Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
D
djames Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
Hi all, have recently bought BIAB and this is my first attempt at using it. Really impressed with the software and looking forward to getting into it properly.

The song is called "Puppets and Clowns", musically not sure how I would describe it, bit of a crossover with horns and pedal steel, lyrically it's a bit of a rant about things in the UK - seems apt to post it on election day here!

The lyric is in the link, feel free to sing along in the chorus :-)

https://www.djhsongs.co.uk/osl-puppets

Cheers,
David


Style is _CTRYROK.STY (3 Guitar Country Rock)

RealTracks in style: ~~684:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 2110:Horn Section, Background, R&B Ev16 110
RealTracks in style: ~~522:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 120
RealTracks in song: ~~621:Pedal Steel, Background Easy Ev 136
RealDrums [in style:NashvilleEven8^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride


My BIAB Songs

BIAB 2021 PlusPAK, Reaper, W10
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,602
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,602
Nice one David,
That's a nice calm response to circumstances you're now in.
The arrangement is good, the use of stops etc is good.
All I'd suggest is to look at the vocal processing to reduce the soft edges a little - the warm, gentle vocal is a little absorbed into the mix and might do better a little louder or EQd differently to cut through.
The Murdoch press really did a savage hit job in the last few days.
Oh well, you've joined the US & Australia in the primate cage.
Cool song.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
D
djames Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
Thanks for that, I don’t really have the voice I want for this type of song – not edgy enough so did keep the vocals low, but will try playing with the EQ a bit.

The Primate Cage - great name for an album :-)


My BIAB Songs

BIAB 2021 PlusPAK, Reaper, W10
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,087
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,087
David,

This is very good.

An excellent write. A solid lyric and good prosody throughout.

A nice production. The horns are really well done - they blend in so well - supportive without drawing attention to themselves. Really nice mix.

I like the vocal. It could use a small touch of EQ bump (maybe) in the upper range to lift it slightly, but it is qutie good as is...

Welcome to the Showcase. A good entry.

fj

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 139
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 139
Love the Lyrics - Very nice bit of work!

If you have time - can you please post the lyrics?

Thanks!!!

Last edited by jimmadsen; 12/14/19 06:36 AM.
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 362
E
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
E
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 362
David - First of all - I really enjoyed that song, and the lyrics are very well done and share the quality of being relevant and speaking a truth, which is an of element of many great songs. Musically, I really like the way the song just jumps right in and hits you with a nice hook and chorus right off the start - no waiting around for that big moment that never arrives with some songs smile. So overall, well done and very enjoyable, and quite catchy, and for me a chance to gain just a bit of insight into the political climate there in the UK.

Now, if you're looking for small things to improve, I can offer a couple, and I'm totally willing to take it as well as dish it out. The horns might be toned down or softened just a bit - I felt they were just a bit too forward. The vocals sounded good to me - I think the effect is a good one and keeps the vocals nice and round but defined, and they suited the tune just right. One last thing I would offer is that you could mix things up a bit more throughout the song by changing up the BIAB tracks in certain bars, or even adding some little flourishes here and there with drums or cymbals or the like - just very subtle. Now that's easy for me to say but I'm new to BIAB and I don't yet have a good handle on those techniques but I'm sure that others can offer some insight and you probably need a chance to dive into that as well.

Last thing - a general comment - I've found that when creating music, for me its better to just try all sorts of crazy things and make a ton of mistakes along the way rather than to try to methodically create something. I often end up throwing out a lot of junk, but every so often I stumble across a phrase or sound that I had never expected, and those are often the best. Everyone has to find the approach that works best for them, so keep on creating and having fun!


Ed Z

Soundcloud profile
https://soundcloud.com/user-415064494
BIAB user since 2019
iPad Mini, Garageband for iOS, BIAB for Windows 2020 UltraPAK, Xtra Styles packs 6-9, Windows 10 Lenovo PC, Kontakt Player, SpitFire LABS, SampleTank 4 CS, some Soundfonts


User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,742
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,742
Very cool song. Love the vocal delivery. Simple, bare and powerful at the same time. Well timed lyrics. Well done and welcome to the forum


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,994
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,994
I love the sound that you created with the BIAB instrumentation. Catchy and toe-tapping tune. I have a friend in the UK who isn't happy with the election results. I am quite surprised myself as an observer here in the colonies.

User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,024
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,024
David,
Nice work on first BIAB tune!
Strong, thought out arrangement. Vocals fit very well, but I agree with Ray.
Something in EQ/FX has to be done to bring them out somewhat.
Good stuff! Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
D
djames Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
Originally Posted By: jimmadsen
Love the Lyrics - Very nice bit of work!

If you have time - can you please post the lyrics?

Thanks!!!


Thanks Jim, as requested:


PUPPETS AND CLOWNS

So finally it’s here
I’d hoped it’d never come
The moment when you realize
These things can’t be undone
There is no turning back
To the way it was before
We had our chance to save it
But the warnings were ignored

The writing on the wall
Clear enough to see
Written in the blood
Of a dying democracy

The lines are being drawn
Time to choose your side
The puppets and the clowns
Or the ones who stand with pride

The things that I have seen
I would never have believed
Old lady getting knocked down
By a thug from the police
A man who read aloud
The words that Churchill wrote
Dragged away to jail
For the hurty words he spoke

And it makes no sense to me
How far we’ve gone astray
We used to be Great Briton
But they threw the great away

There must have been a plan
To get us to this point
With the puppets and the clowns in charge
And the media they bought

Chorus
Don’t be afraid to see just what you see
Tell it like it is coz that’s what you believe
They’ll try to put you down with their isms and their ists
But facts don’t care for feelings when the truth
Is what it is

This is my voice - These are my words
This is my truth
From what I’ve learned
This is my truth - These are my words
This is my voice
Will it be heard

And the men who went before
Who sacrificed their lives
Fighting for the freedoms
That these people so despise
What would they think to see
The state we have become
Ruled by foreign powers
As if they hadn’t won

They say the people get
The government deserved
But all we get are quislings
Is that really all we're worth

There must be someone better
Who can turn these things around
Or are we doomed just to be ruled
By the puppets and the clowns

Repeat Chorus

When young I swore allegiance
To the country and the queen
To honour and defend this land
From our enemies
I never used to doubt
That we would stand and win
But now I’m not so sure
Since the enemys within

They stalk the halls of power
As their numbers start to rise
Take away our freedoms
With their deceit and lies

History will show you
Their evil knows no bounds
They’re liars, cheats, the hypocrites
The puppets and the clowns

Repeat Chorus


My BIAB Songs

BIAB 2021 PlusPAK, Reaper, W10
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
D
djames Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
David,

This is very good.

An excellent write. A solid lyric and good prosody throughout.

A nice production. The horns are really well done - they blend in so well - supportive without drawing attention to themselves. Really nice mix.

I like the vocal. It could use a small touch of EQ bump (maybe) in the upper range to lift it slightly, but it is qutie good as is...

Welcome to the Showcase. A good entry.

fj


Thanks FJ, it's a pleasure to be here and I will have another go at the vocal processing to lift it a bit. I tend to consider my voice as a guide vocal and so keep it lower in the mix.


My BIAB Songs

BIAB 2021 PlusPAK, Reaper, W10
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
D
djames Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
Originally Posted By: EdZ314
David - First of all - I really enjoyed that song, and the lyrics are very well done and share the quality of being relevant and speaking a truth, which is an of element of many great songs. Musically, I really like the way the song just jumps right in and hits you with a nice hook and chorus right off the start - no waiting around for that big moment that never arrives with some songs smile. So overall, well done and very enjoyable, and quite catchy, and for me a chance to gain just a bit of insight into the political climate there in the UK.

