|
|
|
|
#540131 - 06/09/19 01:16 AM
[User Showcase]
The Giants of Albion (Updated Mix)
|
|
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
Veteran
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
|
The Giants of AlbionBrutus! there lies beyond the Gallic bounds
An island which the western sea surrounds,
By giants once possessed, now few remain
To bar thy entrance, or obstruct thy reign.
To reach that happy shore thy sails employ
There fate decrees to raise a second Troy
And found an empire in thy royal line,
Which time shall ne'er destroy, nor bounds confine.-- Geoffrey of Monmouth, History of the Kings of Britain/Books 1, 11OK, the quote wasn't really the inspiration for the song. The title came from the style I used - _ALBION.STY - and Wikipedia had this to say about Albion, so I went with that title. I used a minor chord progression for a change, but went with the standard major 7ths in the chorus I love so much, built the track, put together a guide melody (not very good), and sat down to write some lyrics. But... no luck with the lyrics. Rather than continue to fight it, I decided to make an instrumental and move ahead. I start with the SWAM sax and my EWI, but what I got wasn't convincing at all. Eventually I picked the lovely SampleModeling flugelhorn, and came up with something hopefully melodic. I probably should have added a bridge to the song, but obviously didn't. I had purchased the Greg Wells VoiceCentric plugin a while ago, but didn't get a chance to try it out on vocals yet. I thought it would be interesting to run the flugelhorn through that. So there's compression, delay and a bit of doubling in the flugel. And then it's run through a huge reverb from EZMix, because I love reverb, and I wanted something a bit more spacious than VoiceCentric had. The MIDI electric guitars playing power chords are the Stratified and Roculus guitars from Amadeus Symphonic Orchestra, run through some EZMix effects. They're not entirely convincing, but they get the job done. I added some MIDI strings, one side Amadeus Symphonic Orchestra, the other Native Instruments Strings to make it more interesting. I think I got carried away with some of the string parts - the simpler bits are actually the best parts. The mix is run through the Lurssen Mastering Console, and then a stereo widener effect. I probably overdid the compression. I didn't sweat the mix too much, so I'm sure it needs some fixing. So don't bother posting any comments on SoundCloud - they'll get lost when I post a new version.  Edit #1: Brought out the strings (per floydjane's suggestion), perhaps a bit too much at the beginning. Added BiaB power chords, and an oboe and a male choir at the end while I was at it. I also had my son play with the mix a bit. Edit #2: Ooops. Doubled the woodwinds on the intro by mistake. Trying to do too much while running around on a Sunday morning. Sorry about that! 1759:Bass, Electric, Pop16ths Ev 085 2914:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Folky16thsBrent Ev16 085 3056:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Pop16thsSyncBrent Ev16 085 1757:Accordion, Rhythm Pop8ths Ev 085 ~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085 Power Chords from various guitars RealDrums: PopRock16ths^04-a:Sidestick, HiHat, b:Snare, Ride As always, comments and criticisms are welcome.
Edited by dcuny (06/09/19 01:20 PM)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540133 - 06/09/19 01:50 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion
[Re: dcuny]
|
|
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 256
Loc: United Kingdom
Apprentice
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 256
Loc: United Kingdom
|
Well, I know nothing about production myself, but what I CAN say is that I loved the track. The melody catches one's attention and the orchestration is splendid - dare I say it, it's very well balanced and everything comes through so well - great texture. The use of the flugelhorn to carry the melody is a great idea, I think. A great, "epic soundtrack" feel to it all, for me. Loved it - want to hear more! :-)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540134 - 06/09/19 02:51 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion
[Re: dcuny]
|
|
Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 2356
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Veteran
Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 2356
Loc: Ontario, Canada
|
Good instrumental!
Love the flugelhorn, nice melodic line that held my attention throughout the entire song. Running it through voicecentric worked a treat.
Enjoyed the listen!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540145 - 06/09/19 07:00 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion
[Re: dcuny]
|
|
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 7128
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 7128
Loc: Florida
|
David, I like the sound of the flugelhorn! (the spell checker wanted me to change that to "bullhorn"  ). The bass sounds really good. Love the way you mixed the drums! The acoustic guitars were beautifully subtle. The strings were too subtle, I think. They could have been louder?? It seems a surprising choice to use MIDI guitars for sustained chords. BIAB can give you some nice sustained electric guitar chords by checking the Held box (the Brent Rock solo 120 works well). An excellent listen. And thanks for all the detail on the process. A really interesting read. fj
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540147 - 06/09/19 07:52 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion
[Re: dcuny]
|
|
Registered: 06/16/00
Posts: 1255
Loc: Texas
Expert
Registered: 06/16/00
Posts: 1255
Loc: Texas
|
You always seem to deliver interesting musical works...
And this one is just as compelling...
I must say I really enjoyed the listen!
_________________________
Jim
†=☮&♥
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540170 - 06/09/19 01:50 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
Veteran
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
|
Well, I know nothing about production myself, but what I CAN say is that I loved the track. I'm glad you liked it - thanks for listening!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540171 - 06/09/19 01:52 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion
[Re: BlueAttitude]
|
|
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
Veteran
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
|
Thanks, Dave. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Now I need to do some writing so I can try it out on my voice! 
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540172 - 06/09/19 01:58 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
Veteran
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
|
I like the sound of the flugelhorn! (the spell checker wanted me to change that to "bullhorn" ). Ha!  I've got a "real" flugel, but my embouchure isn't even close to being good enough to record it. So the EWI will do until my lips catch up. The bass sounds really good. Love the way you mixed the drums! I was thinking about you when I mixed them. My son's played with them a bit on the new mix, but they're still up front. The strings were too subtle, I think. They could have been louder?? Done. There were some problems with the part that I fixed, and they're now back in the mix. It seems a surprising choice to use MIDI guitars for sustained chords. BIAB can give you some nice sustained electric guitar chords by checking the Held box (the Brent Rock solo 120 works well). I was just going through some instruments, wondering what I could add, and I saw them. I was too lazy to go back, but that's been corrected as well. An excellent listen. And thanks for all the detail on the process. A really interesting read. Thanks again!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540173 - 06/09/19 01:58 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion
[Re: Jim]
|
|
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
Veteran
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
|
You always seem to deliver interesting musical works...
And this one is just as compelling...
I must say I really enjoyed the listen! Thanks, Jim! I appreciate the feedback.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540192 - 06/09/19 03:40 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion (Updated Mix)
[Re: dcuny]
|
|
Registered: 08/09/10
Posts: 4117
Loc: Woodstock, NY
Veteran
Registered: 08/09/10
Posts: 4117
Loc: Woodstock, NY
|
David,
This sounds great. You have really built the mix up nicely.
Much enjoyed!
Bob
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540197 - 06/09/19 04:29 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion (Updated Mix)
[Re: rsdean]
|
|
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
Veteran
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
|
This sounds great. You have really built the mix up nicely. Thanks, Bob!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540199 - 06/09/19 04:42 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion (Updated Mix)
[Re: dcuny]
|
|
Registered: 12/06/03
Posts: 2938
Loc: Sydney Australia
Veteran
Registered: 12/06/03
Posts: 2938
Loc: Sydney Australia
|
David
Listened to the original and the edited version. You've achieved really nice sound.
The flugelhorn sounds excellent and is nicely played.
The backing is very nice and well mixed (not sure about the very short male choir snippet fits at the end).
A very enjoyable instrumental.
Peter
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540214 - 06/09/19 06:07 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion (Updated Mix)
[Re: PeterF]
|
|
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
Veteran
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
|
Listened to the original and the edited version. You've achieved really nice sound.
The flugelhorn sounds excellent and is nicely played. Thanks, Peter. ...(not sure about the very short male choir snippet fits at the end). Does the vocal stick out too much? I just figured I'd add it because I like the sound. But if it's distracting, it should probably be removed or brought down.
Edited by dcuny (06/10/19 12:11 AM)
Edit Reason: Removed dangling UBB code
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540215 - 06/09/19 06:09 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion (Updated Mix)
[Re: dcuny]
|
|
Registered: 12/08/11
Posts: 4253
Loc: Edmonton, Ab, Canada
Veteran
Registered: 12/08/11
Posts: 4253
Loc: Edmonton, Ab, Canada
|
Very cool track David. Such an excellent melody. Floaty dreamy song. Drums were perfect for the song. Well done...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540220 - 06/09/19 06:35 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion (Updated Mix)
[Re: dcuny]
|
|
Registered: 03/07/18
Posts: 1012
Expert
Registered: 03/07/18
Posts: 1012
|
David,
Very interesting composition. Flugelhorn is the boss! A bit sharp/metallic on edges, but still very cool sounding! Seems like you invested yourself heavily into melody and I believe you done excellent job on it. It kept me entertained throughout. Mix is very good, and flugelhorn sits well, but as an average listener, I would prefer it just a hint quieter.
Thank you for sharing!
Misha.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540226 - 06/09/19 07:02 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion (Updated Mix)
[Re: dcuny]
|
|
Registered: 06/09/16
Posts: 2056
Veteran
Registered: 06/09/16
Posts: 2056
|
David,
Very cinematic and the flugelhorn is a great fit ( dissapointed that`s not an RT).
Nice work on the strings.I liked the voices at the end.
Robert
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540237 - 06/09/19 07:18 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion (Updated Mix)
[Re: dcuny]
|
|
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 4910
Loc: Davis, CA
Veteran
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 4910
Loc: Davis, CA
|
This is a wonderful emotional instrumental!!! I would pitch it for film.....if I was a film maker, I'd jump on it!! AWESOME!!!! Take care. Greg
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540247 - 06/09/19 08:44 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion (Updated Mix)
[Re: dcuny]
|
|
Registered: 12/06/03
Posts: 2938
Loc: Sydney Australia
Veteran
Registered: 12/06/03
Posts: 2938
Loc: Sydney Australia
|
Listened to the original and the edited version. You've achieved really nice sound.
