Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#626392 11/29/20 05:35 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,815
D
Deej56 Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
D
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,815
Hi, all:

Hope everyone is doing well. Here’s a solo effort—first in four months as it stands. After exploring some different genres on my last few collaborations, I’m back on more familiar territory with a rock ballad. I was tempted to post this before going off on vacation recently, but wasn’t sure I was happy with the mix. Having revisited this upon my return and made a few tweaks I can confidently say that . . . I’m still not sure I’m happy with the mix, LOL! But as I’m tinkering on the edges, time to let it go.

Hope you all enjoy the listen regardless. My thanks in advance for the spin and feedback!

Deej

Here is the song:

MY TIME TO FALL

Here are the lyrics:

All the times in your life
through the strife
I was there for you—
I picked you up, got you tough
and helped you truck on through.
I should have known
everything that I’d do
would be forgotten when I hit bottom
and I needed you.

And now’s the time,
the tables turned no doubt,
I’m falling fast and calling out . . .

Don’t turn away, it’s my time to fall.
I want you to stay, it’s my time to fall.
And I need you to be something more for me
‘Cause while I wait . . .
while you stall . . . I fall.

All along you weren’t strong—
am I wrong to be surprised?
To count on you as that someone true
who’d stand by my side?
I should have known
that we are who we are.
In the end, I’m not a friend,
just a sucker for falling star.

But hope you know’s
a door to desperate things—
You’re walking out and I’m walking in . . .

Don’t turn away, it’s my time to fall.
I want you to stay, it’s my time to fall.
And I need you to be something more for me
‘Cause while I wait . . .
while you stall . . . I fall.

And now at last
the truth has been revealed;
but that don’t change the way it feels.

Don’t turn away, it’s my time to fall.
I want you to stay, it’s my time to fall.
Don’t walk away, it’s my time to fall.
And I need you to be something more for me
‘Cause while I wait . . .
while you crawl . . . I fall.

And here’s the band:

RealTracks 1827: Bass, Electric, PopModernGrooveA-B Ev16 075
RealTracks 1831: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopModernGrooveBrightA-B Ev16 075
RealTracks 1828: Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm PopModernGroove Ev16 075
RealTracks 702: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Spirited Ev 065
RealTracks 1167: Guitar, Electric, Soloist RockBalladBrent Ev 065
RealTracks 1839: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopModernGrooveA-B Ev16 075
RealDrums: PopModernGrooveSync16^1-a:Snare on 4, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Deej56 #626423 11/29/20 09:35 PM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,994
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,994
Talk about being on familiar ground, Deej ... oh Lord, where to start?

After a full first listen, the first thing that struck me is this: you have such a sense for structure ... every song has a beginning, middle and end with you, so to speak. You know when to speak and when to be quiet in music writing :-)

This is a proper rock ballad, reminds me of Aerosmith or something (I'm no good at comparisons with all those rock bands, haha, so don't mind me if I step in it, haha). It really communicates - thanks to great writing and, in no small part, to your voice. I love it that you sing every single song you put your voice to with immense sincerity. If there's something you never are, it's "run of the mill". And this ballad needs a voice that gives a damn about it :-) - that's what you give it and more. And what it communicates is the lyrics - the "angst" in the voice is perfect for the sincere angst behind the attempt at a somewhat calm facade in the written lyrics. So, so well done!

What a way to return to "familiar ground" :-) Hope you enjoyed your vacation - always good in these rough times. I'm not a specialist in mixing (famous English understatement, that), but my ears, such as they are, found nothing wrong with it. Your voice carries without overpowering.

In short: what a really great job. I need to run now, but I really want to hear this again today, when I get the chance to. Your songs get even better on a second and third listening, I find ... once one gets used to the musical language and gets past that "first burst of sunlight", so to speak, and gets accustomed to it all and can use the light to see the detail ... :-) Thanks for sharing this with us!

Last edited by musician17; 11/29/20 09:40 PM.
Deej56 #626486 11/30/20 03:37 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,764
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,764
Hi Deej.
Lovely song and performance.
The mix? For me the instruments could use a little eq sheen and a little more dynamics here and there but that could be just my ears.

Vic

Deej56 #626525 11/30/20 05:51 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,635
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,635
Deej,

Good write.

Strong vocals (again) and nice. Well recorded and processed. And they sit in the mix perfectly.

Good instrumentation. Nice build. Good arrangement and a good mix - sounds well balanced to me.

Well done. All around.

fj

Deej56 #626530 11/30/20 06:01 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,749
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,749
Well now!
That's fantastic.
Great lyrics, band sounds good, lead vocal is stellar.
The backing vocals poked out at me a little.
I'm not sure what it was, maybe their panning position or the reverb?
They almost sound like they where dropped in from a different song.
But.....as the song progressed the backing vocals began to sit better in my ears.
Oh well, why the hell am I trying to fix something that aint broken.

The mix?...It works but, if your looking for recommendations, I'm lost.
I think it could be polished a bit, but don't know exactly what I'd suggest.

Another winner in my book.

moto

Deej56 #626560 11/30/20 07:13 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,218
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,218
Deej, This is another great vocal performance. Good write and nice production with the real tracks. Nice job,Tom

Deej56 #626594 11/30/20 09:20 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7,663
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7,663

DJ,

Man this is killer, classic, hooky rock. Your hooks are crazy good man. Right up there with the best. I only have a few suggestions.

