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Cold Plate An attempt at a harder hitting production … at least for Janice’s vocal from the solo on. Peter plays some very complementary solos, fills and rhythm tracks. The title was inspired by the saying “revenge is best served as a cold dish” that dates to the 16th century. Yep another “I’m outa here and done with you” theme. 😀 Lyrics are on SoundCloud and below. Thanks to Peter & PG Music and if you choose to listen your time is appreciated. Comments are welcomed. Janice Merritt: vocals, arrangement & melody Bud Merritt: lyric, mix, arrangement, mastering & photo Peter Fulham: solo/rhythm guitar, mix & arrangement Tech Stuff: Bass: RealTrack 1036 Electric, Northern Rock Ballad > Izotope Neutron 3 Piano: MIDI SuperTrack 3102 Electric, Rhythm Americana > Logic Pro Grand Steinway sound > Waves CLA Effect Pedal Steel: RealTrack 2542 Background Modern Ballad Atmosphere > Logic Pro Grit Pedal Drums: RealDrums Nashville Even 8ths > Waves CLA Drums (multiple fills comps) Snare: RealDrums Nashville even 8ths kit > Waves Magma BB T > Izotope Neutron 3 > Logic Pro ChromaVerb Cymbal: RealDrums Nashville even 8ths kit Mixed in Logic Pro X Mastered via six Izotope Ozone modules starting with a Lucinda Williams reference song. Cold Plate © 2024 J. Merritt, B. Merritt & P. Fulham V1 How many times have I been told not to leave Guess I need to find a long bridge to burn Wanna see glowing embers in my rear view mirror You’ve shoved me past the point of no return Chorus I think I could make a profession out of revenge But folks say it’s best served as a cold plate So I need a little distance, I need a little time Your days coming but it may be a long wait V2 I’m not going to worry if my past defines me In a few minutes I can leave where I lived my whole life No more you no more them only me and the horizon Any direction will carry me away from the strife
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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You always produce winners. As always the perfect style for the song, an outstanding vocal and guitar leads, and mix. I noticed a slightly different chord progression from your norm - sounds great. When I see that you three are on the same song I know I'm in for some sweet ear candy!
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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I can't comment on the sound much as I'm using a 15 year old laptop with bad converters and a dull sound...still waiting for my replacement computer... The song & arrangement are excellent. The narrative is personal but universal. The bite in the solo is classic rock at its best. The vocal after the solo is a little more up front and IYF as suits the story. It's a lovely thing.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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You always produce winners. As always the perfect style for the song, an outstanding vocal and guitar leads, and mix. I noticed a slightly different chord progression from your norm - sounds great. When I see that you three are on the same song I know I'm in for some sweet ear candy! Thank you Mario. And we appreciate the mention of the progression. It grew from Janice experimenting on her old Martin box with some suspended and diminished chords. Not something we’d play back in the bluegrass days. 😀 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! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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I only noticed the "interesting" chords after seeing Mario's comment. I was too focused on the lead guitar and Janice's vocal. That's probably where that "early Jackson Browne" vibe is coming from. To my ears, this seems a very bright mix... but my ears are still congested, so there might be some weird attenuation going on there. But it's very clear, and there's nothing that distracts from the vocal or lead guitar, which makes it perfect in that regard. Despite the length, my first impression was that the song was short. Also another great sign in my book. Nice work, y'all. 
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Expert
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It's a beautiful song, very beautiful voice and the guitar part in the middle is very pleasant. Laurent
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I can't comment on the sound much as I'm using a 15 year old laptop with bad converters and a dull sound...still waiting for my replacement computer... The song & arrangement are excellent. The narrative is personal but universal. The bite in the solo is classic rock at its best. The vocal after the solo is a little more up front and IYF as suits the story. It's a lovely thing. We hope the new tech arrives soon. Your comments are much appreciated as you mentioned several of the objectives we had hoped to achieve. We tried to orient the mix and mastering into a more rock direction … so thanks! 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! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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Great arrangement, production and performance. Enjoyed this from start to finish.
