August 31, 2023 User Showcase Song - Freedom

Been away for a while. No inspiration whatsoever, of late. So, this morning I was doodling on BIAB, mindlessly going from style to style, trying to find something to spark some sort of inspiration. Long story short: found this style, wrote the chords, let the saxophone solo do its own thing ... lo and behold, a new track.

Freedom

I just wrote the chords, the rest is all BIAB - an incredible effort from BIAB, I'm sure you'll agree. Nevertheless: I can't tell for the life of me what the end product is; i.e. whether it's "any good", haha. So ... here it is, I'll let you "have at it", as Floyd usually says, haha wink - and I'll of course take your feedback very much on board! Thanks for listening and for any comments!

THE BAND:

****** Song Summary *************
Title: MM - Magdalen - 24 August 2023
File:MM - Magdalen - 24 August 2023.SGU
Key=C , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=3:41
No intro. 56 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 56. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Style is _MIRROR.STY (Mirror Smooth Jazz Soloist)

RealTracks in style: 2960:Bass, Acoustic, SmoothBalladNeil Ev16 065
RealTracks in style: 910:Piano, Electric, Rhythm SmoothBallad Ev16 065
RealTracks in style: 1060:Sax, Soprano, Soloist SmoothJazzBallad Ev16 065
RealTracks in style: 1543:Synth Pad, PopBelieve Ev16 065
RealDrums in style:** N/A ** ModernJazzMellow16ths^1-a:Hat,Rimshot , b:BusyHat,Snare
*******************

Posted at 12:06 PM

August 31, 2023 XPro Styles PAKs & Xtra Styles PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2023 Sale Ends Today! (August 31, 2023)

Today is the last day to save 40% when you purchase XPro Styles PAKs & Xtra Styles PAKs!

XPro Styles PAKs 1-5 and Xtra Styles PAKs 1-16 can be purchased for only $29 per PAK (reg. $49) until 11:59 pm PDT tonight (August 31, 2023)!

Our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs include over 3,100 fully-produced and uniquely-arranged styles that add TONS of imaginative RealStyles to your collection, including genres like jazz, country, bluegrass, pop, singer/songwriter, rock, and more!

XPro Styles PAK 5 includes 75 new RealStyles for rock, pop, jazz, funk, and country, and 25 styles based around MIDI SuperTracks that utilize the SynthMaster plugin. Learn more.

Xtra Styles PAK 16 adds an absolute plethora of styles... 200 to be exact! 50 new styles each for Jazz, Country, Rock & Pop, and Praise & Worship. Learn more.

Posted at 11:54 AM

August 30, 2023 Introducing... ChatPG!

Looking for answers to your questions about Band-in-a-Box? From "How do I ____?" to "What do I ____?" to "What is ____?" and more, you'll find your answers when you ask ChatPG!

We will be constantly updating the resources for this powerful addition to our website based on suggestions & feedback, as well as all of the questions that have been asked by program users and website visitors.

Posted at 12:53 PM

August 30, 2023 User Showcase Song - The Muses

Got writer's block? Write about it I guess...

https://soundcloud.com/user-618393096/the-muses

Lyrics
Key=C , Tempo 60, Length (m:s)=2:52
No intro. 39 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 39. Repeat x1 chorus
Melody has 141 notes, Melody harmony is < no harmony >(0)
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes,
Style is MY_HONEY.STY (My Honey MIDI 50s 12-8 Pop Bal)
GuitarCustom Synth is Hi-Q 001 02 Piano, Acoustic, Mellow Grand Sforzando
Style MIDI Instruments are : Acoustic String Bass (33), Electric Piano (5), Acoustic Piano (1),
MIDI SuperTracks in style: 3089:Piano, Electric, Rhythm AmericanaSlow128Mike Sw 040
RealTracks in song: 3064:Vocal Oohs, Rhythm Pop3-part Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 3027:Vocal Oohs, Background Pop3-part Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~527:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Hank Sw 085
MIDI Drums :41 Brushes Kit (41)

Posted at 12:39 PM

August 28, 2023 User Showcase Song - Down and Out at the Royal Inn

Wrote this back in May.

https://fredgrittner.bandcamp.com/track/down-and-out-at-the-royal-inn

Based on _Wrench style
RealTracks
732:Bass, Acoustic, Jazz Ballad Sw 060
3783:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm NewOrleansGospel128 Sw 065
3086:Organ, Rhythm AmericanaSlow128Mike Sw 040
1955:Sax, Alto, Soloist TexasBluesRockSlow12-8Mark Sw 060
3722:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopSoulHeldSlow128Brent Sw 040
JazzBrushes: a: Brushes Swirling b: Brushes Busier

I played the string ensemble line using Kontakt 7.

