Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#647785 03/21/21 04:26 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,040
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,040
Dear Forum Friends,

I hope this finds you all safe and well. You'll either love or hate our new song "Half a Million Gone" . We usually write upbeat, optimistic songs, but we felt we had to comment on the pandemic crisis.

On Feb 22, 2021, the death toll from the COVID pandemic reached 500,000 in the US. This was one day after the passing a close friend. These two events drove home the impact this terrible, senseless disease has brought to the world, my nation, and finally me. It had become all too real for me to merely cope with and complain about. I had to capture my thoughts and feelings in music to begin my healing process.

I'll post the Soundcloud link in a few days.

Link to song: https://soundclick.com/r/s8gqg1
[url=Https://soundclick.com/dcspacedog][url=Https://soundclick.com/dcspacedog][url=Https://soundclick.com/dcspacedog]Https://soundclick.com/dcspacedog[/url][/url][/url]

Best wishes

DC SpaceDog

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,081
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,081
Cool song. Good lyrics. Great beat. A real head nodder. I like how the numbers keep rising in the chorus. Good one. The band has it down.


My music can be heard at: The Cracks
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,674
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,674
Having also lost a close friend we are readily able to relate to this tune. The number is even more stark when compared to
US battlefield deaths and, yes, this is also a battle.

Like jptx3 we also liked the approach to the chorus...very creative.

Sad but a good listen...

J&B


You can listen to our catalog on Apple Music or Spotify by searching on Janice Merritt
Our Videos are here on our website
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,831
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,831
I really like the style of vibe you chose for this. The harmonies in the chorus recall Buffalo Springfield.

Well captured!

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,080
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,080
Sorry to hear about the your friend.

Good write, well structured to fit the idea. The descending motif helped build a sense of dread.

As others mentioned, the chorus was effective.

Listening to this sort of song usually feels like getting hit over the head with a baseball bat. It's just the nature of the beast, but I think this worked out well.


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,040
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,040
JPTx3, Thanks for listening and commenting.

J&B, I'm so sorry for your loss. This virus is SO weird how it barely impacts some people, takes others over months in the hospital, and kills some in a few days. It's more than sad, it makes me angry that we let it get this far.

Gruverider, Thanks for the complement. I chose unison harmony for the chorus to try to preserve the feeling of isolation and unity.

Dave, Thanks. I based the solo motif on the minor harmonic scale. It always sounded strange and eerie to me. Sorry about hitting you with a baseball bat. However, good art and music should have an impact. I'll take that as a high complement. Thanks.

Best wishes to you.

DCSD

Last edited by SpaceDog; 03/21/21 03:03 PM.
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Hi SpaceDog

Sorry to hear about your friend. I do hope that creating this song contributes to the healing process, as you intended. I enjoyed the song (if that's the right word), which I think conveys your message well. One of the most heartbreaking things about the pandemic is that the actions of certain governments and individuals have made the impact so much worse than it might otherwise have been. While we've so far been very fortunate in my neck of the woods, until we're all safe, none of us are.
Regards,
Leon

User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 5,965
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 5,965
SpaceDog,
sounds apocalyptical Doorsy. Solid composition and vocal phrasing. Nice production. The only tiny suggestion I can make is maybe a little d-esser would make it even better. Some interesting musical hooks. Sad tune, but made very well. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,040
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,040
Leon, Thanks. It has helped. My next song will be dedicated to my friend who passed. That should complete my healing process. I've seen that Australia and NZ have faired better thru this thing. Let's hope it stays that way.

I heard a song on Soundclick yesterday that was just the opposite of my message. I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion, unfortunately we all have to pay for that privilege.

Misha, "apocalyptic" Wow, maybe I over-did it ;-) Yesssssss. You have a good ear! I forget to de-ess. Thanks for reminding me.

Best wishes all!!

SD

User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,749
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,749
Sad subject, good song!
I'm remined that half the population thinks it's a hoax or some plot to take away their civil liberties.
So sad!!!

An intriguing delivery on this one.

moto

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,598
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,598
A sad sombre piece but really nicely produced.

A top quality production from the write to the vocal.

Excellent work.

Peter

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,568
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,568
Sounds like a Ghost Riders On The storm in the verses.
For me the drums and vocals are far too forward with the slide a little under them and the rest in another room.
Good song, truth telling with melody and harmony.
The descending doom line doesn't work for me - either it's too fast or the piano is too bright n cheery...good idea though.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,040
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,040
Moto, Thanks for listening. I agree. How can people still think this is some kind of conspiracy? Do they think those half million people were just going to die anyway? My friend was young, strong, and bursting with life. She was taken from us in a matter of days. Tragic! Needless!

Peter, Glad you liked it. I intentionally chose a key to use my lowest vocal range to make it feel somber and heavy. This caused quite a challenge in mixing. Thanks for the complement.

Ray, Thanks for your constructive input. I'll listen to it on a few different sound systems to see if the drums need to be lowered a bit. I'll also play with the riff to see if I can take the edge off of it.



I'm planning making the final tweaks this weekend. Thanks for all your comments.

SD

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,040
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,040
PGMusic

Here is the Soundcloud link and song info:

https://soundcloud.com/dcspacedog


****** Song Summary *************
Title: Half a Million Gone
Style is _RESFUNK.STY (Funky Swing 16ths Resonator Blue)

RealTracks in style: 1191:Bass, Electric, NorthernRock Sw16 075
RealTracks in style: 875:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm NorthernRockFuzzyA-B Sw16 075
RealTracks in style: 2627:Guitar, Resonator, RhythmPlus BluesFunkyRandy Sw16 075
RealDrums in style: NashCrossovrSw16^04-a:Snare, Closed Hat Skip Beat 1 , b:Snare, Open Hat Boogaloo

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
Band-in-a-Box 2024 Italian for Mac is Here!

Ci siamo dati da fare e abbiamo aggiunto oltre 50 nuove funzionalità e una straordinaria raccolta di nuovi contenuti, tra cui 222 RealTracks, nuovi RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 3, Playable RealDrums Set 2, due nuovi set di "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 e altro ancora!

Tutti Pacchetti | Nuove Caratteristiche

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Mac Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK & 7, Xtra Styles PAK 17 & 18, und mehr!

Paket | Was ist Neu

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 French for Mac® is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 apporte plus de 50 fonctions nouvelles ainsi qu'une importante de contenus nouveaux à savoir : 222 RealTracks, des RealStyles nouveaux, des SuperTracks MIDI, des Etudes d'Instruments, des Prestations d'Artistes, des "Morceaux avec Choeurs", un Set 3 de Tracks Jouables, un Set 2 de RealDrums Jouables, deux nouveaux Sets de "RealDrums Stems", des Styles XPro PAK 6 & 7, des Xtra Styles PAK 17 & 18, et bien plus encore!

New! XPro Styles PAK 7 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 7 with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 50 RealTracks and RealDrums that are sure to delight!

With XPro Styles PAK 7 you can expect 25 rock & pop, 25 jazz, and 25 country styles, as well as 25 of this year's wildcard genre: Celtic!

Here's a small sampling of what XPro Styles PAK 7 has to offer: energetic rock jigs, New Orleans funk, lilting jazz waltzes, fast Celtic punk, uptempo train beats, gritty grunge, intense jazz rock, groovy EDM, soulful R&B, soft singer-songwriter pop, country blues rock, and many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 7 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box 2024® with XPro Styles PAK 7! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Watch the XPro Styles PAK 7 Overview & Styles Demos video.

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box version 2024 is here with 200 brand new styles to take for a spin!

Along with 50 new styles each for the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, we’ve put together a collection of styles using sounds from the SynthMaster plugin!

In this PAK you'll find: dubby reggae grooves, rootsy Americana, LA jazz pop, driving pop rock, mellow electronica, modern jazz fusion, spacey country ballads, Motown shuffles, energetic EDM, and plenty of synth heavy grooves! Xtra Style PAK 18 features these styles and many, many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 18 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Expand your Band-in-a-Box 2024® library with Xtra Styles PAK 18! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 18 here.

Watch the Xtra Styles PAK 18 Overview & Styles Demos video.

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 18 requires the 2024 UltraPAK/UltraPAK+/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! Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box version 2024 is here with 200 brand new styles to take for a spin!

Along with 50 new styles each for the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, we’ve put together a collection of styles using sounds from the SynthMaster plugin!

In this PAK you'll find: dubby reggae grooves, rootsy Americana, LA jazz pop, driving pop rock, mellow electronica, modern jazz fusion, spacey country ballads, Motown shuffles, energetic EDM, and plenty of synth heavy grooves! Xtra Style PAK 18 features these styles and many, many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 18 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Expand your Band-in-a-Box 2024® library with Xtra Styles PAK 18! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 18 here.

Watch the Xtra Styles PAK 18 Overview & Styles Demos video.

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 18 requires the 2024 UltraPAK/UltraPAK+/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 7 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 7 with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 50 RealTracks and RealDrums that are sure to delight!

With XPro Styles PAK 7 you can expect 25 rock & pop, 25 jazz, and 25 country styles, as well as 25 of this year's wildcard genre: Celtic!

Here's a small sampling of what XPro Styles PAK 7 has to offer: energetic rock jigs, New Orleans funk, lilting jazz waltzes, fast Celtic punk, uptempo train beats, gritty grunge, intense jazz rock, groovy EDM, soulful R&B, soft singer-songwriter pop, country blues rock, and many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 7 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box 2024® with XPro Styles PAK 7! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Watch the XPro Styles PAK 7 Overview & Styles Demos video.

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Forum Statistics
Forums65
Topics83,095
Posts753,535
Members38,995
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
short tail, Charlesmaggo, JeansKeyzhu, sepulchre, Sekten6
38,994 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 152
DC Ron 94
rsdean 79
dcuny 68
Today's Birthdays
Budmanvet, cmpessoa
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5