Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#662683 07/02/21 03:28 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,421
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,421
Hi everyone,

Here is my new song. It is called https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/a-river

It is about me dealing with the here and now as a way of living.
I called it a rocksong, because it started like that, but later I raised the tempo, changed instruments and suddenly also SKA influences entered, a tiny bit. I don't know if you are familiair with that music. I thought I wasn't, but it seemed it was already there in my youth and I even liked some of it's songs. I only didn't know they called it like that.

It has a high tempo of 110 bpm and is played in the key of C major.
I used the following instruments:

Style: BADMAN.STY (Bad Man Country Blues Attitude)Tempo 110, key C
RealTracks:   579, Bas, el.
RealTracks: 2158, Guitar, el., Funky Groove
RealTracks: 3351, Guitar, Bariton  El, Swampy Blues
RealTracks:   799: Guitar, el., Southern Snappy Clean
RealTracks: 2023, Piano, ac., Country Rock
RealTracks: 2205, Guitar, Solo, Pop Promise
RealDrums:PopAmericanEv^1-a:SdStkHB, b:SNHB

I used VocAlign for the first time to handle the background vocals. I think that is getting better in the future.
I use Logic Pro X as my Daw and Ozone9 advanced for mastering it all.

I think it was the name of the style that drew me to it.
I really hope you like it. If you do, tell me and if you don't, tell me.

Hans
==================================================================================
Following are the lyrics:
A River
(c) HWBerkhout, june 2021

There is a river of feelings
knocking on my door
It looks like an overkill,
So I simply ignore

Don't want a river of emotions
rushing through my veins
I need to feel happy
Much better for my brains

There is a river of troubles
peeping through a crack
It looks like an overkill
But I turned my back

I embrace today and tomorrow
Not yesterday
I live in the present, you see
The past doesn't bother me

I have friends around me, somewhere (2x)
Don't want a river of emotions
rushing through my veins
And I feel happy
Much better for my brains

Bridge
Something happened
And aches my heart
Maybe the past is more important,
And I didn't act smart...

Now there is a river of emotions
rushing through my head
Nothing stays in place
I fear it turns me mad

Now there is that river of emotions
rushing through my veins
And I feel happy
I finally used my brains

There is a river
rushing through me


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,198
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,198
Hans,

This is some wonderful music! SO much to like about it.

Excellent write. Terrific melody.

The instrumentation AND the arrangement are your best yet (in my opinion). Nice use of the piano. And good job on getting the guitar solos sounding great. Great rhythm to the tracks, too. Drums are snappy! Nice use of drops and stops.

Vocals are really good. Great energy!! On my speaker system they could use some of the highs AND some of the lows rolled off (the low end and the bass seem to run into each other at times). But, still, an excellent vocal track.
I was really interested to hear how VocAlign worked for you - but the harmonies were a bit too low in volume to get a sense of how well the plugin worked...

I REALLY like this one! One of your best. You notch up your own bar with each release...

fj

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,494
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,494
Hans,

This is a great, great song. Love the passion in your vocal and the mix is perfect.

A new favorite... so excellent!

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,717
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,717
Hi Hans,

This song is a winner in all respects.

I particularly liked the song structure and the cool rhythm.

I thought the vocals also suited the song very well.

Best Regards
Nigel


Nigel Spiers
Christchurch, New Zealand
info@nzacoustics.com
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,890
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,890
"I embrace today and tomorrow
Not yesterday
I live in the present, you see
The past doesn't bother me"

Great sentiment!

So many good things here:

- vocals are excellent
- great band - the solo is very nice
- the arrangement makes you want to go right back for another listen
- the mix glues it all together for a great soundstage

Janice said it reminded her of Mad Dogs and Englishmen!

Enjoyed it,

J&B


Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more.
If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks!
Our Videos are here on our website.
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,947
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,947
I think that this is a song that everyone can definitely relate to, as I think we can all empathize with feelings things we don't want to. I think this song had the right amount of energy for this style too! Great job. Thanks for sharing.


Cheers,
Ember
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677
Hi Hans,

that's a goodie for sure.

It rolls from the first to the last bar, great backing tracks, well-sung, lots of energy in your voice. Some unexpected chord progressions in the transitions).

Good lyrics, I really can relate to them.

Very well-done, Hans, very well-done!

Take care,

Stefan

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,063
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,063
I like the overall sound and feel of this song. It moves with a lot of energy.

Vocal sounds great! Mix is spot on.

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Really like the groove, Hans. Great dynamics, excellent mix. One of your best vocals. Nice work.
Regards,
Leon

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,434
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,434
Man, your music just keeps getting better and better! I wouldn't change a thing, really well done, Hans smile

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,180
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,180

Hans,

This has a really great mix. Loved it. Super job on this man. Excellent guitar tones.

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,421
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,421
Hi Floyd, Bob, Nigel, Janice and Bud,

Thanks for your very nice comments! I asked f.i. Floyd and Janice and Bud what they do not to become (too) vain.
I think they ignored this, but with your nice comments I can ask myself the same question (a bit). Luckily I can put things in perspective if it is concerning me ;-)

Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Hans,
This is some wonderful music! SO much to like about it.
Excellent write. Terrific melody.

The instrumentation AND the arrangement are your best yet (in my opinion). Nice use of the piano. And good job on getting the guitar solos sounding great. Great rhythm to the tracks, too. Drums are snappy! Nice use of drops and stops.
Vocals are really good. Great energy!! On my speaker system they could use some of the highs AND some of the lows rolled off (the low end and the bass seem to run into each other at times). But, still, an excellent vocal track.
I was really interested to hear how VocAlign worked for you - but the harmonies were a bit too low in volume to get a sense of how well the plugin worked...

I REALLY like this one! One of your best. You notch up your own bar with each release...
fj


Floyd, I'm very happy with your comment. From the time you told me to do some eq-ing on my vocals till now I got more and more compliments. And that from an expert... About VocAlign I'm not really sure I keep using it. The program is easy to use, but still I have the feeling something's not right with the tracks after aligning. Listen to my first chorus and you hear as if there is an echo in the BG vocals.

Originally Posted By: rsdean
Hans,
This is a great, great song. Love the passion in your vocal and the mix is perfect.
A new favorite... so excellent!
Bob


Bob, I'm glad you like it. I am especially glad you said the mix is perfect. I think I still have to learn a lot about proper mixing. But I did a course on it and that is paying off already. Thanks for your confirmation to that!


Originally Posted By: NigelSpiers
Hi Hans,
This song is a winner in all respects.
I particularly liked the song structure and the cool rhythm.
I thought the vocals also suited the song very well.

Best Regards
Nigel


Nigel, I surely hope it will be a winner. I still have some doubts about that...
But what I liked a lot in making the song was that chord progression at the beginning of each chorus. While that was so simple to create.
At first the song had a much lower tempo, but because I had a slow song recently I thougt to give gas on the tempo. Of course that needed another kind of singing, but it turne out very well, as you said!

Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
"I embrace today and tomorrow
Not yesterday
I live in the present, you see
The past doesn't bother me"

Great sentiment!
So many good things here:

- vocals are excellent
- great band - the solo is very nice
- the arrangement makes you want to go right back for another listen
- the mix glues it all together for a great soundstage

Janice said it reminded her of Mad Dogs and Englishmen!
Enjoyed it,
J&B


Janice and Bud, you picked out the key topic of the song. For a lot of years I heard ( an increasing number of) people saying they live in the now (or today) and don't care about the or our past. For me you can't do that. It comes back to you and it's not how we must live our lives. But I discovered it is better to keep your mouth shut on this. So I did... not. But I realise in 4 minutes you can't discuss in a song why not. So I did... just that.
But thank you so much for your comment on the technical side of making this song.

And Janice, I loved Joe Cocker and his version of Beatle songs. But tell me, first you compared me with John Lennon, then George Harrison, and now with a mad dog. Why??? What went wrong between us? (Notice: I'm kidding)

I heard the Delta version of Corona is growing, so stay safe everyone,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 878
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 878
This song has plenty of drive and energy without being frenetic. Although this is a genre I rarely listen to, it kept me engaged from start to finish. A sagacious choice is instruments used to great effect and, as FJ said, probably one of your best and certainly worth the effort you put into it.


My music may not set the world on fire but if it causes a glow in just one person's heart, it has all been worthwhile smile
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
DANG! First off, wonderfully put together. If you did all those rhythmic changes in BiaB, you need to teach. This grooved just great when it grooved, but it went several notches up with all those groove changes.

Speaking of Rhythm, the voice was really in the pocket as well. Your hi-eq'ed growl is probably my favorite around these parts. There were a few moments when the bass (or low toms?) stomped on it more than I might have expected, but all-in-all the power of this thing pumped out that theme of defiant optimism. A real fist pumper that I can feel clean through me. Outstanding.


BIAB 2021 Audiophile. Windows 10 64bit. Songwriter, lyricist, composer(?) loving all styles. Some pre-BIAB music from Farfetched Tangmo Band's first CD. https://alonetone.com/tangmo/playlists/close-to-the-ground
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,788
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,788
Very very cool Hans. Love the groove in this song. Kick drum really drives the song. Super vocal and lyric. Piano was excellent. Well done. Guitar solo was excellent as well.


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,669
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,669
That baritone, (I think) sounds almost like a clavinet which is cool and matches the funky almost reggae feel.
Strong vocals again...could be time to reduce some of the FX that surround it.
COOL one.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,965
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,965
Yes, you are the perfect match for the Badman Style. What a great band, and, yes, I'm familiar a bit with ska. This is a very catchy song, and so well delivered, Hans. The is so much emotion in that river, and you flood it to the banks. A really good write.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 11
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,134
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,134
Hans, this is your best to date IMHO. Fantastic vocal! Great instrumentation and mix.

I loved this one.


Today I bought a doughnut without the sprinkles. Diets are hard!

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,421
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,421
Hi Ember, Stefan, Ezekiel and Leon,

Thanks a lot for your nice comments on this song. I appreciated them!
I am experimenting on different kind of songs and singing ánd mixing processes. In that, I still have a lot to learn.
But that is why we have this forum, isn't it? You keep me sharp amd I hope I will do it to your songs as well, if necessary.
I reply to all of you individually down here after your quote:

Originally Posted By: Ember - PG Music
I think that this is a song that everyone can definitely relate to, as I think we can all empathize with feelings things we don't want to. I think this song had the right amount of energy for this style too! Great job. Thanks for sharing.


Ember, what you say is right. I only hope people can pour some more holistic 'sauce' over their views or opinions. But I know this discussion is 'thin ice' ;-)
On the other hand I'm glad you liked the song too!

Originally Posted By: Crossroads
Hi Hans,
that's a goodie for sure.
It rolls from the first to the last bar, great backing tracks, well-sung, lots of energy in your voice. Some unexpected chord progressions in the transitions).
Good lyrics, I really can relate to them.
Very well-done, Hans, very well-done!

Take care,
Stefan


Stefan, thanks for your comments about the song and progressions. They really worked out better than I expected.
And about the lyrics, I had (a bit) our email conversation in mind about in- or excluding the past in our way of live.
So, in a way you helped me make this song. Thanks for that!

Originally Posted By: Ezekiel's Storm
I like the overall sound and feel of this song. It moves with a lot of energy.
Vocal sounds great! Mix is spot on.


Ezekiel, I'm happy you liked the energy and the song. I thought the song doesn't do anything for you, considering your own style of music. But it seems I was wrong!

Originally Posted By: Leon1
Really like the groove, Hans. Great dynamics, excellent mix. One of your best vocals. Nice work.
Regards,
Leon


Leon, that groove wasn't in in the first version. It was a slow song in where I was musing on the topic I sang about.
But I wasn't satisfied at all, merely because I had made a slow song before this one. So I took a part of the classic chord progression, put in some minors and pulled up the tempo and sang the song again. I felt the energy while singing was like a river. so the final version of the song was born. And you liked it!! That I like.


Thanks everyone and have a nice weekend,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,395
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,395
Hans,
Two spins later. Composition is one of your best for sure. I would put it in upper 5 tunes I have heard by you. Excellent groove / brakes and phrasing on this. Very mature tune. However, while I like vocals on it (the way you sing) I think they are a bit "under". I have a very neutral AKG headphones, they do not enhance bass and usually your vocals are on higher EQ spectrum, except for the previous tune I have heard that you recorded, which had very a balanced mix. I think fuzz guitar and kick drum is fighting with your vocals. Maybe somebody with better ears can explain better. I any case, VERY enjoyable listen. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

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
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows® Today!

If you’ve already purchased Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®, great news—a new update is now available! This update introduces a handy new feature: a vertical cursor in the Tracks window that shows the current location across all tracks, and more.

Discover everything included in this free update and download it now at https://www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1124

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator

With Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®, we've introduced an exciting new feature: the AI Lyrics Generator! In this video, Tobin guides you step-by-step on how to make the most of this new tool.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator video.

Check out the forum post for more information.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins

Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows® now includes support for VST3 plugins, bringing even more creative possibilities to your music production. Join Simon as he guides you through the process in this easy-to-follow demonstration!

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Video: Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows: Using The BB Stem Splitter!

In this video, Tobin provides a crash course on using the new BB Stem Splitter feature included in Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®. During this process he also uses the Audio Chord Wizard (ACW) and the new Equalize Tempo feature.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using the BB Stem Splitter

Check out the forum post for some optional Tips & Tricks!

Congrats to Misha (Rustyspoon)…downloaded/installed a full Audiophile 2025!

Breaking News!

We’re thrilled to announce that Rustyspoon has made PG history as the very first person to successfully complete the download and install of the full Band-in-a-Box 2025 Windows Audiophile Edition (with FLAC files)—a whopping 610GB of data!

A big shoutout to Rustyspoon for stepping up to be our test "elf!"

Thank you for your support, Rustyspoon!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows Videos

With the launch of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows, we're adding new videos to our YouTube channel. We'll also share them here once they are published so you can easily find all the Band-in-a-Box® 2025 and new Add-on videos in one place!

Whether it's a summary of the new features, demonstrations of the 202 new RealTracks, new XPro Styles PAK 8, or Xtra Styles PAKs 18, information on the 2025 49-PAK, or detailed tutorials for other Band-in-a-Box® 2025 features, we have you covered!

Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Videos - we will be updating this post as more videos are added!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until December 31, 2024! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK
with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Windows 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!

Forum Statistics
Forums65
Topics83,798
Posts761,839
Members39,208
Most Online8,978
12:34 AM
Newest Members
String Picker, Wayne N, Pierre Lescars, Lethal, FloHo
39,208 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
musocity 221
MarioD 170
Jim Fogle 111
jpettit 105
DC Ron 92
Today's Birthdays
martinL, Morgan Wright
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5