Lyrics

Posted at 02:28 PM

August 25, 2023 User Showcase Song - Except 4 U

Except 4 U

A co-write with Bill Osofsky

The BAND:
RealTracks in style: 366:Bass, Electric, Country Ev 065
RealTracks in style: ~364:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 065
RealTracks in style: ~368:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 065
RealTracks in song: ~702:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Spirited Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 871:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernRnBRockWarmStrum Ev 065
RealTracks in style: ~369:Pedal Steel, Background Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 1838:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopModernGrooveSync4s Ev16 075
RealDrums in style: NashvilleEven8^2-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, HiHat
Lyrics

Posted at 09:55 AM

August 24, 2023 User Showcase Song - At Home

This song began as a musical version of a poem I wrote, with only vocals and piano.

Beautiful in its simplicity. Pure!

At Home

Then I added a guitar, a second singer and some more guitars, and from there on everything got a little out of control.
The result is something that is almost, but not quite, entirely unlike Nu-Metal.

I have never written rap lyrics before, so I would be very grateful if some of you old rappers (Velociraptors smile )
could give feedback on this, because as always I have no idea what I'm doing.

While my last song was a bit over-specific and detailed ("burn your house and wreck you car"), this song is just the opposite:
I wanted to create a mood and/or a feeling and let the listener decide what I'm talking about.
I don't know if that works, but I hope you'll tell me if it's good or, as they say, "the world isn't ready for your music yet" :-)
I can live with either.

The lyrical idea is inspired by Phil Colins, melody and chords by Ludwig B.
You'll find out what that means...

Some background information that no one asked for:
it's not as easy as i thought to write rap lyrics ... at least if you are as crazy as me to write in a foreign language!
Too many words per second.
I almost gave up on the song because it just wouldn't work.
I found that Ludwig had written his Sonata No. 14 too slow, and after I added just 4 BPM, all my problems were solved. Blame him!
If you know of any good, simple powerchord RTs, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me which ones are usable.
I didn't find what I needed, so I had to play them myself, something I usually try to avoid.

A BIG "thank you" (again) to Marty for linguistic advice and being just a great guy to talk to.

Some technical information:
Style: _TINES.STY

The band:
Drums: PraiseWorshipUptempo16 + SkaSlow70sWesPerc
Bass: 4363 (re-amped)
Guitars: (some re-amped)
4386
4387
4388
2x 3931
699
4176
Bosendorfer 290 Piano, synths and some guitar work (EBow and powerchords + lead in the chorus) by yours truly.

Vocals: Solaria ft. Ritchy, BG vocals from Eleanor and Cong.

Lyrics

Posted at 01:51 PM

August 21, 2023 User Showcase Song - My Nerdy Girl

I wrote this song originally 15 years ago and it shows in the somewhat outdated lyrics smile I think I had the melody playing in my head after I woke up one morning, just like a Ramones song, but I haven't found their song which I could have inadvertently copied... my friend said that it reminded of Weezer, but also no Weezer song sounded similar, so I hope the melody is original enough :D

My Nerdy Girl

I have made several versions of the song during the years, revised the lyrics, used different Vocaloids and different RealTracks when the technology has advanced, but I hope this is the final rendering of it, at least those RTs fit perfectly and the Synthesizer V vocalist Kevin has young enough voice for the story. Maybe you don't like the genre or the lyrics are too explicit, but I hope this tune puts you in a good mood :)

RealDrums: RockHardEnhanced^01, CowbellEv
Loop: Loops PAK2 Rock Drums, Hybrid, PopPunkA
RealTracks:
Bass, Electric, RockPickedA-B Ev 165 #2592
Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PunkPopChugging Ev 170 #3943
Guitar, Electric, Rhythm SkaFastPunk Ev16 180 #3494
Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Punk Ev 165 #2583
Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernPopFastRockPowerBreakMute Ev 170 #4101
Guitar, Electric, Soloist PunkMurray Ev 165 #2586
MIDI: melody => VSTi India/Sitar

Vocals: Synthesizer V Kevin (lead+backing), Solaria (backing)
Edited in Cakewalk by BandLab
Effects: Neutron 4, Ozone 10, Neoverb
Lyrics

