|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,736
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,736 |
Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
casio wk-7500
biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,481
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,481 |
Very interesting. The band I was in during that era almost got caught up in a very bad recording contract. Thankfully we turned it down.
Thanx for sharing.
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal".
Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,486
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,486 |
We were offered a bad contract, but while our manager was negotiating for better terms, Motown quit talking to us and picked their second choice.
Rod Argent seems to have had a nice career after the Zombies.
In rare moments, I wonder what would have happened if we signed. Would I have met the right people to stay in the record industry? Would we have been one hit wonders and then completely forgotten? And so on. Of course, there is no way to know.
On the other hand, for me, it turned out pretty well. I'm still making a living doing what I love to do. I met the future Mrs. Notes in a small, lounge band, and we are happy together. We formed a duo in 1985, and have been gigging since then. The only time we were out of work was during the COVID lockdown. Plus we are best buddies, and if we could spend 24/7/365 together, it wouldn't be enough.
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,779
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,779 |
That was interesting. I knew there were 2 fake Zombies touring and that the boys from ZZ Top were in one of them. That kinda filled in a few hazy spots.
The interesting thing is that they kinda make it sound like record companies were only screwing the musicians and writers back then..... Here comes Spotify to say, "Hold my beer, let me show you how it's really done"
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,986
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,986 |
Well, that was just terrible. Besides the horrible, sped up narration, many of the details are flat out wrong. One of the many fake Zombie bands hired had members who went to my high school and had a hit with their cover of "I Love You".
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,224
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,224 |
It's not very good, not very accurate and more than a bit annoying because of it.
I've been an huge The Zombies fan from just after they folded. Their O&O reunion concert DVD is fabulous - only one member was missing from it too.
I must admit I didn't buy their most recent album...afraid of disappointment really.
Theirs is a cautionary tale with a very late twist.
Not unlike Rodriguez, lots of people made a lot of money through them and not much of that made it to the band.
Then again, Searching for Sugarman was also "It's not very good, not very accurate and more than a bit annoying because of it." but even moreso as it deliberately peddled lies.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,486
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,486 |
That was interesting. I knew there were 2 fake Zombies touring and that the boys from ZZ Top were in one of them. That kinda filled in a few hazy spots.
The interesting thing is that they kinda make it sound like record companies were only screwing the musicians and writers back then..... Here comes Spotify to say, "Hold my beer, let me show you how it's really done" In the arts, the gatekeepers always screw at least 95% of the artists. It has always been thus. But then, Bezos, Music, and others are making a fortune while paying their employees less than a pittance. When I was working for Motown, there were four different Temptations, 4 Tops, and other groups touring the country at the same time. Smokey Robinson is quoted as saying, "If we ever have a Miracles reunion, we'd have to rent a football stadium." The first and second time we opened for "The Association" they were two different groups. Perhaps 1 or 2 of the members were the originals. I worked with a guy who toured as the lead singer of one of the touring "Platters", and no, he wasn't Tony Williams. He was a great singer, and made a modest but not extravagant life touring as "The Platters". The deal Motown offered us, was 2¢ per record/cut in royalties. Out of that 2¢ came exaggerated recording, distribution, and promotional fees. Plus, we would have to change our name to something Motown would own, and they would have the right to hire, fire, and tour with multiple groups. For any songs we would write, they would have all publishing rights, and assign a 'ghostwriter' who did nothing but collect half the songwriting royalties. While our manager was trying to get us a slightly better deal, they just quit talking to us, and quit hiring us. There were plenty of other groups willing to sign a bad contract. It's supply and demand. Their second choice took whatever bait Motown offered, changed their name, and had a couple of hit songs. I doubt they made any money from them, but I don't know that for sure. And that's why there are so many one-hit or one-CD wonders. They didn't make enough royalties to pay the exorbitant fees the labels were taking out of those royalties. Of course, there are the few who go viral and have smash hits, first time out. They can negotiate a better deal for their second release. These become Beatles, Billy Joels, Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklins, and so on. In the 'old days' the labels controlled everything. Especially after the big few bought up all the indie labels to reduce the competition, and they become a cartel. If you wanted exposure on the dominant listening platform at the time, the radio, you had to play the record company's game. Now, anyone can put their music on the Internet, but without the label 'gatekeepers', there are so many out there, you have to get very creative for people to find you. And the streaming services like Spotify don't want to even pay 2¢ per play. So I didn't quite make it, but I played with the heavyweight hitmakers of the industry, and as a 19-21 year old kid was treated as an equal by them (welcome to the club). I 'dated' more than my share of females in my life, and made a lot of money for a short time (and blew most of it). Plus, I played for huge audiences in venues, and that was thrilling. After that, I managed to make a living doing music and nothing but music for almost all the years that followed. I met my soulmate who is also a musician and now Mrs. Notes, and we are still gigging, making music together. I did try two different day jobs, while still playing on the weekends. I did this to see what being normal was. Neither one lasted that long, I went back to full-time music, because normal doesn't suit me. I live modestly, we don't own luxury items, but the mortgage is paid off, we have no debt, and we are happy. I don't do the blue Monday to TGIF routine, and when we are on the job, we are doing our second favorite thing.  Nobody owns me. Being a star isn't the only way to enjoy a life making music, and if I had a chance to do it all over again, I'd do it the same way. So although the labels ripped off the Zombies and so many other groups, if the musicians got a lifetime supporting themselves making music, and if they are happier doing that than a 9 to 5 gig, they are still successful. How many others of us here are full-time musicians? Do you regret your choice? I don't regret it at all. Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
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!
Order now!
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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,991
Posts798,720
Members40,006
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean