BIAB covers the drums, lead guitar & gospel vox. Marty & Misha provided great ears, mix and structure advice. Misha also ran the piano midi through a far better set of VIs. Thanks fellows.
Mastered by Fran as usual.
BIAB stuff: 65bpm Vox. 3530 bgv Gospel Cool High Lead Gtr. 3438 BritPsychPopBallad RDrums. RockNorthern^4 OTHER STUFF: Piano - Kontak Grandeur & Noir Felt- provided by Misha Cello & Stings - Redtron Midi Bass DI (used Melodyne to create a slide in one spot), vocals AT2020 & guitars, (through a Yamaha FX900), are my fault.
Last edited by rayc; 09/06/2501:04 AM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Did you serve your apprenticeship with Pink Floyd, Ray? Very reminiscent of PF. Very topical and worthy subject matter, and done in a thought provoking way without stepping on anyone’s feelings. I have an upcoming song that, in part, is topical but I’ve dumbed it down a bit as I know the topic polarises people, especially in the US. But you’ve produced a song that has mood and reflects the subject appropriately. Loved the solo guitar, works really well. Great job.
One of your best vocals. The mix & production here is also outstanding - so many textures, layers and overall just a beautifully executed piece of music.
I'm almost speechless...but that I want to let you know how incredible that listen (and video) was. You made great use of forum resources (and Marty & Misha made excellent contributions). The phrases you chose to reiterate, well selected. I wonder if you've ever heard Nordic Giants? They use speeches from Martin Luther King Jr and other wise folks like Alan Watts in their songs. It's a great way to get people thinking. Applause all around.
Well done Ray. Very thought provoking, and a piece that almost couldn’t exist without the video. Some of the chord moves created an empty desolate feeling to my ear, and well illustrated the message. That solo guitar sounded like it was weeping at one point. The sparseness of the vocals allows the music and video time to speak. Why have we not learned? Andrew
As a Pink Floyd fan, this is right up my alley: great lyrics and vocals (your best yet), a dark mood, and even darker images. Great work by everyone involved.
BTW, Native Instruments' Noir Felt Piano is my go-to for dark and atmospheric songs - gone are the days of spending endless hours trying to create that specific sound with a "normal" piano.
Yeah, Beth said it... SPEECHLESS. Ray, you know I've heard this beauty as it blossomed (and thanks so much for that), but WOW what a final result. Fantastic, my friend. Yes, I appreciated the drastic difference after Misha got involved with that piano. Pink Floyd comparisons aside, this song stands alone in a incomparable niche that requires worldwide views. Excellent job on the video, too. Dang powerful stuff.
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
Very reminiscent of Pink Floyd (as I've just seen others have said); great song theme, plus it's good to hear someone doing a song that's longer than any of mine! My only criticism is as before: I want to be able to hear what's being sung, particularly as the lyrics I could hear are really excellent. Great video, too.
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.
Ray, epic. Ambitiously visioned, exquisitely executed. Such a cool vibe, and sustained (what sounds like) effortlessly across a long form. Nice outro wraps it all up neatly indeed. All this and a message. Hats off, sir.
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Did you serve your apprenticeship with Pink Floyd, Ray? Very reminiscent of PF. Very topical and worthy subject matter, and done in a thought provoking way without stepping on anyone’s feelings. I have an upcoming song that, in part, is topical but I’ve dumbed it down a bit as I know the topic polarises people, especially in the US. But you’ve produced a song that has mood and reflects the subject appropriately. Loved the solo guitar, works really well. Great job.
Kind regards
Thanks Wobbs, I quite like the non twee stuff on their 1st album, Meddle & DSOTM but not too much beyond that. Mind you I'm very old so have had osmosis tweak my DNA. Yes, I'm perfectly capable of loud, splenetic exhortations but know that with these matters at hand winning over is better than bludgeoning so I've opted for the soft gloved hand.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Ray, Excellent song... One of your best vocals. The mix & production here is also outstanding - so many textures, layers and overall just a beautifully executed piece of music. Bob
Ta Bob, I took a presented opportunity & "sang" a little louder - makes all the difference. I had written full verses but it was all polemic and bad poetry so I opted to save the one line that worked and steal the voice of others.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I'm almost speechless...but that I want to let you know how incredible that listen (and video) was. You made great use of forum resources (and Marty & Misha made excellent contributions). The phrases you chose to reiterate, well selected. I wonder if you've ever heard Nordic Giants? They use speeches from Martin Luther King Jr and other wise folks like Alan Watts in their songs. It's a great way to get people thinking. Applause all around.
BYOB, PHANQUE VEYYY MUSH I'll look into Nordic Giants - thank you - I LOVE finding "new" music. Marty & Misha are past & future collaborators so I was comfortable asking their advise and accepting their help.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Well done Ray. Very thought provoking, and a piece that almost couldn’t exist without the video. Some of the chord moves created an empty desolate feeling to my ear, and well illustrated the message. That solo guitar sounded like it was weeping at one point. The sparseness of the vocals allows the music and video time to speak. Why have we not learned? Andrew
Ta Drew, the piece did exist without the video ... luckily I located video clips that matched well and decided to fill in the gaps/make the case more fully with them. I finally had a chance to listen, uninterrupted to the mastered audio and it hangs together just enough to make me pleased I finished it.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
As a Pink Floyd fan, this is right up my alley: great lyrics and vocals (your best yet), a dark mood, and even darker images. Great work by everyone involved. BTW, Native Instruments' Noir Felt Piano is my go-to for dark and atmospheric songs - gone are the days of spending endless hours trying to create that specific sound with a "normal" piano.
Thanks B.D., It started life as me trying to get a better grip on piano roll midi writing then unpleasant reality took over.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Yeah, Beth said it... SPEECHLESS. Ray, you know I've heard this beauty as it blossomed (and thanks so much for that), but WOW what a final result. Fantastic, my friend. Yes, I appreciated the drastic difference after Misha got involved with that piano. Pink Floyd comparisons aside, this song stands alone in a incomparable niche that requires worldwide views. Excellent job on the video, too. Dang powerful stuff.
THANK YOU Marty, M & M made this song happen both with advice and encouragement.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Very reminiscent of Pink Floyd (as I've just seen others have said); great song theme, plus it's good to hear someone doing a song that's longer than any of mine! My only criticism is as before: I want to be able to hear what's being sung, particularly as the lyrics I could hear are really excellent. Great video, too.
Thanks Wao, Length is always an issue for me - I don't end a song until the story's told so, sometimes, it can become a marathon. There aren't many words in this song - just the choruses and one line per verse. In terms of level this is the loudest I've placed my voice i a mix - uncomfortably so but M & M made it happen. This is the 2nd of my tunes where you've expressed concern over the vocal level. BOTH are louder than usual. I'm beginning to wonder about perception.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Ray, epic. Ambitiously visioned, exquisitely executed. Such a cool vibe, and sustained (what sounds like) effortlessly across a long form. Nice outro wraps it all up neatly indeed. All this and a message. Hats off, sir.
Long form indeed... I'm pleased you like the outro - I figured, early on, that some relief would be required after such an unpleasant journey. THANKS.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
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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.
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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!
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My only criticism is as before: I want to be able to hear what's being sung, particularly as the lyrics I could hear are really excellent. Great video, too.
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