Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#770057 07/02/23 09:30 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,260
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,260
Hey guys...I love songs that progressively build in intensity and scope...this is what I wanted for this song...it's is a very old song of mine that I finally got around to recording...I'm really interested in your comments on the mix (what I could improve/fix, etc.)...so...if you do...thanks for listening and commenting...Dan

A Simple Song
https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=14344706

Title: Simple Song
File:Simple Song.SGU
Key=Eb , Tempo 140, Length (m:s)=4:06
8 bar intro, 133 bar chorus, from bar 9 to bar 141. Repeat x1 chorus
Style is _STORIES.STY (Stories Guitar n Piano Folk Pop)
RealTracks in style: 2527:Bass, Electric, PraiseBreakBasic Ev 140
RealTracks in style: 890:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopLite Ev 140
RealTracks in style: 2934:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm FolkySync8thsFintan Ev 140
RealTracks in style: 2934:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm FolkySync8thsFintan Ev 140

I added: vocals, additional bass, piano, cello, strings, French horns, drums and orchestral ending (via Yamaha Genos)
Main Guitar pattern: Steinberg Granular Guitar Loop Set


Last edited by firesong; 07/02/23 10:01 AM.

www.soundclick.com/firesong
BiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10

You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
firesong #770065 07/02/23 10:31 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,584
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,584
Dan, another outstanding song and vocal. The lyrics are very powerful and much needed in today's world.

As for the mix I have one very important thing to say, don't change a thing! Great dynamics with a very clever ending.

Loved it.


If you ever get an email about pork, ham, salt, and preservatives, don't open it. It's spam!

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
firesong #770087 07/02/23 12:18 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,210
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,210
Hi Dan ...

I agree with everything Mario said. He said it much better than I could have. And I, too, love songs that build in fullness and power. You aced that in this song.

I always love your posts.

Simply wonderful.

Alan


BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB 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

firesong #770186 07/04/23 04:06 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,315
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,315
Dan,

Another strong write.
The nylon loop works well.
Good arrangement, nice build.

For me (an important qualifier, of course), the mix is too Mid-heavy.
Everything seems to be in the middle of the EQ band - and mixed together, they get somewhat muddy.
Actually, "muddy" isn't the right word - so let's go with "heavy" (or "dark"?)
The combination of the vocal (nice!), nylon guitar and bass - they all seem to be fighting for the same space.
When the strings come in, they, too, seem heavy in the mid-range. (the strummed acoustic, also).
Maybe give the strings and that strummed acoustic a good deal of high EQ (drop out the bottom?)
...and maybe beef up the low end of the bass.
The vocal COULD have a bit more high-end (but that would depend on what other changes do...)
Stretch those frequencies out a bit to open it up.
Just suggestions, of course. And the next guy might tell you I'm full of it...

fj

firesong #770188 07/04/23 04:28 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,720
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,720
Dan,

Great song. Love your vocal. Really well done as always.

Much enjoyed.

Bob

firesong #770374 07/06/23 08:07 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,462
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,462
Dan,

There you go again posting some of the best sounding stuff on the forum! As for making any changes, I wouldn't have a clue of where to begin! It all sounds perfect to me! I was most of the way through before realizing that your usual large backing harmony vocals were not in this one, but your lead vocal carried things just fine on this wonderful song!

BTY, the acoustic fingerpicked guitar really came close to George Harrison's Here Come The Sun in places! This made me smile, even though unintentional, you probably gave someone hope for a workable cover of that great song!

Thanks, TB



firesong #770423 07/06/23 05:49 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 225
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 225
Great production, your voice is amazing and you are using it well. Very glad I listened to this. You can quit your day job now.

Rick


It needs more cowbell!

https://therickhansenband.com
firesong #770432 07/06/23 08:15 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,339
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,339
Hi, Dan.

Well written, sung and arranged.

I can easily hear the vocal the entire way through, and there's nothing wrong with the mix. In fact, I like it a lot.

Now, what I might play around with... that's a different matter. laugh

How about doing a dryer version, without all that wonderfully lush reverb? In the beginning, you've got the fingerpicked guitar panned on both sides. You could instead start with the fingerpicked guitar on a single channel without the stereo effect.

Wait until the second verse to bring the guitar in stereo.

Take that huge reverb off your voice and place yourself into a room. You can have a touch of reverb, but aim at something that makes it sound like you're in a real location.

For the third verse, take out the guitars. They've already had their change to shine, and they aren't adding anything at this point. You're adding other things to the mix, and it's getting too busy. You need some rhythm, but something as simple as a shaker might do. You can back off on the reverb with the strings.

The low string bit is really nice, but giving it to a solo cello would be killer.

Then at 2:04 you can bring the guitars back in, and they'll be more than welcome.

At 2:38, you get the payoff for taking the reverb off your voice. With just the strummed vocal, the vocal becomes much more intimate and close - fitting the idea of a "simple song". I love how light the high strings are when they enter at 2:48.

At 3:12, the midrange string part is getting in the way. Too much reverb on everything. The high strings and horns on the bottom are enough.

I really like the ending.

Those are some thoughts, and worth less than you paid for them. Ask me at a different time and I'd probably say something else. wink


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
firesong #770445 07/06/23 09:26 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,786
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,786
The vibrato on the 1st two lines of each verse seem a little overwrought or uncontrolled - a bit like Springsteen's Thunderland intro but warbly ...sounding weak rather than charming and the bucket of reverb accentuates this.
Those lines would, to me, sound ace if almost whispered.
"It had such simple words...such a childlike rhyme" reads well but using A rather than a makes it less childlike and more affected.
I agree with Floyd about the mid "mud". I think picking a couple of those elements and removing some of the overlapping freqs would see you right.
I really like the spoken/whispered ending though the strings seemed to wimp out as they faded.
Cool melody & that last section did live up to your description of building intensity.

Last edited by rayc; 07/06/23 09:26 PM.

Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
firesong #770461 07/07/23 02:53 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,148
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,148
Wow, what a terrific song, and some great suggestions. I always like to hear the choices the creator made in the creation and production in a song, but I can't wait to hear how you would incorporate some of these suggestions. I really really like the way it is now, and the way you build it, Dan. I was going to highlight some of the suggestions I liked, but will leave that to you. As always, I will remember them when making my own music. The folks on this forum are really so good at this, and there is much to learn.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 11
firesong #770484 07/07/23 05:21 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,241
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,241

Hey this is great Dan!

Love that style you are using. I made a note of it! May use that one myself!

Beautiful song, sir.

smile

firesong #770507 07/07/23 08:56 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,025
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,025
This is really nice. Lots of interesting things going on.


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.
firesong #770546 07/08/23 12:16 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,482
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,482
Hello Dan
very good song
Sounds great
And your singing is extremely good (as always)
Everything fits very well together
Many Greetings Dan
Andi ;-)

firesong #770738 07/10/23 04:39 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,087
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,087
We like the arrangement and are always impressed with your seamless additions of your performances with the BiaB tracks.

The vocal sounds heartfelt and we, like many others, like the ending whisper.

It was definitely a good old song to “dust off” and bring to light!

We enjoyed it.

J&B

PS Regarding the mix ... once a production exceeds four or five instrumental tracks our mix notions aren't helpful as our efforts are essentially based on what we perceive a 4-5 person group could do live. We do enjoy denser and more lush productions but critiquing them is above our mixing pay grade smile We liked what we heard.


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.
firesong #770755 07/10/23 05:51 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,260
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,260
Hey guys...thanks so much for your thoughts and comments and suggestions...this is one of those songs that may get remixed a dozen times before I can "live with it" (if you know what I mean)...but I really appreciate your suggestions and plan to use many of them to settle some issues I think still exit...so thanks again!! Dan


www.soundclick.com/firesong
BiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10

You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
firesong #770784 07/10/23 10:39 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,364
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,364
Dan, sometimes the simpler the better. Great melody and sincere vocal.
The only thing you may consider changing down a little is the amount of reverb.
Lovely song.

Vic

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
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!

Update to RealBand® 2025 Build 5 Windows Today!

Already using RealBand® 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 5 now from our Support Page to ensure you have the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Get the latest update today!

PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 is here! This new version introduces many features, including VST3 support, the ability to load or import a .FLAC file, a reset option for track height in the Tracks window, a taller Timeline on the Notation window toolbar, new freeze buttons in the Tracks window, three toolbar modes (two rows, single row, and none), the improved Select Patch dialog with text-based search and numeric patch display, a new button in the DirectX/VST window to copy an effects group, and more!

First-time packages start at only $49. Already a PowerTracks Pro Audio user? Upgrade for as little as $29!

www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm

Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.

Band-in-a-Box® for iOS® :Summary video.

Check out the forum post for more information.

Introducing the New Band-in-a-Box iOS App!

We’re excited to introduce the new Band-in-a-Box iOS app, designed to enhance your music creation. The Band-in-a-Box iOS app is the perfect companion to your desktop version, giving you the freedom to sketch out ideas wherever you are and develop them further when you're back at your workstation. Now, you can create, play, generate, and transfer songs seamlessly between your iOS device, and desktop.

Key Features:

- Easily Create and Play Songs – Build and play songs effortlessly on your device.
- MIDI and RealTracks/RealStyles Support – Generate MIDI tracks and RealTracks/RealStyles right on your iPhone or iPad (RealTracks/RealStyles require an internet connection).
- Notation Support – View chord sheets, professional notation, tab, and drum notation for all tracks.
...and more!

Watch the Band-in-a-Box iOS Overview Video.

Visit the Band-in-a-Box for iOS support page for more information and to listen to demos of our RealStyles catalogue.

Download the Band-in-a-Box iOS App from the Apple App Store today!

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.

Discover everything included in this free update and download it now at https://www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1124

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.

Check out the forum post for more information.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics83,663
Posts768,572
Members39,390
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
GreenMachine, Edgar Jones, AlanGray, SeanPierce, zsdlsd
39,390 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 184
DC Ron 135
Al-David 120
rsdean 93
WaoBand 91
Today's Birthdays
CloClo, Richcloud
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5