Now, if you're looking for small things to improve, I can offer a couple, and I'm totally willing to take it as well as dish it out. The horns might be toned down or softened just a bit - I felt they were just a bit too forward. The vocals sounded good to me - I think the effect is a good one and keeps the vocals nice and round but defined, and they suited the tune just right. One last thing I would offer is that you could mix things up a bit more throughout the song by changing up the BIAB tracks in certain bars, or even adding some little flourishes here and there with drums or cymbals or the like - just very subtle. Now that's easy for me to say but I'm new to BIAB and I don't yet have a good handle on those techniques but I'm sure that others can offer some insight and you probably need a chance to dive into that as well.

Last thing - a general comment - I've found that when creating music, for me its better to just try all sorts of crazy things and make a ton of mistakes along the way rather than to try to methodically create something. I often end up throwing out a lot of junk, but every so often I stumble across a phrase or sound that I had never expected, and those are often the best. Everyone has to find the approach that works best for them, so keep on creating and having fun!


Thanks Ed, really appreciate your comments. I must admit to be being very proud of the lyric - now included in an earlier reply.

When you say "changing up the BIAB tracks in certain bars" I take it that means changing the styles. I have only really scraped the surface of what BIAB can do, so much to learn but so much fun to be had!


My BIAB Songs

BIAB 2021 PlusPAK, Reaper, W10
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
D
djames Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
Originally Posted By: Scott C
Very cool song. Love the vocal delivery. Simple, bare and powerful at the same time. Well timed lyrics. Well done and welcome to the forum


Thanks Scott, much appreciated and think I might have to have a bit more faith in my vocals :-)


My BIAB Songs

BIAB 2021 PlusPAK, Reaper, W10
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
D
djames Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
Originally Posted By: Ezekiel's Storm
I love the sound that you created with the BIAB instrumentation. Catchy and toe-tapping tune. I have a friend in the UK who isn't happy with the election results. I am quite surprised myself as an observer here in the colonies.


Thanks, it's incredible what it can come up with, once I've got to grips with it properly I think it's going to push me to do much more.

Politicians are all as bad as each other really - we need to get a businessman as a leader!


My BIAB Songs

BIAB 2021 PlusPAK, Reaper, W10
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
D
djames Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
D
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 45
Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
David,
Nice work on first BIAB tune!
Strong, thought out arrangement. Vocals fit very well, but I agree with Ray.
Something in EQ/FX has to be done to bring them out somewhat.
Good stuff! Thank you for sharing.

Misha.


Thanks Misha, I'm looking forward to working on the EQ/FX (the dark arts!) next week to try and give it a final polish.


My BIAB Songs

BIAB 2021 PlusPAK, Reaper, W10
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944
Jim Offline
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944
Great first attempt at using Biab...
In our country, we would call it a protest song...
And we had a lot of practice writing them...
I'm not really up on the politics of your country...
We've got hands full over here...
But I not really sure what our hands are full of smile

Anyway I enjoyed listening to your song.


Jim
†=☮&♥
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
W
Expert
Offline
Expert
W
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
Wow! Great entry to this forum.
Very nice written song... although the lyrics make me a bit sad, because they are so true...

You did an excellent job with BiaB and I look forward to hear more songs from you.

Will

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,175
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,175
I liked it a lot and you did everything well, so kudos. How did you get the horns to crescendo when you needed? I have a hard time with that.

Last edited by TuneMonger; 12/16/19 10:03 PM.

Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,135
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,135
Hi David, welcome to the forum. Pretty good first at it. Nice vocals and arrangement. I normally do not give advice on how to do things here but in my humble opinion the background accompaniment sounds a little muted an can benefit from cranking it up a little so we can appreciate better the horns. At least that's how thy sound in my cans.
Other than that, nice composition.

Best regards

Mike B.


Music should be part of your life
http://www.soundclick.com/blackcatjazzcafeband
User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,261
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,261
Hi David,

Welcome to the forum!

There's no doubt about it, Britain has certainly been pulled left, right, up and down over the last couple of years. It must be quite frustrating for many ordinary people.

This is a really good song. The groove appealed to me and the overall vibe that you created was very easy on the ears.

I'm looking forward to hearing more from you.

Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2024
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Generate Lyrics for your Band-in-a-Box songs with LyricLab!

