pretty write. It allowed my mind wander to very nice places. I think you've got a nice, rich sound in the music you chose. I think it may sound even a bit better with some background vocals, though if over done that may take away from that simple sound you're shooting for. In my mind I could hear several children's voices, or even a single childs' voice to some of the BGV's if that's possible. This is a very nice piece of music in my opinion.

Brad

User Showcase
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547
This is SO beautiful! Such a beautiful melody. That's what I personally look for, in a song ... stunning lyricism and melodies, if at all possible. The mandolin solo is stunning. Sincerest congratulations - great job.

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,593
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,593
Welcome aboard, Stan!

Pleasing song and arrangement. I like the melody. An excellent addition to the Christmas song canon.

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,787
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,787
Stan,

a nice Christmas song.
a really nice melody. a good write.
i like your vocal.
good band. well mixed.

welcome to the Showcase

fj

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,003
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,003
Nice melody and vocals. I would've liked to have heard an actual music box to begin or end the piece. But fine without it. Well done!


Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8
S
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
S
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8
Thanks Brad. I thought about BG vocals, but I wanted to get it out the door before Christmas. My 11-year-old granddaughter who is a future star is coming for Christmas, so maybe I'll give her a shot at it and it could be the 2023 version. The beauty of Christmas songs is that like a Music Box, you can pack them away after Christmas and bring them out next year and they are fresh again.

User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8
S
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
S
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8
Thanks to all for your comments. Glad you like the song. The mandolin player is of course Andy Leftwich. He's an A session player and hard to get. Somehow I was able to book him included in the price of a BIAB upgrade. Inserting the sound of a real music box is another good idea I already thought about, but finding the right samples and getting them into the mix would have prolonged the project. As the saying goes, sometimes "better" is the enemy of "good enough".

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,353
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,353
Stan...what a lovely, tender song...I love the instrumentation you chose and the mandolin solo was so nice...lyrically and melodically so well crafted...so glad you joined the forum and gave us this beautiful song for the season...keep them coming...Merry Christmas...Dan


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.
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,579
J
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
J
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,579
what a lovely xmas song.

lovely lyrics. and sentiments.

eg 'we pack the box away etc...'

have a great xmas.

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.)
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,258
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,258
Stan, welcome to the forum and post one heck of a great song.

Loved those lyrics.

You have a very good voice.

You picked the perfect instrumentation for this one.

A really super Christmas song.

Have a very Merry Christmas.


Checkout person "Did you find everything OK"?
Me "Why do you ask? Are you guys hiding stuff"?

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window

In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

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.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows 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. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • 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)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

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)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,702
Posts795,011
Members39,935
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Jwb2k, KJG, Peter_zzzz, johnmw, frenq
39,935 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 178
Noel96 116
DC Ron 97
rsdean 95
DrDan 91
dcuny 82
Today's Birthdays
Oxuhaj
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5