Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#738620 11/14/22 01:58 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,009
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,009
I've been blessed with a very good life, but like everyone, there have been difficult times. Several years ago a tragedy struck that will probably last the rest of my life. It's something I always live with, but October is always the worst. I usually just withdrawal within myself, which is why I haven't been around for a while. Early this October I was feeling down and sorry for myself while working on my computer in my music room. I decided to kill an hour of downloading time plucking on my guitar and came up with this song. I wrote it and then promptly threw it in the trash. On Halloween my wife was feeling terrible (we just had to put our dog down). She looked at me, tried to smile, but agreed that October can stink. With that, I got home and took the rumpled paper out of the bin, and decided to record it. If you decide to give it a listen, you won't hurt my feelings at all, but I'd love to know if you think I should leave it in the round file or hold on to it for a while - as well as any production hints I could learn from. It's going to take me some time to catch up with all the songs posted while I was away, but I'm looking forward to it!

https://soundcloud.com/user-722422510/if-october-never-came If October Never Came

If I could take 31 days and make them go away
you know, I’d take October and make sure it never came.
I’d stay here in September and not remember all the pain.
My hurting might be over if October never came.

The days would not grow shorter and chase the light away.
The winds would not blow colder, or the leaves begin to change.
The skies wouldn’t start to snow, and I’d never have to let you go.
Oh, there’d be no starting over if October never came.

Oh, every year at about this time the memories start to flood my mind.
Most of the year I get through okay, but now October’s here, and there’s just no escape.
So, if I could take 31 days and make them go away,
oh, my hurting might be over if October never came.

Oh, every year at about this time the memories start to flood my mind.
Most of the year I get through okay, but now October’s here, and there’s just no escape.
So, if I could take 31 days and make them go away,
oh, my hurting might be over if October never came.
Oh, if I could take just 31 days the angels never would’ve taken you away
and my hurting, it might be over if October never came.
If October never came.

Everything but vocals is Biab:

Drums: Brian Fullen, _POPH085.STY
Bass: Dow Tomlin, _POPH085.STY
Acoustic Rhythm Guitar: Tony King, _POPH085.STY
Acoustic Finger Picking Guitar: Jason Roller, _POPH085.STY
Electric Rhythm Guitar: Darin Favorite, _POPH085.STY
Fiddle: Wanda Vick, _TIMEY
Pedal Steel: Eddy Dunlap, _TIMEY
Piano: John Jarvis, _CPPBSAJ.STY

User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,219
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,219
Brad, It's a keeper. My only nit is the processing on the vocal. It sounds boxy to me. It could be the mic. If it is a decent mic you might want to look into Isotope Nectar. it will make a huge difference. I liked the concept of the song and it is put together well. Keep em coming, Tom

User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,873
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,873
I like it, it's a beautiful song with good lyrics.
Like Tom said, the vocals are good but sound boxy.

But, before you invest money in another plugin I'd just give it some EQ-love (mids and highs are too low) and a bit of reverb.


Making bits and bytes sound good...

Goldmania Bella - A One-Man Girlband with no fans
Listen on Spotify
Watch on YouTube
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,189
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,189
Brad...so glad you pulled this out of the trash...this is a beautiful and poignant song...the phrasing is exceptional..."oh, my hurting might be over if October never came."...I love the meter and movement of that line...the "over", "October" internal near rhyme is very cool...the solo of the steel and fiddle sound like they were made for this particular song...this is one of my favorites from you...so sorry October has this effect but you captured it in this song for all of us to share...well done brother!


www.soundclick.com/firesong
BiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10

You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
User Showcase
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,048
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,048
The song is certainly a keeper,
I agree with B.D. Thomas about the EQ and reverb, but it is not really a problem if you leave it this way.
Good lyrics and music.

And as for any pain is true.... Time is your best friend.
Give the pain time to heal.

Anne-Marie


We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gsdNLE7_Gy8qavoOplQow/videos
http://rnam.net/


User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,401
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,401
Hey Brad, this song is definately NOT worthy.
Not worthy of what? The round file of course.
I very much enjoyed this.

And as far as the pain, try to hold on to and re-live the great memories I'm sure you have.


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
BiaB 2024 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,372
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,372
Hi Brad,

First of all, a very good song! Well worth saving from the trash.

Really good writing in my opinion!

Track sounds good too.

As far as the vocal goes, I agree with Tom.

Getting a dedicated vocal plugin is the easiest way to go to get a decent vocal sound without having to be an expert at mixing. As Tom mentioned, Nectar is a good one to have. Also Waves has a couple that are good, CLA Vocals and GW VoiceCentric. In the case of the Waves plugins they all go on sale from time to time for $29.

Good song, thanks for sharing!

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Hi Brad, it would have been more than a pity if you left this song in the trash.
It was wise to take it out and bring it here in the forum.
About the lyrics; There are a lot more months I like to skip, or at least some days in each month. Otherwise we have nomore years...
But your lyrics are very beautiful and sensitive. You worded your feelings well.

It's a very nice, sad song, with a good band.
I agree with those who wrote your vocals can shine more. Try some reverb and delay, but with care.

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,318
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,318
Brad,

You have done a great job dealing with tuff stuff! It's ironic that some of the best songs comes from the things that hurt us the most! My hats off to you with the fine work you did with this country tune @

Thanks, Torrey




User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Every song is worth hearing by others, to let out your emotions, especially when it is personal and touching like this, thanks for sharing the song and its backstory. I was born in October so it is not something I would wish to disappear, but I can relate to the feelings about winds, leaves and snow and what they represent. Great band and enjoyable sentimental vocals. Excellent solo part, really showing the face of sorrow.

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,167
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,167
You've got a real superpower that allows you to sing a lyric nicely into the meter of a song. Not many can do that. As others have affirmed, this song was definitely worth bringing to fruition. What actually happened remains a mystery, but I think that adds to the song's intrigue. Great work.


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 2012
Posts: 12,082
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,082
Brad,

"The days would not grow shorter and chase the light away.
The winds would not blow colder, or the leaves begin to change.
The skies wouldn’t start to snow, and I’d never have to let you go.
Oh, there’d be no starting over if October never came."

A good write. Personal, original, fresh.

The BAND fits.

A keeper.

The one thought that I had was that the tempo was a-bit-fast for the story. I wondered how it might work with a more "ballad tempo"?

Sorry for your loss(es).

fj

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,009
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,009
Hey, thank you very much for the listen and the suggestion Tommy. I've been fighting with learning this mixing stuff for a while now, so a lot of my problem may just be inexperience and lack of talent, but I will start looking into what you suggested. I think I've got a decent mic, so maybe something like that Isotope Nectar will help. Thanks.

B.D., I appreciate you taking the time to give it a listen and your suggestion. I'm going to try that too. If I can bring my skill level up it may save me a little money!

So glad you liked the song Dan. I used a lot of reverb on the fiddle and a little on the steel to try and help with that lonesome sound. I thought it came off pretty well with the fiddle, but wasn't so sure about the steel.

Thank you very much Anne-Marie for giving it a listen and your kind words of encouragement.

Thanks a bunch Bass Thumper, and by the way, I've been listening to some of the stuff you've posted since I've been gone, and it is coming out great. I've really enjoyed the way you've been thumping that bass lately in particular.

I'm sure glad you stopped by and gave it a listen Dave. I'm glad you liked it, and thanks for the suggestions. $30 or so shouldn't break the bank.

Thanks for the listen Hans. I'll give it a try!

I appreciate you giving it a listen Torrey, and I hope your album is off to a great start!

I hope you had a great Birthday Janne! Several in my family were born in October too - me, one of my sons and my mothers all fall in that month.

Thanks for the input TuneMonger. Yeah, I didn't want to get too personal with it. After all, none of us have a corner on the "hurting market". Pain is something everyone deals with, and I was hoping that by not getting too specific it would make the song more relatable. Because it was such a quick write and dealing with my personal feelings at the time, I decided to toss it at first.

Floyd thanks for the comment, especially coming from a writer as good as yourself - that means a lot. I was wondering about that tempo. I thought it may sound better a little slower, but was afraid that would drag it out over 4 minutes and make it boring. You're probably right though.

Brad

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,742
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,742
Glad you gave the song another chance. Really sad cool country tune. Excellent backtrack. Well done


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Brad,
I agree with all the positive comments so far on the quality of this song:its tough to find a balance between raw emotion and good songwriting when you are putting personal pain on the line-your song communicates that and makes it relateable and tuneful.
Other than the good advice you already have on vocal processing, I had a wish for a little more variation in the vocal intensity;for example, holding a line like "never have to let you go" to lead in to the chorus.
I`ll be listening to your journey with this song.

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,843
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,843
HI Brad ...

Definitely a keeper. Indeed, sad. But, it pulled some strong feelings from you that gave you the courage to put this "out there". No round file for this one - just a round of applause. And yes, a little reverb on your vocals would be a real nice touch.

Stay strong!

ALan


BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar

Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,596
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,596
You tell a story, express an emotion and sing a bunch of not quite rhymes so that they sound fine.
I'd rate that as a win.
Def strip the vocal of all processing and do as little to your voice as possible.
I suspect perhaps a little proximity effect as well so start by looking at what's happening beneath the fundamental peak before proceeding.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,816
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,816
This song is part of your life, Brad. It's a keeper. Maybe it's cold here this morning, but I'm getting chills now. It's now November, the 11th month, and I encourage you to write another song about your other months.


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: May 2015
Posts: 2,873
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,873
Brad,

I agree with Dave.
A very good song! Well worth saving from the trash.
It's a song that makes me feel nostalgic.
And I feel the flavor of an elegant country.
Very good times and difficult times. That is the life.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,052
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,052
Nice idea and lyrics, Brad.
Something about the vocal not quite right.
Is it doubled? If so, try bringing them closer. Maybe increasing the vol a little too.

Vic

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
Forums65
Topics82,879
Posts752,882
Members39,021
Most Online3,932
Nov 19th, 2024
Newest Members
Uke Berlin, Rodion Shynharov, davesbass, million, momo25
39,021 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 155
DC Ron 104
rsdean 86
dcuny 83
jpettit 68
Today's Birthdays
Fred Marzin, kindofblue, philncookie
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5