This sounds epic, Chay! I'm astonished how you are able to mix this in Audacity. I've used Audacity and never got it to mix nearly as well as this. Incredible arrangement. It keeps my interest, it really moves, and not a dull note from start to finish.
Thanks, John! I was using Audacity long before I discovered BiaB, so I stuck with it rather than learn a new program. This track uses 18 samples in 21 stem tracks, so probably my most complex instrumental:
I don't use generative AI in composing songs. I just enjoy the music creation process too much to give it up. I might use generative AI in backing tracks if the results sounded significantly better than what I can do with BiaB, or if AI could do it significantly faster. I have a Moises Pro license but find that it takes me longer than in BiaB, and I don't like the results as much. I do think some aspects of a Moises-like interface, including plain language input, is something that BiaB will need to have one day SOON. All the songs I post here (so far) are me, my brother (lyrics), sometimes Dusty (human vocalist) and BiaB. I don't get paid for what I do, it's just for fun, and I'm having LOTS of fun...
Chasing Time I wrote “Chasing Time” after spending a few nights recently at a Country Music Festival. The song came out of that in-between space after the lights faded and the highway felt endless on the long drive home. It’s about long distance truckies and the kind of people who keep moving, chasing moments, memories, and miles they can never quite catch. 83 bpm Key F Lyrics on SC Style is _OUTBOUN.STY (Outbound Train Beat Americana) 2912 Bass, Electric CountryTrainBeat12-key Ev16 090 RealDrums in style:SongwriterTrainSlightSwing16^4-a,b:Brush,BackbeatHit 378:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming DoubleTime Ev 088 1518 Guitar Electric Soloist 2032 Fiddle Soloist 1511 Pedal Steel Soloist 1709 Guitar Soloist 4792 Mandolin Rhythm (4 bars only) 4353 Banjo (4 bars only) Tonalic guitar(free version) - Uwe Bossert Vox - me BV's - me & mel Total H.I. was exclusively used on this song
Quad Cortex has been a plugin developer for years. Recently they have expanded into hardware. +++ HERE +++ is a review of an amplifier, effect and routing modeler introduced at 2026 NAMM.
Thanks rharv, very interesting. I'll do some experimenting with that. I love BB and RB - it's been a lot of fun for many years and I don't know what I'd do without it. But I have a flat spot on my forehead from beating my head against the wall quite often, and then another flat spot on the other side where I slapped myself very often and said "rats, I should have known that". But your hint saved me from that part because I didn't know about that. Thanks again for the advice. BluegrassPicker
Hi Opur! Thank you for posting this song - I came across it when sampling your music the other day and it had instant appeal for me. I’ve always liked swing-feel acoustic guitar songs so was instantly drawn to it. The matter-of-fact approach of the lyrics is contrasted with the bouncy, upbeat feel of the music. I like how you brought in additional layers of instruments as the song progresses and then variation. The cello/strings add a nice touch as well, albeit with slightly too much volume that crowds out the vocal, but by the time they enter, the listener is already familiar with what the vocal is doing. Talking of vocals, I like how you used octave harmony on certain lines, then back to the main vocal only for a tinse of intimacy. In style, your song reminded me of one by the band ‘Her Space Holiday’ and their song ‘Sleepy tigers’ ( Here on YouTube ). Great song Opur - I’ve added it to my Soundcloud favs playlist. Andrew
Andrew it's a cool thing. Occasionally your vocal pitch bothered me, but only very occasionally. The song, arrangement and mix are excellent. I'm a Sexsmith fan more than Smith but they are both fabulous and worthy reference points.
Thanks Ray - glad the song pleased your ears. Regarding my vocal, many years ago I decided I was not going to let my vocal imperfections stop me - I think I am with many others on this forum in this matter - and in this case, they suit the song topic and also match Elliott a smith’s own imperfections. I doubt whether I will attempt to mimic Ron Sexsmith however - his singing voice is sublime. Thanks for listening!
Originally Posted by John Walradt
Andrew, this is an intriguing piece. Your unusual chord changes and slow tempo in 3/4 time really add heaviness to the story of trudging north after a horrible tragedy. It's very well crafted. I'm not familiar with Elliot's music. I looked him up in Wikipedia to get a summary of who he was.
Thanks John! For chord progressions, I am not averse to taking ‘the road less travelled’ as long as they sound good (I.e. can lead to a satisfying melodic and harmonic outcome). Knowing your own diverse music styles, I recommend you do a deep dive into his work - it’s very rewarding. You mention ‘trudging north’ - I was wondering if any northern hemisphere members would comment on ‘heading north for the sun’ being an abnormal concept, but maybe everyone realised it was set in the southern hemisphere, or assumed the bomb cloud was south? Most scenarios of a nuclear apocalypse are assumed to be set in the northern hemisphere.
Originally Posted by Opur
I hesitate to say "a beautiful" song, because of the grizzly story it tells – most fitting is: "impressive". Especially in times like these. I like it, and it's beautifully sung as well!
Hi Opur! I think the beauty in the melody and 3/4 time was aimed at expressing the love and care for the man’s daughter, set against some somewhat dark chord moves. The vocal recording technique worked well and I think I will use it again sometime. Thanks for listening and commenting - I think your insights will be gratefully received by many forum members, just as I have appreciated them. Andrew
Professional all around. Terrific sound. Love those guitar chops. Well done!!
Thanks, Scott!
Originally Posted by Birchwood
Hi Dave, Chris and Marty, I heard your funky track on YouTube a few days ago. I commented then too. I thought it was a great song with really good vocals from Chris; even a double Chris! And I still think this way ;-) I can't remember ever hearing a funky track from you before. But as you said, this is a remix, so I should have heard it, I guess. But most importantly, I really enjoyed it, just like everyone else above! Just like you, I'm also busy remixing or even rewriting older songs. Especially because the mixes weren't that great. So soon all the songs on the forum will be ours. What do you think? Hans
Thanks for the comments, Hans, and thanks for the comments over on YT as well!
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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.
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