February 28, 2023 User Showcase Song - Ridin With John Prine

Here is a few minutes of your life you will never get back. Please feel free to skip this song intro!

Ridin With John Prine:
SoundCloud
tommyadamsmusic.com

RealTracks 2474:Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 085
RealTracks 3390:Mandolin, Soloist BalladPopTremoloAndy Ev 065
RealTracks 3497:Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaMountain16thsA Ev16
RealTracks 2033:Mandolin, Soloist CountryAndy Ev 065
RealTracks1601:Mandolin, Rhythm Pop16Melodic Ev 065
Royalty Free Loops
Recorded in Logic Pro X
Plug Ins : Nectar 3, Neutron 4, Ozone 10, Tonal Balance, Waves LinMB, Waves, L3-LL Multi Limiter, Logic Pro Metering, Scuffam Amps S-Gear, Waves Vocal Rider, Waves BB Tubes

Acoustic Guitar, Dobro, Vocals, Tom Adams

Lyrics

Posted at 09:44 AM

February 27, 2023 User Showcase Song - Show Me The Magic

This song was originally written and recorded in 1991. It was redone a couple years ago with BiaB, and is on my 3rd album, but never posted here.

Show Me The Magic (Pop) on Soundcloud
Show Me The Magic (Pop) on YouTube

I wanted to redo it slower with a more folksy feel, and also wanted to explore more of BiaB's MultitStyles. This version I called pop (after the Style), and there is a more elaborate one called Reggae.

Key=G , Tempo 99, Length (m:s)=4:14
Style is _PJONPBA.STY (Pop Ballad Piano & Acoustic Guit)

RealTracks in style: 1728:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopBalladJohn Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~703:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Spirited Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 3959:Synth, Rhythm StripMallStrings 65
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 1801:Synth Pad, PopShiningSoft Ev 120
RealDrums in style:NashvilleEven8^2-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, HiHat
Lyrics

Dave Bell of Blue Attitude added a couple guitar tracks, but didn't like either of them, so I used both. I like what he came up with, and it's not an easy song to add guitar. In my opinion, his playing is what makes the song. Opinions can differ, and I'd love to hear yours. I played bass and sang.

Posted at 11:16 AM

February 24, 2023 User Showcase Song - An Old Man Cries

This song is about the mistakes we make in life and the ones we sometimes hurt.

An Old Man Cries

The lyrics are narrated from the point of view of a Nurse as she watches an elderly man residing in a retirement home as he contemplates his life.

RealTracks in style: ~2474:Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2195:Piano, ElectricVintage, Rhythm CoolJazzPopHeld Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 4196:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm SongwriterGentleStrum8ths Ev 100
RealDrums in Song: Tambourine8thsAccent2and4
RealTracks in song: 2816:Guitar, Electric, Soloist SmoothSoulSlowBrent Ev 085
RealDrums in style:NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Mixed and mastered with Studio One Pro. Vocals Myself
Lyrics

Posted at 01:07 PM

February 23, 2023 User Showcase Song - Thanks to You

A co-with Bill Osofsky.

Thanks to You
The BAND:
RealTracks in style: ~518:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2024:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryJohn Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~2051:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryBrent Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 665:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm SouthernRock Ev 085 (B:Strum)
RealTracks in song: ~703:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Spirited Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1762:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Pop16thsArp Ev16 085
RealTracks in song: 377:Guitar, Resonator, Background Trav Ev 088
RealTracks in style: 1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085
RealDrums in Song: NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Lyrics

Posted at 01:56 PM

February 23, 2023 Update to Band-in-a-Box® 2022 Build 611 for Mac Today!

Are you using Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Mac? Download the latest update patch for added Ventura compatibility, updated dialogs, resolutions to user-reported program concerns, a fresh program manual, and more!

Learn more & download now.

Posted at 01:54 PM

February 22, 2023 User Showcase Song - Tomorrow

Something I came up with nearly 40 years ago, but didn't finish until recently. I'm relieved to finally share it.

Tomorrow

It's been two years already since I uploaded a song. I experimented with a lot of drums and percussion ideas and almost gave up, and this kit is sort of cobbled together with percussion from one RD and kick and snare stems from another. I also tried to incorporate the RT Oohs and Aahs, which was a challenge. Thanks.

Scott

Style is _JPLMBOS.STY (Medium Bossa Pollwinners 2)

RealTracks in song: 3121:Bass, Acoustic, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~2201:Guitar, Nylon, Background CountryBrent Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 3067:Multi[Simultaneous=2] VocalAahs, VocalAahs,
RealTracks in song: 3069:Multi[Simultaneous=2] VocalOohs, VocalOohs,
RealTracks in song: 3070:Multi[Simultaneous=2] VocalOohs, VocalOohs,
RealTracks in song: 3024:Vocal Oohs, Background Pop3-partMaleLow2 Ev 085 (1TrackVocalSection)
RealTracks in song: 3023:Vocal Oohs, Background Pop3-partMaleLow1 Ev 085 (1TrackVocalSection)
RealTracks in song: 3025:Vocal Oohs, Background Pop3-partFemale1 Ev 085 (1TrackVocalSection)
RealDrums in Song: BossaBrazilBrushAlex^1-Br,Rd
RealDrums in Song: BossaBrazilBrushAlex^
RealDrums in Song: BossaBrazilBrushAlex^
RealDrums in Song:BossaRockPerc^3-a,b:Percussion

Acoustic Rhythm Guitar: me

Posted at 09:58 AM

February 21, 2023 User Showcase Song - Mountain Morning Prayer (with Amber)

I ran across an old ADAT tape with a project that Amber did for me...she was 15 at the time...so I took those 30 year old vocal tracks....changed the style radically and let BiaB do the rest...

Mountain Morning Prayer

I have come to love and appreciate bluegrass music.....so I constructed a five piece bluegrass band and changed the title of the song...any comments or suggestions are always welcome...so...if you do...thanks for listening...

Vocals: Amber Eaker

Style is _RIDGE+.STY (Ridge Mountain Folk MultiStyle)
RealTracks in style: 3496:Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaMountain16thsAB Ev16 070
RealTracks in style: 3158:Fiddle, 5-string, Rhythm AmericanaMountain16thsABAndy ev16 070
RealTracks in style: 3155:Mandola, Rhythm AmericanaMountain16thsAndy ev16 070
RealTracks in style: 3185:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Mountain16thsQuinn Ev16 070
RealTracks in song: 3413:Banjo, Fingerpicking Folk16ths Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 2169:Guitar, Resonator, Soloist CountryRob Ev 065

FYI the song is inspired by what is commonly know as "the Lord's Prayer"....for fun...if your interested this is the original recording: Our Prayer

Posted at 10:48 AM

February 17, 2023 User Showcase Song - Wine, a Woman and a Country Song

This is another collab by John Vaughan and I.

Wine, a Woman and a Country Song

I haven't got the voice for country but it'll describe the idea.
Vic
N.B. I changed the BIAB instruments so much that I haven't got a note of which ones I kept and which I changed apart from:
Drums - Nashville Radio Pop 8ths
Congas - Ev16(single)
Bass - Pop half notes
Guitar - Nylon background
Piano - acoustic rhythm
Lyrics
© 2023 Vaughan & Arnold

Posted at 01:59 PM

February 17, 2023 Holiday Hours - Family Day (Mon, Feb 21)

Monday, February 20th is Family Day!

Our hours on this holiday will be:
Customer Service: 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST
Technical Support: Closed.

Regular hours resume Tuesday, February 21st.

https://www.pgmusic.com/contact.htm

Posted at 12:32 PM

February 16, 2023 User Showcase Song - Rexall '74

Here's a new simple folk-style song called Rexall '74

BIAB Tracks:
366:Bass, Electric, Country Ev 065
364:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 065
368:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 065
833:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AltCountryMoody Ev 075
RealDrums in Style: NashvilleEven16^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
Chorus Loop: Chillout/Chillout_dimensions 145
Lyrics

Posted at 02:54 PM

February 14, 2023 User Showcase Song - He's Gone Again

Had some fun with this one.

He's Gone Again

My goal this year is to add more background vocals.
Added some loops from loopcloud.
All comments are welcome.

RealTracks in style: 420:Bass, Electric, Blues Sw 120
RealTracks in style: 4068:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ChicagoBluesPat Sw 140
RealTracks in song: 1586:Guitar, Electric, Soloist TexasBluesRockShuffleBrent Sw 130
RealDrums in style:BluesChicagoShuffleSw^3-a:Snare & Closed Hat , b:Snare & Ride
Mixed and mastered with Studio One 6 Pro. Vocals myself and added loops from loopcloud

Lyrics

Posted at 02:06 PM

February 14, 2023 Congratulations 2022 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've announced the 2022 User Showcase Award Winners list of the top 45 contributors of 2022! They've each won a free Band-in-a-Box 2023 UltraPAK for Windows (including the 49-PAK)!

Read the announcement to see if you're on the list!

In 2022 we had over 1,000 new original compositions posted to the User Showcase by 143 different artists - WOW! To date, over 10,000 songs have now been posted in the Showcase! Thank you to everyone who has contributed over the years!

In 2022, there were 24,000 posts in the User Showcase forum, with 1 million views! There were song compositions posted from at least 19 countries, including: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Jersey Channel Is., Macedonia, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, UK, USA.

Posted at 01:56 PM

February 13, 2023 User Showcase Song - Bottomland (with floyd jane on guitar)

Yep, floyd is playing lead guitar! This is a current mix with different drums, new fx and new mastering of the eight year old original.

Bottomland

We’ve done 101 (really) collabs with floyd over the last 11 years and this is the only one with him soloing. We originally sent it to him for an opinion on the mix and back it comes with a solo! He did a great job supporting the stark arrangement and dark mood of the lyric and Janice’s vocal. So thank you Sticky Fingers - the blues name we gave him at the time. smile And thank y’all for the time to hopefully listen and comment. Oh, and, yes, we know the tune does not resolve on the root chord smile - we felt it added to the unresolved theme of the lyric.

Vocal: Rodes NT1 mic > Blue Icicle interface > Izotope Nectar > Logic Pro
Solo Guitar: Fender Stratocaster DI > Scarlett interface > Waves GTR3
Bass: RealTrack 564 Bass, Electric, Blues Monday Sw 065 > Waves Bass Rider > Neutron 3
Drums: RealDrums BluesRock128 > Waves CLA Drums
Guitar Rhythm: RealTrack 565: Electric, Rhythm Blues Monday Sw 065 > 140 EMT Plate Reverb sim
Mastering: Ozone Dynamic EQ > Ozone Vintage EQ > Ozone imager > Ozone Maximizer > Ozone Tonal Balance > Logic Prox X Loudness Meter

Lyrics
Bottom Land
© 2014-2023 Janice & Bud Merritt

Posted at 11:51 AM

February 08, 2023 User Showcase Song - I Don't Care

I Don't Care

Technicals:
Key=Em , Tempo 65 BPM

BiaB
RealTracks in style: ~367:Guitar, Electric, Background Dreamy Ev 065
RealTracks in song: ~576:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Blues BB Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1950:Piano, Acoustic, Soloist PopRootsyJohn Ev16 100 (Bluesy)
RealDrums in style:RockEven16: a: Snare, HiHat b: Snare, Ride

Me
Bass Guitar
Korg Flying Pad
Korg Versatile Strings
Korg Ensemble Strings
Korg CX-3/Hammond Organ

Posted at 10:26 AM

February 08, 2023 Customers Love Band-in-a-Box®!

Wow - we've been receiving some great feedback from Band-in-a-Box® users!

"I've had Band-in-a-Box for past 5 years. One of the best musical investments I've made. Has been great for writing songs, practice and jamming. I use mostly the real tracks and very little of midi."

"This program has gotten better every year for the past thirty years and I couldn't live without it now!"

"I've been using it since 1991 which was a primitive DOS version for midi development through midi keyboards. It has kept me upgrading ever since and 2023 is amazing. I'm always learning and always amazed."

"I just picked up the 2023 BIAB Pro, and have started educating myself on its intricacies and upgrades from previous versions. WOW!! What a writing toolbox! I am just so impressed so far."

"Love the new features in 2023! Started using Band in a Box way back in the early nineties. This program has been to the moon and back since then. Thanks!"

"This box contains the best bandmates! They are always ready to chat with you!"

"One of my best tools for composing arranging and playing!"

"Have you met my Band? they are here on BIAB.... always on time for gigs lol!"

"Awesome program that you'll never regret!"

"This is the best for whipping up a quick jam track!"

...and more!

Posted at 10:20 AM

February 07, 2023 User Showcase Song - White Night

I wrote the chords and melody for this song 5 years ago. It was gathering dust, until I decided to use the song for a Christmas song contest, so I wrote the lyrics that in mind, although I tried to avoid any direct references to Christmas or human culture around. Instead, I tried to have fable magic of winter in it... it was tough task to write, so the story may be a little mess, but I hope I manage to deliver even a tiny bit of that magic to you

White Night

BIAB provided, once again, great instruments for my arrangement. Unfortunately, another BIAB release without Bagpipes/Uilleann pipe RTs. Wouldn't it be nice to have as many flute/pipe/wind instrument RTs as there are guitar RTs? Well, at least there was one new world instrument erhu which suits the song very well as the voice of the northern wind. I guess I have to overuse erhu as the bagpipe replacement during this year

I'm not quite sure about the correct bodhran pronunciation, but I used one suggestion I found (bow-ron)...

