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Random Thoughts As Random Thoughts came into my head I decided to put them to music. Actually it is just me having fun and trying to learn how to arrange strings. BiaB Style = Pop Ballad at T=60 - Slow Ev.16 Tempo = 60 BPM I deleted the bass and drums. I also rewrote parts of the string track. Piano = EZKeys2 - Session Grand - Preset Jazz Lounge Guitar - Kontakt - Amadeus - preset - Harp Strings - Kontakt - The String Collection - preset - Minoi Strings Me - my Squire P-Bass My Harley Benton fake Gretsch Via my keyboard controller the following 1-Staccato Strings -Kontakt - Amadeus - preset - Full Strings - staccato option. 2-Keys - Syntronic - preset - Clavier 3-Keys - FilterBank 3 synth - preset - SYN Great As always all comments are welcomed.
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Much of my career revolved around solving probabilistic problems; as in probability and statistics using random variates; bell curves and the like. So when I saw "Random" in your post it caught my eye, a good thing because I really enjoyed this composition.
Peaceful and serene come to mind.
I'm not sure of the name of the musical device you used where the music briefly pauses or is diminished in volume. It has a "pulsing" but not quite percussive effect on my ears. I don't think it's a stop-time. In any event very enjoyable, especially when it takes on a foreboding feel but then returns to a "lily pond of serenity".
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2025 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Mario,
Nice simple, melodic guitar.
I really like the idea of the stops. There is something about them that seem "less than organic".
The change at 1:44 is Sweeeet.
A GREAT idea to be studying string arranging. Too few people ever go down that path (a worthwhile one).
I think it is "wrong" ("odd" might be a better word?) to mix strings to one side. They need to fill the spread. (opinion)
fj
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Nice thoughts indeed. The strings sound fine to our "uncultured ears."  Sounds like the learning is going well and great to hear it's fun. Enjoyed it! 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 are here on our website.
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Hi Mario,
Very interesting and beautiful thoughts you made. Very nice melody!
I was hesitating about the reverb on the piano, but when the song continued it felt ok.
it belongs in the song, or your thoughts.
I always have strings on one side, say at 45 to the left, but also on 65 on the right with less volume.
In my opinion that gives a full sound with an accent (to the left). I do so because in my view strings are always to one side, brass and piano to the other site (right).
But what your 'thoughts' did to me is thinking when you start singing again.
Hans
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Very enchanting Mario! I was hypnotized. I love your random thoughts.
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Nice relaxing sound, with a surprising prog rock part.
I personally don't like the string stops and that the strings are only on the left side.
I think they should be more spread (like in a classical orchestra).
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Mario,
This is beautiful and serene... The strings and mix sound great. I also love the sound of that Harley Benton.
Great stuff!
Bob
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Pretty sound - like floyd jane, I loved the change at 1:44. I'm not a huge fan of mushy, synthy strings when they're up front, but that's my personal preference, and I see no reason you should agree with me.  Have you looked at MuseScore? It comes with some very nice sample libraries, including strings. It's great... if you don't mind working with notation.
-- 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.
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Much of my career revolved around solving probabilistic problems; as in probability and statistics using random variates; bell curves and the like. So when I saw "Random" in your post it caught my eye, a good thing because I really enjoyed this composition.
Peaceful and serene come to mind.
I'm not sure of the name of the musical device you used where the music briefly pauses or is diminished in volume. It has a "pulsing" but not quite percussive effect on my ears. I don't think it's a stop-time. In any event very enjoyable, especially when it takes on a foreboding feel but then returns to a "lily pond of serenity". We have a lot in common Steve. I have used statistics in designed experiments. We used SAS as our base statistical program. Thanx so much for this very kind review.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Mario,
Nice simple, melodic guitar.
I really like the idea of the stops. There is something about them that seem "less than organic".
The change at 1:44 is Sweeeet.
A GREAT idea to be studying string arranging. Too few people ever go down that path (a worthwhile one).
I think it is "wrong" ("odd" might be a better word?) to mix strings to one side. They need to fill the spread. (opinion)
fj Thanx Floyd. I based the strings on a classical orchestra setting; that is strings on the left and cellos and double basses on the right. However there were no cellos or double basses in this one, thus your suggestion is spot on. Thanx for bringing that to my attention.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Nice thoughts indeed. The strings sound fine to our "uncultured ears." Sounds like the learning is going well and great to hear it's fun. Enjoyed it! J&B Thanx so much. As I am an oldie but a goodie my learning skills sometimes falls asleep! Sometimes it take a while for me to learn new stuff, but this old dog is still trying to learn!
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
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You random thoughts are so musically coherent, Mario. Quite an interesting mix, too. I like the melodies you make --so appropriate and so complimentary to the whole. At one point I thought there was something wrong with my headphones because I only heard the strings on the left. Then I realized it was your choice. Lovely tune.
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Hi Mario,
Very interesting and beautiful thoughts you made. Very nice melody!
I was hesitating about the reverb on the piano, but when the song continued it felt ok.
it belongs in the song, or your thoughts.
I always have strings on one side, say at 45 to the left, but also on 65 on the right with less volume.
In my opinion that gives a full sound with an accent (to the left). I do so because in my view strings are always to one side, brass and piano to the other site (right).
But what your 'thoughts' did to me is thinking when you start singing again.
Hans Thanx Hans. Great idea about the strings, I'll have to try that. Me sing? The last time I sang it was so bad that programmers came up with synth voices to replace me!
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Very enchanting Mario! I was hypnotized. I love your random thoughts. Thanx so much David. I hypnotized you and sent a subliminal message of "send me money". I am anxiously awaiting that check you sent 
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Nice relaxing sound, with a surprising prog rock part.
I personally don't like the string stops and that the strings are only on the left side.
I think they should be more spread (like in a classical orchestra). Thanx for listening and commenting on my thoughts. I based the strings on a classical orchestra setting; that is strings on the left and cellos and double basses on the right. As I am learning string composition I am using a full orchestra setting. When I get a little more accomplished I will separate the 1st and 2nd violins, violas, cellos, and basses.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Mario,
This is beautiful and serene... The strings and mix sound great. I also love the sound of that Harley Benton.
Great stuff!
Bob , Thanx so much Bob.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Pretty sound - like floyd jane, I loved the change at 1:44. I'm not a huge fan of mushy, synthy strings when they're up front, but that's my personal preference, and I see no reason you should agree with me. Have you looked at MuseScore? It comes with some very nice sample libraries, including strings. It's great... if you don't mind working with notation. Thanx David. Yes, I have MuseScore and I don't mind working with notation. I haven't looked at MuseScore in a while but I will look at it now. Thanx for bringing that to my attention.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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We have a lot in common Steve. I have used statistics in designed experiments. We used SAS as our base statistical program.
Thanx so much for this very kind review. SAS? That is a giant in the stat world for sure. And yep, I too applied designed experiments as a Six Sigma Black Belt; good stuff. I never used SAS but I was very familiar with Minitab and I did a lot with Excel. But my most valuable workplace "weapon" was Mathematica. "Non-Technocrats" will never understand how someone can have a favorite all-time distribution. But mine is the Hyper-Geometric; look it up if you never used it. It has origins going back to the 1600s; absolutely brilliant and powerful math. Just a few of my many "random thoughts" PS> I'm not sure if music and statistics are related, but music and math sure is.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2025 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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I love the vibe of this, but as soon as it started I thought of Francis Lai - you must have been influenced by his work (he's my 2nd favourite soundtrack guy after Morricone) - and even a few notes reminded me of the beautiful "Bilitis" theme. I wish I could produce something with that kind of a vibe, but due to where I live - a tiny retirement flat with too close neighbours - I can't even play my guitars, never mind sing, without getting complaints, thus BiaB has been my creative saviour as I can compose, sample, arrange and mix with headphones on.
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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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.
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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!
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