Hello Folks, I posted a version of this song a few months back...it was while waiting for a chap who wanted to sing it to do so but, after nine months of life getting in the way of that I decided to finish the thing myself. I sent the version you may have heard to my M.E. and he suggested redoing the vocals but to do them very differently. There are two variations on this final piece - one is longer than the other and that one includes two "dramatic" bits that may be counter productive. The M.E. thinks the shorter one is the way to proceed and I respect his view but I'd also like the opinion of a couple of more sets of ears n eyes that I trust before committing to ONE version. The song form was decided in BIAB but there's nothing left from that process other than the form. Drums are care of Drums On Demand The rest is my fault - sorry. Vantage Bass -> Behringer BDI21 -> a cross over filter to eliminate some of the low end as the chorus is a droning low E with the riff over it Squire Bullet Mustang guitar -> Actone amp in a box pedal Lead parts were the same but with a trem added Vocals are an AT2020 with manual de-essing and not much else. I experimented with a plugin/VST called Vola to try to get some consistency of level across the five different vocal tracks but I had to do an huge amount of automation writing as well.
PLEASE, if you have the time & interest listen to the two versions and let me know whether the short or the long is better from a narrative/suspense perspective. ANY/ALL comments welcome...I did apply comments from the original version to this mix.
SHORT
LONG
Last edited by rayc; 09/13/2210:48 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
This is my favorite PBEx song/production. Everything about it is WELL done.
LOVE the drums. A great sound. The James-Bond-ish guitar riff works exceptionally well. Killer Bass sound (and playing) The rhythm guitars at 2:11 (ish) are superb.
Vocal is JUST RIGHT. Ominous, but not menacing. No lyric sheet required. PERFECTLY mixed.
The little ping-ponging pause (1:30-ish) is a delight.
Actually, I think EITHER version works. I wondered how that ending foley would sound/work if it came right on the last (dissonant) guitar note??? But it was effective as is (just wondered)
EXCELLENT work. All around. Heck of a write.
(got a real kick out of the still from Perfect Strangers (TV show))
Hi Ray, I'm not the best to offer an opinion on this genre of music, so I'm sure I'm not one of the voices you'd want to trust. If I had to choose though, I think I'd go with the longer version. I also liked the ping-ponging you did, and the shot at the song was unexpected. I hope it does well for you,
Starts like a Bond theme played by "The Cure"... I like that. A lot!
Really cool song, and the mix is really good too.
I personally prefer the shorter version, but my "get out of your comfort zone" challenge for this year is "tell it in less than 3 minutes", so take my choice with a grain of salt.
This is my favorite PBEx song/production. Everything about it is WELL done. LOVE the drums. A great sound. The James-Bond-ish guitar riff works exceptionally well. Killer Bass sound (and playing) The rhythm guitars at 2:11 (ish) are superb. Vocal is JUST RIGHT. Ominous, but not menacing. No lyric sheet required. PERFECTLY mixed. The little ping-ponging pause (1:30-ish) is a delight. Actually, I think EITHER version works. I wondered how that ending foley would sound/work if it came right on the last (dissonant) guitar note??? But it was effective as is (just wondered) EXCELLENT work. All around. Heck of a write. (got a real kick out of the still from Perfect Strangers (TV show)) fj
Thanks fj, I'm pleased you like the bass...it was quite a task getting the tone right against the DOD kick & I wasn't confident I'd managed it. I actually used this song to experiment with little production tricks like reverse guitar to make swells leading to changes, punching a hole & filling it with delays etc. I was worried I'd over done it with such things & the foley. I did try that where you suggested but again worried about gratuitousness and decided to put it right on the end so I could cut it if/when I decided I'd overdone it.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Hi Ray, I'm not the best to offer an opinion on this genre of music, so I'm sure I'm not one of the voices you'd want to trust. If I had to choose though, I think I'd go with the longer version. I also liked the ping-ponging you did, and the shot at the song was unexpected. I hope it does well for you, Brad
Hello Brad, It's fine - I don't look to genre definitions & mandates when writing or in commentary/suggestions. A good set of ears and the vocab to tell me what you hear right n wrong are what counts.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Starts like a Bond theme played by "The Cure"... I like that. A lot! Really cool song, and the mix is really good too. I personally prefer the shorter version, but my "get out of your comfort zone" challenge for this year is "tell it in less than 3 minutes", so take my choice with a grain of salt.
Thanks B.D., I was lucky enough to see The Cure on their 1st pub tour of Australia and again for the theater tour of Pornography. The former was exhilarating and the latter a little too oppressive. A vote for short!
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Yes, I think this is one of your best, for me you hit a nice gestalt with this one that worked very well. I really like that ACtone pedal, I know some locals who use one and just plug into the PA instead of lugging around an amp. Your vocals, I'm so glad to hear you finally bringing the levels up. All that automation writing, have you ever considered Waves Vocal Rider? Or Melda Productions MVolume. Might save you a lot of time. I hate writing volume levels, I just won't do it anymore. Some voices don't work well with Vocal Rider, but I think yours would.
As far as choosing a vid, I pick the longer one. I might like to hear the last few guitar notes with some more effects since they're out there naked and on their own. But not critical.
Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
All that automation writing, have you ever considered Waves Vocal Rider? Or Melda Productions MVolume.
Thank you sir, My DAW computer is off line and dongle free, plus I'm not a fan of subscription services so I don't use Waves stuff. There is a process within Reaper to ride levels but it's a little convoluted - additionally there is at least one "rider" plug for Reaper that's been written by a user. I've not taken the time or effort to suss these out properly but will. Again, thanks.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I found the short one on YT the other day. Didn't know there was a long one. Just listened again to the short one for a better comparison with the long. Man, I love that bass!!! You did an outstanding job and I appreciate you explaining your process, but I noticed the "long" one was one second shorter than the "short" one. Not sure what M. E. is. Medical Examiner? Nah. Anyway, about the song. Man, I love it, and I really enjoy watching the video. Everything is so creative. You're like a mad scientist, and quite a talented fellow.
Personally, I prefer the short version. But the mix of the second has my preference in terms of reverb in particular. Otherwise, it's superb well done and I enjoyed it. Well done.
I found the short one on YT the other day. Didn't know there was a long one. Just listened again to the short one for a better comparison with the long. Man, I love that bass!!! You did an outstanding job and I appreciate you explaining your process, but I noticed the "long" one was one second shorter than the "short" one. Not sure what M. E. is. Medical Examiner? Nah. Anyway, about the song. Man, I love it, and I really enjoy watching the video. Everything is so creative. You're like a mad scientist, and quite a talented fellow.
Thanks Marty. The bass took ages as I mentioned and I used an interesting Reaper trick that may work in your DAW if you're looking for trick...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_TshbcD0LI
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Personally, I prefer the short version. But the mix of the second has my preference in terms of reverb in particular. Otherwise, it's superb well done and I enjoyed it. Well done.
Kindly regard Derochette alias JaniJackFlash
Thanks JJJ, A vote for short...
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Man, what a production! Drums sound great, as does the bass. Read your note to Marty about that yesterday and watched the Kenny video, might experiment with that on our next song
Vocal sounds good to me, often I find your vocals a little low in the mix for my tastes, but I think you have them sitting just right.
Excellent job on the videos too. I watched both, and I'll be the odd man out, I actually like the slightly longer one better, with the gunshot at the end.
Man, what a production! Drums sound great, as does the bass. Read your note to Marty about that yesterday and watched the Kenny video, might experiment with that on our next song
Vocal sounds good to me, often I find your vocals a little low in the mix for my tastes, but I think you have them sitting just right.
Excellent job on the videos too. I watched both, and I'll be the odd man out, I actually like the slightly longer one better, with the gunshot at the end.
Thanks Dave, It's a decent method and allows for different FX - I've not used it with my new monitors. I've moved from 4 1/2 inch to 7 inch cones so should be better able to hear bottom end and what I've I've been mixing now.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
We listened to both several times. BTW, for some reason the link did not log us in as usual so no YT comments.
So we listened and read all the comments. We both feel that floyd nailed our feelings with the exception that we liked the longer version a bit better.
As disturbing as it is the shot at the end was effective.
Your vocals were excellent ... strong and full of the ominous vibe.
Along with that your guitar and bass performances were standout in what you were playing and the tone ... great on the monitors with the 8" woofer.
Both videos well supported the aforementioned vibe.
Well done all around Ray.
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
We listened to both several times. BTW, for some reason the link did not log us in as usual so no YT comments. So we listened and read all the comments. We both feel that floyd nailed our feelings with the exception that we liked the longer version a bit better. As disturbing as it is the shot at the end was effective. Your vocals were excellent ... strong and full of the ominous vibe. Along with that your guitar and bass performances were standout in what you were playing and the tone ... great on the monitors with the 8" woofer. Both videos well supported the aforementioned vibe. Well done all around Ray. J&B
Thank you Merritts both combined and as separate entities. Glad you survived repeated listens. I did have the shot lined up for the pause after the intro but it gave the game away.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows® Today!
If you’ve already purchased Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®, great news—a new update is now available! This update introduces a handy new feature: a vertical cursor in the Tracks window that shows the current location across all tracks, and more.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator
With Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®, we've introduced an exciting new feature: the AI Lyrics Generator! In this video, Tobin guides you step-by-step on how to make the most of this new tool.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator video.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins
Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows® now includes support for VST3 plugins, bringing even more creative possibilities to your music production. Join Simon as he guides you through the process in this easy-to-follow demonstration!
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins
Video: Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows: Using The BB Stem Splitter!
In this video, Tobin provides a crash course on using the new BB Stem Splitter feature included in Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®. During this process he also uses the Audio Chord Wizard (ACW) and the new Equalize Tempo feature.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using the BB Stem Splitter
Check out the forum post for some optional Tips & Tricks!
Congrats to Misha (Rustyspoon)…downloaded/installed a full Audiophile 2025!
Breaking News!
We’re thrilled to announce that Rustyspoon has made PG history as the very first person to successfully complete the download and install of the full Band-in-a-Box 2025 Windows Audiophile Edition (with FLAC files)—a whopping 610GB of data!
A big shoutout to Rustyspoon for stepping up to be our test "elf!"
With the launch of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows, we're adding new videos to our YouTube channel. We'll also share them here once they are published so you can easily find all the Band-in-a-Box® 2025 and new Add-on videos in one place!
Whether it's a summary of the new features, demonstrations of the 202 new RealTracks, new XPro Styles PAK 8, or Xtra Styles PAKs 18, information on the 2025 49-PAK, or detailed tutorials for other Band-in-a-Box® 2025 features, we have you covered!
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows 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 with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until December 31, 2024! 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 Windows 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!
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean