floyd, As always a great write! I especially like "i plan on having no regrets when it's my day to die" as it is my personal philosophy. Bis sound and the opening guitar is super. I do kind of agree with Ray that a nastier guitar solo may have been a slightly better choice. It is very hard to find anything to nitpick in any of your work but I think he had a valid point as I kind of thought that before I read his comment. Other than that small detraction everything works. I like the gritty vocal processing. My final comment, It rocks! Tom
Tom - thanks for the great review. Not sure if you saw my response to Ray about the solo, but, I agree. I could not find anything in BIAB that would produce the kind of screaming, edgy, soaring Rock lead that I wanted. I don't think BIAB has that covered - one of the few times I've been unable to find an appropriate lead/solo from the Box...
Originally Posted By: jannesan
Nice to hear you experiencing on the harder edge of rock, somewhere between Bon Jovi and Aerosmith. Great rocking sound, nice vocal effect. Interesting change of point of view right before the first chorus, I really like the message in the second verse, although I was wondering what happened to the guy who was happy in the hole.
Janne
Thanks, Janne. Good to know that the Rock thing came across in this... "something new" for me....
WOW!!!! Is "punk country" a genre, or did you just invent it?? Such great "kick you in the butt" energy and attitude on display here!! You are the master of many domains my friend!!!! I dig it......may even get me out of my rut, and that is a chore! LOVE IT!!!! Take care. Greg
Thanks for the great review! Punk Country!
Originally Posted By: Deej56
Floyd,
Cool country rock vibe going on here. Great build on the production-just drives the listen on. I find it’s tough in BIAB to really get a good rock edge—but you’ve done it really well here. Masterful work on the production. That guitar lick going into the chorus is killer. Great work, cool tune.
Such power in that song! The guitar is killing it! I definetely see that tune in a movie like The Punisher, the Equalizer or Jack Reacher! Mix is incredible too. Really really an awesome tune!
WOW!!!! Is "punk country" a genre, or did you just invent it?? Such great "kick you in the butt" energy and attitude on display here!! You are the master of many domains my friend!!!! I dig it......may even get me out of my rut, and that is a chore! LOVE IT!!!! Take care. Greg
Sorry for getting to this so late. I heard it a couple days ago, and it wasn't doing anything for me. So I figured that was a sign that something was seriously wrong with my ears.
Since then, I found a short in my headphones, which explains a lot.
Clearly, this song is outside the expected fj songs, and it does a great job breaking expectations. Vocal effects, angry lyrics, an entirely different attitude.
Like angry heels grinding in the dirt. It makes be wrinkle up my nose with a scowl on my lips. Dang, Floyd, you know how to bring out the emotion, and each and every instrument adds to the interpretation. Very edgy indeed.
"...angry heels grinding in the dirt". HA! Thanks, Marty!!
Originally Posted By: MarioD
Floyd, I think that you can do any genre of music. This is a little more aggressive than your usual posts, but I loved this.
I really liked your lyrics on this one. "always living in the past, that ain't living at all" is so true.
As usual everything is perfect.
Man I wish I had your talent!
I appreciate that, Mario. Thanks!!
Originally Posted By: David Snyder
This sounds great man. A song we can all relate to I am sure.
Mr. Snyder. Thanks! Comeback to us Barbara Lewis Hare Krishna Beauregard...
"you don't see why it shouldn't be like it's always been ain't your concern if someone else takes it on the chin so you hunker down, stand your ground, happy in the hole you're diggin' but that's not who i am'
Amen...they just keep diggin' that hole deeper and deeper. Might've been Dylan that said many folks had rather pull you down in the hole they're in than come up where you are.
OK, mr jane check another genre off the shorter and shorter list. That would be interesting alone but when they all are this good it becomes quite remarkable.
Several folks mentioned Cowboy Punk -- hmmm, Dwight Yoakum referred to his music as that early on. This is much more modern in sound, a la, Tyminski.
The lyric, the cool processed vocal, the band, the mix are all standout.
Powerful.
OK on to EDM.
J&B
PS Nice edgy artwork!
HA! That EDM thing ain't gonna happen. I can't rap, either... But hopefully we can all try stretching the boundaries now and again... Thanks for the great comments.
