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Soundcloud: Simpler times YouTube: Simpler times Does anyone think the guy at the end of the video looks like John Malkovich? DEVELOPMENTI wrote the beginnings of this song in mid-2024, coming up with the verse chord progression and melody. I was ‘window shopping’ different styles in BIAB, and this style immediately jumped out at me as something different from my normal choices. I can’t remember how I ended up in the key of A major and moving from Bm (ii) to C#m (iii), but there you go. The SGU was saved with the working title ‘I don’t want to be lonely no more’ being a melancholy title that suited the music. The verse chord sequence at that point was how you see the verse 1 chords listed below. In October 2025, after my last project was completed, I went back to my back-catalogue looking for something to finish off. I have a BIAB folder named ‘Ideas’ where I store incomplete SGU files, and I wondered ‘What’s this one?’ I was immediately struck by its potential and decided it needed a chorus. The next thing was a bit of BIAB magic: I put in the chorus part marker and *that fiddle* immediately exploded into my headphones. Given the key of the verse was in A major, I went for one of my old tricks and put the chorus (bridge) starting in A minor. The rest of the bridge chords were input, tweaked, then I added a melody. After a couple of failed attempts at the lyrics, I settled on the theme of ‘Simpler times’, and with the help of Rhymezone and a thesaurus, got the draft lyrics done and road-tested by singing with my guitar. After the vocals were recorded, I pulled out my trusty Fender A style mandolin to add the intro, solo and a few fills. I am not much of a mando player - like 'rhythm guitarist picks up mandolin and thinks he can play' - and the slow BPM and the concept of ‘simpler’ fitted my novice abilities. RECORDING SUMMARYStyle is _OLBONES.STY (Ol' Bones Mountain Americana) RealTracks in style: 2877:Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaSlow16thsByron Ev16 060 RealTracks in style: 3158:Fiddle, 5-string, Rhythm AmericanaMountain16thsABAndy ev16 070 RealTracks in style: 3155:Mandola, Rhythm AmericanaMountain16thsAndy ev16 070 RealTracks in style: 3185:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Mountain16thsQuinn Ev16 070 RealDrums in style:AmericanaRoots16th^01-a:Toms , b:Snare Recorded double lead vocals plus a harmony vocal track. Mandolin Fender A style FM-52E (with pickup) Arranged and mixed in Reaper. LYRICSINTRO VERSE 1 I’ve been longing for times that were simpler than now I grew up without a phone I’ve been accumulating unnecessary things That only demand more space than what I have - that I don’t need I’m trying to let go, back to things I know, that feel more wholesome VERSE 2 I want a day that doesn’t take away all my mind A day that gives me the time to breathe I want to spend more time with the people I know A chance encounter while I’m on a walk - reading a book I need to hide away, I need to learn to play without distraction BRIDGE I’ve been going to the places that we used to love I need to go when there’s no-one there Sometimes, I tell a stranger ‘bout the things we did, They look at me like it’s kind of cute – An old man weeping ‘bout the places they loved SOLO OVER VERSE VERSE 3 It’s become apparent to me one can know too much The tyranny of wisdom is quite real Hearing both sides’ arguments can burden the mind I don’t want to have to tip-toe through - me and you (all the views?) How did we once talk? How did we once walk with each other? BRIDGE I’ve been going to the places that we used to love I need to go when there’s no-one there Sometimes, I tell a stranger ‘bout the things we did, They look at me like it’s kind of cute – An old man weeping ‘bout the places they loved OUTRO CHORDSIntro, Outro and Interlude: Bm | C#m | Bm | C#m | Verse 1 and Solo: Bm | C#m | Bm | C#m | Bm | C#m | Bm | C#m C#7 | F#m B7 | F#m B7 | Verse 2 and 3: Bm | C#m | Bm | C#m | Bm | C#m | Bm | C#m C#7 | F#m B7 | F#m B7 | Bm7 | E7 | Bridge: Am | C | F | G | Am | C | F | E7 |
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As a mandolin player I specially value your mandolin parts. I also like that change from minor to major in chorus.
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Andrew,
Great set of tracks and love your mandolin parts. Very cool song. At times your vocal has a bit of Lennon in it - very nice! Excellent mix and production as well.
Much enjoyed.
Bob
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An interesting song and one of the few where the mandolin doesn't bother me at all, because it is used tastefully and unobtrusively.
