Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#366615 09/21/16 11:30 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
receder Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
This is my final entry in the Xtra Styles competition in the Country category (content copied from original post).

Southern Comfort


I wasn’t going to enter in this category as Country’s not really my genre but then I thought “nothing ventured nothing gained”. Also BIAB makes it fairly easy to try out genres that you may not be so familiar with.

I used the _SALOON style which was very inspiring including both Resonator and Pedal Steel guitar tracks. However, I found it too busy so alternated between the Resonator and Steel guitars for the verse and chorus.

Also, the song has quite a few “pushes” which I found created unnatural sounding Pedal steel and resonator chord transitions so I created a parallel version of the song with no pushes and used the Resonator and Pedal steel tracks from this version.

For the solo guitar I decided to have the day off and found a very tasty RT (413:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Train Pickin'). I generated two versions of the solo and cherry picked the bits I liked the most from each one to create the final solo. I also added edgy (L) and clean (R) amp models and chorus to the solo track and finally added my vocals.

****** Song Summary *************
Title: Southern Comfort (Xtra Styles Comp)
File:Southern Comfort (Xtra Styles Comp).SGU
Key=E , Tempo 95, Length (m:s)=2:21
Style is _SALOON.STY (Saloon Funky Resonator Country)

RealTracks in style: 1416:Bass, Electric, PopSw16Sync Sw16 075
RealTracks in style: 2627:Guitar, Resonator, RhythmPlus BluesFunkyRandy Sw16 075
RealTracks in style: 1421:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopCrossover Sw16 075
RealTracks in style: 876:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm NorthernRockFuzzyQuarters Sw16 075
RealTracks in style: ~~363:Pedal Steel, Background Ev 085
RealDrums in style: NashCrossovrSw16^10-a:Snare, Closed Hat Push Beat 2 , b:Snare, Open Hat Boogaloo

RealTrack added: 413:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Train Pickin' Ev 130
*******************

Lyrics:
Well I’m driving this highway,
Through haunted dusty towns,
Heading for Nashville,
Near the Mason-Dixon line

The Grand Ole Opry
Looks mighty fine to me
But I won’t be stopping
Got somewhere else to be

Every place I see it just reminds me
Of every moment that I spend with you
With every mile I’m getting even closer
Southern Comfort pay your due

Now I’m headin for Memphis
Seeing sights that make me think
Of times gone by
Nearly drove me to drink

Now things are lookin better
Got you on my mind
Be there before you know it
Feeling mighty fine

Every place I see it just reminds me
Of every moment that I spend with you
With every mile I’m getting even closer
Southern Comfort pay your due

Enjoy!
Rec


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,542
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,542
I really like this song a lot. I think you did a great job on this one.

Charlie


BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
receder Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Cheers Charlie, much appreciated.

Rec


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,030
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,030
Really catchy tune!! Very nice changes, and some cool lyrics. You have a real knack for melody. For me, the vocal seems too buried in the mix. You sing really well, and I would bring it up 2-4 db. I also feel the arrangement is a bit busy at times. Love the song!! Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 408
W
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
W
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 408
Rec, caught this one first thing this morning and loved it, only getting around to saying something now. All your songs have a real "arena singalong" feel to them, and I love the guitar solo at the end of this one too smile


Will - PG Music
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
receder Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Originally Posted By: Greg Johnson
Really catchy tune!! Very nice changes, and some cool lyrics. You have a real knack for melody. For me, the vocal seems too buried in the mix. You sing really well, and I would bring it up 2-4 db. I also feel the arrangement is a bit busy at times. Love the song!! Take care. Greg


Thanks a lot Greg for your comments. I think the same as you about the vocals being buried. It was weird with this song - I spent ages and ages adjusting the relative levels. I would increase one thing which caused something else to be buried. I even tried sidechain compression so that the vocals reduced the levels on the guitar tracks when they kicked in but couldn't get it to sound natural. I also agree about the how busy the song is in places. I think the _SALOON Style is excellent but you have to separate the RTs and not use them all at once! There may well be a version 2 of this song before too long smile

Originally Posted By: Will B - PG Music
Rec, caught this one first thing this morning and loved it, only getting around to saying something now. All your songs have a real "arena singalong" feel to them, and I love the guitar solo at the end of this one too smile


Cheers Will B smile Glad you enjoyed this one too and thank you for your positive comments. My other Xtra Style competition entries were mostly about sad or unhappy things so I wanted a more upbeat feel to this one that people could sing along to.

All the best,
Rec


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Very singalong and catchy.
Yes, bring the vocal up as Greg suggested...its a good melody that will come out more.
There`s still time for a remix before the contest closes!

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,311
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,311
Yes bringing up the vocals and thinning out the backing tracks would put this excellent song over the top for me.

You have a very good voice so put it on the top.

This is an excellent song that just needs a little polish IMHO.


I went line dancing last night. Well it was a roadside sobriety test, same thing.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
receder Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Originally Posted By: Robertkc
Very singalong and catchy.
Yes, bring the vocal up as Greg suggested...its a good melody that will come out more.
There`s still time for a remix before the contest closes!

Robert


Originally Posted By: MarioD
Yes bringing up the vocals and thinning out the backing tracks would put this excellent song over the top for me.

You have a very good voice so put it on the top.

This is an excellent song that just needs a little polish IMHO.


Many thanks for the comments and suggestions Robertkc and MarioD.
I am working on a version 2 mix smile

Rec


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,620
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,620
Nice song - agree with the comments it's a bit busy in parts - perhaps lose the pedal steel? (particularly during the guitar solo)

Nice and catchy.

