|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423 |
Janne, an outstanding job on those synth voices. Great backing band, super guitar lead. Mixed to perfection.
I really liked this one. Thanks Mario for your positive comment  "Mixed to perfection"  Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,743
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,743 |
Natalie has a definite Alison Krauss ethereal vibe to her voice in the higher register and sounds angelic.
It’s so cool that this song began in a dream.
Janice often says that Bud should keep a notepad by the bedside for such unexpected gifts. 😊
Cool laid back band and the guzheng fits well. Your comping of the guitar solo works great.
Smooth.
Love the lala’s.
Excellent mix. Every track has it’s perfect place.
“The beauty of chance encounters
and the falling for casual gestures
are they solace I crave
or wounds abyss can't erase?
in eternity, in eternity.”
What a way to exit. Great.
Enjoyed it!
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,958
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,958 |
Hi, Janne. The 'verby mix really fits with the theme. Good lyrics as well. Natalie is a good fit. Her vocal style definitely changed with the 2.0 update. NOA Hex has been on my "maybe buy" for some time now. SynthV can't whistle, but you can export the melody as MIDI and then have it played by another instrument in a DAW. AI is a useful tool when you're looking to explore ideas, and I thought you handled "Is eternity a comfort or a curse?" as well as one can in a short song. Nice work!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423 |
Janne, I really enjoyed listening to this project..esp the interesting melody/chord structure..kept my attention throughout. And as others have said, your handling of the vocals is admirable—I wish I could get Synth V to sound that great! Excellent production, and super-fine work!! Thanks, I appreciate your kind review! Glad to keep your interest throughout. Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423 |
Hi Janne, this is a very lovely song!
But still a bit sad (and dreamy) but not fluffy at all.
Good use of the instruments, I liked them all!!!
The vocals are very nice and the harmonies are well. Really well!
Still I have some questions. The lead vocals worked a bit distracting in my head. I think I would have prevered a female vocal with a lower pitch. But that is my personal opinion.
The second question is about the build up of the song, or at least in certain parts of the song, like starting with "If I am cursed, I repeat my mistakes
and you haven't changed, still causing me ache. We promise each other a brighter start. Good lyrics, but you go low on those parts and -indeed- a bit dreamy.
I was wondering if it benefits the song when you go louder/higher on those parts, to create some 'tension'?
So, nothing wrong with the song, just some thoughts...
Bye,
Hans Thanks Hans for your very lovely comment I usually like female voices with a higher pitch, especially now that the singer presents a very young female. Interesting observation about the build up. Because this is a dreamy song, I avoided tension, although I could have made the other parts more like whispered - to highlight those parts you mentioned. This section in the first verse is sad (cursed), but in the second verse it is happier (blessed), but still the melody should be the same, well it is about falling after all, abruptly or gently, so I preferred going low. But I get your point about tension and I try to remember it next time Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423 |
Natalie has a definite Alison Krauss ethereal vibe to her voice in the higher register and sounds angelic.
It’s so cool that this song began in a dream.
Janice often says that Bud should keep a notepad by the bedside for such unexpected gifts. 😊
Cool laid back band and the guzheng fits well. Your comping of the guitar solo works great.
Smooth.
Love the lala’s.
Excellent mix. Every track has it’s perfect place.
“The beauty of chance encounters
and the falling for casual gestures
are they solace I crave
or wounds abyss can't erase?
in eternity, in eternity.”
What a way to exit. Great.
Enjoyed it!
J&B Thanks Janice & Bud for another lovely review of my song Thanks for Krauss reference, I wasn't familiar with her music but I'm listening to her right now, yep I can hear the vibe. And thanks for quoting those lines, I remembered that AI suggested a resolution to the end, but now that I read again the suggestions, there was also another option: "or leaves the listener with a final thought provoking question", so I guess the ending fulfills that option also from your point of view: "what a way to exit" Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,484
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,484 |
Cool opening bit. Synth voice is smooth and lovely. A melodically enchanting song that is expertly produced. Melodies that emerge from the ether of slumber are usually quite good.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,087
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,087 |
Hi Janne.
This is quite an amazing arrangement and production. You've done a super job. As always your songwriting stands strong and tall. I have never heard Natalie sound like this and the way you shaped her voice impressed me a great deal. This is definitely another song for the "One to be very proud of" collection.
--Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,115
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,115 |
Janne,
This is a wonderful song.
Your talent really shines through in the way the key changes drastically and repeatedly halfway through main melody.
On the other hand, the interlude, sung la-la-la, is the straightforward melody, and I think the contrast is stunning.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423 |
Hi, Janne. The 'verby mix really fits with the theme. Good lyrics as well. Natalie is a good fit. Her vocal style definitely changed with the 2.0 update. NOA Hex has been on my "maybe buy" for some time now. SynthV can't whistle, but you can export the melody as MIDI and then have it played by another instrument in a DAW. AI is a useful tool when you're looking to explore ideas, and I thought you handled "Is eternity a comfort or a curse?" as well as one can in a short song. Nice work! Thanks David for your positive review Glad you liked the reverbiness I was actually referring to how much Natalie's voice changed from 2.0 to 2.0.1, don't know was it a bug or what but the vibrato and softer settings sounded like they didn't have any effect anymore. Well, it is better to stick with the original version choice or start from scratch if you change it. I know the export melody as MIDI feature, but I didn't want that lalala melody played by any other instrument than a human voice. I have noticed lately that I could have used another vocal library, but I wanted to use Natalie like voice... maybe oohs or aahs or something similar and then drag the sliders to extreme, I guess I have to experiment hehe NOA Hex fits certain type of songs, here I used the 1 version, because the song was made before the version 2 came to market, haven't tested it much... there's just too many new voices available, I'm not going to get them all... if I find a suitable song for that great sounding Chinese baritone voice, I might get it  Janne
Last edited by jannesan; 14 hours ago.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423 |
Cool opening bit. Synth voice is smooth and lovely. A melodically enchanting song that is expertly produced. Melodies that emerge from the ether of slumber are usually quite good. Thanks ES for your kind comment Glad you liked the intro and the voice. "Ether of slumber" - nice description of the method, I have another such a song under work, but the problem is that it is not the official version of the melody I remembered from my dream  Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,423 |
Hi Janne.
This is quite an amazing arrangement and production. You've done a super job. As always your songwriting stands strong and tall. I have never heard Natalie sound like this and the way you shaped her voice impressed me a great deal. This is definitely another song for the "One to be very proud of" collection.
--Noel Thanks Noel very much for your lovely review I'm very glad you liked how I shaped Natalie's voice, usually my vision of the vocals doesn't require this much tweaking. Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
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!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
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.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
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!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums56
Topics84,841
Posts786,867
Members39,808
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean