Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,977
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,977
Lover's Battlefield Video

Audio only

We recently watched (again) the great Tom Hanks/Steven Spielberg "Band of Brothers" series. Somehow the battlefield imagery and verbage worked their way into this song.  And for some inexplicable reason I tried to write it with no pronouns - an interesting exercise grin Tom (tommyad) joined in with some fine guitar and Janice added percussion. Another "two verses, a chorus and we’re outa here" production.

Thanks for taking time to listen and we always welcome your thoughts!

J&B

Janice: vocal and percussion (cajon on choruses)
Tom Adams: Lead guitar and fills. Thanks Tom!!
Bud: audio/video production

Bass: RT 518 Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085
Guitar: RT 2533, Acoustic 12 string, HeldChords
Guitar: RT 2444, Baritone Electric, Background PopCountryBrent Ev 085
Pedal Steel: RT 2542, Background ModernBalladAtmosphere Ev16 065
Drums: RD NashvilleEven8

For those of the technical persuasion:

Vocal: Rodes NT1 mic via Focusrite Scarlett 212 to Logic Pro X
Cajon: Stereo via Rodes NT1 mic and MXL mic and Scarlett to Logic Pro X
Mixed in Logic Pro X with track effects and mastering from Ozone
Advanced 7, Alloy 2, Nectar 2 and Neutron. The EMT 140 plate reverb sim from Nectar was used for all reverb.

Lover’s Battlefield
© 2026 Janice and Bud Merritt

another fight fades to silence
an eerie calm follows the storm
one that never heals wounds
more dark clouds form

thunder echoes through a valley
rain dances on a windshield
miles behind lay two hearts...
bleeding out...
on a lover's battlefield

dreams turned into nightmares
time ran out for reflection
running from hurt, in full retreat
no shield for protection

thunder echoes through a valley
rain dances on a windshield
miles behind lay two hearts...
bleeding out...
on a lover's battlefield

User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,679
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,679

Excellent song as usual.
Great guitar.

Sergio



Sergio
User Showcase
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,046
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,046
What shall we say first....
We already know, super cool solo guitar by Tommy!
Nice video too, Bud.
And definitely a very good vocal by Janice, but it's sounds kinda dry, in our opinion it could use a little more verb...
And this sounds different from your usual work (in a very good way).

Rob and Anne-Marie


We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gsdNLE7_Gy8qavoOplQow/videos
http://rnam.net/


User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,977
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,977
Originally Posted By: Sergio Guarneri

Excellent song as usual.
Great guitar.

Sergio


Thanks Sergio! It's always good to hear from you.

J&B

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,638
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,638
Tommy, that is some fantastic guitar chops and tone!

Janice, although this is very different from your other songs you did a fantastic job on this one and you should be very proud of it. Like RnAM an effect or two on the vocal might make it sound better, don't know for sure.

However this is still a keeper.


Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,977
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,977
Originally Posted By: RnAM
What shall we say first....
We already know, super cool solo guitar by Tommy!
Nice video too, Bud.
And definitely a very good vocal by Janice, but it's sounds kinda dry, in our opinion it could use a little more verb...
And this sounds different from your usual work (in a very good way).

Rob and Anne-Marie


Thanks you two! Glad you liked it. For 90% of our productions I use essentially the same reverb, compression, delay and EQ on Janice’s vocal that I’ve added for the last 3 or 4 years. While looking for a different more haunting sound on this song I started the settings looking for a little more “bite” and, yep, I very slightly reduced the reverb while slightly increasing the delay and also tweaked the compression and the EQ a bit. But I did put a ton of reverb on the very last word in the song smile

On our system it seems to work but we have pine walls and floors in our home and things are inherently “lively” sounding. Also I don’t mix with headphones so it’s all based on the “room sound.” Given the very high quality of your productions I very much appreciate your observations on the sound! And we are glad that it did seem different from a lot of what we have been doing. As y’all know it’s fun to venture out a bit.

Thanks again for listening and commenting. We appreciate it.

J&B

User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,253
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,253
Janice & Bud, great song all the way around, Vocals, guitar work, writing and production. Very clean, very good. Thanks, Torrey.




User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,473
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,473
Janice Tom & Bud

Bud - excellent pronoun free lyrics evokes the battlefield perfectly. Nicely mixed.
Tom - beautiful guitar parts that really compliment the song and encase the vocal.
Janice - lovely vocal(as expected and wonderfully delivered)!

A really superb piece - and great collaboration.

Peter

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,089
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,089
Good song! Janice has such an expressive voice, and such great tone. And a big tip of the hat to Tom, guitar playing is right in the pocket, great tone too.

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,301
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,301
Nice work. So much to like about this.

The vox are well sung.

Nice RT production.

TA's guitar parts...fills and solo are well played as well.

My only nit is the guitar is a few cents sharp. The sharpness stands out in quite a few places.


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: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,977
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,977
Originally Posted By: MarioD
Tommy, that is some fantastic guitar chops and tone!

Janice, although this is very different from your other songs you did a fantastic job on this one and you should be very proud of it. Like RnAM an effect or two on the vocal might make it sound better, don't know for sure.

However this is still a keeper.


We're sure Tom appreciates that. He definitely has the ability to complement a singer with both his solos and fills.

Thanks for mentioning the vocal. It's fun to venture out -- and biab and collabs sure facilitate that.

Thanks for listening and commenting!

J&B

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,977
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,977
Originally Posted By: Torrey Bliss
Janice & Bud, great song all the way around, Vocals, guitar work, writing and production. Very clean, very good. Thanks, Torrey.


We much appreciate that Torrey. Thanks for dropping by!

J&B

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,892
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,892
This one's all about mood!! Set from the first minor chord, it is dark and somber, and powerful. Janice's amazing vocal, and Tom, oozing out emotion with every note, make this a real treat. So well done! Video is very cool too-really matches the vibe of the music. Baritone guitar is the perfect addition. Excellent job on the whole nine!! Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
"thunder echoes through a valley
rain dances on a windshield
miles behind lay two hearts...
bleeding out...
on a lover's battlefield"

Great descriptive lines start to finish. Nice write.

The BAND is perfect for this - simple, sparse, subtle. Tom's guitar is the perfect compliment. Love the solo. Great drum sound.

All topped off with the best instrument of all - Janice. The voice of an angel-with-a-devilish-twinkle-in-her-eye.

fj

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Janice & Bud,

I love a slow burn song and you`ve really captured that brooding mood here. The guitar lead and fills are just so right for the song.
"Expressive" hardly does justice to Janice`s vocal but I can`t think of a better word.
Nice video images - particularly that broken window pane heart.
Very good!

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,789
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,789
Hello, Janice & Bud, Tom

The lead guitar of intro. and interlude is so good.
Janice's vocal is excellent as usual.
The choice of instruments is superb.
Nice video images and great collaboration.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best Regards.

Shigeki Adachi

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Tom, Janice and Bud,

EXCELLENT all round as usual. Superb guitar by Tom as I have come to expect!
I like Janice's voice as it seems to be closer to the listener, if you see what I mean, as if she is singing this "just for me", more intimate.

Really enjoyed.

Alyn
ps Band of Brothers was a brilliant series

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 18,256
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 18,256
What a great collaboration.

Excellent in every way. The guitar work is really way up there, Janice's vocals are rich and deliver the song perfectly.


BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Hi Janice and Bud,

Another great song! Moody, plaintive and sultry all in the right measures.
I listened to this on Soundcloud before you posted it here so was lucky enough to get a sneak preview.

Highlights :-
- Lyrical imagery
- Overall production and open sound
- Tom's guitar
- The extra oomph added by the Cajon in the chorus
- No pronouns - adds to the "mystery" i.e. we don't know who Janice is singing about.

Loved it,
Jez

Last edited by receder; 10/30/16 11:36 PM.

BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 169
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 169





Late night, smoky bar, souls that don’t want to go home for many different reasons, but a few listening to Janice singing this song, knowing darn well why and every word cutting to the bone.
That is where I was taken in my imagination. That is the ability of good songwriting each must take from it what they want, and how they see it.

Good show Janice & Bud

Paddy G

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

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
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!

The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!

There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.

If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.

We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

Video: Volume Automation in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created a video to help you learn more about the Volume Automation options in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows.

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Volume Automation

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#volume-automation

Video: Audio Input Monitoring with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created this short video to explain Audio Input Monitoring within Band-in-a-Box® 2024, and included some tips & troubleshooting details too!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Audio Input Monitoring

3:17: Tips
5:10: Troubleshooting

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#audio-input-monitoring

Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!

We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!

Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.

You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.

See the Melodist in action with our video, Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Melodist Window.

Learn even more about the enhancements to the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024upgrade/chapter3.htm#enhanced-melodist

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Specifically for Reaper®

New with the DAW Plugin Version 6.0, released with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows: the Reaper® Panel!

This new panel offers built-in specific support for the Reaper® DAW API allowing direct transfer of Band-in-a-Box® files to/from Reaper® tracks!

When you run the Plugin from Reaper®, there is a panel to set the following options:
-BB Track(s) to send: This allows you to select the Plugin tracks that will be sent Reaper.
-Destination Reaper Track: This lets you select the destination Reaper track to receive media content from the Plugin.
-At Bar: You can select a bar in Reaper where the Plugin tracks should be placed.
-Start Below Selected Track: This allows you to place the Plugin tracks below the destination Reaper track.
-Overwrite Reaper Track: You can overwrite previous content on the destination Reaper track.
-Move to Project Folder: With this option, you can move the Plugin tracks to the Reaper project folder.
-Send Reaper Instructions Enable this option to send the Reaper Instructions instead of rendering audio tracks, which is faster.
-Render Audio & Instructions: Enable this option to generate audio files and the Reaper instructions.
-Send Tracks After Generating: This allows the Plugin to automatically send tracks to Reaper after generating.
-Send Audio for MIDI Track: Enable this option to send rendered audio for MIDI tracks.
-Send RealCharts with Audio: If this option is enabled, Enable this option to send RealCharts with audio.

Check out this video highlighting the new Reaper®-specific features: Band-in-a-Box® DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Specifically for Reaper®

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Video

The new Band-in-a-Box VST DAW Plugin Verion 6 adds over 20 new features!

Watch the new features video to learn more: Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2024 - DAW Plugin Version 6 New Features

We also list these new features at www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.plugin.htm.

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,394
Posts732,487
Members38,441
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
zagrajbarke, Ernest J, Izzy, BenChaz, Csofi
38,440 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 195
Al-David 124
DC Ron 112
dcuny 87
rsdean 82
Today's Birthdays
CeeDee, SethMould
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5