Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#782534 11/16/23 05:39 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Hi everyone,

I wasn't able to be on our forum for a month or so. Sorry for that
But I was able to work on some songs; 2 remixes and a new one. This one.
I released it a day or so ago: Middle of the Night, https://on.soundcloud.com/yc7ju


The idea for the song was not so very original; I mostly lie awake for some hours in the middle of the night.
Thinking of everything, like the making of this song ;-)
I hope to hear what you think of it.

Hans
============================================
the middle of the night
(c) HWBerkhout 2023

In the middle of a night I lay with my eyes wide open
Because of all the tensions that can't wait
They buzzed around me like raging angry birds
And that night I became afraid

chorus
I always slept so well, but then the world changed
Problems became so huge
Wars, hatred, and greedy ego's, there are so many
But in the morning I haven't solved any

In the middle of the night I have my eyes wide open
Disturbing thoughts that cannot wait
They swirled around me like bloodthirsty bats
And each night I became more afraid

chorus
I always slept so well, but when the world changed
Problems became so huge
Wars, hatred, and greedy ego's, there are so many
But in the morning I haven't solved any

The middle of the night I fear that time
I tried sleeping in the middle of the day
but people warned me I must stay awake then
Else I chase them away

Solo

Bridge
Oh, I wish I could sleep!
Ignore all these thoughts
There must be a solution
To sleep all night

chorus2
In the middle of a night maybe the world changes
The ego's and their [*****] disappear
In the middle of a night I find peace of mind
In the middle of a night sleep I'll find

In the middle of a night issues being solved
In the middle of whatever night
In the middle... I cannot wait
Maybe I'm no more afraid...

Technical stuff
Style is _ICELAKE.STY (Ice Lake Gliding Country Folk)
Key: E, tempo 90 bpm
RealTracks in style: 1580:Bass, Electric, Folkie16ths Sw16 085
RealTracks in song: 1996:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm SmoothJazzPoppy Ev16 090
RealTracks in style: 3704:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm 90sAcRockCool Sw16 090
RealTracks in style: 1581:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Folkie16ths Sw16 085
RealTracks in song: 2678:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm BluesSw16GrooveBrent Sw16 085
RealTracks in song: 4149:Guitar, Electric, Soloist NashCoolSw16Brent Sw16 075
RealDrums in style:FolkModernSw16^01-a:Snare, Hihat , b:Snare, Ride


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,079
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,079
Hello Hans.
Welcome back.
I like your song.
It must be difficult writing a song in a language different to what you are used to.
Do you write it originally in your own language and then translate it to English?
I'm asking because some of the lines seem a little awkward and mechanical, though they are understandable.
Your production is good to my ears although I would reduce some of the effects.

All in all, a good song.

Vic

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,365
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,365
Hans,

This is an excellent song. I can completely relate to this!

Your vocal is in fine form. Love the production also.

Awesome job!

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,607
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,607
Hans,
Nice song, well sung. Quite dramatic.
Well produced and arranged.

Peter

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,883
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,883
Hans, what a great and true song.

I loved your chorus
"I always slept so well, but when the world changed
Problems became so huge
Wars, hatred, and greedy ego's, there are so many
But in the morning I haven't solved any"

I liked your vocal and backing tracks.
Super mix.
Sounds great to me.


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: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Hi Vic

Originally Posted by vicarn
Hello Hans.
Welcome back.
I like your song.
It must be difficult writing a song in a language different to what you are used to.
Do you write it originally in your own language and then translate it to English?
I'm asking because some of the lines seem a little awkward and mechanical, though they are understandable.
Your production is good to my ears although I would reduce some of the effects.

All in all, a good song.

Vic

Thanks for your reply. And to dive into the main issue, no I don't write my songs in Dutch first (only Dutch songs of course).
I sometimes check sentences or lines on certain words, or the way you write them.
You noticed some awkward and mechanical use of my English.
I can think of one line in particular ("In the middle of a night sleep I'll find") where you might say it is a bit awkward.
But I did that deliberately. And I always try to avoid 'mechanical' use of words.
So I invite you to show me 'the errors' you noticed. I can learn from that.
Thanks Vic,

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,902
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,902
Very cool production choices, the hard panned guitars create a great drive.
Nice dramatic vocals.
I like your song, Hans!

PS: Whenever I can't sleep at night, I get up and get stuff done. There's no reason to waste useful time lying around.


Making bits and bytes sound good...

Goldmania Bella - A One-Man Girlband with no fans
Listen on Spotify
Watch on YouTube
User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,219
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,219
Hans, I also can relate to working on songs in the middle of the night. And then when I wake up many times they are completely gone. I liked the arrangement. Good instrumentation. It’s a great theme for the song and you’ve created some fine lyrics. The mix is very good and your vocal delivers the message well. Nice one, Tom

User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,079
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,079
Hullo again, Hans
A few suggestions below.

Vic.

In the middle of the night I lay with my eyes wide open
Because of all the tensions that can't wait
Buzzing around me like angry birds (raging and angry have the same meaning in this context so lose one of them)
And those nights I became so afraid (It seems you are having more than one sleepless night so use "those nights").

chorus
I used to slept so easily, but then the world changed (easily is a better word to use in my opinion)
Problems were driving me insane
Wars, hatred, and greedy ego's, there are so many
But come morning I hadn't solved any (This chorus is mainly in the past tense so use the word "hadn't ").

In the middle of the night I have my eyes wide open
Disturbing thoughts that cannot wait
They swirl around me like bloodthirsty bats
And each night I become more afraid (This verse is present tense so the words would be "swirl" and "become")

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,750
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,750
Very cool intro Hans. Loved the acoustics and when your vocal came in it just lite up the song. Awesome vocal and lyric. Mix was perfect.. Well done


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,853
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,853
Cool funky song and insomnia topic. Really love how the bridge slows it all down. Also how the theme picks up again after the bridge, but differently, going into the end of the song. Really well constructed and performed all the way around.


DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
StudioCat DAW dual screen
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,678
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,678
Hi Hans,

I really enjoyed this song. Your singing is good, the instrumentation very effective and the choruses are great.

Well done.

Best Regards
Nigel


Nigel Spiers
Christchurch, New Zealand
info@nzacoustics.com
User Showcase
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,049
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,049
Hi Hans,

Wonderful song!
Great music and vocals.
Especially where you added the backing vocals.
Echt een lekker nummer.

Rob and 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: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Hi Bob,

Originally Posted by rsdean
Hans,
This is an excellent song. I can completely relate to this!
Your vocal is in fine form. Love the production also.
Awesome job!

Bob

Thanks for your compliments!
I'm also glad that the vocal cords were spared.

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Hello Peter,

Originally Posted by PeterF
Hans,
Nice song, well sung. Quite dramatic.
Well produced and arranged.

Peter

Thanks for your words.
Laying awake in the dark is not that dramatic. The thought of not being able to do anything makes it a little sad.
I always use those moments to create something (in my head).

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Hi Mario,

Originally Posted by MarioD
Hans, what a great and true song.

I loved your chorus
"I always slept so well, but when the world changed
Problems became so huge
Wars, hatred, and greedy ego's, there are so many
But in the morning I haven't solved any"

I liked your vocal and backing tracks.
Super mix.
Sounds great to me.

You are always so kind and write nice words to me.
Thanks for that!

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Hello Brain,

Originally Posted by B.D.Thomas
Very cool production choices, the hard panned guitars create a great drive.
Nice dramatic vocals.
I like your song, Hans!

PS: Whenever I can't sleep at night, I get up and get stuff done. There's no reason to waste useful time lying around.

I like your compliments and especially your 'ps'.
That is what I did all my life (as far as I can recall).
I woke up with a melody in my head, jumped out of bed and played it on my guitar,
or got ideas and work/write them out.
Most of the time my wife was/is not amused then....

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Hi Tom,

Just heard your attractive 'mandolin song'. Very good!

Originally Posted by tommyad
Hans, I also can relate to working on songs in the middle of the night. And then when I wake up many times they are completely gone. I liked the arrangement. Good instrumentation. It’s a great theme for the song and you’ve created some fine lyrics. The mix is very good and your vocal delivers the message well. Nice one, Tom

As I wrote to Brain I can be very active in the middle of the night, but I can also recall times like you discribed. Mostly with things like ideas for lyrics.
Thanks for your nice compliments!

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Hi Vic,

What a very nice action of you to come with these suggestions on the lyrics.
And you know what your first post did to me?
It still keeps me busy about those lyrics.
Of course I know I can't sound like an American. I don't want that.

I also can't write lyrics in slang. But I try, because I like to reach that level.

I checked my chorus at ChatGTP and asked if the language used in the chorus was correct.
It said it was, although it prefered 'anything' above 'any'...

My comment on some of your suggestions:
In my first verse I uses 'a' night. And in 'that' night I became afraid (for the first time).
In the second verse I used In the middle of 'the' night (as a synonym for 'every').
That's the continuation of that first night.
So every night since then I became more afraid.

I used the simple past tense because I looked back at what happened to me then.
That also refers to the words 'buzzed and swirled', because it happend in the past (of each night) .
Though I think to accept your suggestions there, because in the second verse i used the present time too.

In the chorus I chose 'I always slept so well' because of the rhythm of those words. 'Easily" uses an extra syllable.
Probably your words are more correct,but it's that rhythm I need too.

You use an interesting frase: 'come morning'. I think this must be slang(?)
I thought it would mean something like 'the following morning,or the coming morning'.
I used my frase for 'every morning'.
It feels as if your frase has another meaning then what I chose.
But as I said, I don't know for sure. It's a feeling.

Also with your line 'Problems were driving me insane'.
It's not that the problems were driving me crazy, but after staying awake all night, I had to conclude that I couldn't solve any of them.

I take all your suggestions about words in the present or past tense with me. Don't know when I can alter my song yet, but it will come!
So thanks again, and a lot, for all the work you did.

Hans

Originally Posted by vicarn
Hullo again, Hans
A few suggestions below.

Vic.

In the middle of the night I lay with my eyes wide open
Because of all the tensions that can't wait
Buzzing around me like angry birds (raging and angry have the same meaning in this context so lose one of them)
And those nights I became so afraid (It seems you are having more than one sleepless night so use "those nights").

chorus
I used to slept so easily, but then the world changed (easily is a better word to use in my opinion)
Problems were driving me insane
Wars, hatred, and greedy ego's, there are so many
But come morning I hadn't solved any (This chorus is mainly in the past tense so use the word "hadn't ").

In the middle of the night I have my eyes wide open
Disturbing thoughts that cannot wait
They swirl around me like bloodthirsty bats
And each night I become more afraid (This verse is present tense so the words would be "swirl" and "become")


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,842
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,842
Hi, Hans. Seems I write better in my sleep. Problem there is that it's not as good when i wake.

If you wrote this one while lying awake, you should never sleep. Love that bereak in the middle of the song where you plead the Universe to let you sleep. Seems the Universe enjoys your sleepless songs, too.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 11
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
Topics83,143
Posts754,761
Members39,054
Most Online3,932
Nov 19th, 2024
Newest Members
CHUCK BORTKUN, TradeZenonAI, MariannaB02, saifs Ai, Mouhiyadine
39,054 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
jpettit 259
DrDan 160
Rob Helms 149
MarioD 126
DC Ron 99
rharv 98
Noel96 89
Today's Birthdays
basilhenriques, cubase4, Skyline
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5