Originally Posted By: Crossroads
How UNFLOYDISH. ..
But, Floyd, this one is simply gorgeous. You should have seen me listening to it: mouth wide open from start to finish. Fabulous write and the instrumentation just knocked me totally down.
I really wouldn't mind, if you'd come up with stuff like thatonce a week.
Couldn't love it any better !!!!!
Take care,
Stefan
UNFLOYDISH. Love that, Stefan. Thanks for all the nice comments. Hope y'all are doing well. Things are looking up here. We've been looking down for far too long.
Hi Floyd Certainly a departure from your usual sound, but you nailed it. Love the intro and the drums, and what a terrific vocal! Another winner. Regards, Leon
Thanks, Leon....
Originally Posted By: Phil Babylon
A while since I signed in but your compositions are generally the first I look for. You have a great ability to select the appropriate realtracks for the song. I always love the vocal sound you achieve. Your productions are always very vibrant. Enjoyed it very much.
Phil, good to see you back around. Thanks for having a listen...
Hi FloyD wow that was a smoking great tune very engaging on all parts of this song very pro sounding love it no doubt, this you would hear on film thanks for sharing Eric
Eric - thanks for having a listen...
Originally Posted By: ROG
Ha, Floyd, it looks like you're a Guns N' Roses fan after all!
I always start by looking at the list of RTs and didn't expect to see Hard Rock Thrash in there, but I did think we were overdue for one of your heavier offerings. It's annoying that you seem to be as good at heavy rock as you are at country. It makes life hard for the rest of us!
Well, this is just fabulous. The big Tannoys don't get fired up so much these days, but in your honour I ran this through them LOUD and proud. Absolutely commercial in the very best sense of the word and I can live with the solo even if it wasn't Slash!
Super vocals and TC worked wonders with the harmonies. My wife (the Northern Soul girl) said it was "All right" and believe me, that's pretty good - she's a hard girl to please and not one for the superlatives.
More of this stuff please.
ROG.
ROG - thanks for the nice comments. Good to know that this holds up to scrutiny... and the Tannoys! I'm always looking for way to mix it up a little, so I might do more of this in the future...who knows... Thanks! again...
Originally Posted By: Ezekiel's Storm
This is edgier than anything else that I've heard from you. I love that guitar riff. I assume that that riff is a loop. Is this the modern country sound? (I don't keep up with any trends anymore). Great song!
Thanks Scott. That riff is a loop. There are 4 snippets that repeat throughout the song - those 4 make up the opening. This is a bit edgier than "modern Country" - but that is becoming a wider category thises days...
I've been away for some weeks and what happened? You made a completely different kind of song then I heard before. I had to look twice on your SoundCloud page to verify it was you. You had to warn me this was going to happen!
I can't compete with everyone else's compliments on this forum, so I'll suffice with the following words: Fantastic! The guitar I heard from the start was amazingly bright, in contrast with your vocals in that first part. The melody is very energetic and nearly left me sitting exhausted after the last tone. Close to a ledge...
So Floyd, with this song you showed me another side of your musical skills and I liked it.
Keep surprising me! Hans
Thanks, Hans. Just trying to keep you on your toes.
Originally Posted By: vicarn
I'm used to hearing the softer side of you, Floyd. This is a big piece of work on the hard side. Great sound and effects. Gets my applause.
Vic
Thanks, Vic...
Originally Posted By: Bawb
Mercy!
Wow Floyd, just ever loving WOW! I listened to this when you first posted it and I'm still trying to find the words. Man this is good. This could easily be a song played in the opening or closing credits of some "high budget / explosions everywhere" action movie! Kind of a "no apologies, you need to fix yourself son" kind of tune. Did I say WOW? You definitely got a real smoker with this one...
Bawb - I really appreciate that!! Now if I could only belt them out like YOU can...THAT would be something....
Originally Posted By: Ember - PG Music
This song hit pretty close to home. I think a lot of us can relate to the overall feel and lyrics of this song. It tells a story that a lot of us have experienced and I think some might even be currently experiencing now with the state of the world. Thanks for putting this out there into the world so people feel understood and seen!
Ember - thanks for stopping by and having a listen. Appreciate that...