The flugelhorn sounds excellent and is nicely played. Thanks, Peter. ...(not sure about the very short male choir snippet fits at the end). Does the vocal stick out too much? I just figured I'd add it because I like the sound. But if it's distracting, it should probably be removed or brought down. [/quote] Not that I don't like them, just thought given they were not present anywhere else they may be necessary - but I see Robert likes them. Peter
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540251 - 06/10/19 12:14 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion (Updated Mix)
[Re: Scott C]
|
|
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
Veteran
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
|
Floaty dreamy song. Drums were perfect for the song. Well done... Thanks, Scott! BiaB has a lot of nice RTs, and the drums are no exception.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#540252 - 06/10/19 12:16 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: The Giants of Albion (Updated Mix)
[Re: Rustyspoon#]
|
|
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
Veteran
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 2832
Loc: Sacramento, California
|
Mix is very good, and flugelhorn sits well, but as an average listener, I would prefer it just a hint quieter. Hi, Misha. Thanks for the feedback! Are you referring to the mix as being overly loud, or the flugel? I assume you mean the mix, which is rather hot. After listening in my car, I was thinking about moving the flugelhorn up a bit, but I should probably leave it alone for a day before messing with it any more.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® Features List!
Every version release of Band-in-a-Box® adds loads of new features and enhancements to the program, which we're sure can sometimes get "lost" in your knowledge of the program's capabilities.
Looking to learn about new features with a specific release? It's actually really easy to locate this information!
Learn tips on the new version (2019) by visiting Help | Tip of the Day and placing a check mark next to "Only Show Tips for Version 2019" (you'll also need to select "Show Tips at Startup", if it's not already).
Access the new features list for older versions in the Help Index of the program - from the left-menu, choose Contents | Features and a list of New Features will show - all the way back to Version 7!
#FeatureFriday
#TBT Band-in-a-Box® Goes to NAMM
As we get ready to head to Summer NAMM this year, we're remembering our time their last year - we had so many visitors stop by our booth!
Click here to take a peak!
Special thanks to Mike and all the RealTracks Artists and PG Endorsers who stopped by. Stay tuned for our Booth Visitors and other happenings from Summer NAMM on July 18-20, 2019! If you find yourself at the event, come say "Hi!" to us at booth 234.
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows StylePicker Feature - Finding RealTracks & MIDI SuperTracks
Did you know... Within Band-in-a-Box®, quickly find styles that use RealTracks (or MIDI SuperTracks!) in a certain range by pressing the [Other] filter button in the StylePicker window and select "Styles that contain RealTracks or MIDI SuperTracks in a number range".
#WisdomWednesday
Band-in-a-Box® Tip of the Day!
Did you know that Band-in-a-Box® will show you some helpful "Tips" when you start the program? What a great way for new program users to learn all the features of the program! Want to know Tips on just the latest version? This feature can be adjusted to just show the Tips for that too.
Maybe you're a long-time user of the program, and have this feature turned off? To access Tip of the Day (450+ available!), head to Help | Tip of the Day. Your Tip will appear right away - and you'll have the option of reading the Next Tip if you wanted too! Within this window is where you would also choose to "Show Tips at Startup" (if this is unchecked, you won't see them), or "Only Show Tips for Version 2019".
Here's a few Tips the program informed me of the last time I opened Band-in-a-Box®:
In the Piano Roll window, the 'Ghost Note' function allows you to view a single-channel, and see notes on all other channels display in light grey. This is useful when working with multi-channel tracks.
Want a bigger guitar display? Drag the bottom end of the Guitar Window to change its size, or press the SETTINGS button to set a custom size.
The Printout can use left and right MARGINS. This is useful to make printouts for small paper size or 3 hole paper that requires margins.
Edit | Nudge Chords/Melody. Let's say that you have entered a complete song chord progression, and you then realize that all of the chords starting at bar 23 are 1 beat to late. You can use this feature to slide your chords over by 1 beat.
#TipTuesday
Video - Using the Band-in-a-Box® Vocal Wizard
Check out this incredibly thorough video created by Dennis Wilkins, which explains how he uses the Band-in-a-Box® Vocal Wizard! Click here to watch..
YouTube Find - Ballad for a Travelling Lady
Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows® in 11 Languages!
Did you know that Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows available in languages other than English? It's true - we have 10 other languages available for Band-in-a-Box® 2019! Head to www.bandinabox.com and you'll see a list of all our language options! This list can also be accessed by clicking on the "English EN" near the top right corner of our website.
Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows language options:
Danish | Dutch | French | German | Italian | Polish | Portuguese | Russian | Spanish | Swedish
Already have the English version, and want a different language? Reach out to our Customer Service Team with your request and you'll be running your preferred language in no time at all!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29764 Members
60 Forums
58809 Topics
496250 Posts
Max Online: 2434 @ 11/14/17 12:37 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous Topic
Index
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean