Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 309
H
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
H
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 309
Candidly I don't post a lot in the forum because I find my music to be one off, but I think some of you like to hear something a bit different. I wrote this song as a testament to the old soul groups of Motown and Philadelphia which I loved and grew up with like the Delfonics, Stylistics, Blue Magic, The Moments etc. So I found a decent pattern in BIAB that I could use as the rhythm section and built the song around that. The string arrangements were played by me through a MIDI controller and were the type of string lines that were instrumental to music of that era. For the video I thought I play around a bit and use my cell phone camera taking a gaff at myself. It is 30 seconds or so but I think it sets the song up nicely. This song has just started playing on all the major platforms and Pandora (of course without my foolishness in the intro) :-) so hopefully it will resonate with my existing fan base and grow it a bit more. Of course all vocals (lead and harmonies) were performed by me.

https://youtu.be/GHpjr8oHpaA

For this song I used:
Style: Texas Blues 12/8 w/Guitar Solo
Drums: Real Drums Southern Pop 12-8
Bass: 1922: Texas Blues Rock Slow
Guitar 1: 1923: Electric Blues Rock Slow
Guitar 2: 1924: Electric Rhythm Texas Blues Rock Slow
Guitar 3: 838: Electric Rhythm Pop Ballad Clean
Organ: 688: B3 Background Pop
Piano: 1576: Acoustic Rhythm Soul

Strings: Cakewalk SI MIDI String Synth
M-Audio KeyStudio MIDI Controller
Vocals: Shure PG-42 through Focusrite SOLO USB Interface

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,824
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,824
Hi Henry,

Wow - what a production!

Yes - you really have the Philadelphia/Motown feel down perfectly.

Vocals - top notch.

BV's - spot on.

Instrumentation - perfect.

All-round very professional song - congratulations.

Best Regards
Nigel


Nigel Spiers
Christchurch, New Zealand
info@nzacoustics.com
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,666
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,666
Oh yea. Mr. Nigel set it up perfectly. I'll add you were very accurate with the string arrangements.

Enjoyed my listen a lot.

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: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,295
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,295
I was raised in south Jersey in the 60's and that was a very familiar sound on the radio out of Philly.

I think you nailed it perfectly. even got the Phil Spector wall of sound going on.

My only nit on this is the verb is heavy on the vox and the lead vox is kinda down there in the mix. The lead could stand to come up a few dB or so....

I had a really hard time understanding the lyrics.... in fact.... I didn't get very many of the words at all. Maybe it's just my gunshot and guitars ears... Ease off the verb and bump the lead vox a bit to let it set in the mix. Use Smokey Robinson as your guide on levels and verb.

And.... as far as not posting for one reason or another.... A lot of folks here are "one off" writers. If you got it, post it up. Personally, I like hearing the stuff you write. And this one is well done and worthy to be heard. Cool video editing job too.


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 2003
Posts: 23,143
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,143
Nigel is spot on!

All I can add is WOW this is fantastic.

To nitpick I also think that the vocal could come up a tad. You have a excellent and very versatile voice so showcase it more.

Also please post more often.


Whenever I get something stuck in the back of my throat, I dislodge it by drinking a beer.
It's called the Heineken Maneuver.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677
Henry,

as far as I'm concerned you should post a new song here every week - this one is a treat.

I've been a huge Motown fan ever since (spent months trying to find out how James Jamerson did what he did)- if Smokey had known this song he would definitely have recorded it. But your vocal is amazing, too.

The video is really nice, too - good fun.

Like everything from A to Z.

Take care and please return soon !

Stefan

User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,391
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,391
You never fail to please, Henry!! Great voices and a terrific video. I want to say everything Stefan said. Man, this is song is soooo good, and, yes, Smokey would've been all over this. I'm right there with you on the Motown & Philly sounds, and you do it righteous justice, man. Thanks for posting it.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 11
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,643
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,643
Henry

Lovely work on the song, beautifully sung and arranged.

I agree with Herb about the lead vocal processing, but overall an excellent job.

Peter

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
B
Expert
Offline
Expert
B
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
Whas'sup, Mr. Clark?

Though I agree with 'guitarhacker(s)' observation that the vocal track is kinda in the backfield and processed with a wee bit too much reverb, nonetheless your vocal harmonies are so heavenly and your string arrangement complements them so gorgeously that I couldn't help being swept-up by the song. It really took me a place that I'd love re-visit and remain in.

Cool video, too smile !


"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 473
R
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
R
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 473
Henry, unbelievable!! What a production, reminds me of my favorite Motown group the Temptations!!

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Love the genre, Henry, which you nailed. And your vocals are exceptionally good. Great song. Keep them coming.
Regards,
Leon

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 309
H
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
H
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 309
Thanks all for the kind comments. One thing is that once it's posted that means it's been released so it's gone. No tweaking the vocals, sound or anything. Regardless the song is doing fairly well. Almost 2k streams on Spotify (and growing daily), 500 on iTunes, some plays on Amazon, Deezer, Tidal, and a few other sites. It's grown my Pandora listener base by around 500% and 27 Thousand views on Facebook resulting in 71 shares and still growing. Thanks again for the kind comments and you guys continue composing the great music you are creating. Cheers !!

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 925
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 925
I don't have enough technical know-how to provide and in-depth critique, but I can tell you that I enjoyed this production from go to whoa. String and vocal arrangements were most impressive. Love the harmonies.


My music may not set the world on fire but if it causes a glow in just one person's heart, it has all been worthwhile smile
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,043
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,043
A double shot of Henry Clarke (The Henry Clarke Five)!!! WOW, you're making me nostalgic!!! Love the era and you have stayed beautifully true to it. SOOOO. SOOOOO. GOOOD!!! Take care. Greg

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
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

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

Join the conversation on our forum.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.

Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!

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

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac 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 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! 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 Mac 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!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!

Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.

Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano

Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!

Bonjour à tous,

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music

Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:

BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation

Voilà, enjoy!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!

Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:

https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025.exe
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025RB.exe

Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!

Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Stay up to date—get the latest update now!

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,187
Posts776,191
Members39,595
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
gestes, TSIRY10, Albertcolin, Snow, Siggi D
39,594 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 157
zedd 113
WaoBand 84
DC Ron 82
rsdean 79
nonchai 71
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5