Ohh my... FJ, this is probably the most powerful tune I have heard by you. I am glad I waited a bit to listen to this casually. I do not know where to start. Did not expect so much drive out of it. Sitting totally hammered Excellent lyrics, composition. Vocals are very, very good. To me personally I think the most interesting was the blend between acoustic and electronic instruments which is so easy to screw up. You done excellent job in fusing genres and instruments! Total blast. Thank you for sharing.
Speech to text errors happen...mostly because of this human. I’m time crunched and am not going to let perfection stop action. This is posted on page 6, so more than likely, most will not see it anyway. That being said...
This is me going out on a ledge.
Anyone that starts a post with “Get outta your rut” and ends that post with “Live on the Edge” is trying to get a point across.
Everything is in place production wise, “lyrically” and performance. I can’t disagree with that. I think the overall treatment of the tone and energy of the instruments and sections emphasize the lyrics VERY well. THAT is what it is to have everything working together to do one thing…send a NOT so subtle message.
I’m on page six of the comments and the majority of what I see are comments about the production, the lyric writing, quoting of lyrics...all of the usuals. Within the majority, there is another majority. A great number of the comments are along the lines of “Wow FJ. This sounds nothing like you!”, “This doesn’t sound like any of your other songs, SO much heavier / more angry/ I’m used to your nice-ness / this isn’t a broken heart song (ok, I added that one. ) It’s like he’s actually practicing what he preaches both in lyric and in actually doing the song in the first place! And yet...very little mention of that. Doing a song about breaking out of what’s all been done before, by breaking out of what you’ve always done wasn’t lost on me.
It makes me wonder a bit if we are possibly more caught up in the technicalities of writing, production, and delivery of performance; but missing what the whole thing is about. Not every song has to have a strong message; but are we able to recognize it when it does?
There are hints of lyrics members like, appreciate, or are impressed by. TommyAD even picked a line that is his personally philosophy in life. But I really felt as this comment was made by a person who really had some insight about the song, not as pieces, but as unified piece of work.
Quote:
This song hit pretty close to home. I think a lot of us can relate to the overall feel and lyrics of this song. It tells a story that a lot of us have experienced and I think some might even be currently experiencing now with the state of the world. Thanks for putting this out there into the world so people feel understood and seen! _________________________ Cheers, Ember
Just some food for thought, I would guess Ember to be one of the younger members of the forum.
I understand not everyone needs to have the philosophy of the song. But it seems to send a message that may have been lost. I feel as though this song is a mirror for the entire forum; that the man who wrote is willing to actively stand in front of himself.
I hope none of what I’m saying comes across as preaching. That’s not my intent. I’m simply stating my personal observation...of which I have been very wrong on before.
Either way, I think this song needed to be made for whoever needs to hear it. If you think “not me” consider another listen.
Now I’m going to go give it another listen.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
My oh my. Lot's I could say about this one, been out on that ledge before myself so rather than jump off, I'll say this is one of your best writes, arrangement, production and performances. I truly enjoyed this from start to finish.
I totally dig it. The first thing I thought when I heard your voice was Johnny Cash--that sort of punk country in your face sound. It's edgy and inspiring. Love it! Great sound, great attitude. I like your lyrics. And thanks for sharing which real tracks you used. It's cool to know the real tracks and what can be made from them.
Todd - thanks for the nice review. Your stuff has really impressed me - so that means a lot...
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
Cool tune.... certainly a wee tad different for you. Nice work though. I need to listen to it on cans.... sounds pretty solid so far.
Thanks for stopping by, Herb...
Originally Posted By: Angelomusic
Such power in that song! The guitar is killing it! I definetely see that tune in a movie like The Punisher, the Equalizer or Jack Reacher! Mix is incredible too. Really really an awesome tune!
Thanks so much, Angelo...
Originally Posted By: dcuny
Sorry for getting to this so late. I heard it a couple days ago, and it wasn't doing anything for me. So I figured that was a sign that something was seriously wrong with my ears.
Since then, I found a short in my headphones, which explains a lot.
Clearly, this song is outside the expected fj songs, and it does a great job breaking expectations. Vocal effects, angry lyrics, an entirely different attitude.
Works for me now!
David - good to know that the problem came from elsewhere this time Thanks for taking the time...
