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Originally Posted By: Ezekiel's Storm
Nice production. I like the smooth introduction and transition of each instrument/element. Very enjoyable to listen to!

Thanks for listening and for your kind words.
Mike


Mike Garry
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Originally Posted By: PeterF
Very cinematic - and nicely put together.
A very pleasant composition.

Peter
Thanks Peter. It's interesting that you described the song as 'cinematic' as I originally wrote the the tune for a documentary our local university was making about the closure of the nearby sugar mill. The mill used narrow gauge cane trains to collect the sugar cane from the farms in the area. Thanks for you comments.
Cheers,
Mike


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Originally Posted By: Ember - PG Music
This song has some pretty fantastic energy and I really enjoyed the use of the fiddle. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for listening Ember. As the RealTrack library grows there are so many more musical options.
Cheers,
Mike
Originally Posted By: Torrey Bliss
Wow Mike does that ever sound great! There is such an interesting rhythm thing happening in here that is so very unique! You obviously put a tremendous amount of work into this and it is respected and appreciated by me! Very complex in places and so smooth and melodic in others! Your instrumentation selection in here is varied and appropriate! Great work! Thanks, Torrey

Thanks Torrey. Your detailed comments are so encouraging.
Cheers,
Mike


Mike Garry
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Nice! I love instrumental that "take you somewhere", and this is an excellent example of that.

The only nit was at 2:08 - for some reason that didn't work for me, although I really liked what you were going for.

The mix sounded excellent through my speakers, and the arrangement kept things moving and interesting the whole way through.

A very enjoyable listen, well done! smile


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

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Originally Posted By: rayc
A really tidy mix with dynamics and interest aplenty.
Thanks for listening and taking the time to comment rayc. Cheers, Mike


Mike Garry
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Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
Well done!

We love trains and we love good songs...so this is EXTRA special.

It's totally engaging from the get go and that's, for us, the hallmark of a good instrumental.

Excellent mix!

J&B
Thanks Janice and Bud. It's always good to get your views on my music. Thanks for listening.
Mike


Mike Garry
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Originally Posted By: Scott C
Excellent tune. Right out ou t of the gate I was thinking "Duster". Would be very good movie theme song.

Thank for listening Scott and for your kind words.
I'm not sure if I understand the "Duster" reference. Do you mean Duster, the slowcore, space-rock American band of the '90s, or are you alluding to something local that this Aussie doesn't understand.
Cheers,
Mike


Mike Garry
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Hi Mike ...

Wow ... this is just so cool! What a terrific production and concept. I would never have thought of using the shakuhachi flute. Great choice! And that fiddle just smokes! That was one fabulous listen!!! Best to ya ...

Alan


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Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Hi Mike,

I think this is the first time I have heard your music.

This is excellent! Lots of movement and changes to keep things interesting. One of the best instrumentals I have ever heard on this site actually.

I assume you are playing all the instruments other than the realtracks you listed?

Very impressive indeed, well done!
Wow. Thanks Dave for your glowing review.
I didn't play any instruments on Train of Thought, as I'm not set up to record live. However, the main guitar riff (as in the intro) is an accurate transcription of my playing. That riff and the other 'train' guitar you can hear from bar 5 come via Ample Guitar M Lite, a great free VSTi based on a sampled Martin D-41 guitar. I downloaded it from amplesound.net.
The shakuhachi playing the main melody is a Kontakt instrument.
For the middle section melody I was originally after some sort of Duane Eddy guitar sound. I ended up using the Kontakt jazz guitar with Amplitube's baritone guitar preset. I was happy with the end result.
Thanks for your interest and encouragement.
Cheers,
Mike


Mike Garry
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Originally Posted By: tommyad
I too am a fan of trains. You certainly have have combined some interesting real tracks and everything sounds great. A very interesting track. I loved the stops. Very well done, Tom
Thanks Tom. I certainly appreciate your comments.
Mike
Originally Posted By: Omarm1974
Easy to listen, it is pleasant to the ears.
Thanks for listening. Cheers, Mike


Mike Garry
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Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Mike,

Very well done. Nicely paced - keeps the ear engaged well throughout. Pleasant surprises around every corner. Really kept me listening to every nuance...

Good mix.

Very enjoyable listen.

fj

Thanks Floyd. Your comments made my day as they cover many of the musical elements I like to get right before I upload: pace, interest (surprise and subtlety) and the mix.
Cheers,
Mike
Originally Posted By: Deryk - PG Music
What a tune! A really interesting combination of instruments, and it flows amazingly well. The groove is fantastic, and the combo of the shakuhachi and fiddle somehow managed to come out sounding not forced at all. Nicely catchy on top of all that.

Great work and thanks for sharing smile
Thanks Deryk. That fiddle RealTrack is a gem.
Cheers,
Mike


Mike Garry
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Originally Posted By: jannesan
Great groovy song with beautiful wistful melody. The arrangement is excellent, that fiddle really makes the train going and that break in the middle is clever. Nice to hear an instrumental which really feels like telling a strong story.

Janne
Thanks for your comments Janne.
It's nice to think that someone so far from Australia is listening to my music.
Cheers,
Mike


Mike Garry
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Originally Posted By: dcuny
Nice! I love instrumental that "take you somewhere", and this is an excellent example of that.

The only nit was at 2:08 - for some reason that didn't work for me, although I really liked what you were going for.

The mix sounded excellent through my speakers, and the arrangement kept things moving and interesting the whole way through.

A very enjoyable listen, well done! smile
Thanks David. I appreciate your comments.
Mike
Originally Posted By: Al-David
Hi Mike ...

Wow ... this is just so cool! What a terrific production and concept. I would never have thought of using the shakuhachi flute. Great choice! And that fiddle just smokes! That was one fabulous listen!!! Best to ya ...

Alan
Alan, I love it when reviews start with 'Wow'. Thank you so much for listening.
Kontakt's shakuhachi flute is a great instrument, especially with the available articulations.
Cheers,
Mike


Mike Garry
BIAB 2025/RealBand (5), UltraPak, Kontakt, EZmix, Ozone 9 Elements, Audacity, MSi PC, Windows 11, 64bit, 16GB ram, CPU: Intel i7.

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