It's late, here, so I'll keep this to a minimum ... just something I've literally finished now. Perhaps I'm jumping the gun in releasing it here, already (without sleeping on it, at least) ... but here it is, anyway ... see what you think? Thanks
EDIT: thanks to Hans's sharp ears and great feedback, I've decided to revise the song a little, removing the "Natural Arrangement" option off BIAB, and asking BIAB to play exactly the chords I have written. Hopefully, this makes the song a little clearer, more flowing and less choppy? Thanks for your patience!
****** Song Summary ************* Title: Dreaming of Angels - 22 September 2023 File:22 September 2023.SGU Key=D , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=4:11 No intro. 64 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 64. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is _PIANOLN.STY (Piano Lane Visceral Pop Ballad)
RealTracks in style: 1536:Bass, Electric, PopBelieve Ev16 065 RealTracks in style: 892:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopLiverpool Ev 065 (A-simple) RealTracks in style: 1543:Synth Pad, PopBelieve Ev16 065 RealTracks in style: 893:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopLiverpool Ev 065 (B-energetic) RealDrums in style:Visceral pop ballad [Multi]
Your song starts beautiful, with nce strings in the background. Each time I expected you to tell a story in the way that is so tippicalli for you, but no, nothing... As I said a very nice start of your instrumental, but... As always there is a 'but'... I think your transpositions are a bit much. They make the song restless or a bit too busy. Maybe one transposition at the time would be enough? But maybe I'm the only one here that say this, then don't bother.
Overall I like your song a lot. I think I only miss your voice...
Ah, know what you mean about sleeping on it. Often after awaking in the morning it doesn't sound as good as last night. I bet when you woke up this one sounded even better than your sleepy mind of "last night" realized. It has so much of the Delsono touch. Oh, judst like Hans, I miss your vocal track. Lust like when you speak your lyrics, I can hear the implied melody, on this one I hear your vocal --or at least how it would be in there.
Bob, Hans, Marty and David S: thanks so much for your very kind words!
Hans, you're absolutely spot on, I think, about the musical unclarity of the first version. On that version, I've used the "Natural Arrangement" BIAB setting, which messed around a little with my exact chords. So, I've tried a different version, now ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz-T8oYSxjY ) , which I hope makes the harmonic progressions a little clearer, hence the song a little less choppy? See what you think? If you still think it's not right, do let me know, if you have time - thanks!
I listened to your new version. It is a lot better, but what comes up in my mind is 'what do you want to tell me (the listener) or try to achieve? Every time I get used to a certain chordprogression and expect it to stay there or go one step above, you decide to'go two steps lower or something like that. and that is confusing me, the listener.
It is a good thing not to do what everyone expects you to, but don't do that all the time. The title "Dreaming of Angels" is a beautiful title, and I, the listener, wants to enjoy listening to them or dream about it.
All your sounds/instruments are well chosen, but it's that chord progression that you have to tame. At least, that is what I would do with a song with this title.
But James, that's my taste in music making. Maybe not yours. So please, go your own way (like the song from Fleetwood Mac...)
It's a pleasant arrangement, but it lacks melody, which means it's going to rely on the chord progression for direction.
And that's where I run into problems. You seem to throw in chords with no preparation that are unrelated to prior chords, and they don't seem to lead the progression, either.
I'm left scratching my head wondering what's happening. As the song goes on, these chords appear with even more frequency.
So, pretty song, but I can't follow where it's going.
The synths add to the dreamlike quality of the production.
Very serene!
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.
Thank you ever so much for all of your kind and honest comments!
Hans: perhaps I put "too much ketchup" on this song, haha. I'll listen again, once it has settled in my mind, and see! Thanks, though - your comments do help, if only in getting a proper and honest audience perspective!
David C: I see all of your points, bar one, haha - which is this one: I don't feel that some chords are thrown together without preparation. I try, when I modulate, to keep one note in common, from the departing to the arriving chord. I believe they call those "pivot chords"? It's been a long time since I opened a music theory book but that's how I sometimes work. It may sound haphazard, yes ... that's another matter, haha. But I was hoping there was enough "method in my madness" to make things coherent. If not, that's entirely my fault, of course, as a songwriter I'll listen again - and thanks!!!
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
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.
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!
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 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:
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:
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.
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.