I also like the lyrics and the story you're telling.
Well done!
PS: Aren't the bridges actually choruses?
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I esp liked that your lyric was essentially rhyme-less, but the last line of the verse had a nice dual-rhyme that seemed to satisfy the listening ear for that rhyme...nice effect! I also liked the bridge chord changes. OVerall, a really good mix and arrangement. I like the instrumentation, too. Thanks for posting.
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
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Andrew, such a very cool song! That acoustic arrangement is very open and present, and I like your mando part very much as well. Superb vocals, including the outro vocalizations. Great stuff.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
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Andrew, this is a fabulous song. Loved the groove. Your vocal was top shelf and the lyrics I could really relate. Your mandolin was excellent.
Loved it
I'm no longer allowed to go caroling at the psych hospital.
I guess Do You Hear What I Hear was a bad song choice!
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As a mandolin player I specially value your mandolin parts. I also like that change from minor to major in chorus. Thanks Esa! You mentioned the two things that were a highlight for me also. Andrew
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… At times your vocal has a bit of Lennon in it - very nice! … Thanks Bob! A twist of Lennon? I’ll take that juice any day! Andrew
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An interesting song and one of the few where the mandolin doesn't bother me at all, because it is used tastefully and unobtrusively.
I also like the lyrics and the story you're telling.
Well done!
PS: Aren't the bridges actually choruses? Thanks B.D. I’ve been attracted to the mandolin since R.E.M. and Neil Finn. It’s a really fine acoustic instrument with versatility. Part of the story is mine; part is what I might imagine but not hope for in the future. Chorus? Probably, but initially there was only one of them, so it felt like a bridge, so I kept with the label. Maybe where a bridge repeats, it becomes a chorus?  Thanks for listening! Andrew
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I esp liked that your lyric was essentially rhyme-less, but the last line of the verse had a nice dual-rhyme that seemed to satisfy the listening ear for that rhyme...nice effect! I also liked the bridge chord changes. OVerall, a really good mix and arrangement. I like the instrumentation, too. Thanks for posting. Thanks Tom. Yes, the go/know, away/play, talk/walk are deliberate and where I used RhymeZone. After spending a bit of time mixing and recording this song, the switch to the bridge chords still brings me joy. Andrew
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Andrew, such a very cool song! That acoustic arrangement is very open and present, and I like your mando part very much as well. Superb vocals, including the outro vocalizations. Great stuff. Thanks Ron! I wanted some air in the song given the title ‘simpler’ but that was also helped by the acoustic instruments and the mandolin. I couldn’t help myself for the second bridge and put everything back in that I’d cut for the first bridge. For the outro, I was originally thinking of someone whistling, but I can’t whistle ANYTHING, and I also thought that might be too bright. The humming seemed to be a better melancholy fit and was the last thing I did before rendering. Andrew
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Andrew, this is a fabulous song. Loved the groove. Your vocal was top shelf and the lyrics I could really relate. Your mandolin was excellent.
Loved it Thank you Mario! The phrase ‘kind of cute’ was borrowed from an interview of actress Helen Mirren. She told the story that she and her husband as an older couple were walking outdoors hand-in-hand, and someone saw them and remarked “An old couple hand-in-hand - how cute” and she told them to f—- off. Like it’s impossible to do if you’re older. Andrew
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Another song that I relate to! I also grew up without a phone, but also a TV and other things the neighbours and school friends had. Perhaps opposite to your lyrics, I also relate to lines from a Country Joe and the Fish song:
"It's all a mystery the pages of history
Outlasted the passing of things that I once held dear."
Last edited by WaoBand; 10/30/25 08:11 PM.
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.
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Hi. Just listened to Simpler Times and liked the whole vibe of it. I'm always trying to think of new things to write about but simpler times escaped me. I liked the song.
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Cool song, Andrew, good vocal, and I like hearing the mandolin in there.
Love the Bridge! And nice instrumental break after it too.
Enjoyed!
We did a song called Simpler Times too, about a year ago.
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Fun RELATABLE song, Andrew. Great feel, and excellent mando sound. Good mix, and I enjoy your "story of the song." I spun it a couple times so far, the first one was great background for reading about it. The video is really good --funny and appropriate. Great job curating the perfect clips.
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I like when a production sounds like they are playing in your living room, well done.