Posted at 12:10 PM

August 17, 2023 User Showcase Song - It Don't Take Much

IT DON'T TAKE MUCH: https://soundcloud.com/user-227577634/it-dont-take-much

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
Written, Sung, Mixed, Mastered and Recorded By:
George McAllister
Song Summary *************
Title: IT DON'T TAKE MUCH
File:IT DON'T TAKE MUCH A.SGU
Key=A , Tempo 135, Length (m:s)=3:22
8 bar intro, 103 bar chorus, from bar 9 to bar 111. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Style is _RESOLVE.STY (Resolve Steady Driving Country)

RealTracks in style: ~684:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 2719:Guitar, Nylon, Fingerpicking CountryBrent Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 2036:Mandolin, Soloist CountryAndy Ev 120 (Bluesy)
RealTracks in song: 2040:Guitar, Resonator, Soloist CountryRob Ev 120
RealDrums [in style:NashvilleEven8^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

SSL 2+ Interface
RODE NT1000 Mic
Mixed and Recorded in Reaper

Posted at 01:29 PM

August 16, 2023 XPro Styles PAKs & Xtra Styles PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2023 - Special Extended!

There's still time... We've extended our special offer until August 31st!

Until then, XPro Styles PAKs 1-5 and Xtra Styles PAKs 1-16 can be purchased for only $29 per PAK (reg. $49)!

Our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs include over 3,100 fully-produced and uniquely-arranged styles that add TONS of imaginative RealStyles to your collection, including genres like jazz, country, bluegrass, pop, singer/songwriter, rock, and more!

XPro Styles PAK 5 includes 75 new RealStyles for rock, pop, jazz, funk, and country, and 25 styles based around MIDI SuperTracks that utilize the SynthMaster plugin. Learn more.

Xtra Styles PAK 16 adds an absolute plethora of styles... 200 to be exact! 50 new styles each for Jazz, Country, Rock & Pop, and Praise & Worship. Learn more.

Posted at 01:28 PM

August 16, 2023 User Showcase Song - Blue July

Good afternoon folks,
The merits of working with the Merritts are many and varied.

I recently had the opportunity to write a song with Janice and here it is, fully formed and wonderfully informed by her voice & melodic sense, for your ears & eyes.
It's a finished piece, mastered et al, but ANY feedback is most welcome.

Audio only: SoundCloud
Video: YouTube

RECORDING DETAILS:
Janice tracked & treated by Bud. The vocal FX chain:
Izotope Breath Control > Nectar EQ > Nectar Compression > Nectar Reverb
The slight reverb is an EMT 140 Plate Reverb sim.

The band/instruments:
735 Piano Acoustic Rhythm Jazz ballad Hipass filter
Real Drums Jazz Brushes - sticks
1065 Trumpet soloist smooth bluesy w slap back delay,
quite a bit of Multiriffing as well as cut n paste work.

The additional stuff:
Bass - Emperador semi acoustic flat wound strings BDI21 HEAVILY compressed
Guitar - Bruno Royal Artist semi acoustic, neck pickup DI hipass + trem

Mastered by Fran Ashcroft at HappyBeat Studio.

Words (because they do matter to some folk)

Posted at 11:27 AM

August 15, 2023 User Showcase Song - Whatever Your Want

This is my salute to Motown.

Whatever you Want - Take down the moon

I tried (the best I could) to get a Temptations, or Spinners sound.

This is my first song using CUBASE 12. Most of backing tracks are BIAB, I then imported into CUBASE and added Strings, Horns, Vocals, etc.

Some of the backing vocals are Synth V, with me in there also to fill out the backing sounds.

****** Song Summary *************
Title: Whatever You Want
File:Whatever You Want95.SGU
Key=Db , Tempo 95, Length (m:s)=3:57
No intro. 90 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 90. Repeat x1 chorus
Melody has 913 notes, Melody harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Soloist track has 664 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Style is _POWRFUL.STY (Powerful 60s Soul Groove)

RealTracks in style: 2260:Bass, Electric, FunkyGroove60s Ev 100
RealTracks in style: 2197:Piano, Electric, Rhythm JazzRockHeld Ev16 100
RealTracks in style: 3772:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm FunkyGroove60s Ev16 095
RealTracks in style: 3773:Guitar, Electric, Background FunkyGroove60sSoulRiff Ev16 095
RealTracks in song: 1404:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Soul70sWarmA-B Ev16 100
RealTracks in song: 404:Sax, Tenor, HipHop Rock Sw 100
RealDrums in style:FunkyGroove60s^1-a: Snare & Tom , b: 8ths Hat, Snare

Posted at 02:42 PM

August 15, 2023 XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Ends Today! (Aug 15)

Hurry! Our special ends today!

