My New Years resolution... try to record at least 1 song per week.
This week... "Samba Da Fifi", by me, Steve Mohacey. This is the first song I ever wrote. It was written for my wife (then the elusive girl, who had no idea I felt the way I did), back in late 1985/early 1986. I didn't have the nerve to play it for her (what a mistake). 4 years later, we were married, living in Monterey, CA. I was with the US Army's 7th Infantry Division (Light) Band. One day, I dragged Karin up to the band hall, brought the song in, and had the jazz combo play it for her. One of the guys (thanks Ray) said, "You should call this "Samba Da Fifi"... and the name stuck.
Saxophone was recorded using a Sennheiser 441 with the "FETHEAD" to boost the gain.
Backing tracks via Band In A Box 2024 ultrapak for Mac.
Recorded in Logic Pro 11.
Selmer Reference 54 Tenor sax. Mouthpiece- Dave Guardala MB1 (handmade). Reeds- Boston Sax Shop Black Box 3.5 (BEST REEDS EVER!!)
Filmed on iPhone 15 Pro Max.
This video was edited using Final Cut Pro
Key of C Major. Tempo is 240 bpm.
Memo: This samba style features an acoustic trio of guitar, bass, and brushed drums with the addition of an electric piano playing held chords. -Examples: Samba Pa Ti, Insensatez, Genre "Intensity" Score=40/100 _TELE.STY. Tele Samba Quartet All RealTracks. Quartet. Tempo=235 (220-260) Instruments: Ac.Bass, El.Piano, NylonGuitar, Drums RD: SambaBrazilFastBrushAlex: a: SambaBrazilFastBrushAlexb: SambaBrazilFastBrushAlex :Alex Acuna RT717: Bass, Acoustic, Samba Ev 190 , Neil Swainson RT2495: Piano, Electric, HeldChords 120 , Miles Black RT3256: Guitar, Nylon, Rhythm SambaRamon Ev 240 , Ramon Stagnaro
Beautiful! Nice composition, great solo-ing, and smart use of the BIAB trio -- you don't really need anything fancy to make something like this come alive! Production is first-class. Completely enjoyed it.
PS--makes me think that on Valentines Day we should have had a "Here's what I wrote for my spouse/sweetheart" posting day!
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
Steve, cool composition and lively playing. The BiaB jazz trios like this one usually sound great, and the EP was a great add. Great job! Also love how tidy and music-focused your studio is. If only...
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One StudioCat DAW dual screen Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
It's a style I love very much, and I partly learned to love the saxophone with Stan Getz and then the great jazz saxophonists. When I was young, we only talked about electric guitar, but that was blinding ourselves, and over time, I learned to love all instruments when they're played by great artists. Thank you for championing your instrument and your beautiful music so well. Laurent
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.
Steve, Not only did you make a really good backing track and play your saxophone beautifully, you also recorded it very, very well. Sounds absolutely professional
Beautiful! Nice composition, great solo-ing, and smart use of the BIAB trio -- you don't really need anything fancy to make something like this come alive! Production is first-class. Completely enjoyed it.
PS--makes me think that on Valentines Day we should have had a "Here's what I wrote for my spouse/sweetheart" posting day!
Tano- thank you for the vote of confidence. I wanted to keep the recording close to what I'd usually have out on a live date. As far as the production goes, I'm feeling much more confident with Logic and Final Cut Pro. I usually record in the evenings, so lighting is from the overhead ceiling lamp. For this one, I did it in the late afternoon. I think I get better results with the overhead lighting.
Steve, cool composition and lively playing. The BiaB jazz trios like this one usually sound great, and the EP was a great add. Great job! Also love how tidy and music-focused your studio is. If only...
Thank you. The studio is to the far right of my loft. On the far left, I have a PC setup for everything else. I am trying to keep the studio space dedicated to ONLY music.
It's a style I love very much, and I partly learned to love the saxophone with Stan Getz and then the great jazz saxophonists. When I was young, we only talked about electric guitar, but that was blinding ourselves, and over time, I learned to love all instruments when they're played by great artists. Thank you for championing your instrument and your beautiful music so well. Laurent
Laurent- As a working saxophonist, it is expected that I play flute and clarinet as well. These are standard doubles for saxophonist.
I am also a middle school band director. I've learned to play oboe and bassoon as well (though not to the same level). I also play trumpet/French horn/trombone/euphonium/tuba/drums. My keyboard skills are pretty basic. I can teach beginner guitar and bass, but have found that it is best for me to get a specialist to work with my jazz band kids on these instruments.
Steve, Very cool tune. Excellent playing. Clear mix and listens very well. Thank you for sharing, Misha.
P.S. I discovered Fethead couple of months ago. Neat little gadget.
Misha- Thanks for listening. The Fethead made all the difference in the world. The Sennheiser 441 is an absolutely fabulous mic for recording and playing live. But my chief complaint has always been that I had to push the gain so much that it was noisy. Fehead to the rescue.
Steve, Not only did you make a really good backing track and play your saxophone beautifully, you also recorded it very, very well. Sounds absolutely professional
I'm still learning about Logic Pro 11. But I think I have figured out how to mic and record the tenor sax. I need to dial in the rest of the saxophones better. But that is a project for when the school year ends and I have some extra time on my hands.
Ah, somma say Sambas are for Summer, but I say they make me move in every season. Nah, just kidding about the somma says stuff. But, no doubt this is some outstanding music here, Steve. Your ability and craftsmanship on those reeds is something special. I really dig this one-take samba. SO glad you share these wonderful pieces here. Thank you.
Thanks for having a ReverbNation link to follow. This sounded great. Crystaline sound. Impressive.
BYOBand-
Thanks for visiting the ReverbNation site. I've been on that platform 2010. I've never tried to sell any music from the site. I mainly use it to publish my gig calendar (it used to have an app that would put up the play list and show calendar on my band facebook page... that no longer exisits). It still interfaces with my band facebook page, but only for publishing show dates and announcements. It also used to work with twitter... but that no longer works either (thanks "X").
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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