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Sarah BellumThis is a spec production. One of my neighbors is an aspiring playwright. He asked me to write 4 songs for him. He has an appointment in a couple of weeks with a film producer in Atlanta and one in April with a different film producer somewhere else. He wanted some background music (not as part of the film score, but simply as ambient music in the room) to play as he gives his pitch. "Room ambiance", he said. I suggested to him that we give the chorus more differentiation from the verses, but he wanted to keep as it is now - didn't want a mood shift. He's paying me, so it's his call. I'm okay with that. I have three more songs I put together for him for his pitches. I'll be posting them at various times over the next couple of months. Like this one, they'll be spec songs I "shaped" to his liking.. This one is supposed to represent the feeling/mood for some sort of space exploration scene. A list of all 21 (I think) tracks I used: Title:Sarah Bellum File:Sarah Bellum.SGU Key=E , Tempo 100, Length (m:s)=2:43 Style is _ARIES.STY (Aries Ambient Modern Jazz) RealTracks in style: 2957:Bass, Acoustic, ModernJazz8thsNeil Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 3680:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm ModernJazzJeff Ev 110 RealTracks in style: 3904:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm CinematicMystery16ths Ev 085 MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2332:Koto, Synth, Rhythm NewAge Ev 110 RealTracks in song: 3267:Cello, Background CelticAirFlowingNatalie Ev 085 RealTracks in song: 2952:Strings, Rhythm JazzBalladPads Sw 060 RealTracks in song: ~2293:Horn Section, Rhythm PopPads Ev 130 MIDI SuperTracks in song: 1806:Synth Pad, PopModernGrooveMellow Ev16 075 MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4374:Synth, Arp, SynthMasterDanceArp SyncHits ev16 095 MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4691:Synth, Pad, SynthmasterLDSelfOscMK MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4689:Bass, Electric, PopModernGrooveHeld Ev16 075 MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4439:Synth, Arp SynthMaster80sArp8ths MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4675:Synth, Arp, SynthmasterSubtleChordsLowerAlternating RealTracks in song: 2747:Synth, Rhythm AltHipHopHorn Ev16 085 MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4439:Synth, Arp SynthMaster80sArp8ths MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4690:Synth, Lead, SynthmasterAcidLeadSyncPulse ev16 MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4688:Synth, Pad, SynthmasterDistantGalaxy RealTracks in song: 4567:Dizi Flute, Background CalmingMelodic ev 065 RealDrums in Song: WoodblocksEv[single]^01-Clve32LH RealDrums in style:ElecHipHopMinimal^1-a:Verse , b:Chorus RealDrums in Song: TropicalHouse^01-QkMelD,QkPcMd I have the full Synthmaster product and put it to good use! I'm interested in your thoughts on it. I won't be making any changes as this is exactly how he wanted it. Still, your comments will be of interest to me. 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
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Alan, gorgeous piece! Love your steady development within the theme. There's a lot going on for a short piece, but you make it all sound very smooth and relaxed. Especially like the Koto floating around and where you have it in the mix. Cute title, too!
You really have fine compositional skills and a master's touch with BiaB orchestration. I can definitely imagine you doing a lot more of this type of work.
Two thumbs up!
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Alan,
Complex and beautiful... I love the way this song flows. It sounds thoughtful and optimistic with a destination in mind.
The mix on this is truly unbelievable! 21 tracks! Everything fits so well and has its own space.
You have a great touch with instrumental music. You bring emotion and feeling to every piece.
Bob
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Always a lot of mastery and originality in the compositions. The elves have done a good job. the title reminds me of this phrase from the Romans: Si vis pacem, para bellum.
Laurent
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Good one Alan! Sounds really nice!
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Alan, gorgeous piece! Love your steady development within the theme. There's a lot going on for a short piece, but you make it all sound very smooth and relaxed. Especially like the Koto floating around and where you have it in the mix. Cute title, too!
You really have fine compositional skills and a master's touch with BiaB orchestration. I can definitely imagine you doing a lot more of this type of work.
Two thumbs up! Hi Ron, Thanks for the time to listen and comment with such nice words. I originally had more of a build in the song -letting five of the tracks come on board in increments until all tracks were playing. But he preferred it to open with everything already in place. I've been a fan of the koto for many years. I've heard a number of Japanese songs that included a koto paired with taiko drums and a shamisen. The biggest challenge in mixing this one was determining when and how to weave the various tracks around each other. Thank you for the nice words about my music creation. I sincerely appreciate that! Take care. 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
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Alan,
Complex and beautiful... I love the way this song flows. It sounds thoughtful and optimistic with a destination in mind.
The mix on this is truly unbelievable! 21 tracks! Everything fits so well and has its own space.
You have a great touch with instrumental music. You bring emotion and feeling to every piece.
Bob Hi Bob, You wrote, ... "thoughtful and optimistic with a destination in mind." That is the precise intention of the song. Thank you for validating that I might have succeeded in that quest. According to my neighbor, in the scene this music represented, the astronauts on board were in awe of the beauty of space and were enjoying its captivation as their craft moved closer to their intended destination. It was, indeed, a complex mix to achieve. And thank you for your comment about my music rendering emotion. That's a very nice compliment. Thanks a bunch! 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
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Eastern chillout with a touch of Tangerine Dream synthesizer flair.
I like that!
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Hi Al and Di.
Sounds luxurious and not too complicated as a background piece.
Good luck with it.
Vic
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Nice as ambient music for the puporses your friend wants, but I was surprised that the dizi was so low on gain.
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#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
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Always a lot of mastery and originality in the compositions. The elves have done a good job. the title reminds me of this phrase from the Romans: Si vis pacem, para bellum.
Laurent Hi Laurent, Thank you very much for those kind words. Yes, I made those little elves work hard! And there's a lot of truth in that old Roman saying. Take care ... 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
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Good one Alan! Sounds really nice! Hi David, Thanks for your time to listen and comment so nicely. I appreciate it! Take care, Alan
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Alan, you are a mix master. How did you get all of those tracks to blend like you did?
I also liked the Tangerine Dream background.
Super leads and great instrumentation.
I liked it!
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Hi, Alan. As usual, you've crafted together a coherent story from diverse sources. It reminds me of the loops in the old Korg Wavestation. My only negative thought is the synth stabs - they stand out and call attention to themselves. I'd have assumed that an ambient track would be a bit more anodyne, but... the paying customer is always right! 
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Love it, Alan. So cool that that is going on for you. I dig it rght from the title. It's amazing how you complied with his request creating ambience that keeps the mind awake, interested and receptive. I guess there's no way we can tell what the movie is about since your composition wasn't to reveal any of that, but you did a fine job mixing the perfect piece. He's right about how a catchy chorus could be distracting, but I hear how you're just chomping at the bit to expand the tune. Excellent title. Is the next one going to be called Copious Callosum bringing the listener right and left with clever panning?
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Hi Alan, as most of you know I'm a fan of instrumental tunes specially the cinematic type. This one is absolutely gorgeous. It kept my wanting for more. Lots of work here but it was worth every second of it.
Cheers
Mike B.
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Great job Alan, you are a BiaB master craftsman for sure.
Soothing, reflective yet creative and flowing.
An enjoyable arrangement, well done.
--Steve
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2026 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.
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It's a cool thing Alan.
I agree with you regarding the dynamics but the customer calls the shots.
Cheers
rayc
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Alan,
It's about time someone start using your music. And paying you for it.
You should be making-a-living doing this kid of thing...
An incredible number of tracks to deal with. Not surprising the mix is excellent...
Nice!
fj
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I'd say, mission accomplished on this one, Alan! It definitely sets the mood you described your friend was looking for. There are so many ways to make money with original music and you've touched on one I've never heard before. Thanks for sharing your story and the music!
Dewey
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