|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,051
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,051 |
Soundcloud: Love's a danger IntroWritten way back in April 2001, this song has sat dormant patiently awaiting my attention. Recently, after seeing videos from Henry Clarke and JackDogDude, I chose to use the song as a project in which the accompaniment, recording and mixing was completely done in Band-in-a-Box. (I normally export the BIAB backing into Cakewalk and record, replace, arrange and mix there.) The flute solo is a special highlight for me, generated Soloist. I haven't gone anywhere near a DAW for this song, or used any third party plugin or software.One could never have imagined adding a cowbell, shaker and tambourine (in addition to the drums in the style) could be so problematic. In the end, I created a drum map in StyleMaker with the cowbell, shaker and tambourine patterns, then exported the drum track as audio, then reverted to the chosen Style _GUAJIRA and imported the cowbell et al audio into utility track 4, having to timeshift it and apply volume automation to adjust levels in parts. I did try using a Loop for the cowbell, but the one I had available in BIAB was only crotchet beats, so not enough variation for what I wanted. Anywho, I am pretty happy with the outcome and learned a few new BIAB features along the way. However, I think I will go back to the BIAB and DAW combo next time. Band-in-a-Box infoKey=C , Tempo 120, Length (m:s)=2:56 Style is _GUAJIRA.STY (Guajira Trio) RealTracks in style: 1958:Bass, Baby, Guajira Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 1959:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Guajira Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 1960:Tres, Rhythm Guajira Ev 120 RealDrums in style:SalsaGuajira^1-a:BongoFills, b:Bells Flute:704:Flute, Soloist Bossa Ev 140 [Soloist] + BIAB reverb Utility track 1 - Main vocal recorded in BIAB - panned centre vol 94 and volume automation in Audio Edit window; added BIAB 5-band EQ, BIAB dynamics, BIAB reverb Utility track 2 - 2nd vocal recorded in BIAB - centre vol 42 and volume automation Utility track 3 - 3 vocal recorded in BIAB - centre vol 44 and volume automation Utility track 4 - Cowbell, shaker, tambourine - I created a new drum map style, exported as audio, then imported into this UT with some time-shifting to align correctly and volume automation. Utility track 5 - Backing vocal recorded in BIAB and audio edited Utility track 6 - Backing vocal recorded in BIAB and audio edited ******************* LyricsINTRO VERSE 1 Life has taught me it’s a risk – love’s a danger It’s a world where we go unprepared – love is strange I don’t quite know why everybody tries Lovers are at risk – I say that much is plain VERSE 2 Place your heart out on your sleeve – love’s a danger On your forehead place a sign that says “Do me in” Laughter turns to crying, lovers want to die Who deserves this danger, this heartache and this pain? BRIDGE Love is a game, we roll the dice, it’s hard to explain It’s such a stupid game and still I play againRoll... once more, and hope you have something to gain You roll once moreSOLO (flute) BRIDGE 2 Dance in the rain, to a lover’s wistful refrain It still keeps pouring I still keep listeningTake ... a vow, loving is worth it again I make my vowsVERSE 3 Life has taught me it’s a risk – love’s a danger It’s a world where we go unprepared – love is strange I don’t quite know why everybody tries Lovers are at risk – but it’s worth it just the same
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,228
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,228 |
Yeah, BIAB is a decent DAW for those who have learnt it and live within it but pulling thing into it always causes me grief.
It's a brilliant starting place though.
The song is pretty cool...I think your voice could be "warmed up" with some EQ and more reverb but it sits in the mix well.
WELL DONE
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,051
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,051 |
...I think your voice could be "warmed up" with some EQ and more reverb but it sits in the mix well.
WELL DONE Thank you Ray! When you say 'warmed up', were you thinking more mids, or something else? I was cautious with the reverb on the main vocal because I listened to it solo many times, and probably got scared off doing too much because of that, but I think the reverb that is on it has disappeared in the mix. Andrew D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,051
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,051 |
Youtube: Love's a danger For those that prefer a video, I have just uploaded it. Andrew D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,977
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,977 |
Yeah, don't ya love Henry Clarke? Cowbell and all poercussion can change any song or part thereof in a special visceral way. Yeah, I'm with ya on that flute solo, Andrew. I love the feel of this one. Well done. It's amazing what this program in the hands like yours can sound like stripped of all the plugins.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,536
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,536 |
Andrew, hey, this turned out GREAT for leftovers! LOVE your vocals and especially your BGVs. Really like the way the bossa theme plays under the vocals, too. That flute solo was inspired. All mixed and mastered perfectly.
I've tried your experiment half a dozen times but failed to complete the mission even once. Just too many simple things (like cowbells) that I know how to do effortlessly in a DAW but take (me) WAY too long in BiaB. So hats off to you!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,051
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,051 |
... Cowbell and all poercussion can change any song or part thereof in a special visceral way. Right from when I wrote the song back in 2001, I was struck by the effect of the cowbell - I can't remember which style I wrote in originally as I saved the style under a different name, but I think it was one of the original ZZBOSSA variants. Andrew D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,051
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,051 |
Andrew, hey, this turned out GREAT for leftovers! LOVE your vocals and especially your BGVs. Really like the way the bossa theme plays under the vocals, too. That flute solo was inspired. All mixed and mastered perfectly.
I've tried your experiment half a dozen times but failed to complete the mission even once. Just too many simple things (like cowbells) that I know how to do effortlessly in a DAW but take (me) WAY too long in BiaB. So hats off to you! Thanks Ron! I've got quite a few more in my back catalogue and spending my retirement years (in part) working through these, so one day, the grandkids will say "Granddad was a songwriter". Regarding the flute, the Soloist struck gold on that one - as soon as I heard it, I froze the track. I'm not sure if your IKEA ads in your domicile used to play an ad where a customer thunk they had a bargain and would yell out to their partner "Start the car! Start the car!" to make a quick getaway. That's what it felt like to me on hearing the Soloist flute ... "Freeze the track! Freeze the track!"  Regarding mixing, I have a go, so thanks for the feedback on that. Sometimes when mixing, I am susceptible to 'imposter syndrome' - feeling like I am fudging my way. Andrew D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369 |
Andrew, I really enjoyed this. I esp liked the overlapping in the bridge area—very creative sort of call and response—great idea! The unique soundscape of this immediately gets your attention, and I’m so glad to see an artist go out of the box like this. I wish I had your technical skill with UTs, blended style elements, etc…Very impressed! Great work!
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,051
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,051 |
Andrew, I really enjoyed this. … I wish I had your technical skill with UTs, blended style elements, etc… Thank you Tom for your generous words, but besides the songwriting, adding cowbell, shaker and tambourine, the rest came down to making use of an excellent Style that BIAB had available, and a wonderful Soloist. So great that I live in an era where this sort of tech can support me as a not-so-talented musician but with plenty of ideas I want to express. Andrew D
Last edited by Andrew Dee; 04/06/25 02:45 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,023
Posts799,049
Members40,012
| |
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