Need some lyrics to complete your Band-in-a-Box song? LyricLab is here to help!

LyricLab (by Joanne Cooper) is an AI-powered tool designed to quickly create lyrics and chords to fit your music. Just enter a rough idea of your lyrics, and let the AI bring them to life. Once you're happy with the results, simply import the LyricLab file into Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or newer. From there, you can pick your style and generate melodies to match your song’s chords!

Learn more about LyricLab here!

Watch the video.


Band-in-a-Box 2024 Italian for Mac is Here!

Ci siamo dati da fare e abbiamo aggiunto oltre 50 nuove funzionalità e una straordinaria raccolta di nuovi contenuti, tra cui 222 RealTracks, nuovi RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 3, Playable RealDrums Set 2, due nuovi set di "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 e altro ancora!

Tutti Pacchetti | Nuove Caratteristiche

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Mac Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK & 7, Xtra Styles PAK 17 & 18, und mehr!

Paket | Was ist Neu

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 French for Mac® is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 apporte plus de 50 fonctions nouvelles ainsi qu'une importante de contenus nouveaux à savoir : 222 RealTracks, des RealStyles nouveaux, des SuperTracks MIDI, des Etudes d'Instruments, des Prestations d'Artistes, des "Morceaux avec Choeurs", un Set 3 de Tracks Jouables, un Set 2 de RealDrums Jouables, deux nouveaux Sets de "RealDrums Stems", des Styles XPro PAK 6 & 7, des Xtra Styles PAK 17 & 18, et bien plus encore!

New! XPro Styles PAK 7 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 7 with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 50 RealTracks and RealDrums that are sure to delight!

With XPro Styles PAK 7 you can expect 25 rock & pop, 25 jazz, and 25 country styles, as well as 25 of this year's wildcard genre: Celtic!

Here's a small sampling of what XPro Styles PAK 7 has to offer: energetic rock jigs, New Orleans funk, lilting jazz waltzes, fast Celtic punk, uptempo train beats, gritty grunge, intense jazz rock, groovy EDM, soulful R&B, soft singer-songwriter pop, country blues rock, and many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 7 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box 2024® with XPro Styles PAK 7! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Watch the XPro Styles PAK 7 Overview & Styles Demos video.

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box version 2024 is here with 200 brand new styles to take for a spin!

Along with 50 new styles each for the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, we’ve put together a collection of styles using sounds from the SynthMaster plugin!

In this PAK you'll find: dubby reggae grooves, rootsy Americana, LA jazz pop, driving pop rock, mellow electronica, modern jazz fusion, spacey country ballads, Motown shuffles, energetic EDM, and plenty of synth heavy grooves! Xtra Style PAK 18 features these styles and many, many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 18 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Expand your Band-in-a-Box 2024® library with Xtra Styles PAK 18! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 18 here.

Watch the Xtra Styles PAK 18 Overview & Styles Demos video.

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 18 requires the 2024 UltraPAK/UltraPAK+/Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box version 2024 is here with 200 brand new styles to take for a spin!

Along with 50 new styles each for the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, we’ve put together a collection of styles using sounds from the SynthMaster plugin!

In this PAK you'll find: dubby reggae grooves, rootsy Americana, LA jazz pop, driving pop rock, mellow electronica, modern jazz fusion, spacey country ballads, Motown shuffles, energetic EDM, and plenty of synth heavy grooves! Xtra Style PAK 18 features these styles and many, many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 18 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Expand your Band-in-a-Box 2024® library with Xtra Styles PAK 18! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 18 here.

Watch the Xtra Styles PAK 18 Overview & Styles Demos video.

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 18 requires the 2024 UltraPAK/UltraPAK+/Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics82,927
Posts753,306
Members39,030
Most Online3,932
Nov 19th, 2024
Newest Members
briankennedy, FrankB, ikshitachoudhary, Jean-Laurent, dongordo
39,029 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 145
DC Ron 105
jpettit 103
DrDan 94
rsdean 81
dcuny 80
Today's Birthdays
Brookes, Herschel Dirtwater, steely
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5