|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687 |
I had this one finished by December last year - well, almost - the lead part didn't arrive until Monday of this week. This was built in BIAB which also provided organ & drums. I used JS Spectrum matcher to tweak the drums and vocals...it allowed me to correct the tone of both, making my voice a little less awful. Greg Loyacano played the lead guitar parts - he's the lead player for the Texas punk band Toxic Origin. He played a Les Paul through a phaser pedal into a Marshall full stack. Greg also gave some mix advice. I played a knock off of a Hofner "Beatle" bass through a BDI21 and a Squire Mustang through a Marshall Superbass & 4x12. Mic is a cheap Focusrite red thing. Tracked through an SSL2 interface to Reaper. The basis of this song is my wife's query of why I don't write happy songs. When mastered I'll let her listen and, hopefully, it will explain things for her. Mind you she spends inordinate amounts of time watching Dystopian movies & TV series. C'est l'guerre. PREMASTER: HAPPY SONG MASTER: HAPPY SONG mst MASTER adjusted for streaming She wants A happy song, please She wants the sort of one That isn't creepy One that's fun Happy song A happy song, please One that won't make her frown One that doesn't bring her down 1Happiness is Happiness to you Happy songs too Are not the sort of songs I tend to do What she wants Is what she wants to get She wants the sort of thing She doesn't have yet Clappy song A clappy song, please One that doesn't bring her down One that won't make her frown Clappiness is Clappiness to you Clappy songs too Are not the sort of songs I like to do What we want Is what we strive to get We want the sorts of things We don't have yet Happy song And clappy song, please Ones that don't bring us down Ones that won't make us frown Sappiness is Sappiness to you Sappy songs too Are not the sort of songs I care to do When we smile Is what we feel and yet They 're the sorts of things We should forget Happy songs Sappy clappy songs , please Ones that don't bring us down Ones that won't make us frown Clappiness is Clappiness to you Clappy songs too Are not the sort of songs I wish to do Happiness is Happiness to you Happy songs too Are not the sort of songs I like to do
Last edited by rayc; 01/13/23 05:37 PM.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,221
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,221 |
That's telling 'em Ray.
Who needs happy songs when there's so much enjoyment in misery?
For me, the drums and vocal can come up a tad. Personal pref. maybe.
Vic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,008
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,008 |
Oh, yeah, the first thing to hit me was that Beatle bass --not only the instrument, but the accomplished way you play it. You're using a pic, right? Your vocal is awful ly good. That guitar is perfect. Greg was an excellent choice and worth the wait. My guess is his advice was to turn up the vocal. We all usually say that, but either I'm getting used to your ways or it is appropriately featured. So happy this one is not sappy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,031
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,031 |
Ha ha Ray, this was a fun one. Thanks for the backstory - it brought a smile the entire time I was listening. I always love the way you work those stereo effects, and this is yet another example. I have to say though, I thought the highlight of this one was the bass. I thought you did a great job!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,979
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,979 |
Ray,
I listened to the Master . . . sounds great to me. Good mix and elements throughout. I think the vocal is sitting at just the right level in the mix. Happy songs are the hardest to write, IMHO. But this is good stuff (however happy or not happy one may fine it!).
All my best,
Deej
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,300
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,300 |
Ha! Vocal sounds clear, which voids my usual complaint.  Fun song! You just can't make everyone happy - but it made me smile. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,200
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,200 |
Ray, I really liked this. The mix is excellent. It made me smile, and you can tell your wife, it made me HAPPY!!!!!! TOO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!  Off to write another song about death row now....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687 |
That's telling 'em Ray.
Who needs happy songs when there's so much enjoyment in misery?
For me, the drums and vocal can come up a tad. Personal pref. maybe.
Vic Thanks Vic, I'll note that for next time BUT the vocals are appreciably louder than my usual on this so I'll advance that with care.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687 |
Oh, yeah, the first thing to hit me was that Beatle bass --not only the instrument, but the accomplished way you play it. You're using a pic, right? Your vocal is awful ly good. That guitar is perfect. Greg was an excellent choice and worth the wait. My guess is his advice was to turn up the vocal. We all usually say that, but either I'm getting used to your ways or it is appropriately featured. So happy this one is not sappy. Thanks Marty, I use a pick about 90% of the time. I'm a creature of habit. The Hofknockoff certainly does have the Hoff tone. The vocals are enhanced by use of the Spectrum Matcher VST. It rounded and bolstered my crass tone a bit. Greg plays a mean guitar for a drummer. In fact his current gig is as a guitarist. His advice was to not worry about the minutiae of the vocal and just sing loudly & have it present in the mix.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687 |
Ha ha Ray, this was a fun one. Thanks for the backstory - it brought a smile the entire time I was listening. I always love the way you work those stereo effects, and this is yet another example. I have to say though, I thought the highlight of this one was the bass. I thought you did a great job! Thanks Brad. I tracked the draft bass line with my easily at hand Hoffknockoff and then tried to retrack with my preferred bass but the rounder wound strings on my Vantage ripped my little finger tip to shreds on the slides so I stuck with the draft.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687 |
Ray,
I listened to the Master . . . sounds great to me. Good mix and elements throughout. I think the vocal is sitting at just the right level in the mix. Happy songs are the hardest to write, IMHO. But this is good stuff (however happy or not happy one may fine it!).
All my best,
Deej
Thanks Deej, The master added a little warmth and a bit more bass but I trust the ME's ears.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687 |
Ha! Vocal sounds clear, which voids my usual complaint. Fun song! You just can't make everyone happy - but it made me smile. Thanks sir, I thought this might please "the usual suspects" in that respect. Thanks - your grin put a smile on my dial.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687 |
Ray, I really liked this. The mix is excellent. It made me smile, and you can tell your wife, it made me HAPPY!!!!!! TOO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!! Off to write another song about death row now.... David, thanks! What they say of gallows humour, I can say, is just a rumour. The hangman's dad jokes don't crack a smile, When you're at the end of a rope a while. Knot on left, short & swift, Knot on right, hangs all night.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,245
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,245 |
Ray, this is a super song!
Loved those lyrics!
I really liked your lead guitarist and the B3!
You have a very good voice.
Great mix.
I've accidentally swallowed a load of scrabble pieces. My next trip to the toilet could spell trouble.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,687 |
Ray, this is a super song!
Loved those lyrics!
I really liked your lead guitarist and the B3!
You have a very good voice.
Great mix.
Thanks Mario, you are very kind. I made sure the B3 & Greg balanced each other in the mix.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,219
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,219 |
Ray, I appreciate the fact that you are trying to get the listener to smile. It worked on me! I enjoyed my time listening,Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,226
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,226 |
HappyClappySappy.
Pure Joy.
Killer Bass!
A great Pop Punk sound to the collection of guitars.
The vocal is Just Right.
My ear wants the Drums to be considerably louder.
But you knew that.
EarWorm.
fj
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,039
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,039 |
I like this song. A lot! The chorus is very catchy, I can't get it out of my head right now. But I'm not 100% positive if it really makes your wife happy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,930
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,930 |
This was right up Bud’s alley as he had just said this morning that he really should write a happy song to go with all the smiling photos he has of me (Janice.) Bud also says Janice was clapping out the perfect rhythm on the “clappiness bit.” Sounded like a cajon track Great song, Ray, in the lyric and the performances and mix! This mix just pops on the monitors. Your bass lines are awesome and Greg’s guitar was worth the wait, it seems. This had us smiling the entire time and we hope it gave Kim a chuckle. Loved 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: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,248
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,248 |
Vocal level was good, say hallelujah! Lyrics were wryly inane and very entertaining. Production was ace all the way except drums could be louder for me. Guitar, bass - both super! Great job!
Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums65
Topics83,992
Posts764,158
Members39,253
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean