It's late, here, so I'll keep this to a minimum ... just something I've literally finished now. Perhaps I'm jumping the gun in releasing it here, already (without sleeping on it, at least) ... but here it is, anyway ... see what you think? Thanks
EDIT: thanks to Hans's sharp ears and great feedback, I've decided to revise the song a little, removing the "Natural Arrangement" option off BIAB, and asking BIAB to play exactly the chords I have written. Hopefully, this makes the song a little clearer, more flowing and less choppy? Thanks for your patience!
****** Song Summary ************* Title: Dreaming of Angels - 22 September 2023 File:22 September 2023.SGU Key=D , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=4:11 No intro. 64 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 64. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is _PIANOLN.STY (Piano Lane Visceral Pop Ballad)
RealTracks in style: 1536:Bass, Electric, PopBelieve Ev16 065 RealTracks in style: 892:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopLiverpool Ev 065 (A-simple) RealTracks in style: 1543:Synth Pad, PopBelieve Ev16 065 RealTracks in style: 893:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopLiverpool Ev 065 (B-energetic) RealDrums in style:Visceral pop ballad [Multi]
Your song starts beautiful, with nce strings in the background. Each time I expected you to tell a story in the way that is so tippicalli for you, but no, nothing... As I said a very nice start of your instrumental, but... As always there is a 'but'... I think your transpositions are a bit much. They make the song restless or a bit too busy. Maybe one transposition at the time would be enough? But maybe I'm the only one here that say this, then don't bother.
Overall I like your song a lot. I think I only miss your voice...
Ah, know what you mean about sleeping on it. Often after awaking in the morning it doesn't sound as good as last night. I bet when you woke up this one sounded even better than your sleepy mind of "last night" realized. It has so much of the Delsono touch. Oh, judst like Hans, I miss your vocal track. Lust like when you speak your lyrics, I can hear the implied melody, on this one I hear your vocal --or at least how it would be in there.
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
Bob, Hans, Marty and David S: thanks so much for your very kind words!
Hans, you're absolutely spot on, I think, about the musical unclarity of the first version. On that version, I've used the "Natural Arrangement" BIAB setting, which messed around a little with my exact chords. So, I've tried a different version, now ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz-T8oYSxjY ) , which I hope makes the harmonic progressions a little clearer, hence the song a little less choppy? See what you think? If you still think it's not right, do let me know, if you have time - thanks!
I listened to your new version. It is a lot better, but what comes up in my mind is 'what do you want to tell me (the listener) or try to achieve? Every time I get used to a certain chordprogression and expect it to stay there or go one step above, you decide to'go two steps lower or something like that. and that is confusing me, the listener.
It is a good thing not to do what everyone expects you to, but don't do that all the time. The title "Dreaming of Angels" is a beautiful title, and I, the listener, wants to enjoy listening to them or dream about it.
All your sounds/instruments are well chosen, but it's that chord progression that you have to tame. At least, that is what I would do with a song with this title.
But James, that's my taste in music making. Maybe not yours. So please, go your own way (like the song from Fleetwood Mac...)
It's a pleasant arrangement, but it lacks melody, which means it's going to rely on the chord progression for direction.
And that's where I run into problems. You seem to throw in chords with no preparation that are unrelated to prior chords, and they don't seem to lead the progression, either.
I'm left scratching my head wondering what's happening. As the song goes on, these chords appear with even more frequency.
So, pretty song, but I can't follow where it's going.
The synths add to the dreamlike quality of the production.
Very serene!
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! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
Thank you ever so much for all of your kind and honest comments!
Hans: perhaps I put "too much ketchup" on this song, haha. I'll listen again, once it has settled in my mind, and see! Thanks, though - your comments do help, if only in getting a proper and honest audience perspective!
David C: I see all of your points, bar one, haha - which is this one: I don't feel that some chords are thrown together without preparation. I try, when I modulate, to keep one note in common, from the departing to the arriving chord. I believe they call those "pivot chords"? It's been a long time since I opened a music theory book but that's how I sometimes work. It may sound haphazard, yes ... that's another matter, haha. But I was hoping there was enough "method in my madness" to make things coherent. If not, that's entirely my fault, of course, as a songwriter I'll listen again - and thanks!!!
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
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