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
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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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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