Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#885504 04/26/26 12:36 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 106
Apprentice
OP Online Content
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 106

BIAB "Foundation" tracks (by studio musicians):
Drums: PopPromiseEv16 (Shannon Forrest)
Bass: 683:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 120 (Tobin Frank)
Organ: 686:Organ, B3, Background Pop Ev 120 (Gene Rabbai)

Style: _12STPOP.STY

Recorded tracks:
Vocal Main (me)
Vocal Harmony (me)
Vocal Background (me, panned left)
Vocal Background Harmony (me, panned right)
Guitar Fender Electric Rhythm Hi-Gain (me, panned left)
Harmonica (me, AmN harp)
Cowbell (me, 2 tracks, one panned left, one panned right)

Written and produced by AurealiusB with lyrics by Kathy Keogh
Key: Am
Mixed and mastered with REAPER

Never Touch Your Soul lyrics:
VERSE 1
I lie awake, 'til daybreak
Lying to myself
Though I hold you near
you're always somewhere else
I try to break the silence

BUILD
It might sound foolish
to carry on this way
But every time I touched your heart
you put something in the way

CHORUS
Never touched your soul
All the times I held the wheel
I never had control
Never touched your soul
All the times I held your body
I never touched your soul

VERSE 2
They say fools, fool themselves
only for so long
All my words of love
crying in a song
that tries to fill the silence

BUILD

CHORUS

INSTRUMENTAL CHORUS

BUILD

CHORUS (double / outro)

Last edited by AurealiusB; 04/28/26 09:10 PM.

BIAB 2026 Audiophile using Windows 11
REAPER (latest version)
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,037
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,037
An interesting song, in both a positive and a negative sense.
I really like your vocals, and the lyrics tell a nice story.
The chord progression/changes is sometimes surprisingly unusual and très cool, but it also feels sometimes out of place, especially when you’ve just built up a nice atmosphere and then there’s an abrupt change. (ignore my last statement if you like jazz. Jazz musicians do that all the time)
The same goes for the cowbell. Coitus interruptus grin
To sum it up, I can say that I _really_ like everything you made yourself (minus the cowbell), but the sound of the BIAB band seems kind of uninspired.
But it's definitely a song with potential [Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]

User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 106
Apprentice
OP Online Content
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 106
Thanks BD. Yeah, I should have toned down the cowbell. I actually like it but it was too loud, too pronounced and I should have cut one of the extra panned tracks. I was experimenting. smirk

Overall, the production (mastering especially) was a little too soft.
There were maybe not enough instruments and my Fender could have been brought up just a bit.

But thanks again, I really appreciate your feedback,
AB

Last edited by AurealiusB; Yesterday at 10:35 PM.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,703
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,703
AurealiusB, this is an excellent song. Great vocal, harmonies, and lyrics.
I thought the cowbell was a tad loud, as was the lead.
I thought the backing band was great but could be a tad louder also. Maybe just a remix would work; I don't think you need to add any other tracks. But again that is just my opinion.

I think think this is an excellent song that with a little polish could be a masterpiece.


OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 106
Apprentice
OP Online Content
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 106
Hi Mario,
Yes, everything exactly right: a tad too loud here, a tad too unloud there.

Note the melody's in a minor key (which is rare for me).
It worked with Kathy's lyrics. A dark love song, more melodic pop than jazz.

Definitely in for a future remix and master.
And thanks for saying it might eventually be a masterpiece.
AB

User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,563
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,563
Hi Aurelius.
You already have some good advice. It's worth working on the dynamics and maybe something a tad more robust to introduce the chorus.
Nice smooth lyrics.

Vic

User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 106
Apprentice
OP Online Content
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 106
Hi Vic,
Thanks for the feedback.

Guess the old SNL line, "more cowbell" doesn't work in this song. grin
AB

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,864
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,864
I was trying to think of what this reminded me of..... I don't know.


Here's the advice I have, for what it's worth.

Good lyrics. Workable melody and structure.

Loose the cowbell. It's totally out of character with the song.

This mix and especially the vocals are lacking in the high end. There's no crispness to the sound and there needs to be. That makes this whole thing sound dull and lacking dynamics. Fixing the EQ would go a long ways towards bringing this to a higher level, musically speaking.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 106
Apprentice
OP Online Content
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 106
Thanks GuitarHacker.
Duly noted.
AB

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!

All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!

It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

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 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.

The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available 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 Mac or for Windows.

The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

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.

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 as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.

Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.

Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.

Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,199
Posts801,869
Members40,065
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Mando Kat, GlennMans, François Sohm, Armando D'Errico, PhilinPhil
40,064 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 128
zedd 109
DC Ron 101
rsdean 92
Noel96 88
vicarn 64
Today's Birthdays
Jay Street, JazzLOCO Almenas, smallchamber
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5