|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138 |
https://soundcloud.com/user-61562267/christmas-songI was thinking about the songs "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas," so I thought I'd try writing a sad Christmas song. Vocals by Rocio C: Christmas Song I used to so look forward to the holidays, They used to be my favorite time of year. Christmas trees with colored balls and twinkle lights, Festive times when family gathered here. I wish you’d come and see me on the holidays, It’s hard to be alone this time of year. I lie awake and think about the better days, Family dinners, filled with Christmas cheer. Remember when the kids came home for Christmas? Now they’re grown, with families of their own. You’re the glue that held us all together, But since you’ve gone, I spend my time alone. [Repeat chorus] Looking at the pictures from past Christmases, Adults all gathered ‘round, and kids at play. I’d give everything I own to have them back again, It’s sad to be alone on Christmas Day. So sad to be alone on Christmas Day. Vocals by Rocio C (from Fiverr) All music tracks by BIAB: Style is _CMPFMF3.STY (Campfire w/ Electric Bass) RealTracks in style: ~~427:Bass, Acoustic, Bluegrass Ev 130 RealTracks in style: ~522:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 120 RealTracks in style: ~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120 SynthPad,PopShiningA-B Ev120 (1267) I used Audacity for mixing and reverb.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,641
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,641 |
BobL,
That's an excellent song...
Very touching. Rocio's vocal is beautifully recorded and mixed perfectly.
Much enjoyed!
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138 |
Thanks Bob, glad you liked it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,343
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,343 |
Bob, excellent song, excellently brought to life. Rocio's vocals are really on point and sweetly nuanced, you've found a winner there. Nice harmonies in all the right places, too. Like your BiaB arrangement, as it perfectly buoys the vocals without getting flashy or boring. Nicely mixed as well. Ho! Ho! Ho!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 2,043
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 2,043 |
Though some might say that there's no such thing as a sad Christmas song, I think this song - excellent all around - will have many empathising. Though that said I stopped doing Xmas a long, long time ago, mostly with so many close ones having passed away. I see ads on TV about how many old folk will be all alone over the period, but I wouldn't have it any other way!  I look forward to doing, eating and TV-watching what I want when I want, plus as it's quieter it's a great time for creativity.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,793
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,793 |
I freely admit that I'm not a big fan of Christmas songs, but since you avoided the usual Jingle Bells, I actually like your song  Simple, pure, beautiful. And Rocio's vocals sound wonderful. Well done ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,584
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,584 |
Beautiful and well done! The plaintive lyrics offer another take on the holidays. Your Fiverr singer is excellent. I like her natural voice and that she doesn't sing with that modern affectation that I often hear in today's recordings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,217
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,217 |
Bob, a new Christmas favorite song that is one that I will remember. A number of my friends have either pass on or had a loved one pass on. I was thinking about them as I listened. Rocio C did an outstanding job on this on. Your lyrics, backing tracks, and mix were fantastic.
Loved it
My boss calls me "the computer".
Nothing to do with intelligence. I go to sleep if left unattended for 15 minutes.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138 |
Thanks for listening Ron, glad you enjoyed it!
Rocio's vocal definitely took it up a few notches over the demo vocal version I sent her ;-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138 |
Thanks Chay, glad you liked it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138 |
Hi BD,
Thanks, glad you liked the song, despite it being a Christmas song ;-)
I agree, Rocio's vocals definitely helped it a lot.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138 |
Thanks for listening Scott, glad you liked it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138 |
Thanks so much Mario, glad you enjoyed it!
You've provided the encouragement I needed to go write another one!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 259
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 259 |
What? It’s Christmas again?
Hi Bob, a good solid write and a great take on the other side of Christmas. I used to love Christmas as a child and then transitioned into the parent trying to make Christmas for my kids. Now my kids have their kids, and whilst we spend some time with them, we don’t get to see the kids excitement on Christmas morning, and that to me is what it’s all about. So Christmas has lost its lustre now that I'm a grandparent. So in the regard I can relate to the sentiment.
The song itself is great, well sung composed and produced. Enjoyed it. Kind regards.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 886
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 886 |
Hi Bob!
I love it when the song moves into the section ‘I wish you’d come and see me on the holidays’ - I know that’s the sad part but I just love that from a harmonic perspective. As others have said, your fivrr vocalist is a good find.
Well done!
Andrew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138 |
Thanks Andrew, glad you enjoyed it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 138 |
Thanks for the listen, Lee, glad you enjoyed it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,100
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,100 |
Hi, Bob. Good write, well sung and arranged. You nailed it.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,017
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,017 |
Bob - an excellent song with very nice lyrics,
I really like your sparse mix and arrangement!
I don't normally comment on AI stuff as I prefer
things to be 'Real' - but this time Rocio C sounded
quite natural and worked very well over your mix,
you've got something very nice going here!
Well done, looking forward to more from you,
Best, Carl
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 804
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 804 |
Hi Bob, this is a very beautiful, sadly sentimental Christmas song. You expressed that bittersweet nostalgia so many feel perfectly. This line "You’re the glue that held us all together" really resonated. When my Dad died, the whole family drifted along different paths and the holidays have never been what they once were. Really good production.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
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!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- 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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,620
Posts794,065
Members39,926
| |
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