Ohh my... FJ, this is probably the most powerful tune I have heard by you. I am glad I waited a bit to listen to this casually. I do not know where to start. Did not expect so much drive out of it. Sitting totally hammered Excellent lyrics, composition. Vocals are very, very good. To me personally I think the most interesting was the blend between acoustic and electronic instruments which is so easy to screw up. You done excellent job in fusing genres and instruments! Total blast. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.
Misha - thanks for the very nice comments. Just thought I'd give the Rock thing a try... glad that it seemed to work for you...
Originally Posted By: Rob4580
I have missed the bus on this one. Reminds me of something Credence could have written. Very gritty and powerful. Most enjoyable. Rob
Rob - thanks for stopping in for a listen. Good to see you back...
Anyone that starts a post with “Get outta your rut” and ends that post with “Live on the Edge” is trying to get a point across.
Ya think?
Quote:
Everything is in place production wise, “lyrically” and performance. I can’t disagree with that. I think the overall treatment of the tone and energy of the instruments and sections emphasize the lyrics VERY well. THAT is what it is to have everything working together to do one thing…send a NOT so subtle message.
Shhhh...don't give it away!!
Quote:
I’m on page six of the comments and the majority of what I see are comments about the production, the lyric writing, quoting of lyrics...all of the usuals. Within the majority, there is another majority. A great number of the comments are along the lines of “Wow FJ. This sounds nothing like you!”, “This doesn’t sound like any of your other songs, SO much heavier / more angry/ I’m used to your nice-ness / this isn’t a broken heart song (ok, I added that one. ) It’s like he’s actually practicing what he preaches both in lyric and in actually doing the song in the first place! And yet...very little mention of that. Doing a song about breaking out of what’s all been done before, by breaking out of what you’ve always done wasn’t lost on me.
It makes me wonder a bit if we are possibly more caught up in the technicalities of writing, production, and delivery of performance; but missing what the whole thing is about. Not every song has to have a strong message; but are we able to recognize it when it does?
There are hints of lyrics members like, appreciate, or are impressed by. TommyAD even picked a line that is his personally philosophy in life. But I really felt as this comment was made by a person who really had some insight about the song, not as pieces, but as unified piece of work.
Quote:
This song hit pretty close to home. I think a lot of us can relate to the overall feel and lyrics of this song. It tells a story that a lot of us have experienced and I think some might even be currently experiencing now with the state of the world. Thanks for putting this out there into the world so people feel understood and seen! _________________________ Cheers, Ember
Just some food for thought, I would guess Ember to be one of the younger members of the forum.
I understand not everyone needs to have the philosophy of the song. But it seems to send a message that may have been lost. I feel as though this song is a mirror for the entire forum; that the man who wrote is willing to actively stand in front of himself.
Sometimes it just needs to be said, ya know?
Quote:
I hope none of what I’m saying comes across as preaching. That’s not my intent. I’m simply stating my personal observation...of which I have been very wrong on before.
Either way, I think this song needed to be made for whoever needs to hear it. If you think “not me” consider another listen.
Now I’m going to go give it another listen.
HA!
Caaron - thanks for the great comments!! I realy do appreciate your careful listens - on everything...
My oh my. Lot's I could say about this one, been out on that ledge before myself so rather than jump off, I'll say this is one of your best writes, arrangement, production and performances. I truly enjoyed this from start to finish.
Band-in-a-Box® 2023 for Mac is macOS Sonoma Compatible!
We're over the moon to announce that the latest Band-in-a-Box® 2023 for Mac Build 707 is compatible with macOS Sonoma!
Refresh your Band-in-a-Box® 2023 for Mac today with this free update to resolve visibility of notation in the Notation Window, apply smoother use of notation features, update to the Drums VU meter, and add the newest version of the DAW Plugin (5.5.13).
Revisit: Eyes on Success featuring PG Music Inc., Band-in-a-Box®, and the Updated JAWS Script
In the past, Eyes on Success featured an episode that discussed our company history and Band-in-a-Box® program with Tobin, our chief development officer, including how Band-in-a-Box® is even more accessible with the help of their JAWS screen reader scripts!
Later on this month, Eyes on Success will be releasing an episode that features Gudrun Brunot talking about her new tutorials about how to use Band-in-a-Box® with JAWS.
It's a great idea to pair the two episodes together!
