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Shortly after my previous song, I had another idea for a new one. I'd never experienced anything like it so quickly. While I was creating it, writing the lyrics, and practicing the vocals, I let Marty listen to it too. It turned out to be a nice song, but something was missing. So I came up with the daring idea of adding orchestral chops. At first, I was hesitant about whether that would work, and Marty thought the chops were a bit distracting. Then I increased the tempo and changed the arrangement a bit. Well, the rest is this song. I also made a YouTube video for it. I'm curious to hear your reaction. Oh, and of course, there's a political element to it again. I just wrote that to Andrew of the Antipodes. The lyrics are on SoundCloud and YouTube. The guy with the guitar on YouTube is me... Enjoy! SoundCloud: Digging a hole https://on.soundcloud.com/Ue0Ki57bR0NYN6teTs YouTube: Technical information: Style is _CHEST.STY (Chest Bluesy R&B), tempo is 95 bpm, key: Am RealTracks in song: 4838:Bass, Electric, Slap80sPopFunkFast ev 120 2548:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm FolkSorrow Ev16 090 2904:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm GrittyBluesyPopBrent Ev 100 4984:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking ModernFolk16ths ev16 90 4904:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm SongwriterCountryBallad ev16 70 4191:Guitar, Nylon, Fingerpicking SongwriterPalmMuteSparseAlternate8s Ev 140 4698:Bouzouki, Rhythm Folk16thsMedium ev16 80 RealDrums in Song:FolkPopBrushes16ths^1-a,b:Kick-only The orchestrall chops are samples from my Daw, Logic Pro X Vocals: me
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...DC Ron you said you gave up on RB 6 years ago... Maybe I'm getting old...no, I'm DEFINITELY getting old. But I don't recall saying this. I definitely used RB in 2025 while collaborating with another forum member who used it. When RB adds ARA2 I'll look at it again. At least the mixer goes in the conventional direction...
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Views 652
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Hi Andrew, This is a beautiful song, with a sad but poignant perspective on how to treat overly rich people. After all, they got rich through... Well, maybe we shouldn't discuss politics too much on this music forum (but wait for my new song. I think you'll find the theme interesting). So, it's a good song with a good message. You sing it very well. Sometimes a little too high...? But I enjoyed it! Hans
Replies 24
Views 1,143
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Antiquated when compared to the latest/greatest, but still very usable. FTFY So true. My 12 year old computer is still running just fine. FWIW I purchased the fastest CPU I could afford, made sure that the MB was expandable via PCIe slots and RAM, and the biggest power supply that would handle all that I could throw at it. Unfortunately it will not accept Win 11 but I will ride this one for as long as I can.
Replies 27
Views 8,733
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The lyrics of your song are really touching. Very beautiful. Laurent
Replies 19
Views 235
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A truly beautiful jazz classic and a wonderful cover version. It never gets old. Laurent
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Views 77
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Janice, Bud & Peter, this is a masterpiece Everything is as good as it gets in music "On a porch an old man looks up from his weathered hands He gazes at the barn now bordered by corporate land For years the family has stubbornly refused to sell Will it last? …. now only time will tell" This is so true. Most all of the farms around have been bought by corporations. It is so sad. Loved it Glad you liked it Mario. And, yes, it is sad indeed. A drive through our countryside will quickly show many barns in ruin. J&B
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Views 844
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Hi Mario, That's a very sad, yet beautiful story about your cousin. That butterfly... And your melody is a wonderful contribution to her. You did it beautifully and intensely. I bet she's enjoying it somewhere up there and will smile at this gift from you. A good choice of instruments. I had some reservations about the flute, but it turned out really well! Hans
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Views 149
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You did a fantastic job, Laurent! It was quite a lot of work and therefore very time-consuming! Not just the music and singing, but also that really great video you made for it! That you were able to use pieces from Suno in BiaB is particularly interesting. And it's also great that BiaB was able to do this. Is this the new national anthem of Brazil? It has to be! Well done!