Peter

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
receder Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Originally Posted By: PeterF
Nice song - agree with the comments it's a bit busy in parts - perhaps lose the pedal steel? (particularly during the guitar solo)

Nice and catchy.

Peter


Thanks Peter, yes that's one of the changes I have made and I will be uploading a new version soon...

Cheers,
Rec


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
receder Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Updated mix now posted on Soundcloud (use same link as before or click here).

- Removed a lot of overlaps for pedal steel, resonator and guitar.
- Brought vocals forward in the mix
- Other minor tweaks

Rec


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,955
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,955
Oh yeah! That is a much cleaner mix and the gain on the vocals sounds good. FWIW, I ascribe to the notion that perfection is approached when there's nothing left to take away rather than when there's nothing left to add.

Your soundstage now allows each track to have it's own place w/o stepping on others. I think all of your efforts paid off and you have a nice song for the contest.

And like Mario said you have a nice voice...so keep it on top!

We enjoyed it!

J&B


Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more.
If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks!
Our Videos are here on our website.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,030
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,030
As Jon Lovitt used to say "That's the ticket"!! Sounds great now. Fantastic song. Vocal sounds great-you're a great singer-don't be shy, just put it out front. Excellent mix!! Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
receder Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Thanks Janice, Bud and Greg for taking the time to listen to the remix and for the vote of confidence.
Much appreciated smile

Cheers
Rec


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Rec,

I enjoyed that!
Cool solo and thanks for the insights into how you did the song, nice to see how others work so's that I can adapt stuff and use myself!

great stuff
Alyn

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,246
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,246
Rec,

Enjoyed that. Like Greg said... "this is catchy!"... terrific melody. The song itself had a feel like the California Country Rock bands - Poco comes to mind...

Nice. Smooth. A great listen...

floyd



(btw..thanks for the very nice comments on "I Love You When It Rains"... did not want to bump it again, as I had another ready to go...)

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Rec,
You`ve cracked it on the remix.Now its radio ( & contest!) ready.

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,822
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,822
Very cool tune. Loved the lyric and vocal


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
receder Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Originally Posted By: gibson
Rec,
I enjoyed that!
Cool solo and thanks for the insights into how you did the song, nice to see how others work so's that I can adapt stuff and use myself!
great stuff
Alyn


Cheers Alyn. Glad you enjoyed the song and found the information useful.

Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Rec,

Enjoyed that. Like Greg said... "this is catchy!"... terrific melody. The song itself had a feel like the California Country Rock bands - Poco comes to mind...

Nice. Smooth. A great listen...

floyd

(btw..thanks for the very nice comments on "I Love You When It Rains"... did not want to bump it again, as I had another ready to go...)


Thanks a bunch Floyd for your positive comments. Quite understand re "I Love You When it Rains" and I meant every word.

Originally Posted By: Robertkc
Rec,
You`ve cracked it on the remix.Now its radio ( & contest!) ready.

Robert


Thanks a lot Robert. The competition seems to be hotting up with all the great entries from so many. I've not looked at the forum for a day or so and there's so much to catch up on!

Originally Posted By: Scottt709
Very cool tune. Loved the lyric and vocal


Cheers Scott, kind of you.

Rec


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
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
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows® Today!

If you’ve already purchased Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®, great news—a new update is now available! This update introduces a handy new feature: a vertical cursor in the Tracks window that shows the current location across all tracks, and more.

Discover everything included in this free update and download it now at https://www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1124

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator

With Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®, we've introduced an exciting new feature: the AI Lyrics Generator! In this video, Tobin guides you step-by-step on how to make the most of this new tool.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator video.

Check out the forum post for more information.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins

Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows® now includes support for VST3 plugins, bringing even more creative possibilities to your music production. Join Simon as he guides you through the process in this easy-to-follow demonstration!

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Video: Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows: Using The BB Stem Splitter!

In this video, Tobin provides a crash course on using the new BB Stem Splitter feature included in Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®. During this process he also uses the Audio Chord Wizard (ACW) and the new Equalize Tempo feature.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using the BB Stem Splitter

Check out the forum post for some optional Tips & Tricks!

Congrats to Misha (Rustyspoon)…downloaded/installed a full Audiophile 2025!

Breaking News!

We’re thrilled to announce that Rustyspoon has made PG history as the very first person to successfully complete the download and install of the full Band-in-a-Box 2025 Windows Audiophile Edition (with FLAC files)—a whopping 610GB of data!

A big shoutout to Rustyspoon for stepping up to be our test "elf!"

Thank you for your support, Rustyspoon!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows Videos

With the launch of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows, we're adding new videos to our YouTube channel. We'll also share them here once they are published so you can easily find all the Band-in-a-Box® 2025 and new Add-on videos in one place!

Whether it's a summary of the new features, demonstrations of the 202 new RealTracks, new XPro Styles PAK 8, or Xtra Styles PAKs 18, information on the 2025 49-PAK, or detailed tutorials for other Band-in-a-Box® 2025 features, we have you covered!

Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Videos - we will be updating this post as more videos are added!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until December 31, 2024! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK
with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Windows 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics84,081
Posts765,354
Members39,282
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
mamashila, tylersmith, billy roy, hmtiiister, Darlene Rodney
39,281 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 191
jpettit 123
rsdean 102
Jim Fogle 101
Noel96 100
WaoBand 88
Today's Birthdays
Erik Gran, jordemar
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5