After all your very generous comments on my first posting I'd like to offer up this new song for your deliberation.
I was tasked with writing a song for one of my artist friends about the pain of loss of a loved one ............not the most easiest of subjects to approach, however I said I'd have a go and came up with this.
PLEASE NOTE...I have utilised an AI vocal on this as its way out of my range but just right for the person who will be singing it.
All tracks BIAB 2025 mixed etc in Mixcraft Pro Studio 10.6
Title: Im Still Talking To Shadows V2 File:Im Still Talking To Shadows V2.SGU Key=G , Tempo 92, Length (m:s)=3:54 No intro. 86 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 86. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody Soloist track has 591 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0) Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes, Style is _PSHINIH.STY (Shining Pop w/ Held Guitar)
RealTracks in style: 1255:Bass, Electric, PopShiningA-B Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 1264:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopShiningA-B Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 2535:Guitar, Electric, HeldChords Gritty RealTracks in style: 1259:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopShiningRockA-B Ev 120 RealTracks in song: 2824:Pedal Steel, Soloist CountryEddy12-key Ev 085 RealTracks in song: 2824:Pedal Steel, Soloist CountryEddy12-key Ev 085 RealTracks in song: 2650:Guitar, Electric, Background DreamyPopBalladFillsBrent Ev 085 RealTracks in song: ~362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085 RealTracks in song: 2457:Strings, Rhythm CelticAir Ev 085 RealDrums in style:PraiseWorshipShine^01-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
LYRICS
(Verse 1) The house is quiet, dust motes dance in light, Where laughter echoed, now there's only night. Their little shoes sit neatly by the door, A silent story of what is no more. I see their drawings taped upon the wall, And hear their tiny voices in the hall. Each corner holds a memory so clear, A phantom touch, a whisper in my ear.
(Pre-Chorus) The world keeps spinning, seasons come and go, But in this heart, a constant undertow. I try to smile, to join the passing day, But something's missing, something slipped away.
(Chorus) I'm still talking to shadows, where you used to be, Reaching out in emptiness, that's all I ever see. The echoes of your laughter, a bittersweet refrain, Lost within the silence, a constant, aching pain.
(Verse 2) I watch their friends play hopscotch in the street, Their carefree joy, a melody so sweet. And wonder what their life would now have been, The dreams they held, the futures unseen. I try to answer questions that they pose, With careful words, the sorrow I enclose. But sometimes, silence is the only way, To hide the tears that threaten to betray.
(Pre-Chorus) The world keeps spinning, seasons come and go, But in this heart, a constant undertow. I try to smile, to join the passing day, But something's missing, something slipped away.
(Chorus) I'm still talking to shadows, where you used to be, Reaching out in emptiness, that's all I ever see. The echoes of your laughter, a bittersweet refrain, Lost within the silence, a constant, aching pain.
(Bridge) They say that time will heal, the wounds will start to mend, But how do you replace a love that has no end? I hold their hands and tell them of your grace, And see a flicker of your light upon their face.
(Chorus) I'm still talking to shadows, where you used to be, Reaching out in emptiness, that's all I ever see. The echoes of your laughter, a bittersweet refrain, Lost within the silence, a constant, aching pain.
(Outro) Talking to shadows, until the day I'm free, Talking to shadows,
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Very nice. Well mixed considering the high number of BIAB tracks you are using. Lyrics are very reflective. What AI vocalist are you using - the male Synth V vocalist that I have auditioned just don't sound as realistic for country as the one in your song?
That is a challenging task indeed to tactfully express loss. AI did a good job on this.
There's a lot I could say. Maybe Ill come back with more later, but for now, I will simply say this...... It's a challenge to have a lot of instruments in a mix and keep it sounding clean. This mix sounded "full" to me and in a few areas it seemed on the edge of distortion. It's more about what you don't have playing vs what you do when you want a clean mix.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add 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.
Really excellent song on all levels, lyrically, instrumentation and production. Whatever AI vocals you're using it's superb and way, way better than Synth V. Really enjoyed this song.
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.
Pete, think you nailed the task on this one. Nice write and super job on the synth vocals. Nice use of BiaB instruments, too. Suspect your friend will be quite pleased.
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One StudioCat DAW dual screen Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Wow, Pete, those lyrics create lumps in the throat and tears in the eyes. And you wrap it up in such a good song. Really dig the vocal. The mix is also quite pleasing. Hey, keep 'em coming, Pete.
Wow, Pete, those lyrics create lumps in the throat and tears in the eyes. And you wrap it up in such a good song. Really dig the vocal. The mix is also quite pleasing. Hey, keep 'em coming, Pete.
Thank you I'm so glad you liked it. It's hard to express emotions sometimes, but to read the comment you so kindly put above makes it worthwhile.
Best regards
Pete
I've just realised who you are!! So sorry Marty, hope this finds you well buddy!
Last edited by PeteMcN; 04/17/2508:33 AM.
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
I must admit the AI did a good job! It sounds very natural and well fitted for this kind of songs. I think Herb (Guitarhacker) uses the same AI??? The song is very well composed and played. Like that sound very much. I think the person you wrote the song for must have been very moved. I would...
I must admit the AI did a good job! It sounds very natural and well fitted for this kind of songs. I think Herb (Guitarhacker) uses the same AI??? The song is very well composed and played. Like that sound very much. I think the person you wrote the song for must have been very moved. I would...
Good work, Pete, Hans
Thank you, I'm glad you liked it.
Yes the chap I wrote it for was very happy, thankfully!!
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
I know very little about country music - however this is a very professional song and mix. I am totally amazed at the AI vocalist - he has timbre and character that I did not think possible with AI. Do you have to do a lot of editing to get the vocals this good?
Well done.
Best Regards Nigel
Nigel Spiers Christchurch, New Zealand info@nzacoustics.com
Excellent work on this one. Brilliant write, great hook, top notch production, topped of with a compelling, and great sounding AI vocal. Sad subject, but deftly tackled. Very impressive outing! Bravo!
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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
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Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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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