Eyes on Success is a weekly radio show / podcast geared to the visually impaired called "Eyes On Success" and that can be found at www.EyesOnSuccess.net.
Find out more about the show and get links to past episodes at www.EyesOnSuccess.net
User Tip: How to add drum fills without changing any other tracks
MarioD has shared some great advice when it comes to adding drum fills without changing any other tracks in your song:
There have been a number of questions asking how to add drum fills without changing any other tracks in a song. This is especially important if one is holding a chord for a few measures and wants to add a drum fill prior to the next chord. The following is how to accomplish that:
1-get the instruments/tracks to play like you want but don't worry about the drums for now.
2-generate the song.
3-freeze all tracks
4-unfreeze the drum track
5-add your fills where you want them
6-generated the song again - note this will only generate the drum track and not the frozen tracks
7- when you get the drums like you want them freeze the track
Review - Band-in-a-Box® 2023 for Windows is Overflowing with Features!
Dennis posted his very thorough Band-in-a-Box® review recently, where he dives into some of the new features added with version 2023: Sound-Guy's Band-in-a-Box Review
Read his thoughts on the Download & Install Manager, partial track regeneration, Playable RealTracks, Audio Editing, the addition of SynthMaster, the VST DAW Plugin, and more!
"Band-in-a-Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is, without negative connotation, a monster of a program. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. No DAW can do some of the things BIAB does, while BIAB can do a lot that DAWs do."
Band-in-a-Box® Tutorials for Low-vision and Blind Program Users
Our friends at EyesFree_Tutorials have just released their Band-in-a-Box Tutorials, Bundle 2!
Created for low-vision and blind program users, this collection of Band-in-a-Box for Windows tutorials includes 31 audio instruction files and 19 music files for practice, plus help documents. Specific topics include "ABACA, let's make a song form," "Recording melody and lead-in," "Playing and editing: part markers; the handy clipboard. The play function. Search and replace," and more!
Learn more about their new tutorials, and connect with Roy & Gudrun to order the Band-in-a-Box Tutorials, Bundle 2 here.
Looking for answers to your questions about Band-in-a-Box? From "How do I ____?" to "What do I ____?" to "What is ____?" and more, you'll find your answers when you ask ChatPG!
We will be constantly updating the resources for this powerful addition to our website based on suggestions & feedback, as well as all of the questions that have been asked by program users and website visitors.
Videos! Get To Know XPro Styles PAK 5 & Xtra Styles PAK 16 for Band-in-a-Box® 2023
XPro Styles PAK 5 adds 75 new RealStyles for rock, pop, jazz, funk, and country, and 25 styles based around MIDI SuperTracks that utilize the SynthMaster plugin!
Here's just a taste of what XPro Styles PAK 5 has in store: electronic Latin funk, spacey dancehall grooves, soulful Americana ballads, heavy house beats, vibin' cool jazz, rollicking country train beats, playful pop country jams, gritty blues rock, modern disco funk, moody synthwave, subdued bossa nova, lo-fi jazz, and many more! Pick up XPro Styles PAK 5 today!
What are XPro Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2023 (or higher). Each PAK includes over 100 styles!
XPro Styles PAKs aren't exclusive to Pro users, there's a huge range of RealStyles available for everyone - even Audiophile customers! That's right, XPro Styles PAKs can be used with ANYBand-in-a-Box® 2023 package!
Xtra Styles PAK 16 includes an absolute plethora of styles... 200 to be exact! 50 new styles each for Jazz, Country, Rock & Pop, and Praise & Worship!
Take a gander at what you can expect to find: modern disco funk, exciting gospel shout, busy jazz fusion, soulful R&B ballads, various Americana styles, modern pop country, blistering heavy metal, uplifting worship rock, lo-fi hip hop, a plethora of progressive rock, old-timey autoharp, modern surf rock, and many more!
What are Xtra Styles PAKs?
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2023 (or higher). With over 2,600 styles included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-16, the possibilities are endless!
Xtra Styles PAK 16 requires the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® version 2023. They won't work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the 2023 UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition..
How do I know if I have XPro Styles PAKs or Xtra Styles PAKs?
You can find out in Band-in-a-Box® by clicking the "Add-ons" button in the StylePicker. Show me how.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
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