|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,549
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,549 |
Hi everyone, I'm back (no, don't all run away at once! haha!). Having a bit of a crazy start to the year, not much time to write, but there we are. Hope everyone is ok? Seems like you've all been so productive ... wow :-) Anyway, I wrote this one, towards the beginning of the month, and sent it to Deej56, one of my heroes in music ... wondering, very humbly, if he had any suggestions on how to improve it. He replied within a couple of hours, at most, with three very clear and helpful suggestions on what he thought could be done to improve things. No need to say it, but he was obviously extremely kind and he made it clear that those were only his suggestions. Having gotten his suggestions, I went away, reflected on them for a good while ... and then promptly decided to discard two of the three, altogether. Poor Deej, after all that kind work. In mitigation, I did write back to him, told him what I did and why I did it. This was a few days ago. I haven't heard from him yet, but that's fine, of course - we're all at the mercy of life and what it throws at us. I did say that there was no need for a reply, if life got in the way, and that I would post the song on here, in its latest version, if I didn't hear from him, so ... I guess the impatience to hear what you think (so that I may then decide what to keep and what not to keep, I guess, lol ...) has finally gotten the better of me ... argh ... The one suggestion of his that I did keep was to try to make the voice less boomy-sounding. I don't know if I've succeeded, but I did try :-) See what you think? Thanks!!! What Do You Do? What do you do When you've got no more tears, What do you do? What do you do When they're so true, your fears, What do you do? You sit and write a song, Tell everyone what's wrong, Someone may listen ... You sit and write a song, Someone may hear what's wrong In the distance. When melodies won't chime And lyrics will not rhyme Any longer ... Just tell her how you feel, Make all else disappear, You'll be stronger. When everything is lost And you feel like a ghost, Just not the same ... Don't let yourself despair Sing loud, and, if she dares, It'll be fine, Don't let yourself be scared, Sing loud, and if she cares, She will be thine ... in time. What do you do, When you've got no more tears, What do you do? What do you do? When there've been so many years, What do you do? You sit and write a song, Tell everyone what's wrong, And hope she'll listen ... You sit and write a song, And hope she'll hear what's wrong, In the distance. You sit and write a song, And hope she'll hear what's wrong, In the distance ... In the distance. ****** Song Summary ************* Title: What Do You Do - 7 January 2023 File:What Do You Do - 7 January 2023.SGU Key=A , Tempo 75, Length (m:s)=3:24 2 bar intro, 58 bar chorus, from bar 3 to bar 60. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is _ISSUES.STY (Issues Songwriter 16th Strumming) RealTracks in style: 1759:Bass, Electric, Pop16ths Ev 085 RealTracks in style: 2917:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryFolk8thsMike Ev 085 RealTracks in style: 3912:Guitar, Nylon, Rhythm SongwriterAggressiveDADGAD Ev16 085 RealTracks in style: 1761:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths Ev16 085 RealDrums in style:Americana Drums and Shaker [Multi] *******************
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,199
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,199 |
James,
Excellent lyrics, progression and implied melody.
From my perspective I'd get out the audio scissors and removed got from
"What do you do
When you've got no more tears,
What do you do?"
I'd also lop the slight "k" from the end of "song" as well as "wrong".
I suggest those things because your vocals are clear, solid and concise enough for the "k" to be all that needs work.
The "got" is a matter of taste but for me it's redundant in the line and the line looks more like I hear you without it.
Top stuff.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,660
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,660 |
Hi James,
You made a very nice song with sensitive lyrics.
I think you have improved the recording of your vocals. They are much brighter.
And I also think Ray is right. Especially that last part of his post starting with the 'k'.
Nice song,
Hans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,800
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,800 |
James,
An interesting write.
I'm still hearing a slight boominess in the vocal.
fj
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,411
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,411 |
It sounds crystal clear on my iPad speakers.
It sounds like you are over emphasising the “g” at the end of words like “song” and “wrong”.
Well done James.
Vic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,900
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,900 |
Well done, James. Excellent choice passing it by Deej --one of MY favorites, too. One thing that always grabs my attention in your compositions is the chord changes --melodic, and so much different that the usual progressions, yet so engaging and easy-flowing. Not sure if it is just the power of suggestion, but your vocal DOES sound less boomy, more energetic. GOod write.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,218
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,218 |
Cool tune James. Excellent lyric. Well done
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,143
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,143 |
Hi, James. A good write, nice backing. But as the Song Summary section says: ****** Song Summary ************* Title: What Do You Do - 7 January 2023 File:What Do You Do - 7 January 2023.SGU Key=A , Tempo 75, Length (m:s)=3:24 2 bar intro, 58 bar chorus, from bar 3 to bar 60. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is _ISSUES.STY (Issues Songwriter 16th Strumming) Sorry, I couldn't resist...  I'll go stand in the corner now... Thanks for posting! 
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,829
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,829 |
I also think you are improving (not only in recording your vocals), I like your song and especially the lyrics, James.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,060
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,060 |
James,
I think this is much improved from the first version you had sent me . . . though you have some good additional feedback on the vocal here, which still needs some tweaking so that it sits a bit better in the music bed. On those slight “k” or hard “g” sounds, I think you can just kill the volume on those—much as one does when de-essing a vocal manually.
As for my other suggestions . . . that’s all they were, for you to use or lose. As you know, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to music . . . so always go with your gut and your own artistic vision.
Lastly, apologies for my non-responsiveness to your second email—just got sidetracked and then it got a little lost . . . though you should know by now I can be somewhat inconsistent in my response times. I should strive to be better, I know, LOL!
All my best to you,
Deej
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,549
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,549 |
Ray, Hans, floyd, Vic, Marty, Scott, David Cuny, B. D. Thomas and Deej:
THANK YOU. You cannot imagine how grateful I am for each and every one of your comments. I'm sorry I don't respond to each, separately, right now ... for the next week or so, my schedule is beyond insane. But ... just wanted to pop in and say thanks, from my heart.
Yes, there's still a little boominess, I agree - and those pesky consonants need slicing off, haha. I will have a go at that after the 8th of February, when things will calm down a little, I hope :-) Thanks for helping me along with the song!
Deej, you're way too kind. We're all at the mercy of life, like I said above! so don't worry - we write and reply in our own time. It's the best way to be, right? :-)
THANKS AGAIN, every single one of you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,975
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,975 |
Nice collab ... well a collab of sorts?  We think your choice of style for this song suits the lyric very well. The forlorn, and yet hopeful feeling is achieved. You’ve developed your own genre of blues, Sir. Well done, J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443 |
This is really cool.
You kind of have your own genre, sort of a spoken word to music thing.
But it is very artistic and sets you apart.
I like it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647 |
James
Nice chord progression and lyric. A good evocative sound.
Well done.
Peter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,549
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,549 |
Janice and Bud: that comment about "my own genre of blues" made me grin from ear to ear :-) Thanks for being kind :-)
David Snyder: you may not know this, but I immensely appreciate your comments, as I think you're an incredible artist, so, when you say you like something of mine, it's something that makes me very happy. Thanks!
Peter: thank you so much, I'm really happy you took the time to listen and found such kind comments to give.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,302
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,302 |
James, this is one if not your best to date.
Fantastic chord progression.
I agree with those k and g comments but IMHO they weren't offensive enough to ruin the song.
You are the supreme spoken word set to music champion of these forums.
Great work.
I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335 |
Like Ray said there is an implied melody there so it has more emphasis than just a spoken word. I liked the lyrics and the backing track is good. I enjoyed listening,Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,549
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,549 |
Mario and Tom: thank you so much, for the kind words as well as for taking the time to listen and comment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,776
Posts796,040
Members39,958
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean