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Helpless (Audio) Helpless (video)This song is probably only for my few hardcore fans (if there are any...), because it has an unpleasant message, an unpleasant vocals and an unpleasant length. And an unpleasant video, although there is a happy ending for those who are able to watch until the end. I hope you get the idea of the inhuman world where ruthlessness is praised and those who want to help suffering people are called terrorists... I'm happy with the end result, but I know that I could have made it shorter. But there has been even longer song on this forum, so I dared to showcase mine  And unfortunately not quite enough dynamics like in the works of Master BD, but at least there are no long and meandering solos like in progressive rock songs usually  Lyric writing took longer than a month, I used different AIs on two iterations just to get ideas where and how to make the story more impactful, but I used only one direct suggestion, because these AI suggestions are usually quite lame. And AI didn't fully understand the outro part, I hope the connection to the first verse is clear enough for you now. Mixing and arranging took about one week and the video took 10 days to make. I used AI heavily in the videomaking, I couldn't have done it without AI. And BIAB provided an excellent selection of instruments for my vision. I especially liked the dark and sad mood I was able to create with the acoustic piano and the metal hit guitar. Based on the style _MOMENTO.STY RealDrums: Tango, MetalModernHeavyBallad, ElecCymbalCrash[single] Loops: vybez_70_bass_2_a_minor, neckbreak_90_a_drums RealTracks: #2482:Bass, Acoustic, Bowed Held Ev 085 #4220:Bass, Electric, SoulRock70sAB Ev 100 #2558:Cello, Background SlowSwing Sw 065 #4901:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm SongwriterPopSlow8thsJohn Ev 60 #1842:Synth Pad, PopModernGrooveA-B Ev16 075 #3182:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GrungeUnpluggedQuinn Ev16 090 #4777:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm MetalModernSyncHits12key Ev16 070 #4779:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm MetalModernSyncHeldPlus12key Ev 070 #3738:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm GrungeSlowCleanArp Ev 080 #4757:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Metal80sPopMed8ths Ev 095 #4072:Guitar, Electric, Soloist MemphisSlowBluesPat Ev 085 4381:Erhu, Background SimplePentatonic Ev 060 Vocals: Synthesizer V HXVOC (lead & harmony), Felicia (lead), Liam (lead), Natalie (harmony), Galenaia (interlude) MIDI (chord track): The Orchestra (strings, military drums) Other sound effects: Forces Of Fury percussion, Gong sound generated by Adobe Firefly Mixed in Cakewalk Sonar (Neutron 4, Neoverb, Ozone 11) Lyrics: [Verse] Where's a good samaritan millenia later they are still arguing who is your neighbor they haven't learned that you reap what you sow that's why they passed on the other side of the road. [Pre chorus] Which neighbor may be helped? Which one to expel? Are the crippled worth the help? Do weirdos deserve to be felled? [Chorus] I'm feeling helpless when the world stamps on my boots empathy and courtesy have no value to the stern in suits. We've been knocked to the ground we can't escape their suffocating arm they have closed their eyes to the spread of the harm. I'm feeling helpless who would bind my wounds? we are helpless who will bind our wounds? [Verse] Seeking ways to put the blame on victimized neighbors the elect make excuses for not doing a favor True neighbors for them are their partners in crime the travesty of teachings, the stigma of our time. [Pre chorus] Shares plummeting for trust, wisdom, gracious deeds they say it's aiding fascists to lend your hand to the starving in need. [Chorus] [Bridge] Every day is a war of wills where a brother fights a brother why isn't it heroic to compete to lift up each other? [Verse] Clowns of our world are praised for showing no mercy homeless and immigrants they deem unworthy they're not like saints, humane pioneers sadly, they are rash who can't see the fall is near. [Chorus] [Outro] I'm not a paragon of virtue I am likely selfish and blind by hoping if I'm now kind, you'll help when I've got wounds to bind. -------------- Janne
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Janne, grand, thematically ambitious and artfully executed. Nice job with the synth vocal groupings, they are varied in interesting ways and quite effective even when not hyper realistic. Very cool backing track with an authentic sounding (to me) prog rock feel. I especially like your use of the BiaB electric guitar soloists. Don't hear them much, and almost never as well integrated.
Unpleasantness CAN be avoided, but it IS part of our world, and I think it's more than a little ok to explore these areas with music. Of course my last two songs were about dementia and dystopian horror, so maybe I'm not the best judge.
Super song!!
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Expert
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Hi Janne!
I watched the video, and glad I did.
What is the world coming to? What are we coming to? What am I coming to? Very thought provoking about what our human values are. Focusing on oneself is over-rated.
I love the operatic vocal section of the song.
Good work!
Andrew
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This is an epic productions and is as long as it needs to be. I usually dislike SynthV vocals, but you've made them work in this due to the arrangement and production. I can see that you put a lot of work into this and it's an epic to be proud of.
The only thing I didn't like about the video was the gorilla heads as gorillas are actually very peaceful animals.
A sort of sad joke: I think the truly evil ones call peaceful protesters terrorists is because the truly evil ones are terrified they'll lose votes!
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Janne, a very thoughtful presentation. It shows that you put a ton of work into this. Great subject and a real wake up call. This is what happens when you take God and discipline out of the equation.
That plus you have a militant sect of a religion that is preaching hate.
PS - this song could have been done by Meatloaf.
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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Janne,
This is quite a project! There's a lot going on, but you handle it quite proficiently. That must have been quite an ambitious mix!
I live right next to our local high school. If you climb over my back fence, you're on their football field. I talk to the students quite often. The one question they have for me most often is what is the biggest difference between growing up in the 1950s and 1950s, other than technology. I always tell them it's the loss of respect and civility. And you've captured those two elements very nicely in this song.
Nice work!
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
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Janne, you really need to work on your self promotion skills after reading your opening paragraph I think  Very powerful song that sums up what many of us are thinking when we see what is happening globally. I won't discuss politics in a public forum, but anyone with half a brain knows one of the main reasons. Brilliant song with an important message, didn't seem long to me at all. Which means I'm a hardcore fan I suppose Well done!
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Well now, Janne!
Your "Helpless" isn't just art; it's a delightful social exposé, served with a generous dollop of truth serum! You've unleashed the ultimate disinfectant – sunshine – and boy, has it illuminated the grubby corners of this subject.
In a nutshell, "Helpless" is a wonderfully uncomfortable peek behind the curtain of a world that seems to have misplaced its moral compass. It’s a world where doing good gets you smacked, and being a scoundrel gets you a standing ovation, leaving the nice guys feeling like they’ve been run over by a bus. That "happy ending"? It's more of a shy, timid hope that we humans might, just might, remember that looking out for each other is actually a rather brilliant survival strategy, before we all go tumbling down a rabbit hole of our own making.
The Grand Unveiling of Modern Malaise:
Empathy? So Last Century! The powers-that-be are masters of the ostrich impression, "closing their eyes to the spread of the harm." They even have the nerve to spin tales where helping the starving is apparently akin to joining the dark side – "aiding fascists"! The sheer nerve!
The Big Oof of Helplessness: That feeling of being "knocked to the ground" by a "suffocating arm" is all too real. You can practically hear the collective sigh asking, "Seriously, who's going to patch us up?"
Warning: Falling Rocks Ahead! This isn't just a gentle nudge; it's a flashing neon sign screaming, "This path of cruelty and silliness leads to a spectacular 'fall'!"
The "What If?" Ending: The "happy ending" suggests the faintest possibility that if we start being decent, even if it's just for our own good, we might kickstart a rather lovely cycle of mutual back-scratching.
This is the kind of music that makes you lean in and actually think. Absolutely brilliant!
regards
Izzy
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Outstanding in every way, Janne. Fabulous video to accompany this gem. Man, what incredible vocals, and you managed to coax passion out of them. Absolutely brilliant!!! Man, I can see this as a stage production. (Maybe that's because Charley has me hooked on Hamilton --whjich also has a song entitled "Helpless.") This is so powerful and worth countless views. Yep, I'm a hardcore fan, but we knew that before I reached the hopeful ending. This must have taken a long long time, but man, thanks for taking it.
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Janne, grand, thematically ambitious and artfully executed. Nice job with the synth vocal groupings, they are varied in interesting ways and quite effective even when not hyper realistic. Very cool backing track with an authentic sounding (to me) prog rock feel. I especially like your use of the BiaB electric guitar soloists. Don't hear them much, and almost never as well integrated.
Unpleasantness CAN be avoided, but it IS part of our world, and I think it's more than a little ok to explore these areas with music. Of course my last two songs were about dementia and dystopian horror, so maybe I'm not the best judge.
Super song!! Thanks Ron for your heartwarming comment  Glad you liked the synth vocalist, it has an amazing range and by turning a knob the voice can change dramatically, I was worried that the high notes might be too distracting, but on the other hand, I liked the roundess in its "normal" range. And yes, BIAB soloist are so great that I wanted to have several different ones in the same song Janne
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Janne,
That's quite a song. Excellent production and masterful use of the synth voices. I love the big punchy mix.
Great songwriting. Enjoyed!
Bob
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I love the way the cello rubs against the arrangement.
The main vocal reminds me of Jon Anderson & that reminds me why I don't like Yes.
Very cool mix, arrangement & narrative...I'm just not fussed on the vocal synths chosen.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Hi Janne!
I watched the video, and glad I did.
What is the world coming to? What are we coming to? What am I coming to? Very thought provoking about what our human values are. Focusing on oneself is over-rated.
I love the operatic vocal section of the song.
Good work!
Andrew Thanks Andrew, I appreciate your kind feedback And valid questions, it is important to challenge our values. Janne
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This is an epic productions and is as long as it needs to be. I usually dislike SynthV vocals, but you've made them work in this due to the arrangement and production. I can see that you put a lot of work into this and it's an epic to be proud of.
The only thing I didn't like about the video was the gorilla heads as gorillas are actually very peaceful animals.
A sort of sad joke: I think the truly evil ones call peaceful protesters terrorists is because the truly evil ones are terrified they'll lose votes! Thanks for your heartwarming comment I try to be proud of it, at least now that I hear that I didn't spoil it with the SynthV vocals. Well, I think gorillas can be aggressive too. But actually those heads are what AI depicted by giving the prompt "a laughing business man in a suit, having a head of a monstrous ape", so not necessarily gorillas... it was just one way trying to express that we are still animals despite the suits. Janne
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Janne, a very thoughtful presentation. It shows that you put a ton of work into this. Great subject and a real wake up call. This is what happens when you take God and discipline out of the equation.
That plus you have a militant sect of a religion that is preaching hate.
PS - this song could have been done by Meatloaf. Thanks Mario for your positive feedback and the Meatloaf reference And thanks for sharing your thoughts. Janne
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Nice song, would fit nicely on Pink Floyd's album "The Wall", especially the vocals remind me at places a bit of Roger Waters.
Despite its length and your concern that it might not be dynamic enough, it really held my attention right to the end.
Well done!
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This is quite a project! There's a lot going on, but you handle it quite proficiently. That must have been quite an ambitious mix!
I live right next to our local high school. If you climb over my back fence, you're on their football field. I talk to the students quite often. The one question they have for me most often is what is the biggest difference between growing up in the 1950s and 1950s, other than technology. I always tell them it's the loss of respect and civility. And you've captured those two elements very nicely in this song.
Nice work!
Alan Thanks Alan for your kind and positive review Yes, the overall process took quite much time. Thanks also for your story, I fully agree what you say about loss of respect and civility. I guess we have lost community spirit, we are more anonymous to each other. Janne
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Janne, you really need to work on your self promotion skills after reading your opening paragraph I think Very powerful song that sums up what many of us are thinking when we see what is happening globally. I won't discuss politics in a public forum, but anyone with half a brain knows one of the main reasons. Brilliant song with an important message, didn't seem long to me at all. Which means I'm a hardcore fan I suppose Well done! Thanks Dave for your nice comment and for being my hardcore fan Yeah, self promotion is not my strongest skills Just wanted to get the distressing song out and move on to the next one as quickly as possible. No need to talk about politics, hopefully the old message "let's be kind to each other" is not too political these days Janne
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Well now, Janne!
Your "Helpless" isn't just art; it's a delightful social exposé, served with a generous dollop of truth serum! You've unleashed the ultimate disinfectant – sunshine – and boy, has it illuminated the grubby corners of this subject.
In a nutshell, "Helpless" is a wonderfully uncomfortable peek behind the curtain of a world that seems to have misplaced its moral compass. It’s a world where doing good gets you smacked, and being a scoundrel gets you a standing ovation, leaving the nice guys feeling like they’ve been run over by a bus. That "happy ending"? It's more of a shy, timid hope that we humans might, just might, remember that looking out for each other is actually a rather brilliant survival strategy, before we all go tumbling down a rabbit hole of our own making.
The Grand Unveiling of Modern Malaise:
Empathy? So Last Century! The powers-that-be are masters of the ostrich impression, "closing their eyes to the spread of the harm." They even have the nerve to spin tales where helping the starving is apparently akin to joining the dark side – "aiding fascists"! The sheer nerve!
The Big Oof of Helplessness: That feeling of being "knocked to the ground" by a "suffocating arm" is all too real. You can practically hear the collective sigh asking, "Seriously, who's going to patch us up?"
Warning: Falling Rocks Ahead! This isn't just a gentle nudge; it's a flashing neon sign screaming, "This path of cruelty and silliness leads to a spectacular 'fall'!"
The "What If?" Ending: The "happy ending" suggests the faintest possibility that if we start being decent, even if it's just for our own good, we might kickstart a rather lovely cycle of mutual back-scratching.
This is the kind of music that makes you lean in and actually think. Absolutely brilliant!
regards
Izzy Thank you so much Izzy for your wonderful review of my song I was smiling all the time while reading it and wondered how you managed to notice all of my intention , and then you even provided ideas that I didn't even think of like rabbit hole and the ostrich impression - an image which I undoubtedly wish I had used on the video, but on the other hand I read that it is based on a myth... but anyway, you gave me an idea for a new song I like how you describe the ending as "shy, timid hope". Some time ago I read a book called "The origin of virtue" and it may have inspired that part, would be interesting to test the current dominating "survival strategy" in a computer simulation, I assume it would fail miserably. Thanks for your helping hand, I needed it and I hope to help you anytime Janne
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Outstanding in every way, Janne. Fabulous video to accompany this gem. Man, what incredible vocals, and you managed to coax passion out of them. Absolutely brilliant!!! Man, I can see this as a stage production. (Maybe that's because Charley has me hooked on Hamilton --whjich also has a song entitled "Helpless.") This is so powerful and worth countless views. Yep, I'm a hardcore fan, but we knew that before I reached the hopeful ending. This must have taken a long long time, but man, thanks for taking it. Thanks Marty, your supportive reviews are always so heartwarming to read And yes I know that you are my superhardcore fan, thanks for being such a kind person  Yes, took me a long time to make it, but luckily there are tools like BIAB, Synth V and AI to help me, otherwise I would be still working on it... Janne
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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 Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
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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!
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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!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
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!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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