November 25, 2021 User Showcase Song - Ale Haus

As I was enjoying a Leinenkiugel's Octoberfest I was searching through Band-in-a-Box's styles when I came upon a style named Ale House. You know that I had to write a song using it.

Ale Haus

BiaB style = Ale House MIDI Americana Ballad
Tempo = 60 BPM

I deleted the bass
Piano - Keyzone - Classic Rhodes Piano
Guitar - Velvet - 01 MKI piano
Strings - FM8 - Soft E piano
Drums and percussion - various Steven Slate's SSD 5 and Kontakt drums/percussion

I am playing my guitar, fretless bass, and my wind controller (Ocarina).

Posted at 07:31 AM

November 24, 2021 User Showcase Song - Not Gone

Song about losing parents

You're Not Gone

I used the _BestiLL.Sty and the following tracks:
Bass 1825
Pedal Steel -- 369
Guitar1 1595
Guitar2 065
Fiddle 085

Posted at 08:12 AM

November 24, 2021 Celebrate National Jukebox Day with Band-in-a-Box®!

Happy National Jukebox Day!
(November 24)

Don't own a Jukebox? Well, if you have Band-in-a-Box®, you actually do with the Jukebox feature!

What does the Band-in-a-Box® Jukebox do?

Using the directory you choose, the Band-in-a-Box® Jukebox will provide you with background music by continuously play the entire list of Band-in-a-Box® songs within that folder! There are many options for you to customize your Jukebox experience, including: Only Play song with melodies, Change Melody Instrument, Random order Playback, Audible Count-in, Harmony Settings, and more! Plus, the Jukebox will continue to play while you use other programs, providing your favorite music for continued background listening.

To learn more about the Jukebox feature in Band-in-a-Box® for Windows, check out Chapter 5 of our online manual.
Mac Jukebox details found here.

Posted at 08:10 AM

November 23, 2021 User Showcase Song - Emerald

Scott and Ray asked Janice to join in on this song several months ago and the audio version was posted by Scott. The plans were for Ray to produce a video and he asked us for some clips of Janice lip syncing. We sent him an idea for all of the vocal parts with the notion he would pick and choose amongst them. He surprised us by suggesting that J&B create the video using all of the clips. Having never done a complete video in this manner it was a fun challenge and this is the result. Without this experience our previous post (Hometown Refugee video) would never have been created. If you would like to watch the link (no ads!) will get you there and thanks for your time and any comments. Thanks Scott, Ray and PG Music.

Emerald

Below is info from Scott’s original post that includes the BiaB tracks and more.

“Here is a new/old song. This song was born in 2012 when I was searching through the BIAB styles. I came across the Emerald style. I have played this song in my daily rotation since then. Robert, Ray and I were passing around ideas and I presented this as a potential for a new song with lyrics. Robert decided to take a break so Ray and I developed it into this song. Ray came up with a very cool lyric and we made some changes to the backtrack. After the backtrack was developed we sent it to Janice and Bud and they graciously joined the project. “

RealTracks in song: ~~532:Bass, Acoustic, Pop Sw 085
RealTracks in song: ~~689:Organ, B3, Background Pop Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~~362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~1032:Guitar, 12-String Electric, Strumming Ev 085
RealDrums [in Song:CountryEven8: a: Brushes, HiHat b: Snare, Ride
Ray did some tweaks to the drum track
We also used the ~~689:Organ, B3,

Janice - Vocals and Harmonies
Ray - Bass, Rhythm Guitars
Scott - Guitar melody and fills.

The mixing was pretty much a group effort and Bud did the final master.

Posted at 08:02 AM

November 22, 2021 User Showcase Song - X-RAYED

I wrote / we produced this song in late 2019 and for the first time I wrote a very detailed script for the video (thus causing cold sweat attacks with my family and friends when I told them what was coming up to them).

When I had all props ready we scheduled the video shooting for a certain day in early March 2020. Well, fiddlesticks - Covid-19 struck us, lockdown and all that crap. Meanwhile we’re facing the 4th wave and I really don’t see when the video will be even started.

So here’s the X-RAYED audio. The lyrics may be funny, but the issue is even more serious now than two years ago, I think.

X-RAYED (audio + lyrics)

Technical stuff

This is the only song left in our pipeline that has been eq-ed and mixed by Maha - we still don’t know if she will ever be able to do it again. But believe me: I do hope that so strongly!

Like almost always the song was designed im BIAB, and then transferred to RealBand where I worked on the arrangement, added the horns etc. After that Maha took over and polished and mixed it also in RealBand. I think at that time she only used some built-in plug-ins and mastered it using Ozone 8. Like always I really like what she did.

These are the absolutely fantastic musicians who had no chance to escape playing with me. I was especially happy to find these soloist RealTracks, which needed just a little editing to make them meet my needs.

On the X-Rayed page of my website you will find links to infos and musical examples of each of them.

Back Line:
Craig Scott, dr (BIAB RD HipHop)
Dow Tomlin, b (BIAB RT579)
Mike Durham, g (BIAB RT3442)
John Jarvis, p (BIAB RT 2157)

Awesome solos:
P. J. Perry, as (BIAB RT1333)
Brad Turner, tp (BIAB RT 1335?
Ian McDougall, tb (BIAB RT1334)

Vocals and BGV: Me

Add. MIDI:
Horns (tb, ts, tp): arr. & progr. by me -> Big Fish Vintage Horns

Posted at 07:22 AM

November 18, 2021 User Showcase Song - A Lover's Prayer

Here's a soulful Blues song.

A Lover's Prayer

Vocals - Nigel Spiers
Backing instruments and organ from the Band In A Box style: CURTISM.STY.
Drums: JazzFunkGroovin^5
Bass: Midi 34 Finger Electric Bass
Guitar: Real Track 1236
Organ: Real Track 673
EPiano: Midi

Music, Lyrics, Mixing and Mastering - Nigel Spiers

Posted at 01:33 PM

November 16, 2021 User Showcase Song - Lonely Road

Hi folks. Been away from the forum for quite a while doing a lot of other projects (some of which do not include Band in a Box so I couldn't post those), and also doing a few covers that are doing ok on the commercial platforms. Anyway I did have some time to carve out this song after I heard this excellent guitar groove in the software. Of course it's RnB (cause that's what I do :-)

Check it out if interested. It's on my channel. I probably won't release it because my fan base likes the 60's style RnB that I do but I couldn't resist taking on this BIAB style and trying to make something out of it.

Lonely Road

Style: Pensive.sty

Instruments:
Bass - Electric, 902
Piano - Accoustic 2852
Drums - SouthernPopNeoSoul
Guitar 1 - Electric 2682
Synth Pad - Pop Modern 1840
Organ - B3 689
Guitar 2 - Electric 3343
Guitar 3 - Electric Rhythm Wah Wah 2525
Guitar 4 - Jazz Guitar 1306
Vocal Aahs - 3020 (only used for 8 bars)

All other harmonies (hook, adlibs, etc.. sung by me)

Equipment: Ha , very little. Shure PG-42 mic, Dell XPS computer, Focusrite USB interface, Sonar Producer for recording, mixing, and mastering, and of course of host of plug-ins to get a specific sound. Really a short list huh :-)

Posted at 01:03 PM

November 10, 2021 User Showcase Song - Such A Heavenly Woman

A song about the best in a relationship. wink You know how you start playing some chords, and words start to come out of your scatting hums? “Such a heavenly woman” came out, and a bit of sarcasm was added, then voilà. I must be a helluva man.

Such A Heavenly Woman on Soundcloud
Such A Heavenly Woman on YouTube

Style is _TXBLZPN.STY (Texas Blues Rock w/ Piano)
RealTracks in song: 1263:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopShiningSync Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 1718:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm TexasBluesRockStraightBrent Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 691:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming AcRockBright Ev 120
Loop in Song: Drums\RockTexasBlues^01-QKLsHt,QKCrRd
Loop in Song: Loops PAK 1\Jazz\Drums, Acoustic, JazzPopSnapsClapsB Sw 120.wav
RealDrums [in style:BluesRockEv^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Open HiHat

Lyrics

Blue Attitude's DAVE BELL lead guitar. Me bass and vocals

Posted at 08:36 AM

November 10, 2021 Remembrance Day Hours - November 11, 2021

Remembrance Day is Thursday, November 11th.

We will have limited hours that day: 8am - 4pm PST.

Our regular hours resume Friday, November 12. Review our hours and additional contact information at www.pgmusic.com/contact.htm

Posted at 08:28 AM

November 09, 2021 User Showcase Song - The YouTube Blues

It's been awhile since I have had any time here... I had some time to write this one recently. It's a tongue-in-cheek one about how "friendly" everyone is on Youtube and Facebook these days. I hope you get a chuckle out of it. All the instruments on this one are Realtracks.

The YouTube Blues

Lyrics

RealTracks used...

RealTracks in song: 2912:Bass, Electric CountryTrainBeat12-key Ev16 090
RealTracks in song: 2422:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm BoomChickaRootFiveBrent Ev16 100
RealTracks in song: 2913:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm CountryTrainBeatBrent12-key Ev16 090
RealTracks in song: 3351:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm SwampyBluesBrent Ev 095
RealTracks in song: 3782:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm NewOrleansFunky Ev16 095
RealTracks in song: 2687:Guitar, Electric, Soloist BluesSlowEvenBrentSimple Ev 085
RealDrums in song: NashvilleSouthern^02-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Hihat

Posted at 12:37 PM

November 08, 2021 Tell Us Your Favorite Band-in-a-Box Features

Did you know we have a My Favorite Things forum? We'd love it if you shared your favorite features in Band-in-a-Box and RealBand there, along with what features you use the most and why - we absolutely LOVE getting feedback!

Take a peak at other posts while you're there - you never know... someone else's favorite feature might become yours too!

Posted at 01:32 PM

November 08, 2021 User Showcase Song - Wasted

I had a bit of "writer's block" recently.
Spent far too long worrying about it.
Decided I needed to write a song about it.

This is as much about the production as the writing.
(the "block" was, as well...exploring...)
This is best heard using headphones or ear buds...

WASTED

Hope you hear something that catches your ear...

The BAND and then some:

RealTracks in song: 2578 Bass, Synth, RetroPop Ev16 085
RealTracks in style: 833:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AltCountryMoody Ev 075 (A:held)
RealTracks in style: 2667:Pedal Steel, Background DreamySingleNote Ev 075
RealTracks in song: 3321:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist RnBPopDblBrent Ev 055
RealTracks in song: 3159:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsBrentFX Ev16 060
RealTracks in song: 3520:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Americana16thsDelayBrent Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 3440:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm BritPsycRockMarchGrittyChords Ev 110
RealTracks in song: 3629:Guitar, Electric, Soloist AmbientGrittyDarin Ev16 065

I programmed an acoustic track using Ample Martin Lite (free acoustic VST)
The verses bass track was programmed using SubLab (vst)
Royalty Free Loops
Drums loops came from varios places. Mostly content that comes with Studio One Professional.

Lyrics

Posted at 12:38 PM

November 05, 2021 User Showcase Song - Pick Your Poison

I've tended towards the dark side of rock here recently..... here's another tune fresh from the DAW.

Pick Your Poison

It's rock and it's not supposed to make sense. (recently quoted by David Snyder) I'll go with that description. If however, you can make sense of it, well, join me for a few beers and we'll solve the problems of the world together.

So, here's the band.....and some details on the mix.

Drums are rock southern even 8
Bass is 1759 Electric Pop even
B3 is 689 Background pop

There's 3 vox tracks with low doubling split R/L and lead up the center.... mild verb and slap back on the lead.... and just a touch of fixing on the lead. Doubles are raw.

GUITARS: Me. What we have in there is one track heavy mostly whole note chords.... One track picked phased mildly cleaner that's about 30% opposite the heavy chords.... and then there's a pair of lead tracks spread varies on them depending what's going on.... tapping is close to center.

Lyrics

Posted at 08:31 AM

November 04, 2021 User Showcase Song - A Lover's Prayer (Blues)

Here's a soulful Blues song.

A Lover's Prayer

Vocals - Nigel Spiers
Backing instruments and organ from the Band In A Box style: CURTISM.STY.
Drums: JazzFunkGroovin^5
Bass: Midi 34 Finger Electric Bass
Guitar: Real Track 1236
Organ: Real Track 673
EPiano: Midi

Music, Lyrics, Mixing and Mastering - Nigel Spiers

Posted at 12:34 PM

November 03, 2021 User Showcase Song - A Life Without You

I hope everyone is doing well out there. Here’s my latest, though not the song I thought I’d next be posting. I try to record snippets of new songs on my iPhone so I don’t forget song ideas I come up with (melodies and the like). From time to time, I listen to them to see if any new inspiration comes my way. This song was one idea among the many.

A Life Without You

During a bout of insomnia last week I was combing through those snippets at 2 a.m. and rediscovered this one. I recalled I had started writing lyrics and, to my surprise, when I opened up the file the lyrics were mostly what you see below—in other words, pretty much done. I think I became disenchanted with the tune for some reason (or got distracted with something else), put it aside, and then proceeded to totally forget about it.

Anyway, the BIAB version came together pretty quickly, and I’m happy enough with it to share. As always, feedback and suggestions on production are very welcome. I hope you enjoy it.

And here’s the band:

RealTracks 1036: Bass, Electric, NorthernRockBallad
RealTracks 1038: Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad
RealTracks 3184: Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GrungeSlowQuinn
RealTracks 1767: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Pop16
RealTracks 688: Organ, B3, Background Pop
RealTracks 3321: Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist RnBPopDblBrent
RealDrums: Rock8ths^02-a:ClosedHat, Snare, b:Ride, Snare
Lyrics

Posted at 09:54 AM

November 02, 2021 RealTracks Artist Pat Martino

We are saddened to hear of the passing of jazz guitar legend Pat Martino yesterday.

Pat was part of our RealTracks Artist "Jazz Pollwinners 2" series in 2014. You can learn about Pat and listen to his RealTracks contribution here.

Pat had been playing guitar since he was just 12 years old, and devoted himself to music in grade ten. On top of years of performing (he began playing professionally in 1961), Pat received many awards for his playing, including the "Jazz Legacy" Award in 2016 presented by Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes and his wife Sheryl Lee Ralph-Hughes.

Learn even more about Pat Martino when you visit his website, http://www.patmartino.com/.

Posted at 02:11 PM

November 02, 2021 User Showcase Song - Last Night

Lately, I start out with one idea and end up with something completely different.

When I started this, it was going to be about the world being upside down.
Well, here's how it ended up:

Here's "Last Night" https://soundcloud.com/captainmoto/last-night

The Band:
Drums - BIAB RealDrums=BluesShuffleHard^1-a Snare, HiHat , b Ride
Bass - BIAB 420 Bass, Electric, Blues Sw 120
Organ - BIAB 425 Organ, B3, Background Blues Sw 120

Rhythm Guitar - #1 & #2 Captain Moto, Collings I35
Lead & Fill Guitars - Captain Moto, Strat
Percussion - Captain Moto , Korg Kaossilator
Main & Backing Vocals - Captain Moto w/Ozone Harmonies
Vocal Hmmms - BIAB #3315

Recorded & mixed in Studio One

Lyrics

Posted at 11:16 AM

November 01, 2021 Band-in-a-Box® 2021 Updates!

Attention Band-in-a-Box® 2021 users - a free update is available!

Using a Windows version? Your update resolves some reported bugs involving Song Memo, RealDrums, hot-keys, etc. Learn more & download - Windows.

Running the Mac version? The latest update for version 2021 improves Edit Audio functions, allows you to stop playback when using the StyleMaker, ensures tempo changes are included when exporting MIDI, and more! Learn more & download - Mac.

Posted at 01:18 PM

November 01, 2021 User Showcase Song - You Make The Sunshine

Just something I have been messing around with.

You Make The Sunshine

You make the sunshine. Key (Em) Bpm (85)

There is no doubt about it when you walk into the room
you bring the sunshine.

This old heart you melt it when you walk into the room
I know your all mine.

Tracks
1. 085_Lights_Loop_Ac Guitar 1B_Dmaj-Fin Dynami Fx
2. 085_Remember_Drums_Mix 3-Fin Dynami Fx
3. DecentSampler-Fin Dynami Fx
4. Leed Vocal
5. Backing Vox (1)
6. Backing Vox (2)
7. Backing Vox (3) Del
8. 085_Lights_Loop_Ac Guitar 1B_Dmaj
9. Reverse cymble
10. 085_Lights_Loop_Bass A_Dmaj
11. 085_Lights_Loop_Bass A_Dmaj-Fin Dynami Fx
12. 085_Remember_Drums_Mix 4
13. BB-Guitar 1 - 2650 Guitar, Electric, DreamyPopBalladFillsBrent Ev 085 (1)
14. BB-Guitar 1 - 2650 Guitar, Electric, DreamyPopBalladFillsBrent Ev 085 (2)
15. BB-Guitar 2 - 839 Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladClean Ev 085 (A arp)

Mixed with Studio One 5 Vocals myself

A youthful pop style that has a swung-sixteenths feel and features a dreamy electric guitar.
It plays a melodic background part with extra reverb, and serves as a solo in this context.
Two electric guitars offer chording support with clean guitar tones. One plays arpeggios while the other strums.
Electric bass plays a simple even-eighths pop part with accents on beats one and three. It is matched with RockModernRnB^ RealDrums.
These drums play a modern rock part in their eleventh variation, which includes ride cymbal at A and crash ride cymbal at B.
This song is in the key of A and uses a mix of major, minor, and slash chords that change every 2 to 8 beats.

****** Song Summary *************
Title:You Make The Sunshine
File:robs sunday.SGU
Key=C , Tempo 85, Length (m:s)=0:56
No intro. 16 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 16. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Style is _ANGSTY4.STY (Angsty Youthful Pop Dream Guitar)

RealTracks in style: ~701:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2650:Guitar, Electric, Background DreamyPopBalladFillsBrent Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 839:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladClean Ev 085 (A:arp)
RealTracks in style: 840:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladClean Ev 085 (B:strum)
RealDrums [in style:RockModernRnB^11-a:Snare Busy, Ride , b:Snare, Crash Ride

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

Posted at 01:15 PM