Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
#762766 04/20/23 09:56 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
I've Been Down

I been down in the skip [skip = in the garbage bin]
I been snorkeling around
I ain't been seen for days
They can scream and shout
But I ain't be coming out
Don't care what the gullah says [gullah = loud,squawking bird]

Don't want no pozzy job [pozzy = high ranking]
Don't want no chains
Don't wanna watch my life slipping away

Ain't gonna punch the clock
Ain't no wage theft slave
Don't wanna hear you talk
'Cause it's always the same

Been down in the dustbin snorkeling about [dustbin = garbage can]
Been looking for spare change
Been looking for a little change

Going down the gurgler [gurgler = drain]
Bucketing down I go [bucketing = pouring rain]
Straight in line or a crooked grind [crooked grind = skateboard move]
No problem-o

Been down in the skip
And I ain't be coming back
I been looking for spare change
Just looking for a little change

(Guitar solo)

Don't want no tommyrot [tommyrot = nonsense]
Going off nine to five [going off = yelling]
You can knock me dead [knock me dead = impress]
But you've already said the last of your lies

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree [reference to the  Kookaburra song]
Merry, merry king of the bush is he
Stop, Kookaburra
Leave some for me

Don't got no worries mate [no worries = everything is fine]
Just feel a little strange
Can't take another day
Just need some change

I've been down


Instruments

3489:Bass, Electric, SkaPunkPopAB Ev 180
3493:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm SkaFastPop Ev16 180
3494:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm SkaFastPunk Ev16 180
2586:Guitar, Electric, Soloist PunkMurray Ev 165
SkaFastPopWes^3-a:Snare, Open Hat , b:Snare, Ride

Effects

Main Buss: EZ Mix (Punk/Mastering), Lurssen Mastering Console
Vocal Buss: GW VoiceCentric, Fame Studio Reverb (Studio A Live/Vocals), Panagement 2, Magma Lil Tube
Lead Vocal: SynthesizerV (Ninezero)
Backing Vocal: SynthesizerV (Ninezero), Magma Lil Tube, Izotope Vocal Doubler, Raum (Grounded)
Bass: Fame Studio Reverb (Studio B Live/Bass), Neutron 3 (Deep Bass)
Drums: CLA Drums, Fame Studio Reverb (Studio B Live/Drums), Panagement 2
Solo Guitar: UJAM Retro Finisher (Scanner Ensemble), Panagement 2
Rhythm Guitar 1, 2: Fame Studio Reverb (Studio B Live/Guitar), Panagement 2


Post-Posting Edits

  1. Per B.D.Thomas' suggestion, I've swapped the voices, so the low voice takes the lead. I also added tube distortion to the Vocal Buss.
  2. Small tweaks to the vocal - altered a lyric, got rid of a plosive, added a bit of harmony. EQ'ed the drums, changed the Mastering plugin to fix mid-rangy sound.
  3. Adjusted balanced between voices.

The Story

April is almost gone, and this is the first song I've done this year. I've got a lot of catching up to do!

As usual, I started by finding a demo BiaB song I liked. In this case, it was _BUSTER.STY. Since I was trying for something a bit more "pop" than usual, I avoided Maj7 chords and anything that was perhaps too "jazzy".

I also used a lot more pitch repetition than usual.

The singer was originally going to be Kevin, but I tried out Ninezero on the track. It was a bit high for him, but it seemed to fit his attitude.

And then... nothing. The music suggested perhaps the singer was a disaffected skateboarder, or something more Camper Van Beethoven, but specific ideas weren't coming.

So the song sat for weeks without any sort of progress.

Finally, I forced myself to write something, recalling back as a kid when I used to go "dumpster diving" at the local office, in garbage bins that smelled of coffee grounds and carbon paper:

   i've gone down in the dumpster snorkeling around
   and i ain't been seen for days


Ninezero's Australian accent reminded me of rayc bantering around his Aussie slang. So I pulled up a webpage of Australian terms so I could replace "dumpster" with something a bit more colloquial, and the song grew by bits and pieces.

The "Kookaburra Song" is still under copyright, but it doesn't use the original melody, and it's a short quote that recontextualizes the lyric. So it should be good under fair use.

Again going against my habit, I've left the tracks pretty basic in an effort not to overproduce it.

As usual, any and all comments welcome!


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
dcuny #762767 04/20/23 10:38 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,873
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,873
Lyrically and musically, I think that's a pretty cool and catchy ska song, but the annoying Mickey Mouse vocals detract from it.

I've never heard a ska sung so high. Bring the vocals down an octave (think Madness: Our House), add some bass (or low-end in general) and you have a winner.
LOVE the flow and the lyrics.


Making bits and bytes sound good...

Goldmania Bella - A One-Man Girlband with no fans
Listen on Spotify
Watch on YouTube
dcuny #762775 04/21/23 01:09 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,344
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,344
David,

I love the energy in this and I don't mind the voice at all - in fact, I think is perfectly suits the song.

Excellent production as well.

Bob

dcuny #762788 04/21/23 05:52 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
In my ears, the vocalist is singing bit too high, makes it difficult to hear the lyrics. Ninezero has nice low register, so I think it wouldn't hurt to transpose the song down.

But the song itself is very catchy and has the early 80's Brit ska/punk feel. Funny and positive look on the dustbins. And you have made very good work to make the singing sound fluent and natural even in the fast tempo.
Good underproduced mix, although the guitar panning is quite wide to my taste.

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

dcuny #762798 04/21/23 06:44 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,871
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,871
Agree with others regarding the vocal octave. Bring it down and lets hear that.
Otherwise, its a jumpin tune.


Final Tour - Not with a Bang but with a wimper!

dcuny #762802 04/21/23 06:52 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
Thanks for the feedback! I've posted a new mix that uses the lower voice as the lead.

I've actually updated it a while ago, so I'm not quite sure why people are hearing the old version... frown


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
dcuny #762804 04/21/23 06:55 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,871
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,871
OK, I just tried again. Says it was updated 10 hours ago. And this time it is MUCH better. That lower octave should be the keeper.


Final Tour - Not with a Bang but with a wimper!

dcuny #762813 04/21/23 07:32 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,873
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,873
Originally Posted By: dcuny
Thanks for the feedback! I've posted a new mix that uses the lower voice as the lead.

Yep, much better
I would probably transpose the whole song down an additional 4 semitones to have an even better vocal range for the singer, but I also like it as it is now.
Cool stuff!


Making bits and bytes sound good...

Goldmania Bella - A One-Man Girlband with no fans
Listen on Spotify
Watch on YouTube
dcuny #762814 04/21/23 07:34 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,210
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,210
Different! But *good* different :-) Thought I wouldn't like it. Not my genre, haha ... but like it I do, nevertheless.

I haven't heard the first mix, but this voice range sounds good to me smile

Good job!

dcuny #762878 04/21/23 11:56 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,376
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,376
Pretty good I think, David! Nice groove.

I listened yesterday also but didn't have time to comment; I agree with the others, I like the vocal much better now.

Guitar solo sounds pretty good, after I post this review I'm going to check out that UJAM Retro Finisher, see what that's all about!

Good to see you with a new one, you always produce interesting music.

Enjoyed!

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,863
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,863
David, I did not hear the first one so I can't comment on the improvements you made but I did like this one.

Although not my favorite genre this one is really good.
Super groove and mix.
You do wonders with those vocal synths.
Great work.


Have you ever noticed there are no lines to a bathroom at a water park?

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,832
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,832
I thought it sounded good. Ninezero sings punk rock pretty well.

I like the song. Short but good


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,406
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,406
Hi David
Really cool song
Punk music with synth vocals, I haven't heard that before
But it turned out surprisingly good
I would not have guessed
This shows how much experience you have with this matter
Really good
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,824
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,824
Started just reading the lyrics with many smiles. Thanks for the interpretation, David. Wow, as soon as I pushed play I knew I'd be back to push it a second time before saying anything. Very cool sound, David --even the abrupt ending. Man, those vocals are quick --heck everything is quick. Quite the solo! Yes, I remember "The Kookaburra Song." This one is much cooler.


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: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,483
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,483
Hi, David !



This was something special !
I like the tune and the style !
Everything is just super on this tune !
One of your absolute best !

Cheers
Dani

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,994
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,994
Cool, cool song. I didn't hear your first version, but the singer works on this one. Man, does it (he) sound real, and I like how the pronunciation isn't standard American English.

rsdean #763415 04/25/23 03:44 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
Originally Posted By: rsdean
I love the energy in this and I don't mind the voice at all - in fact, I think is perfectly suits the song.

Thanks, Bob!

I really liked the high voice, but I was sold once I switched the voices.

Thanks for listening and the good words!


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
jannesan #763417 04/25/23 03:47 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
Originally Posted By: jannesan
But the song itself is very catchy and has the early 80's Brit ska/punk feel. Funny and positive look on the dustbins. And you have made very good work to make the singing sound fluent and natural even in the fast tempo.

Good underproduced mix, although the guitar panning is quite wide to my taste.

Hi, Janne.

I was surprised how well Ninezero worked - especially since I had started with Kevin. It was a lot of fun going for that '80s sound.

Thanks for stopping by! smile


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
DrDan #763418 04/25/23 03:51 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
Originally Posted By: MusicStudent
OK, I just tried again. Says it was updated 10 hours ago. And this time it is MUCH better. That lower octave should be the keeper.

Hi, Dan.

Thanks for sticking around for another listen! smile


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
Originally Posted By: B.D.Thomas
I would probably transpose the whole song down an additional 4 semitones to have an even better vocal range for the singer, but I also like it as it is now.

Hi, B.D.

If it weren't for the pain of re-doing the guitar solo, I might have given it a shot.

Plus, that would lower the high voice, which has grown on me by now. I'd have to not have him strain to hit those notes! wink


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

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
Topics82,920
Posts753,199
Members39,030
Most Online3,932
Nov 19th, 2024
Newest Members
ikshitachoudhary, Josh Sheehan, Ludwighench, Jean-Laurent, dongordo
39,030 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 156
DC Ron 102
jpettit 95
DrDan 92
dcuny 81
rsdean 81
Today's Birthdays
alvaro clemente1, mhill, Rick Hansen
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5