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Views 708
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Hi Ron. Very neat lyrics! I like this! Great vox, great tracks overall. Nicely done! THANKS, Paul! Ron, I hope you never delete deleted! This was hilarious, you have a way with words that is amazing Great backing band and mix Loved it PS - Yes I do need help! Ha! Yeah, my brother can spin a lyric, can't he? And we ALL need help, RIGHT? THANK YOU for the listen, Mario! Cool song, liked the doot doots and the ending. Singing strong as usual, mix and master is nonpareil. I recently purchased some new audio gear and your song really sounds terrific through it. Timber and remember was my favorite rhyme. You're really on a streak of hits, way to go! Thanks, Rob! This is an example of a song where I wrote the ending first and designed the rest to lead the listener to it. Not a trick to deploy on every song for sure, but it has its place.
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Views 498
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Well, Torrey, I would have done exactly the same as you. I'm stubborn too, but I believe in what I do. And so do you! But did you read the rest of my text? Hans Yes, every word! That's why I said I genuinely thank you for listening and commenting and certainly do appreciate it!
Replies 35
Views 1,089
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Hi Marty, Did the idea for this song come when I told you about my son's relationship with a Mexican girl dressed in red? It ended painfully a few years ago, but a few weeks ago she came to visit us with her family. And then you came with her, doing this amazing dance! I already sent you a message on YouTube, but the song is so catchy I had to listen to it over and over again. Your choice of instrumentation is fantastic. The washboard (is that what you call it?) sounds authentic and enhances the atmosphere of the song. I really enjoyed it. Now I use the words "Chica Roja" all the time. My wife wants me to stop... Hans
Replies 23
Views 397
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Hi, I read the story about restoring a song and re-recording it in two versions. I listened to them, the quality wasn't great, but I did get a feel for both the BiaB and Dan versions. But then DrDan released another version of the same song! And I listened to that one too. And then I was at a loss. A big problem. And I'd never heard the original sound of that Corvette song before. Anyway, it was really nice to read how you recovered the stems and brought this song back to life. The BiaB version from 2026 is very good! But aside from the quality, I think the Dan version is the best: a good tempo, good vocals that aren't too dark. Number 2 is DrDan's, although there's something about his pronunciation of the last words of each line that I don't particularly like (personally, of course). BiaB's version is last, but that was partly due to the singing. The singing was a bit dull, as if he were reciting the lyrics. And now what? But thanks for all you did and wrote about how the song came alive again. Hans
Replies 9
Views 166
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Hello Bob, Brain, Janice and Bud, Torrey, Janne and Vic, As I wrote in my last post, it's a challence for me to respond immediatly to your lovely words. And that's why I'm always late (on this, nothing else). But you know, now I can enjoy your words again, when I try to give some nice words back to you! Hans, Wow! Superb! A great song. That combination of baritone guitar and fiddle are a striking pair. They really drive the song and give it an urgent feel. LOVE your vocal. You have great tone and it sits in the mix perfectly here. Everything about this one is excellent! Bob Bob, that "Wow" is a great start to a review. "Superb" is too. Even the final word: "excellent"! You should have seen my broad smile after reading this. Thanks a lot! Spaghetti Western meets Ireland - you had me right from the intro, Hans. I really like the story, as well as the way you tell it. Who wouldn't be tempted to just leave this mess of a planet behind? Very good production (your new studio seems to be paying off) and really good vocals. Enjoyed my listen ![[Linked Image]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif) Brain, what a title: "Spaghetti Western meets Ireland". Haven't thought of that, but maybe it has to do with the word 'Spaghetti'. Not my most favorite meal.So then I automatically ignore those lines. It also never came in my brain, Brain! (forgive me, had to do this one time only) . Love your review! With the baritone guitar and the Irish fiddle and the lyric it sounds like an Irish outer space western. 😉 The fiddle does indeed give it a happy feeling. And the piano interplay is very good. We can relate to the lyric .. why? Well as we often say to Peter, “beam us over there to Australia, Scotty!” Excellent BiaB session guys, vocals, write and mix. ALL good  Far out! J&B J&B: Did you really ask Peter to teleport you to Australia??? That's not far enough. My sister lives there and always complains about three things: the heat, the flooding after rainfall, and the politics. Although life and politics aren't as bad as in some other Western countries, she would still advise you not to be teleported there. Maybe to us? It's crowded, but we have a lot of fun things. And you have me!!! And our politics... Oh, a small country doesn't really make an impression. But thank you for all those kind words. I really appreciate them, as you know! Hans This would bring down the house in a pub in Dublin! What a killer song and sound! The fiddle obviously is heart of the sound and that baritone is the icing on the cake I always love your vocals, and you sure did deliver a great performance here! It's like a crazy dream after watching a spaghetti western and then a sci-fi movie. Nice work as always! TB Torrey, when you wrote about what the song would mean in Dublin, you immediately grabbed me. I looked up the fastest route there. Then I realized it's much colder there than where I live. And I don't like the cold. But I really liked your comment about the song! Thanks for that! Although you did use the word "spaghetti." Did you discuss this with Brain? What an enjoyable flight in your rocket  Interesting lyrics, not over the moon, but not feet on the ground either, I like the different angle. And your arrangement are always so interesting. The combination of a baritone guitar and a fiddle is amazing, and the way you place the instruments to tell the story is very skillful. Melodic and rhytmic, I enjoy the folky elements. And your vocals are strong carrying the song to the moon and beyond. The more I listen to this song, the more I find it extraterrestrially and supernaturally good, let's go to eternity! Janne Janne, going to eternity was meant to be a fateful ending. So your cheerful cheering about that journey, you really need to reconsider... But aside from that mistake, you always put it so beautifully! I always enjoy reading your comments (but remember, I say this to almost everyone, so don't get vain!). Still, I really enjoyed reading what you wrote about my skills. Maybe I'm getting a little vain now? Well done Hans. A great match of styles. Vic Vic, you know how to stick to the facts in your answer. Short and brief! I like that, but unfortunately, I can't copy it. Thanks for your compliments and also for the lesson! Have a productive time, everyone! Hans
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Views 678
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Hi Donny, Love is truly something special. When it flares up, it's fiery, but when it's over... that's when you make songs! Your vocals are very good here! And I like your use of instruments, especially the acoustic guitars. They create a nice sphere here. A beautiful, relaxing song about a sad story. Well done! Hans
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Hi Chris, J’aim’rais croire cet artiste, et moi aussi, Chris! What a nice story you made here! It started so simple, but than becomes a nice story. I had to use Google often... Your song is also very nice and with a good funky tempo. I recognized some of the real tracks. They are lovely to use. But the vocals? Did you use AI or is it a real female singer? It's a very good voice! There is one little thing I didn't like so much. When she sings "Hier soir, à une terrasse, j’avais sûrement l’air triste" the chords went downwards (on terrasse) and took away the positive tension you were building up. And you did that 1 or 2 times more in the song. If I had to make this song I wouldn't do that, but stay in the same chord or going higher. But... I am not the maker of this song, that's you. And you had ideas why you did it, I bet. Hans
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Views 28
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Hello John, I think this is the first time I've heard a song by you. That's because of me, of course. But you had me hooked when I read that you were inspired by the Bee Gees' sound. I've been a fan for years (been one, because there's not much left of them). At first, I wanted to tease you by saying your vocals should be much higher..." But that's a bit lame. Seriously though: I was surprised by your singing. It's very pleasant to listen to, even in a song with a lot of overdrive. What I would have done in your place is use harmony vocals in the choruses. That gives the song an extra dynamic boost! But even without that, you've created a beautiful song, with clever lyrics and a joy to listen to! Hans
Replies 9
Views 95
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Well produced, played and sang!
Replies 10
Views 54
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I'm glad it's all up and running  When you are satisfied that things are all going well, would you mind marking the thread resolved? It helps others understand that this is a useful thread to read. (You probably know this already... the original post in this thread will have a RESOLVED button that can be clicked.)
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Views 81
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Hi Izzy, This is great humor, even for Dutch standards! I had to laugh the whole song through: I told the waitress, “You can call me Fred,” She said, “I’d rather call you gone instead.” If this is a boring song... well... eh, then I'll love boring songs from now on! Your singing is amazing, but tell me, were you hoarse after singing? Could you still talk? I think from now on we can call this Fun Blues, a new genre. And you in the lead! Hans Hi Hans, Thanks for the laugh—and the sympathy! If “Fun Blues” is now a genre, I accept full responsibility (and royalties) but next time, I’ll sing in a lower key I can still talk, but everything now sounds like a vintage radio. 😜 With gratitude (and a little Dutch courage), Your vote of confidence (and your sense of humour) means more than you know. Izzy Thanks Izzy. We'll do a song together one day, ok? Hans (oh, and I take the lower key than...)
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Views 639
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The consensus seems to be that they work. Still a little pricey for me though...
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Views 6,524
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OM, good to see you're feeling better. Glad your surgery went well. Hope you have a quick recovery. Thanks again for the opportunity to work on your song. It was fun. You and Dan laid the groundwork so most of the information was available to properly set up BIAB for the project. Making two versions of the song wasn't intended to change the groove or anything, but to showcase that once a song is synced with BIAB, anything is possible including having the bass and drums come in with the crazy intro lead after rhythm starts had I known you wanted that arrangement. The second version was to follow the arrangement you and Dan had taken. I used my guitar to manually determine the pitch of the imported audio. Then matched BIAB to the audio track by setting the non- transpose key signature to the pitch I had determined by ear and pressed the play button to play the song. This method allowed BIAB to see that pitch and link with it. Once linked, I set the proper key signature by regenerating the song and that transposed BIAB and the imported audio to the same pitch. The lyrics were a hoot and offered endless directions to take the song musically. I found it ironic that your surgery was ongoing the same time as I'm hearing the antics going in an emergency room. Too funny. Charlie
Replies 34
Views 1,577
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Hi Chay, You really created a fantastic song! The violins and all the orchestral instruments blended beautifully with the more modern instruments that came in during the song. And it is a lovely melody. A pleasure to listen to. Hans Thanks very much Hans! Amazingly, your response makes this post of mine the most successful on this forum - it's also now in the top 4 of my BiaB YouTube posts - but I say 'amazingly' because while I obviously like this instrumental as otherwise I'd never have posted it, but it's not even in my top 30 favourites out of my now 40 BiaB instrumentals!  Blue Attitude Dave also once commented that it's disappointing when least favourite YT posts get more views than favourities!
Replies 40
Views 1,098
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Thanks, that's interesting. I'm not that computer-literate, and I always welcome information I didn't know before. While I'm a trained musician, everything I know on the computer is self-taught, with the help of books, friends, and videos. I've learned what I need to know, to do the things I need to do, and not much more. While my curiosity is endless, the time I can devote to things is limited. I haven't even watched TV since the first Jay Leno “Tonight” show. I write and maintain my own websites, originally from a book, (HTML in Plain English), and later from googling, and adapting code from other websites. A computer teacher actually asked permission to use my nortonmusic.com site to teach his class how a simple website could be the best choice for the purpose my site was intended to do. I told him I keep it simple because it's for information, not entertainment. I remember in the 8 bit days using BASIC, and that was fun. I made a simple game. But when I quit a band and started a duo, making my own backing tracks (then on a Teac A4440 reel-to-reel) there was no time to play with code anymore. BTW, I play sax, flute, wind synth, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and voice in various levels of competency/incompetency. Instead of learning to be a coder, I learned wind synth, lead guitar, style writing for BiaB, making backing tracks for my duo from scratch, and hardest of all, how to sing with a less than stellar sounding vocal instrument (me). I can hold my own now. Life is a learning journey. There is so much more to learn, and not nearly enough years in a lifetime to learn it all. Notes ♫
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Views 318
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Hi BT This is just a random selection without any in-depth research. Listening to these songs made me think … - The context and instrumentation influences the sound
- The impact of chord extensions and bass notes used
- My perception or preconceived notions of whether the chords should sound sad or happy
Andrew Hmmm, clearly you have superior listening skills that I. I don't think I can add anything here you don't already know, hopefully someone else can comment. I can say that I never heard How to make Gravy before and there is something masterfully emotional about that video.I'm going to attempt to work on a bass line for that song. According to Fender Studio Pro it has an E - F#m7 - A - E - A - B chord progression. Cool tune for sure.
Replies 215
Views 24,475
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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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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
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Team PG
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