I would love to see your verses and choruses laid out with V and Ch, Pre Chorus Bridge etc for analysis while listening because they are so "textbook": I would love to see them laid out, if you know what I mean.

On this great chorus, I was thinking, hmmm...what would Jagger do? And I thought, the second rhyme might be something like "I can't live without you, can't you hear me call"?"

And then absolutely, the last line being, my time to fall, my time to fall, to just put it in the bleachers, and make it even more textbook (Title is last line of the chorus.)

Well that is it, man. A real showstopper. Get on with your bad self.

Deej56 #626811 12/01/20 09:54 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,977
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,977
Epic rock ballad. Period.

Great vocals and love the BGV's ... how were they done?

Strong melody and arrangement indeed.

As always an excellent use of BiaB and wrapped in a fine mix.

Enjoyed it!

J&B

Deej56 #626894 12/01/20 05:30 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,081
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,081
The vocals send chills down my spine. What a big production. Lovely ballad. The lyrics and music are superb. Simple a wonderful performance. Bravo!


My music can be heard at: The Cracks
Deej56 #627142 12/02/20 06:43 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,815
D
Deej56 Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
D
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,815
musician17, Vic, Floyd, CaptainMoto, tommy, David, J&B, and jpt3:

Thanks all for the listen and kind words. I had this chorus and I line or two of verse around for quite a while and could never really bring it to completion until just recently. I’m glad it all seemed to work together. Really appreciate your stopping in to comment.

Vic and CaptainMoto: While I’m still unsure about the mix, I’m not sure what it is that’s not wholly working for me and, more to the point, how I would or could change it for the better. Vic, a good suggestion to consider, though not sure how I’d execute on that. And, Captain, I had the same thought on the backing vocals, particularly in the earlier versions of the song. They were among the final tweaks I made, but still not sure it’s as good as it could be.

David: Interesting thought about changing the second rhyme of the chorus. Quite honestly, it didn’t occur to me, as I was leaned more to the structure of repetition. Had I thought of it I might have been tempted, particularly because the early versions of the song repeated it three times (as it does in the final chorus). I might still think about doing this for the final chorus.

J&B: As I recall, I did four separate vocal tracks for the backing (one mid, one high, one low, and a mid-alternative harmony). The trick was then blending them together to hit the right feel for the song, one that I’m not sure I nailed entirely per my comment to CaptainMoto above.

Stay safe and healthy all.

Regards,

Deej

Deej56 #627161 12/02/20 08:18 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,473
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,473
Deej

Superb vocal performance, and loved the backing vocals.

A classic overall sound, well produced and written.

Excellent.

Peter

Deej56 #627202 12/03/20 01:28 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,144
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,144
One of your best, a great vehicle for your terrific singing. I got a strong Jim Steinman feel from this song. Fantastic work, congratulations!


Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Deej56 #627215 12/03/20 03:29 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
You really did a great job here - the vocals steal the show for me, absolutely stunning performance that makes the lyrics hit you like a brick. Top notch production too, sounds like something I could hear on the radio. And nicely catchy without being overbearing.

You should be proud of this one - thanks for sharing smile


Cheers,
Deryk
Deej56 #627222 12/03/20 03:54 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,314
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,314
Wow, great write, Deej!! So well built with a wonderful melody presenting great lyrics. Love the dynamics, too. The band is perfect and perfectly produced by their leader. A brilliant creative effort, man.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
and https://soundcloud.com/babumusic-5080285
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 11
Deej56 #627250 12/03/20 05:41 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,537
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,537
Hello Deej,

Very nice melody with very catchy lyrics. I love the unison with the powerful choirs which bring more to your composition. Well done.

Kindly regards

Derochette
Alias JaniJackFlash


Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
Deej56 #627251 12/03/20 05:59 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,700
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,700
Once again your vocals are the highlight, very strong interpretation of the desperation in the lyrics. Nice backing vocals also. Classic rock ballad structure with top 40 quality chorus.

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

Deej56 #627360 12/03/20 02:15 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,657
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,657
Love this song. This is my new favorite deej song. The standouts for me are the melody, vocal performance (can't get any better), and that ringing electric guitar.

Deej56 #628826 12/08/20 05:26 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,815
D
Deej56 Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
D
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,815
Peter, TuneMonger, Deryk, Marty, Derochette, Janne, and Ezekiel:

So glad you all enjoyed the listen. Thanks for giving this a spin and for the kind feedback.

My best to you all,

Deej

Deej56 #628848 12/08/20 06:46 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,399
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,399
Hi Deej ...

Another terrific listen from you! This might be your strongest vocals of the ones I've heard. Nice mix on everything. I like it as is.

As far as getting it "just right", I'll go back to the approach I use for my novels ... it's "finished" when you get tired of rewriting it. If we waited for perfection on the music/writing we create, there'd be very few songs to listen and only a handful of books to read. For me, this works as you posted it with your latest tweaks.

Best to you, Take care and be safe ...

Alan

Last edited by Al-David; 12/08/20 06:47 PM.

BIAB 2022 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win10*8GB DDR4*I5-6th Gen*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120 Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar

Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops

Deej56 #628857 12/08/20 08:45 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,214
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,214
Yeah, that is right up your alley/in your comfort zone/playing to your strengths.
AND you've done it wonderfully well.
Cracker tune.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

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
Posts732,481
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 83
Today's Birthdays
CeeDee, SethMould
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5