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Hi, all: Well, it’s been a while . . . I’ve been on a bit of break musically, and I haven’t visited the forum much these past number of weeks (though did get time to listen to a few here and there along the way). Nonetheless, I have a lot of catching up to do. I’d like to say that my musical hiatus was by design, but sadly it’s more attributable to lack of creativity and motivation. After quite the dry spell, I have written two new songs. Not so sure about one of them, but here’s the other. On the production side, a HUGE shout out to Rayc, who plays bass on this one. It’s the third song of mine that Ray has played on, and the songs are all the better for it. But on this one, Ray also provided me with some additional and killer guitar and string tracks that really added some teeth to the chorus, giving it the angry edge it desperately needed. I’ve done my best to do justice to his great contributions, but then mixing has never been my strong suit. And any shortcomings are solely on my shoulders. But it’s as far along as I think I can take it for now. As alway, I’m hoping your additional feedback and suggestions will help me bake this a bit more more. I hope you are all safe and well— Deej Here’s the song: I'LL KEEP HOLDING ON Here are the lyrics:Something new to something old Something once so warm That now has turned so bitter cold You just can’t disguise The love you’ve lost therein your eyes But I’m not letting go So twist the knife Watch me bleed Just say goodbye before you leave From tonight Until the break of every dawn I’ll keep holding on So pull the shade and walk away Shed your tears and tell them all you're so okay Try who you want you be Erase me from your memory But I won’t let you fade So twist the knife Watch me bleed Just say goodbye before you leave From tonight Until the break of every dawn I’ll keep holding on And here’s the band:Bass: Ray Cochrane RealTracks 1181: Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking PopWaltz RealTracks 1764: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Pop16ths RealTracks 1761: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths RealTracks 3554: Multi[Thickened=5] String Quartet, Rhythm PopHall RealTracks 2503: Piano, Acoustic, HeldChords 085 RealTracks 3268: Cello, Background CelticWaltz RealDrums: AltRockSlowSteady8ths^4 Rhythm Guitars: Ray Cochrane Additional Strings: Midi and a Mellotron VST (Ray Cochrane)
Last edited by Deej56; 05/08/24 08:51 PM.
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I don't know Deej: your mixing & treatment made my little doodles sound cool so I suspect you're pretty good at mixing - plus the sound is big without being OTT so I say GREAT work mate. Thank for that. Thanks for the chance to play on another of your songs.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Hi, Deej. Listening to you sing is always a pleasure, and this comes across big and dramatic: exactly as it should. I can't help you with the baking of this song - I was too busy enjoying it. 
-- 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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Deej,
It's great to hear you again. You have one of the greatest voices around. I don't know why you are not all over the radio, Spotify, etc.
Great song and an outstanding mix. Love the bass by Ray as well.
OUTSTANDING all around!
Bob
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Deej, awesome tune! Dark and magnificent. Great vocals and BGVs, and Ray's parts give everything a nice drive and lift. But that arrangement and mix is flat out amazing. Super, SUPER song. Welcome back!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Beautiful! Classic DJ!
Sounds really good to my ears. I love the sound, the mix, and the song, and especially, as always, those rock star vocals.
Great job man. And yes, great bass Ray.
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I love our vocals and the overall production is pretty good, although I can't really comment on the mix because I'm far away from my normal listening environment.
I also love what Ray brought to the table, you 2 make a pretty good team.
Good stuff!
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There's a great dynamic to this song. Excellent choice of Real Tracks. The arrangement and mix are ideal for the theme.
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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Wow! Great come back Deej! That is one cool song, and a great sound. You're right, Ray's additions were fantastic - I really loved that bass. I miss hearing your stuff, keep 'em coming.
Brad
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Deej, there ain't nothing wrong with your mixing skills. You did a killer job on this one.
Outstanding dynamics and instrumentation.
A very strong vocal with great lyrics
Ray did a fantastic job on his parts.
Loved it.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Deej...glad you're back contributing with your always outstanding compositions...this is a very cool production...I love the dark edge it emotes...Ray's added parts are so well done and mix in flawlessly...the panning of the vocals is a great touch adding to the mystery and ethereal nature of the melody...your vocals are stellar (as per usual)...really nice to hear you again and a really nice "way home" with this one!
www.soundclick.com/firesongBiaB 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.
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Deej, the unanimous high praise on here is well deserved, in my opinion. 1) your vocals: the envy of many a singer On top of having such a voice, you never give less than 100%, technically and emotionally. It's a joy to listen. 2) the musical writing: dark, smouldering. 3) the lyrics: as dark (seemingly, at first) as the music. A love song with a difference: when someone doesn't think it's the time to let go, just yet, even at great personal, emotional cost. Loved them. 4) the mix: nothing to worry about. The voice sits perfectly in the mix, communicating without being overpowering. Good vocal harmonies, too! A big shout out to Ray, too ... flawless, yet unobtrusive, bass playing ... and I like the guitars and strings, which I can hear in the background. A great supporting job! Deej: every time you post a song up, it's invariably of a top level of quality. I know what it's like; we are (most of us, at least) very stringent with ourselves, and always wish we could do better. But, here, I think you deserve praise. I think I speak for everyone who's heard your songs on here when I say that I think you add so much to this forum, and that we'd all be poorer without your contributions - so please, if you can, keep writing and sharing . Welcome back
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Dark lyrics to my taste, "erase me from your memory but I won't let you fade" - I can feel the desperate need to keep holding on in my guts .
I remember that bass on some of your songs has sounded bit vague, but definitely not here. Ray brings strongly balanced presence. Well, on this one the drums sound bit choking on my headphones, but the arrangement and the mix is very pleasant in the verses.
Great emotional vocals once again, I also like very much those oohs - classic hit feel.
Janne
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Ray, David, Bob, DC Ron, David S, BD, WoaBand, Brad, Mario, Dan, James, and Janne:
Thanks all for the listens and kind feedback. I've had little excuse for my absence really, but it's been great spending some time on the board and catching up on your respective efforts. My, what a talented bunch of artists we have on this board! What a terrific community!
Janne, regarding the Drums: I expected the drums would draw some comment, and to be honest I wasn't happy with them. But after too much time spent noodling, I decided to see what reaction I got before spending more. Anyway, I jumped back in and started from scratch on a new track, and took a different approach. For some reason, I couldn't get that tinniness out of the drums in the original track. A revised version of the song with the new track is posted. Still don't think it's entirely right, but that's where it is for now. Thanks much for the comment, as it inspired me to try for a better version.
My best to you all,
Deej
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Thank you to those who mentioned my bass part: it was easy to do as the progression and melody simply kicked me along.
Last edited by rayc; 05/12/24 07:10 PM.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Big rock ballad. What's not to love? Good mix and the arrangement varies enough to maintain interest and the BV's add nicely to the dark mood. And THAT VOCAL, wow. I would like the drums further back in the mix but no biggie,just personal preference.
Great song which I enjoyed.
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Hi Deej and Ray,
I'm glad you are back Deej. And with a wonderful song too. Great!
I like your voice a lot in this, almost epic song. Strong, but sensitive. Very nice.
And Ray, you did outstanding on that bass. I forgot you play that too. Love it!
I enjoyed everything in it. And that is a fact; This kind of music makes me melt...
Hans
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Missed ya, deej. Man, right from the first downbeat I said, "Wow, strong bass sound." Then I read it was Ray. Oh, yeah!! You know, Deej, with a voice as good as yours you don't need motivation. Very engaging. Love this one, and hope to hear the not-so-good one soon, too. This is a wonderful production, and I love all of the voices you've built in there. Dang, that bass --excellent choice, and you brought it out perfectly in the mix. Gave it all a couple spins, and it's one of those great songs that keeps getting better. I kinda like the dirge-like drumming.
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The intro is a success and the rest is very good too.
laurent
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Deej,
A strong write.
Excellent tracks/arrangement/production.
Super vocals.
Good mix.
Ray's bass sounds great.
Good stuff. Terrific listen.
fj
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 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.
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