Lyrics

RealDrums:
BodhranCelticJig^2-Brushes
BodhranTradJig: a: Bodhran b: BodhranTradJig
Shaker68Nanigo[single]

RealTracks:
#1161:Bass, Acoustic, CelticJig Sw 110
#3915:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm ContradanceJig68 Sw 120
#1163:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticJig Sw 110
#3543:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticJig68Picking Sw 110
#2860:Guitar, Nylon, Rhythm Mariachi68 Sw 110
#2724:Guitar, Nylon, Fingerpicking PeruFestejo68Melodic Sw 120
#4381:Erhu, Background SimplePentatonic Ev 060
#3187:Fiddle, Soloist, CelticJigAndy Sw 110
#3766:Vibes, Rhythm PopSwing Sw 110

Vocals: Synthesizer V Natalie (lead), Synthesizer V Weina (lead+backing), Synthesizer V Asterian (backing)
Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab

Posted at 12:57 PM

February 06, 2023 User Showcase Song - All Night Tears

All Night Tears

I put this together back in November - a couple days work (maybe 7 or 8 hours total), It's a strong and powerful guitar blues, somewhat in the style of Gary Moore. The snare hit is pretty strong in the mix. I backed it off a bit, but when I did, I lost some of the "attitude" of the song, So I put it back. I like it better being a little strong.

Key=Fm , Tempo 70, Length (m:s)=3:25

Style is _TURNAWY.STY (Turn Away Alternate 8ths Ballad)

RealTracks in style: 1036:Bass, Electric, NorthernRockBallad Ev 065
RealTracks in style: 1542:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopBelieve Ev16 065
RealTracks in style: 3058:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking SongwriterAlternating8thsQuinn Ev 065
RealTracks in style: 3939:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AltRockSlowHiArpPhaser Ev 070
RealTracks in song: 3438:Guitar, Electric, Soloist BritPsycPopBallad Ev 065
RealDrums in Song: BluesRockSlowEv^5-Snr,Ride
RealTracks in style: 1543:Synth Pad, PopBelieve Ev16 065
RealDrums in Song:BluesRockSlowEv^5-a:Snare , b:Snare, Ride

Posted at 12:12 PM

February 03, 2023 User Showcase Song - Something's Going On

Here's a new song I wrote recently featuring the lovely guitar work of Joe Robinson and the harp of Pat Bergeson.

Something's Going On

Music and Lyrics - Nigel Spiers
Vocals - Nigel Spiers

Bass - Dave Row - 3983
Drums - Fred Etringham - AmericanaSlowRockFred
Harmonica - Pat Bergeson - 3967
Guitar - Joe Robinson - 2928

Posted at 12:19 PM

February 02, 2023 User Showcase Song - Back to Life

Something a little different from us:

Back to Life (audio)
Back to Life (video)

I keep a guitar in our family room and often noodle on it (unplugged!) while my wife is watching one of her cooking shows or decorating shows. The main theme (guitar panned left) came from noodling around and the rest of the song built on that.

The Band:

Realtrack: ~2505:Piano, Electric, HeldChords 085
MIDI Supertrack: 4435:Synth, Pad SynthMasterDelicateSounds Low2-note

Bass: Marty Straub from BabuMusic
Vocals: Christiane (Chris) Spruit
Drums: EZDrummer3

I'm playing the guitar parts (three tracks)

Mixed in Reaper, mastered with Ozone.

Lyrics

Posted at 01:38 PM

February 01, 2023 User Showcase Song - Be Careful What You Wish For (a cautionary tale)

Ken and I have just finished a new collaboration. (thanks Ken)

Be Careful What You Wish For (a cautionary tale)

On the title….I thought I could flesh out something strictly from my imagination. I couldn’t do it to my satisfaction. Hence….I had to reference an experience by someone I know pretty well. Ken described it perfectly, it’s "a cautionary tale".
I'd guess some here could relate. Thanks to any that stop by and give a listen…..hope you found it worthy of your time.

_TBLZSEV.STY SlowBlues, VintagePno 12-8[85RS]
piano playing a 12-8 groove. Other RealTracks include 2 El.Guitar, El.Bass and RealDrums play BluesRockSlow. (El.Bass, El.Piano, El.Guitar, El.Guitar, Drums=BluesRock128^6-HiHat,Ride)
I didn't play my tele at all.
BIAB: Drums/Bass/keys/rhythm guitar RIGHT
Rhythm guitar LEFT & lead guitar: Ken Lasaine.
Lyrics

Posted at 11:51 AM