Donny
Donny G
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Another song that I relate to! I also grew up without a phone, but also a TV and other things the neighbours and school friends had. Perhaps opposite to your lyrics, I also relate to lines from a Country Joe and the Fish song:
"It's all a mystery the pages of history
Outlasted the passing of things that I once held dear." Thanks Chay. I’m not a good mobile (US=cell) phone user, and I put this down to growing up in a ‘snail mail’ society. I enjoy the ability to respond in my own time. This has its pros and cons. Andrew Hi. Just listened to Simpler Times and liked the whole vibe of it. I'm always trying to think of new things to write about but simpler times escaped me. I liked the song. Thanks Sol – I’ve noticed already in the few songs of yours I’ve listened to that you have a diverse way of looking at things. (compliment) Andrew Cool song, Andrew, good vocal, and I like hearing the mandolin in there.
Love the Bridge! And nice instrumental break after it too. Enjoyed!
We did a song called Simpler Times too, about a year ago. Thanks Dave! Yes, we’ve had a splurge of mandolin on the forum this last week. I’m going to check out your similarly titled song, if I can find it. Andrew Fun RELATABLE song, Andrew. Great feel, and excellent mando sound. Good mix, and I enjoy your "story of the song." I spun it a couple times so far, the first one was great background for reading about it. The video is really good --funny and appropriate. Great job curating the perfect clips. Thanks Marty! I put a bit of effort into getting the clips, albeit with different elderly men, but I figure that makes it general enough rather than following a specific man. I have the paid version of Clipchamp so that provides me with a reasonable range of video stock to choose from. I’ve learned one has to think laterally when searching for relevant stock footage. Andrew I like when a production sounds like they are playing in your living room, well done.
Donny Thanks Donny. There was a certain intimacy I wanted to create given the song title – it wouldn’t have made sense if it sounded like I was singing to a stadium of 50,000. I didn’t think I’d pulled it off (ear fatigue) so I am glad it sounded intimate to you. Andrew
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Like many others, the mandolin was the highlight of this song for me. Chorus was pretty good, too. Nice job, Andrew!
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We like the poignant lyric and vocals.
“I want a day that doesn’t take away all my mind
A day that gives me the time to breathe
I want to spend more time with the people I know
A chance encounter while I’m on a walk - reading a book
I need to hide away, I need to learn to play without distraction”
YES!
The BiaB session guys fit in very nicely with your vocals and mando.
(Janice has a nice A style mando also.)
The mix is open and airy which is our favorite.
We much liked the change to A minor!
We enjoyed the vid and, yes, the guy at the end does look a lot like John Malkovic.
Your choice of clips worked very well in supporting the narrative.
Well done and enjoyed by us!
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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Like many others, the mandolin was the highlight of this song for me. Chorus was pretty good, too. Nice job, Andrew! Thanks Rob! The mandolin turned out better than my rudimentary skills would suggest. I’m happy with that! … The mix is open and airy which is our favorite.
We much liked the change to A minor!
We enjoyed the vid and, yes, the guy at the end does look a lot like John Malkovic.
Your choice of clips worked very well in supporting the narrative. … J&B - I am glad you recognised the John Malkovic likeness - I was beginning to wonder if it was just me! Yes, the video takes a bit of work but I’m usually happy with the outcome and it opens up accessibility to a marginally wider audience that Soundcloud can be problematic for. Andrew
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Very nicely done, the Am in the bridge is a nice twist to a song in A Major, if I am right.
Donny
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Very nicely done, the Am in the bridge is a nice twist to a song in A Major, if I am right.
Donny Spot on, Donny. I like my songs to have a surprise element and usually do this by using a chord or two outside the diatonic, or switching a chord or bridge into a different key. It is uncommon for me to write a song fully in a single key. Thanks for listening! Andrew
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Hi Andrew,
I love this song and the video too!
And yes, the man in the end looks a bit like John Malkovich.
Anne-Marie
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Andrew, A complex write from a guy looking for simpler things  Good, interesting lines all over the place. Thoughtful. Thought-evoking. Your vocal puts it all across perfectly. Marvelous change-up at the bridge. Very much enjoyed listening to this. A coupla times... fj
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Hi, Andrew.
It's got a bit of early "America" (the group) feel. Loved the mandolin and the modal change at the chorus.
Nice write also - you covered a lot of ground, where it would have been easier to just write simple variations of the idea. It really elevates the song.
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I love this song and the video too!
And yes, the man in the end looks a bit like John Malkovich. Thanks Anne-Marie! I try and make the videos meaningful to complement the song lyrics. A complex write from a guy looking for simpler things
Good, interesting lines all over the place. Thoughtful. Thought-evoking.
Your vocal puts it all across perfectly.
Marvelous change-up at the bridge.
Very much enjoyed listening to this. A coupla times... Thanks Floyd - I’m glad you liked it. The complexity in lyrics was not by design, but the complexity in music was. With lyrics, unless I have a story to tell, my lyrics are often what J&B refer to as the ‘join the dots’ type. That is partly driven by just wanting a plausible vehicle to carry the melody over the chords without having to overthink it. Of course, they have to make *some* sense and have some cohesion - at least to the listener, even if they have to form that connection themselves but maybe not intended by me. I like the bridge change also - one that I personally haven’t grown tired of through production. It's got a bit of early "America" (the group) feel. Loved the mandolin and the modal change at the chorus.
Nice write also - you covered a lot of ground, where it would have been easier to just write simple variations of the idea. It really elevates the song. Thanks David! The complex write was not well thought through, and I did wonder a bit about if there was too much disconnect between the verse lyrics and bridge lyrics - why does longing for simplicity relate to missing a partner? I did not want the song to have to explain that. Andrew
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Hi Andrew,
This is the fourth time I’ve set about listening and reviewing Simpler Times. Sorry, I’ve been distracted and a bit absent from the forum for a couple of weeks.
I love the simple and open feel of the song. The mandolin as has probably already been mentioned, gives it an even paced feel and suits the melancholic, reflective sound. I can really relate to the lyrics, I wish we could return to simpler times but with all the positive things we have today….none of the bad baggage. Believe it or not, I especially liked the humming on the outro, it think it reminds me of a snippet from an XTC song.
Another gem Andrew, kind regards.
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… I love the simple and open feel of the song. The mandolin as has probably already been mentioned, gives it an even paced feel and suits the melancholic, reflective sound. I can really relate to the lyrics, I wish we could return to simpler times but with all the positive things we have today….none of the bad baggage. Believe it or not, I especially liked the humming on the outro, it think it reminds me of a snippet from an XTC song.
Another gem Andrew, kind regards. Thanks Lee! I was hoping I hadn’t cluttered the recording too much. I think the mando and fiddle create a simpler image. I wasn’t an XTC listener, but would like to if you can remember which song. Andrew
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Hi Andrew. It's good hear a singer singing in Australian I felt right at home. What a great song. I love the way you have drafted the lyrics. Because there is no obvious rhymes until the last line of each verse—go/know, away/play, talk/walk—the lyric content sounds like someone speaking and telling a story. I found this very, very effective. It mesmerised me. This lyric technique fitted the style and presentation of the song perfectly. As Tano said, "the last line of the verse had a nice dual-rhyme that seemed to satisfy the listening ear for that rhyme...nice effect!" I wholeheartedly agree. Here in Melbourne at 11:30 am on a grey, overcast and somewhat cold November Saturday, your music was a perfect companion. You brought memories of me sitting in front of an open fire, warming my feet, sipping a glass of red wine and contemplating life. I'm a fan of what you've done! --Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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… It's good hear a singer singing in Australian I felt right at home. Hi Noel! Now that’s a compliment! It’s taken me 60 years to shed my Brit accent and it still comes through from time-to-time. There’s been some references in this forum to The Kinks, Bowie and … I forget. I’ll need to check to see if I have any Adelaide-isms in there, like ‘dance’ or ‘chance’ with broad "a" sound (e.g., /ɑː/) as in "father". Edit: there is! Verse 1 ‘demand’ Verse 2 ‘chance’. … What a great song. I love the way you have drafted the lyrics. Because there is no obvious rhymes until the last line of each verse—go/know, away/play, talk/walk—the lyric content sounds like someone speaking and telling a story. I found this very, very effective. It mesmerised me. This lyric technique fitted the style and presentation of the song perfectly. As Tano said, "the last line of the verse had a nice dual-rhyme that seemed to satisfy the listening ear for that rhyme...nice effect!" I wholeheartedly agree. I was aware of the double-rhymes that Tom referred to, but I did not consciously write without rhymes in the first lines of the verses - pure fluke. I did want each verse to be around the desire for something simple. Other than that, because I am nearly always a ‘music first’ writer, I have to fit words to an existing melody, or modify the melody, and will often sing it and play guitar to find a natural cadence. … Here in Melbourne at 11:30 am on a grey, overcast and somewhat cold November Saturday, your music was a perfect companion. You brought memories of me sitting in front of an open fire, warming my feet, sipping a glass of red wine and contemplating life.
I'm a fan of what you've done!
--Noel I know - what happened to Spring? But, I don’t mind winter. I am glad my song took you to a favourite spot. Thank you for listening and your wonderful comments. Andrew
Last edited by Andrew Dee; 11/08/25 03:10 AM.
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Hello Andrew,
This song had me smiling immediately, since nearly all of what you said here are thoughts that cross my mind every day. I've reached the age where "less" is the new "more"
I like hearing how people arrive at their choices, so your details in the intro are very interesting to me. The process, to me, is at least as important as the end result.
Great job on the mandolin! I laughed at your comment: "Rhythm guitarist picks up a mandolin, thinks he can play" (I wholeheartedly identify, being a guitar player who also owns a mandolin but rarely thinks he can play it) Your comment could be interpreted as self-deprecating, except for the confidence you've exhibited by playing the mandolin in this song. (well done!)
I like it!
Last edited by Pat Marr; 11/08/25 06:05 AM.
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The mandolin adds a uniqueness to your song. I really like the bridge. It's got staying power.
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Journeyman
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… This song had me smiling immediately, since nearly all of what you said here are thoughts that cross my mind every day. I've reached the age where "less" is the new "more" Thanks Pat! My parents mentioned some time ago that when one gets older, it can seem like one grows invisible to younger folk. I’m not sure that’s entirely true, but there are elements of that in this song. My mind is beginning to consider the merits of decluttering also. … I like hearing how people arrive at their choices, so your details in the intro are very interesting to me. The process, to me, is at least as important as the end result. I like the thrill of working on a new song, and that thrill is only seconded by stumbling across a surprise element that lifts the song. The bridge instrumentation was one of those. … Great job on the mandolin! I laughed at your comment: "Rhythm guitarist picks up a mandolin, thinks he can play" (I wholeheartedly identify, being a guitar player who also owns a mandolin but rarely thinks he can play it) Your comment could be interpreted as self-deprecating, except for the confidence you've exhibited by playing the mandolin in this song. (well done!)
I like it! Well, after all the kudos, I’ll have to pick it up more often, but will still play it in a pedestrian fashion - these fingers weren’t built for speed. I do have another mandolin song - at least in part - ‘Banging my head against the wall’ recorded a couple of years back. Thanks for listening and your encouraging comments! Andrew
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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… I really like the bridge. It's got staying power. Thanks for listening Scott! Yes, I still enjoy the bridge also, despite the mixing fatigue. Andrew
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Great subject, I can easily relate to it, those unnecessary things and distractions, I'm still learning to let go of hobbies that I used to enjoy but now only do out of habit... "The tyranny of wisdom is quite real" I haven't thought it that way, but now you made me see. The band sounds great, I like how the mandola and the mandolin bring fresh approach, the acoustic bass and the drums create an earthly mood. And your voice really fits the "old man weeping" theme, and that's meant to be a compliment Catchy bridge melody, even in minor - thanks for the major-to-minor idea, I'm already using it. Janne
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Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 683
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 683 |
Great subject, I can easily relate to it, those unnecessary things and distractions, I'm still learning to let go of hobbies that I used to enjoy but now only do out of habit... "The tyranny of wisdom is quite real" I haven't thought it that way, but now you made me see. Thanks Janne! When I was a younger man, I didn’t know much so didn’t say much. As I’ve grown older and accumulated more life experience, I can see I’ve become more opinionated - albeit moderately so. … The band sounds great, I like how the mandola and the mandolin bring fresh approach, the acoustic bass and the drums create an earthly mood. And your voice really fits the "old man weeping" theme, and that's meant to be a compliment Catchy bridge melody, even in minor - thanks for the major-to-minor idea, I'm already using it. Listening to my vocals in the raw could easily make listeners weep!  When switching from verse to chorus or bridge, my mind automatically looks for a change into something different and even if I repeat a device across different songs, usually the feel of the song and where the chord progression and/or melody goes provides the uniqueness. Thanks for listening and commenting! Andrew
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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.
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XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
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Note: 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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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
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Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, 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, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
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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
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
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!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
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!
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This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-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
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
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