A Work In Progress. Another psychish/proggyish meander I'm afraid. BIAB Elements ORGAN 2692 PIANO 811 DRUMS Alt Rock Slow Steady 8ths45 (stems) as well as some cut n paste for the change section. Lead Guitar 1 3438 Lead Guitar 2 1835 Lead Guitar 3 2248
I did rhythm & appegiated guitars, bass, lap steel, eBow drones, synthy sounding guitar washes etc.. Tracked & mixed in Reaper. No mastering - just some compression & limiting on the master bus. NEEDS a real singer obviously. CAROLPSYCH W.I.P.
Last edited by rayc; 06/21/2409:19 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Weird stuff of nightmares--I like it a LOT! Cool intro, and the guitars sound great throughout. I LIKE the subdued vocals and where they are placed in the mix. Like somebody trying to croon their way out of the song. (Hmmm. That sounds like I think it's bad, but I didn't mean it as bad.) Anyway, think you're on to something uniquely cool again. BTW, did a reverse Google search of your graphic and ended up with a bunch of stuff I can't unsee. Ha! That's CRA-ZY...
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Weird stuff of nightmares--I like it a LOT! Cool intro, and the guitars sound great throughout. I LIKE the subdued vocals and where they are placed in the mix. Like somebody trying to croon their way out of the song. (Hmmm. That sounds like I think it's bad, but I didn't mean it as bad.) Anyway, think you're on to something uniquely cool again. BTW, did a reverse Google search of your graphic and ended up with a bunch of stuff I can't unsee. Ha! That's CRA-ZY...
Thanks DC. The graphic is a combo of two images I designed in the 80s. The blue critter with drum sticks is a pun on the band name Pygmy Beat and the one on the right is for the band I was in during the mid 80s - Naked Igwanaz...(deliberate mis-spelling) - of a Lizard man and woman. II bunged them together because it encapsulated 80s bands I was in.. though it doesn't include the Teutonics or The Talented Few but they weren't as significant I suppose as i didn't do any design work for TTF and the work I did for The Teutonics is, stylistically, very different:
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I had a chance to listen to this one driving the other day. It kept me out of the passing lane, enjoying the sound of the ride. This is a wonderful and strangely relaxing song, Ray. Very cool backing band, especially that bassist who plays EVERYTHING well. You know I always prefer your vocals. No one can deliver the lyrics you write and the melody your create for them as compelling as you. Piano 811 seems to know the song they way you want it. All so good, Ray.
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
I had a chance to listen to this one driving the other day. It kept me out of the passing lane, enjoying the sound of the ride. This is a wonderful and strangely relaxing song, Ray. Very cool backing band, especially that bassist who plays EVERYTHING well. You know I always prefer your vocals. No one can deliver the lyrics you write and the melody your create for them as compelling as you. Piano 811 seems to know the song they way you want it. All so good, Ray.
Ah, Marty, you're always exactly what the shattered ego needs. I made all the necessary steps in production to excuse this vocal draft: no name dynamic mic, sitting in a chair at the desk, hand held, messy double tracking etc. I've asked my original Pygmy Beat partner to have a go at this one as Terry has the sort of theatrics free, close miced, round tones it needs. I've been using an outboard compressor/limiter for bass on the last couple of tracks. It certainly makes a difference. I've had it for decades but couldn't get my head around it, ( an Alesis Micro Limiter), but now I can see & hear what it does so it may get a regular run. I've also stopped using my BDI21 as I've been addicted to it for FAR too long.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Nice performances by you and the Wrecking Crew. Did you DI those solo guitars for that sound of continuity?
We tried to understand the technical response you gave to Marty but it quickly went over our heads.
Looking forward to further editions.
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
Understated mystery with a touch of mystique. That's a very cool sound! You have some of the most original and interesting (interesting in the best of ways) sunds on the forum. I never know what to expect when click onto a new one from you, but I always know it's gonna be a good listen.
The opening laid the groundwork for the rest of the song and transitioned nicely into it.
Meander away! I love the total sound--all the musical elements. You buried the vocal, didn't you? Buried into a whisper beneath my consciousness. I looking forward to the next iteration.
Prog is always good, and I enjoyed every second of it. The best part (you're probably surprised by this statement) are your vocals, your voice is _perfect_ for this kind of music. Keep them! The weakest part are the drums, they could sometimes have a bit more variation and generally sound a bit thin. Nothing that cannot be easily fixed.
This a really interesting soundscape - almost early Pink Floydish in vibe - though I would have mixed the tracks very differently. But really good to have something like this posted.
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.
[quote=WaoBand] though I would have mixed the tracks very differently. /quote] Being that this is a Work In Progress now is the time to elucidate. I'm interested in how & why as it may help me.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Ray...very cool intro...an ethereal soundscape and wash of instruments...interesting and mystic...love your guitar work and the piano cuts through beautifully...I enjoyed the complexity of your work here...a lot going on and sown together very well...I enjoyed the ride!
www.soundclick.com/firesong BiaB 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.
Well if this is a work in progress, you're making great progress. I could tell it didn't have your usual polish in the mastering, but the sound and the way you put it all together is really good. I particularily like the guitar leads and the way the piano cuts through. The intro was great and left me expecting a competely different vocal. It left me with a very nice surprise. The vocal is so laid back it was difficult for me to understand, but I really liked the soothing sound. I'm looking forward to the end product, this is good stuff.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean