August 31, 2021 User Showcase Song - Cry a River

Latest from Chris, Marty, and Dave:

Cry a River

The Band:

2734:Organ, Rhythm BluesSlow128Mike Sw 065

Chris Spruit: Vocals
Marty Straub: Bass
Dave Bell: Guitars and BGV

Drums by EZDrummer2 using midi from GrooveMonkey.

Mixed in Reaper, mastered with Ozone9
Lyrics

Posted at 01:30 PM

August 22, 2021 VIDEO: Band-in-a-Box® Works Great in Windows®11!

Here's an introductory look at Band-in-a-Box® running on the preview version of Windows® 11!

Watch the video.

Posted at 03:26 PM

August 18, 2021 Band-in-a-Box® Tip - Remove Patch Changes from MIDI File

Don't forget to check out our Tips & Tricks Forum, where you'll read all about how other users are working with the program and sharing their handy tips!

Like one of the latest posts, HOW TO: Remove patch changes from MIDI file. Noel96 explains how to remove the patches from a downloaded MIDI file direcly in Band-in-a-Box!

Have a tip of your own? Make sure you share it to the Tips & Tricks Forum!

Posted at 11:45 AM

August 18, 2021 User Showcase Song - Three Sisters and Me

Hi everyone,

I made a song about three human values, but also about "my skills" to address this issue. Of course this is meant with a big wink. It is called Not so tactful: https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/not-so-tactful-290721bmv2oz

I starts as an acoustic ballad and becomes a kind of rock ballad.
Some background vocals i made with the help of melodyne. Always a lot of work, but I think it sounds natural, although it is for you to decide!

The lyrics is about the three sisters Truth (Verity), Honesty and Respect (Esteem) and how they are treated.
These lyrics can be read on SoundCloud.

Let me know what you think of this song.
Thanks,
Hans
===========================================
Some technical information on the song:

Style: BATON.STY, Key: Bm , Tempo 90
Instruments:
RT: 908 :Bas, Elec. RT: 1538 :Guitar, Elec,
RT: 3059 :Guitar, Ac, RT: 3394 :Guitar, Ac, RT: 3057 :Guitar, Ac, Fingerpicking
RT: 3152 :Fiddle, 5-string Sw, RT: Drums: Americana 16
Plugins:
Ceilings of Sound for Percussion: Clap
Fabfilter: EQ and Processors, Reverb and Delay for vocals and instruments (no Delay)
Melodyne for BG vocals
Others: Transient Master and Vari compression on drums, Fresh Air (Slate digital), Space Designer Room Reverb
Daw: Logic Pro X,
Mixing: Neutron3 / Relay
Mastering: Ozone 9 advanced.
Canva: Art design software for album cover

Posted at 10:47 AM

August 17, 2021 User Showcase Song - Playing Sitar

Not me again! Here is my new tune deposited to the PGmusic vault.

https://soundcloud.com/xabarovskiy-krai/playing-sitar

Just having fun. It was an interesting project to work on phrasing. Unfortunately my accent stands in a way of lyric clarity. (That is why Hiogi fans sound like coyote pants) Working on it smile Critical comments are always (!) welcomed. Thank you for giving his time.

Posted at 02:10 PM

August 16, 2021 User Showcase Song - Every Time I Do

It's a song about a peppered parakeet –wait... no it's not. I don't even know what that is or even if it's a thing. I just like a little alliteration. It's a song about moving on when a relationship just isn't working. Well, the song just wasn't working until it got a healthy dose of Blue Attitude. When Dave Bell agreed to play some fills and a solo, the song started taking on a much better feel.

Every Time I Do on Soundcloud
Every Time I Do on YouTube

When I was laying down the bass track (going direct and with headphones), I noticed my phone, which was is my pocket, started playing an alarm I forgot to delete. It was right at the end. See if you can hear it. I have no idea how it was recorded, but maybe I should start doing my vocals through my bass pickups.

Style is _BLSHUFF.STY (Fast Swing 8th Blues w/ Organ)

RealTracks in style: ~425:Organ, B3, Background Blues Sw 120
RealTracks in style: 421:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Blues Sw 120
RealTracks in style: ~585:Guitar, Resophonic, Rhythm Blues Muddy Sw 120
Loop in Song: Loops PAK 1\Jazz\Drums, Acoustic, JazzPopSnapsClapsA Sw 120.wav
RealDrums [in style:BluesShuffleHard^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Ride

Dave Bell – guitar
me –bass and vocal (and alarm clock)

Lyrics

Posted at 12:49 PM

August 13, 2021 User Showcase Song - Jubal

So, it was raining hard the other day and I sat in the house and read me a piece of the Good Book.

When I got to Genesis 4, I saw there was guy name Jubal who invented string instruments.

Descended from Cain. Kicked out of Eden and left with the shame.

Oh yeah. Here we go.

Jubal
by David Snyder

Lyrics
Words and Music copyright David Snyder, 2021
ASCAP/Day of Faith Records

David Snyder: Guitar, Vocals, production, mixing, mastering

*******************

RealTracks in style: ~2479:Bass, Acoustic, HeldSimple Ev 110
RealTracks in style: 3290:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticReelDADGADQuinn Ev 110
RealTracks in style: 3273:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Rhythm CelticReel Ev16 110
RealDrums [in style:LatinFunkAlex^3-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Busy Snare, HiHat

Posted at 11:01 AM

August 12, 2021 Groove3 Offer - Watch the Band-in-a-Box® Tutorials for FREE!

Exciting Offer!!

Our friends at Groove3.com, publishers of video tutorials about today's studio tools, are giving Band-in-a-Box users a free 14 Day All-Access Pass to their site! No credit card is required. Get instant access to everything on Groove3.com including the newly released Band-in-a-Box video tutorial courses "Band-in-a-Box: Getting Started" and "Songwriting with Band-in-a-Box".

Interested in this offer? Contact us at marketing@pgmusic.com for your free 14 Day All-Access Pass right away! (This offer is only available until August 31st)

Posted at 01:46 PM

August 12, 2021 User Showcase Song - Ashes and Sackcloth

Ashes and Sackcloth

The Band:
Style: Down 'n' Out Blues Rock Gtr Solo
Key: G Tempo: 100
Bass****** 1417:Bass, Electric, RootsRock
Guitar 1** 3361:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm BritClassicRock70sHeld
Drums***** RealDrums=RockSouthern
Guitar 2** 2634:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm CountryBluesRock
Guitar 3** 3443:Guitar, Electric, Soloist BritPsycFunky
Piano***** 2732:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm
Vocals**** 3527:Vocals, Background GospeCool3-part
Lyrics

Posted at 11:13 AM

August 11, 2021 User Showcase Song - Intoxicatie

Intoxicatie

Yet another dream song... I had a dream where my colleagues were sitting at the table, drinking, tapping the table and singing a song - I remembered the first words and the chorus melody when I woke up, although I had to modify the melody a little because it sounded bit too much like Paloma Blanca, a hit in Europe in the 70's. Hopefully the resemblance is not that obvious anymore. Originally the lyrics were in Finnish, but when translating, I came up with that funny song title when I couldn't rhyme 'lady' properly. And then I realized I could use 'strong' female names in the verses. I'm sure I could develop the story even further but it is time to give it a rest now and showcase it to you. I hope you enjoy my humor! All comments welcome!

Naturally, BIAB provided excellent rock instruments for the backing band. The band is based on the style _FURIOUS.STY:

RealDrums [in style:SouthernPop8ths^01-a:Hat, Snare, b:Open Hat, Snare
Loops: Cajon124_04 ev16, Cajon124_05 ev16

RealTracks:
RealTracks in style: ~579:Bass, Electric, Blues Roadhouse Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 2625:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm BluesBoogieBassAndLicks Ev 100
RealTracks in style: 2635:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm CountryBluesRockHigh Ev 110
RealTracks in song: 1850:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopShiningGrittyMuted Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 3352:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Soloist SwampyBluesTalkBoxBrent Ev 095
RealTracks in song: 3361:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm BritClassicRock70sHeld

Bottle emptying sound effect (recorded by myself, plain water though)

Vocals by me

Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab

Lyrics

Posted at 10:56 AM

August 10, 2021 Band-in-a-Box® - Tip of the Day Feature!

Did you know that Band-in-a-Box® shares helpful tips when you first open the program? It's a great way for new users to get to know the program! Only want to hear about the new version? You can adjust this feature to share tips on just the new version by selecting "Only Show Tips for Version 2021" when you are in the Help | Tip of the Day.

A few of the recent Tips I've seen when I open my copy of Band-in-a-Box® include:

-You can use a mouse wheel to control sliders and dials in the Mixer.

-The Guitar window supports the left-handed guitar and student view. You can set this in the Guitar Settings dialog.

-An asterisk (C 5*) shown in the "Clef split at" option in the Notation Windows Options indicates that the middle C is C 5.