BIAB 2026:RB 2026, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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I only noticed the "interesting" chords after seeing Mario's comment. I was too focused on the lead guitar and Janice's vocal. That's probably where that "early Jackson Browne" vibe is coming from. To my ears, this seems a very bright mix... but my ears are still congested, so there might be some weird attenuation going on there. But it's very clear, and there's nothing that distracts from the vocal or lead guitar, which makes it perfect in that regard. Despite the length, my first impression was that the song was short. Also another great sign in my book. Nice work, y'all.  Howdy, thanks for all the positive comments. Yeah, it’s long for two verses and a chorus but we didn’t want to raise the tempo or shorten the solo. 😀 The brightness may be a bit due to the register Janice is singing in. It harkens back to the bluegrass days. Also I felt some of my mixes of late have lacked an “edge” so hopefully I didn’t overdo it! 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! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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You always produce winners. As always the perfect style for the song, an outstanding vocal and guitar leads, and mix. I noticed a slightly different chord progression from your norm - sounds great. When I see that you three are on the same song I know I'm in for some sweet ear candy! Thanks Mario Peter
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Oh my. I try to listen before reading the credits, and I was going crazy trying to figure out how a RT could do those guitar parts. Ha! Nice one, Peter!
Beautiful write. Janice, you really crushed these vocals. Reminds me of Linda Ronstadt without sounding exactly like her. Just a beautiful, big emotional punch.
Bud, the mix is perfect. This is a fabulous song every way I think about songs.
Really enjoyed it!
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Janice, Bud & Peter,
Rock n Blues at it's absolute best... An awesome production!
I love the way Janice comes out swinging on this one - gritty and edgy. She sings everything here with a great intensity. Really excellent.
Love Bud's production - clear and glassy with edge to match Janice's vocal. I also really love the reedy tones Peter is getting from his guitar. That's a great sound.
Just great music all around!
Bob
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This one grew on me 😀 At the beginning, I was just relaxed, but, as it went on, it really grabbed my attention. Mrs Merritt: really beautiful singing, you know I love the way you phrase. A great production all round, with the singing as its crowning glory. Loved the guitar tone colour, too. Well done!!!
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ALL of your productions are hard-hitting, J&B. Really like the write, Peter's solo and fills, then Janice nails the vocals like no one can. Bud, you should hold a class on mastering, Mastering The Master Like The Master. I like the rearview mirrow, too. Yep, everything you guys do is a little above what others would call top-notch.
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Janice can add that sparkle to any song. Guitar is a nice addition too. Not so keen on that "in your face" drum rhythm at the beginning but that's an easy fix if you feel the need to change it. Maybe that's just a personal thing with me though. Good job.
Vic
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Janice can add that sparkle to any song. Guitar is a nice addition too. Not so keen on that "in your face" drum rhythm at the beginning but that's an easy fix if you feel the need to change it. Maybe that's just a personal thing with me though. Good job.
Vic Thanks Vic. I guess by “drum rhythm” you mean choice of components. The drums have a snare on all solos and choruses while the verses are sticks. So there is no difference in the intro from the above. And the gain and processing is the same throughout. It all works for us as our objective was an in your face vibe. 😀 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! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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PB&J, Excellence from every angle. Janice has never sounded better. Peter is in top form. The mix is impeccable. There is a brewing tempest in the singer that is a bit scary.  Music. fj
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Love the lyrics and vocal. the style quite reminded me of Jackson Browne whose songs I like very much.
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It's a beautiful song, very beautiful voice and the guitar part in the middle is very pleasant. Laurent Thank you for the nice comments! 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! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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Man, the first verse plus chorus plus Peter is longer than most of my songs and yet I wasn't bored for a second Definitely a winner! Great chords, killer guitar, and I have yet to hear a Janice vocal that I don't like. And, Bud, what you do with the faders is as good as it gets. Winners all around!
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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.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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