Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#729413 08/28/22 08:02 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,315
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,315
Fictional Backstory
Due to catastrophic flooding in India, you and some friends travel to a devastated region in the country as part of an international non-governmental aid organization to volunteer your time and skills to rebuild a clinic on higher ground. After your first 12 hour day on site you are exhausted and head back to your hotel for a well needed shower and dinner. When you meet your friends in the restaurant you notice a band is getting ready to play and their stage seems particularly crowded with various percussion instruments. They introduce their first song of the evening . . . Sitarian Spice

Factual Back Story
I was introduced to the sitar by George Harrison’s music and always liked it. And I’ve wanted to experiment with complex African syncopated rhythms. So this is a percussion-centric arrangement and I guess you could call it a fusion of Indian, African and Western music (IAW Fusion ???)

Technicals
BiaB:
CR_ERIC.STY Cr_Eric – Crossover Style, 80 BPM
5 Electric Piano
Nashville Pop Drums
28 Clean Cut Electric Guitar
52 Synth Strings 2

Me:
1. Korg P061 Melodic Toms
2. Korg GM105 Drum Pattern
3. Korg UA047 Skull Mallets (Think Xylophone)
4. Korg GM105 Sitar
5. Fender Bass

Mixed and rendered in Studio One

Thanks for listening and comments, good, bad or neutral always welcome. Percussion-wise, I think this is the most complex arrangement I’ve done. Hopefully I didn’t mess up too badly.


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
BiaB 2024 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,318
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,318
Bass Thumper,

Great job bringing those styles together! You've created an interesting cool sounding tune!

Thanks, Torrey




User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,900
D
Expert
Offline
Expert
D
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,900
Bass Thumper,

That was a really interesting listen—not my genre, so tough to comment on this, but it kept my attention, and the mix itself sounds pretty solid. If I had one suggestion, it might be to shorten the intro and get into the heart of the instrumental a bit quicker. Good stuff!

Kindest regards,

Deej

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,495
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,495
No you didn't mess up to badly.

You did a great job on the rhythm, super cool groove.

You also are coming along very well on the bass.

I do agree with Deej 56 in that the intro is to long.

You have super groove backing tracks going on but IMHO it lacks a lead. I would take your sitar and play a lead over this. Remember this is only my opinion and others may or may not agree.

Super groove and bass.


My wife and I decided to never go to bed angry.
We've been awake since last Tuesday!

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,762
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,762
I agree that the intro is a bit too long, but the rest is really good, I would say your experiment is a success.

The only nit I have is that the percussion instruments could use the stereo field better, there's lot of unused space and panning them would make it easier to follow the individual instruments.


Making bits and bytes sound good...

Goldmania Bella - A One-Man Girlband with no fans
Listen on Spotify
Watch on YouTube
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,315
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,315
Originally Posted By: Torrey Bliss
Great job bringing those styles together! You've created an interesting cool sounding

Many thanks Torrey but based on input from others it still needs work.


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
BiaB 2024 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
Deej56 #729559 08/29/22 07:13 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,315
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,315
Originally Posted By: Deej56
If I had one suggestion, it might be to shorten the intro and get into the heart of the instrumental a bit quicker. Good stuff!

Thanks for the constructive input Deej.
I'm going to re-mix this and take your advice smile


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
BiaB 2024 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
MarioD #729561 08/29/22 07:21 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,315
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,315
Originally Posted By: MarioD
You also are coming along very well on the bass.

You have super groove backing tracks going on but IMHO it lacks a lead. I would take your sitar and play a lead over this. Remember this is only my opinion and others may or may not agree.

Super groove and bass.

Thanks Mario, this arrangement is percussion-centric thus the bass is fairly simple ; root-5th-octave to support the percussion. By "lead" do you mean a melody? If so, that's one of my many weak points. Nonetheless, I plan to shorten the intro and shorten the outro which might leave room for a bridge and re-mix based on comments recieved.


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
BiaB 2024 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,315
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,315
Originally Posted By: B.D.Thomas
I agree that the intro is a bit too long, but the rest is really good, I would say your experiment is a success.

The only nit I have is that the percussion instruments could use the stereo field better, there's lot of unused space and panning them would make it easier to follow the individual instruments.

More good criticism, thanks B.D.
So far I've been able to get away with no panning on my arrangements, but now it appears I've reached that limit. So it's off to "school" to learn about panning so that my re-mix can be made that much better.

Thanks again.


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
BiaB 2024 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,478
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,478
The backstory is very good. smile

We certainly like what you’ve done with the variety of percussion rhythms and styles and your bass performance and the sitar sound.

Very enjoyable groove!

J&B

PS Regarding the length of the intro, etc., like everything it is contextual. For example it would. in our opinion, work fine as is for backing the "right" video or a film placement, etc. All meaning repetition can be effective.

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,145
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,145
This is good but in need of a lead as others have mentioned. The sitar sounds like a banjo to me, maybe the mod wheel will give it some sitary character. Definitely worth the time to work out a melody for this. Nice work overall.


Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,667
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,667
Hello BT ...

The relatively short length might be perfect for several usages, so I wouldn't worry about that. Five or six years ago I composed five songs that were between 1:30 and 2:00 in length. They were for a specific project and they worked just fine.

Also, yes a lead track would be nice. But, one is not always needed. I've been working on three songs recently that either no lead or a very sporadic lead. They are for musical beds in support of a couple of movie scenes where there will be speaking actors with the musical beds in the background. What the music director said was "Create a mood - not a memorable melody as it would distract from the actors' line."

I'm not a real big fan of the sitar but this performance was quite nice. You did an excellent job and I enjoyed it!

Alan


BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*16GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar

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

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,877
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,877
Your composition is intriguing to my ears. I don't know if you have changed the intro yet, but I don't have a problem with it; however, adding another percussion instrument/rhythm as the intro progresses might be helpful.

User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,933
J
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
J
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,933
love the 'sound picture' of the intro.
very inventive. agree maybe a bit tooo long.
once again nice bass.

i think i hear a midi instrument on one side of the image. and i feel its appropo to the song.
i do the same often if it fits a song.
but you might experiment with different vsti's.

i once lived in africa , and the song kinda made me feel i was on 'safari' as a kid. brought back v nice memories
of my formative young years.

very catchy nice inventive effort.

om



Last edited by justanoldmuso; 09/02/22 03:42 AM.

New Song "PRETTY GIRL" for my wife...Dec 2023
(my vocs....mixed for good earbuds.)
https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs/prettygirlrbfinalcalfsongsdec2023mp3
(and rock song THE STALLION and bluegrass song... BANKER MAN....90 songs useing bb/rb.)
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,672
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,672
Excellent intro. I love these different textures and colors you incorporate into your songs. Robert and I have been using the sitar in some of our songs as well. I too was a big fan of George Harrison. Well done..


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,642
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,642
Mickey Hart got carried away with African rhythms too. This is so cool, Steve. I love that as a bass player you don't try to steal the show and make it all about the bass. Love the syncopation in this. I've participated in a bunch of drum circles and can easily understand how we can play into a timeless trance. Very creative fictional backstory.


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
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,920
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,920
Interesting song. No opinions about what it should have been - enjoyed the listen for what it was. smile


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
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
New! XPro Styles PAK 7 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 7 with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 50 RealTracks and RealDrums that are sure to delight!

With XPro Styles PAK 7 you can expect 25 rock & pop, 25 jazz, and 25 country styles, as well as 25 of this year's wildcard genre: Celtic!

Here's a small sampling of what XPro Styles PAK 7 has to offer: energetic rock jigs, New Orleans funk, lilting jazz waltzes, fast Celtic punk, uptempo train beats, gritty grunge, intense jazz rock, groovy EDM, soulful R&B, soft singer-songwriter pop, country blues rock, and many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 7 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box 2024® with XPro Styles PAK 7! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Watch the XPro Styles PAK 7 Overview & Styles Demos video.

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box version 2024 is here with 200 brand new styles to take for a spin!

Along with 50 new styles each for the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, we’ve put together a collection of styles using sounds from the SynthMaster plugin!

In this PAK you'll find: dubby reggae grooves, rootsy Americana, LA jazz pop, driving pop rock, mellow electronica, modern jazz fusion, spacey country ballads, Motown shuffles, energetic EDM, and plenty of synth heavy grooves! Xtra Style PAK 18 features these styles and many, many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 18 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Expand your Band-in-a-Box 2024® library with Xtra Styles PAK 18! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 18 here.

Watch the Xtra Styles PAK 18 Overview & Styles Demos video.

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 18 requires the 2024 UltraPAK/UltraPAK+/Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box version 2024 is here with 200 brand new styles to take for a spin!

Along with 50 new styles each for the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, we’ve put together a collection of styles using sounds from the SynthMaster plugin!

In this PAK you'll find: dubby reggae grooves, rootsy Americana, LA jazz pop, driving pop rock, mellow electronica, modern jazz fusion, spacey country ballads, Motown shuffles, energetic EDM, and plenty of synth heavy grooves! Xtra Style PAK 18 features these styles and many, many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 18 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Expand your Band-in-a-Box 2024® library with Xtra Styles PAK 18! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 18 here.

Watch the Xtra Styles PAK 18 Overview & Styles Demos video.

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 18 requires the 2024 UltraPAK/UltraPAK+/Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 7 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 7 with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 50 RealTracks and RealDrums that are sure to delight!

With XPro Styles PAK 7 you can expect 25 rock & pop, 25 jazz, and 25 country styles, as well as 25 of this year's wildcard genre: Celtic!

Here's a small sampling of what XPro Styles PAK 7 has to offer: energetic rock jigs, New Orleans funk, lilting jazz waltzes, fast Celtic punk, uptempo train beats, gritty grunge, intense jazz rock, groovy EDM, soulful R&B, soft singer-songwriter pop, country blues rock, and many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 7 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box 2024® with XPro Styles PAK 7! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Watch the XPro Styles PAK 7 Overview & Styles Demos video.

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Video - Band-in-a-Box® DAW Plugin Version 6 for Mac®: New Features for Reaper

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 includes built-in specific support for the Reaper® DAW API, allowing direct transfer of Band-in-a-Box® files to/from Reaper tracks, including tiny lossless files of instructions which play audio instantly from disk.

We demonstrate the new Reaper features in the Band-in-a-Box® VST DAW Plugin 6.0 in our video, Band-in-a-Box® DAW Plugin Version 6 for Mac®: New Features for Reaper

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Mac® - Update Today!

Already grabbed your copy of Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Mac®? Head to our Support Page to download build 803 and update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 installation with the latest version developed by our team!

Learn more & download now.

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Mac® Video - Over 50 New Features and Enhancements!

Read all about the 50+ newest features in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Mac®, or you can watch our video "Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Mac®: Over 50 New Features and Enhancements!" to see it in action!

Forum Statistics
Forums65
Topics82,638
Posts747,472
Members38,836
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
Dave Doeppel, kminht89, MichelleWoon, samehadaku, Jean Michel D
38,835 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 181
DC Ron 115
rsdean 102
Al-David 100
DrDan 85
Today's Birthdays
Barry Law, mcnach, RAY6INGS, Sudie
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5