Don't wait to expand your Band-in-a-Box® 2023 library and get inspired with XPro Styles PAKs & Xtra Styles PAKs for just $29 per PAK!

Our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs include over 3,100 fully-produced and uniquely-arranged styles that add TONS of imaginative RealStyles to your collection, including genres like jazz, country, bluegrass, pop, singer/songwriter, rock, and more!

XPro Styles PAK 5 includes 75 new RealStyles for rock, pop, jazz, funk, and country, and 25 styles based around MIDI SuperTracks that utilize the SynthMaster plugin. Learn more.

Xtra Styles PAK 16 adds an absolute plethora of styles... 200 to be exact! 50 new styles each for Jazz, Country, Rock & Pop, and Praise & Worship. Learn more.

Posted at 02:39 PM

August 14, 2023 User Showcase Song - Wild Horses With No Name

It's been several months since I last posted on this forum.

I come back today with a composition "Wild Horses with no name". It took me a while to make it because I wanted to create a video for this soundtrack. I think I have achieved the goals I set for myself. It's up to you to see if I've reached them. Thank you in advance for your comments.

Used tools :
Style Alberti.Sty.These are piano and drums midi files on which I put vst pianos (Steinway B from Eastwest) and drums from Eastwest. I added a few notes from a solo guitar to give more depth and vary the melody.

You can music alone on SoundCloud with the link: https://soundcloud.com/user-318966631/horses-with-no-name

Or preferably music and video: YouTube - Wild Horses With No Name

Posted at 11:18 AM

August 11, 2023 Time is Running Out to Save 40%... Our XPro Styles PAKs Special Ends August 15th!

Don't wait to expand your Band-in-a-Box® 2023 library and get inspired with XPro Styles PAKs & Xtra Styles PAKs for just $29 per PAK... Our special is ending August 15th!

Our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs include over 3,100 fully-produced and uniquely-arranged styles that add TONS of imaginative RealStyles to your collection, including genres like jazz, country, bluegrass, pop, singer/songwriter, rock, and more!

XPro Styles PAK 5 includes 75 new RealStyles for rock, pop, jazz, funk, and country, and 25 styles based around MIDI SuperTracks that utilize the SynthMaster plugin. Learn more.

Xtra Styles PAK 16 adds an absolute plethora of styles... 200 to be exact! 50 new styles each for Jazz, Country, Rock & Pop, and Praise & Worship. Learn more.

Posted at 12:29 PM

August 11, 2023 User Showcase Song - Eternal Peace

Hi guys this was created in bandlab and wanted a sax part and biab provided
Style is _JCOOLPN.STY (Smooth Jazz Cool Swing 16 w/ Pia)
RealTracks in song: 1062:Sax, Tenor, Soloist SmoothJazzCool Sw16 100
thanks for listening and comments

Eternal Peace

Posted at 12:12 PM

August 10, 2023 User Showcase Song - LIVING IN THE MOMENT

My writing partner Ron Helm and I have taken a short break, so in the meantime I decided to go back and re-do one from a few years ago I co-wrote with my daughter. I originally stated in this post that the bass RealTrack I was using was not satisfactory for this song because it was playing notes that didn't fit. I have now replaced that RealTrack with my own playing for better or worse but at least the bass seems to fit the song a little better. I hope somebody enjoys the tune!

LIVING IN THE MOMENT

BIAB
Drums-Rock Texas
Guitar-635 Roots Rock Dirty
Guitar-638 Roots Rock Tremolo
Guitar-3399 Acoustic Folk Rock Sync
Organ-671 Background Southern
Accordion-1752 Pop 8th's

Me
Vocals
Guitar-Fender Telecaster Solo and fills
Bass
Synths

Living In The Moment
Words and music by
Torrey Bliss and Courtney Williams
©2021

Posted at 02:26 PM

August 09, 2023 User Showcase Song - An American Tourist in Heidelberg

This is me having a bit of fun.

An American Tourist in Heidelberg (Wo Ist Die Toilette?)

It's my first song in German (not much of it). Please pardon my juvenile sense of humor. You could say this is slightly autobiographical. Years back, I was sitting with a friend drinking a beer outdoors in Heidelberg when I was suddenly afflicted with intense intestinal distress. After some searching, I was able to find the WC, without any disastrous consequences---although it was close. This song will get you up and dancing, maybe even dancing the green apple quick-step.

The choir part at the bridge is me triple tracking all four parts of the harmony--no plugins are harmonizers were used. It isn't perfect, but it has a full sound.

The Wrecking Crew
RT3710 Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm 90sJamRockFunky
RT3337 Piano, Electric, Rhythm FunkJeff
RT2622 Organ, Rhythm FunkSwing
RT2157 Piano, ElectricVintage, Rhythm FunkyGroove60sJohn
RT2619 Organ, Rhythm Funk
Drums on Demand/Underground/Gap Tooth Woman
Native Instruments Prime Bass
The guitars panned wide on the left and right are NI Electric Vintage and NI Electric Mint respectively.
Lyrics

Posted at 02:50 PM

August 04, 2023 Happy B.C. Day! (August 7, 2023)

Monday, August 7 is B.C. Day here in Victoria. Our adjusted hours for that day are: 8:00AM - 4:00PM PDT.

Regular hours resume Tuesday:
Monday - Friday: 6:00 to 6:00
Saturday: 8:00 to 4:00
Sunday: Closed.

Posted at 01:12 PM

August 04, 2023 User Showcase Song - Once I Had A Life

This is a song about how some guys just shouldn't get married and have kids.

Once I Had A Life on Soundcloud
Once I Had A Life on YouTube

Janice Merritt sang the part of the wife, and I was the selfish husband. Neither of us is anything close to the story characters, so there was some good acting in there as well. Of course Bud did a great job with Janice's track that made it as easy as drop-n-play.

File:Once I Had A Life.SGU
Key=D , Tempo 110, Length (m:s)=2:28
Song is saved with bar changes for Styles,Volume Changes,
Style is _LONESON.STY (Lone Son Acoustic Guitar Ballad)
Lyrics

RealTracks in style: ~~2478:Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 110
RealTracks in style: ~~2495:Piano, Electric, HeldChords 120
RealTracks in style: 2914:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Folky16thsBrent Ev16 085
RealTracks in song: ~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 3191:Mandolin, Soloist, CelticReelAndy Ev16 110
RealDrums in Song:NashBrushBalDbKEv16^1-a: Snare, HiHat , b: QuarterHat, TripletSnare

The dueling-mandos solo was a lot of Ctl+F8 doing. Love that feature.

Posted at 01:07 PM

August 03, 2023 User Showcase Song - Don't Let Me Let You Down

I wrote this a few years ago before I discovered BIAB and decided it was time to demo it. Constructive criticism welcomed and encouraged!

Don't Let Me Let You Down (SoundCloud Link)

_REGROCK.STY. Reggae and Rock Fusion
All RealTracks. Quintet. Tempo=85
Instruments: El.Bass, Organ, El.Guitar, El.Guitar, Drums
RD: BluesRockFunky16ths^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Busy Snare, HiHat :Shannon Forrest
RT1153: Bass, Electric, Reggae Ev16 100 , Craig Young
RT1155: Organ, B3, Rhythm Reggae Ev16 100 , Blair Masters
RT1637: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkBreezyChords Ev16 075 , Michael Thompson
RT1158: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ReggaeSlow Sw 075 , Sandy Williams

Added: 1761: Guitar, Acoustic, strumming pop 16ths Ev16

Posted at 01:54 PM

August 02, 2023 User Showcase Song - Take It For A Ride

A co-write with Bill Osofsky.

TAKE IT FOR A RIDE

The BAND:
RealTracks in song: ~684:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 692:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming AcRockBright Ev 120 (A:sync)
RealTracks in song: 852:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm NashvillePopClean Ev 120 (B:arp)
RealTracks in song: 851:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm NashvillePopClean Ev 120 (A:held)
RealTracks in song: 633:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopAmericanMuted Ev 120 (A:sync)
RealTracks in song: 511:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Dire Ev 140
RealTracks in song: 1535:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopPowerPushA-B Ev 120
RealTracks in song: ~~1437:Piano, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkGroovin Ev16 110
RealTracks in song: 587:Sax, Tenor, 2-Beat Rock Ev 110
RealDrums in Song: PopCalypso^1-a:Snare, Closed HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
RealDrums in Song: NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Lyrics

Posted at 01:57 PM