-You can use the Melodist to generate chord progressions, without melodies, by deselecting the "Generate Melody" checkbox in the Melodist dialog. Press the Melodist button to launch the Melodist.

-Do you like keystroke shortcuts? Launch Melodist (Shift-F5), Launch Soloist (Shift F4), Guitar Window (Ctrl-Shift-G), Drum Kit Window (Ctrl-Shift-D), Leadsheet Window (alt W).

-Need a list of BB chords? Right click on the chordsheet, select Chord Builder, and use the combo box that lists all of the chords available in Band-in-a-Box.

-Is your practicing stuck in a rut? Try playing a familiar song in a different key each chorus. To do this, go to Options | Preferences | Transpose and select 'Transpose each chorus'.

-BB can generate a title for you. Press the Song Titles button on the middle right of the screen. For a more comprehensive auto-titling program, choose GM-Run Other Application and select C:\bb\Data\Lib\TitleGen.exe.

Have a Band-in-a-Box® tip of your own to share with other program users? Post it to our Tips and Tricks forum.

Posted at 12:50 PM

August 10, 2021 User Showcase Song - Half Life of Truth

Here is a new song collaboration by Ray and myself.

Half of Truth - Soundcloud

Half Life of Truth - Video

Lyrics

The Band

Lyrics and Vocal Ray Cochrane
Lead and Slide Guitar Scott Collingwood (little help from my Whammy Pedal)
Bass and Rhythm Guitars Ray Cochrane.

These are the original BIAB files used to create the song

****** Song Summary *************
Title: floyd esque
File:floydesqueV2.SGU
Key=C , Tempo 80, Length (m:s)=5:06
No intro. 33 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 33. Repeat x3 choruses
No Melody
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Style is _MELTING.STY (Melting British Psych Pop Ballad)

RealTracks in style: 1592:Bass, Electric, Pop16ths Ev 065
RealTracks in style: 3436:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm BritPsycPopBalladArpHiPhaser Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 1336:Flute, Soloist Bossa Ev 140
RealTracks in song: ~673:Organ, B3, Background Blues BB Ev 085
RealDrums [in style:RockNorthern^4-a:Snare, Loose HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
*******************

Posted at 11:04 AM

August 09, 2021 User Showcase Song - Blue Tonight

Here's a simple folky slow-jam type of thing...

This is called Blue Tonight

Lyrics

BIAB Tracks:
2914: Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Folky16thsBrent
2474: Bass, Acoustic, Held, Ev 085
2505: Piano, Electric, HeldChords 085
Chorus Loop: Chillout/Chillout_dimensions_145
RealDrums: PopPromiseEv16 Snare on 4

Posted at 08:54 AM

August 06, 2021 The Band-in-a-Box® 2021 49-PAK for Mac!

Don't forget the option to boost your Band-in-a-Box® purchase with the 2021 49-PAK for only $49!

What will you get when you add the 2021 49-PAK to your Band-in-a-Box® 2021 order?

-40 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks
-Artist Performance Set 10: More Celtic Flute with Geoff Kelly
-Instrumental Studies 14: Country Rock Blues Shuffle Soloing
-Instrumental Studies 15: Minor Jazz Blues Guitar Soloing
-Look Ma! More MIDI 5
-Look Ma! More MIDI 6
-MIDI SuperTracks Set 32: Jazz, New Age and Gospel Keys
-MIDI SuperTracks Set 33: More Bass
-MultiStyles PAK 1
-RealCharts for all existing and new RealDrums
-14 Bonus RealDrums "Singles"
-"Rediscovered" RealTracks Styles

Watch the 2021 49-PAK video.

Learn more and listen to demos.

The 2021 49-PAK is now included in the 2021 UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition!

Using the Windows version? 2021 49-PAK for Windows.

Posted at 12:36 PM

August 06, 2021 User Showcase Song - Cowgirl Cinderella

Not Classic Country. Or Classic Rock. Or Jazz. Or Polka.
Impossible!
Make some music, for godsakes.
Geez.

Cowgirl Cinderella

BIAB is miracle software.

RealTracks in song: 3468:Bass, Electric, AmericanaSyncSteveA Ev16 085
RealTracks in song: 2702:Bass, Synth, CloudRapSub Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 1167:Guitar, Electric, Soloist RockBalladBrent Ev 065 (HELD)
RealTracks in song: 633:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopAmericanMuted Ev 120 (A:sync)
RealTracks in song: 3305 Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Metal
Royalty Free Loops
Lyrics

I programmed tracks - acoustic guitar (Ample Martin Lite), organ (CollaB3), claps and snaps
Low harmony generated. High harmonies sung.

Posted at 10:09 AM

August 05, 2021 Video: Using Your Bluetooth Device with Band-in-a-Box® 2021 for Mac (and Earlier)

Do you want to listen to Band-in-a-Box® for Mac through your Bluetooth speaker or headphones? Setting this up is easy with Band-in-a-Box® 2021 for Mac - see how Simon does it in our latest video.

Using an older version of Band-in-a-Box® for Mac? This video includes additional details for you too!

Posted at 01:19 PM

August 05, 2021 User Showcase Song - Doubt's Shadow

This song went thru several genre attempts before it landed as a perhaps best described rock ballad.

Doubt's Shadow

I (Bud) wrote the lyric and Janice created the progression, melody and sang lead/BGVs. Peter provided all of the six guitar tracks and played a big part in the arrangement with many suggestions for bass and drum dynamics.

Thanks to PG Music and Peter.

Lead vocal/BGV: Rodes NT1 > Scarlett 212 > Logic Pro X > Nectar 3

Drums: RealDrums BluesRockSlowEv > Waves CLA Drums
RealDrum kit audio file: additional cymbals, hihat, ride
(several comped fills) > Waves CLA Drums/Nectar 3/Waves JJP Cymbals
Swell percussion: free sample

Bass: RT 1190 Electric, ModernRnBRock Ev 065 > Waves Bass Rider > Neutron 3
Bass: RT 1190 Held > Logic Pro X Pitch Editor (to create notes) > Waves Bass Rider > Neutron 3

Piano: MIDI SuperTracks 2839 Rhythm SoulfulPop16thsMike Ev16 065 > Logic Pro EQ > Waves CLA Unplugged
Piano: RT 2808 Acoustic, Rhythm SoulfulPop16thsMike Ev16 065 Held > same as above

Mastering: Logic EQ > Ozone 9 multi-band compression > Ozone 9 Imager > Ozone 9 Limiter > Ozone Tonal Balance > Logic Pro X Loudness Meter

The lyric is on SC.

Posted at 10:58 AM

August 04, 2021 User Showcase Song - Count On Your Kisses

Count On Your Kisses

STEPUPS.STY. Step Up Country Rock w/Sax Solo
All RealTracks. Sextet. *** with Soloist ***Tempo=110 (95-135)
Instruments: El.Bass, Organ, El.Guitar, El.Guitar, AltoSax(solo), Drums
RD: NashvilleEven8^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride :Brian Fullen
RT1417: Bass, Electric, RootsRock Ev 100 , Craig Young
RT2764: Organ, Rhythm CountryBluesRockMike Ev 110 , Mike Rojas
RT2635: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm CountryBluesRockHigh Ev 110 , Brent Mason
RT2634: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm CountryBluesRock Ev 110 , Brent Mason
RT1441: Sax, Alto, Soloist JazzFunkGroovin Ev16 110 , Eric Marienthal

Mixed with Reaper

Posted at 10:20 AM

August 03, 2021 User Showcase Song - Stinging Eyes

STINGING EYES
This one has a SLIGHTLY louder main vocal and some oohs n ahhs care of BIAB

Here's a little ditty, purest country or, perhaps, Cow Punk!
Stinging Eyes feat Katya vC

Hopefully it's a bit of fun in a sad way. I can't tell you it will be - you're the one to judge.

Katya of Xabarovskiy Krai did the lead vocals...THANK YOU!!!!...while Kim n Lauren did the gang vocals.
Bandhi Nahbox provided the drums.

Guitars are a 2017 Squire Mustang and a 2019 Harley Benton 12 string Ricky clone both through a Marshall and mic'd with a Sennheizer e609 + a Shure 57.
The Mustang was juiced by a boost from a Boss DS1 pedal - no drive - just level increase.
Bass is a 1981 Vantage through a Behringer BDI21

BIAB details...
WARRIOR.STY
ev8 4/4 F#m 140 bpm.
RealDrums SouthernPopFast 8ths02.
Lyrics

I used the BIAB Melody maker to work out a vocal melody. Sadly it was far too complex and with too wide a range for my croak to sing, or anyone else . I sliced, diced, reworked closer to chord tones and FAR fewer notes. Katya grappled with my heavily edited/reduced/changed result.

Posted at 10:34 AM