New year, new song. This is an upbeat instrumental that I've put together over the last three days, mainly using Realtracks from the Tee style in BIAB 2024. I also added some Oohs & Aahs from the Jibber.and Lightly styles, and the electric guitar is from the Tootle style. The Classical Spanish guitar is performed by me, as is the Rhodes piano which is played on a Roland RD-600 stage piano. I also added a recording of a thunderclap and rain effects for the closing sequence, which is fairly typical in summer for the UK.
It's not quite the finished article yet as there are still a few tweaks to make here and there. Any helpful suggestions for improvements would be much appreciated. Is the reverb on the guitar and Rhodes okay? Are the instruments balanced correctly? Should I change or add anything? I'm hoping to release the song on the last Friday of March if everything goes as planned.
Andy, really enjoyed this tune! Nice arrangement and mix. Very tasteful guitar work, and I like the heavier reverb on your runs. Maybe a LITTLE less reverb on the Rhodes, but works as is. Might want to turn up the thunderclap a bit, that's a cool touch. Good luck with your release!
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Hi, Andy. I really like this song. Top notch recording of your guitar. Very articulate. One subtle reaction I had, though, was I found the backing percussion a bit tiring after a time. It could use a little more variation. I feel like this song could also use some variation in volume of the backing instruments. For example, reducing the percussion volume a bit when you bring in the oohs and aahs. Consider this song by guitarist Juan Areco. I spent many, many nights in '97-'98 listening to his solo shows, early during dinner in the fine dining restaurant and then later in the evening outside among the Bougainvilleas while spending 2 weeks/month for a year at the Biltmore Resort in Coral Gables, Florida on a consulting assignment. I love the way the different instruments move in and out of the primary focus. I still have the 3 CDs he autographed for me, even spelling my name the Paraguayan way (Jhon).
Last edited by TheMaartian; 03/08/2404:22 AM.
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2026 Ultra Studio Pro 8; Tonalic Studio 1; Reaper v7; Bitwig Studio 6; Melodyne Studio 5 Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
It's very well done and played. I might have put the solo instruments a little more forward (especially the piano). It's a detail and bravo for the Spanish guitar. Laurent
Nice guitar work and overall sound. I agree with the variation of volume in some of the instruments at times. There was a lot of reverb in there, but I thought it sounded good. Also a more booming thunder clap may work well as suggested. This is a good cut.
Thanks so much for lending an ear and particularly for the useful advice guys. I'm very grateful for the helpful responses and I will of course post an updated version of the song when I have applied the suggested improvements to the mix.
That is a very good version of the Chick Corea classic 'La Fiesta', Maartian. The guitar has been my main instrument for the last 55 years and in that time I have listened to, and been influenced by many of the guitar greats in all genres. However, I must admit that Juan Areco had slipped under my radar until now, but he is clearly an excellent guitarist and performer. It must have been a great pleasure to be there at his solo shows.
This is a good tune and a catchy backing rhythm too. Also the guitar is very well played.
It is definitely worthy of some further development - a few suggestions:
1. Maybe a chorus or middle 8 - I may have missed these. 2. Changing the lead to another acoustic instrument (e.g. Piano or Sax) to give it a bit more light and shade. 3. What about dropping out most of the backing instruments and just playing the guitar in the middle of the song. 4. How about a couple of stops to make everybody sit up and take notice.
I would love to hear a remix.
Best Regards Nigel
Nigel Spiers Christchurch, New Zealand info@nzacoustics.com
It's a nice, calm intro that soon explodes into a catchy and solid beat. I really like your track selections - everything falls nicely into place. Well done!
... That is a very good version of the Chick Corea classic 'La Fiesta', Maartian. The guitar has been my main instrument for the last 55 years and in that time I have listened to, and been influenced by many of the guitar greats in all genres. However, I must admit that Juan Areco had slipped under my radar until now, but he is clearly an excellent guitarist and performer. It must have been a great pleasure to be there at his solo shows.
I was hoping that you would find him to be a good listen. His solo shows were amazing. Not just his playing, but the breadth of styles he has mastered. I never once felt bored listening to him. And I'm a bassist!
This sure looks like it was recorded at the Biltmore.
Last edited by TheMaartian; 03/09/2402:31 AM.
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2026 Ultra Studio Pro 8; Tonalic Studio 1; Reaper v7; Bitwig Studio 6; Melodyne Studio 5 Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
I agree about the volume changes that have been presented. I also agree about the amount of reverb at times. Your guitar sounds great; super chops. Fantastic ending! But even if you don't change a thing this still is a great song.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
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Your guitar work is awesome. I enjoyed it immensely. I like the change at 2:27. It's smooth and works well with the rest of the piece. Others have commented on some production issues, so I won't repeat what they said.
Man, I love your paying, Andy. Good write and terrific execution --which means you killed it. Ha. Really enjoyable melody and variations. The ooze and oz was a nice touch. Cool bass feel adds the perfect complement.
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
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
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And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
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Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
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