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#642199 - 02/14/21 09:33 PM
[User Showcase]
Sparkle Drops
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Registered: 12/29/12
Posts: 5897
Loc: Originally Missouri ... Now Al...
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Registered: 12/29/12
Posts: 5897
Loc: Originally Missouri ... Now Al...
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Sparkle DropsBack in the fall of 2020, we had a warm, rainy day her in Northern Alabama. Suddenly, the sun appeared as the rain continued to fall. DI and I looked at each as the sunlight turned the raindrops into a tapestry of colors. Almost in unison, we both said, "Sparkle Drops!". Thus, the song title. A couple of young children, across the street from us, were running around in the rain, laughing and squealing. That just made it more special. A very brief summary of my thought processes as I put this together: It's probably noticeable, almost immediately, that the lead guitar isn't much louder, if at all, than the backing tracks. That was intentional. The left backing guitar track represents the raindrops falling; the right backing guitar represents the aura of such an event - sun shining as it rained. The lead guitar is supposed to recall the thrill of children playing in the falling rain. I thought those various factors were equally important, thus I didn't want any particular one of them standing out more prominently than the other tracks. Thus, I mixed the lead guitar to blend with the other tracks, rather than stand out from them appreciably. I hoped to catch the magic of the total event in balance. One note: the extremely high guitar note you hear around the 2:13 mark is indigenous to the track, rather than an a recording artifact. No matter how many times you regenerate the RT, that will show up somewhere in the song. I'm guessing it was recorded from the artist's performance for the track. It also shows up earlier in the track, but not as noticeably. One question: Are the drums necessary? I've debated that over and over. Still not sure. I'm guessing the genre to be something like Ambient Cinematic Pop?????? Hope you enjoy! File:Sparkle Drops.SGU Key=E , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=3:11 Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes, Style is _SCREENS.STY (Screens Cinematic Soloist) RealTracks in style: 1592:Bass, Electric, Pop16ths Ev 065 RealTracks in style: 3624:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm CinematicPopArpDelay Ev16 065 RealTracks in style: 3626:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm CinematicPopArpHiDelay Ev16 065 RealTracks in style: 3631:Guitar, Electric, Soloist CinematicPopGrittyDarin Ev16 065 RealDrums [in style:NashvilleRadioFunkyBallad16^1-a,b:Snare, HiHat
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BIAB 2022 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win10*8GB DDR4*I5-6th Gen*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120 Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
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#642204 - 02/14/21 10:41 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 01/28/12
Posts: 3487
Loc: Murgon Queensland Australia
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Registered: 01/28/12
Posts: 3487
Loc: Murgon Queensland Australia
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A delightful story with an equally delightful band.
Love the lead guitar.
Could easily see this as some sort of movie backing track.
Well done my friend. Rob4580
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#642208 - 02/14/21 11:09 PM
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Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 5119
Loc: Sacramento, California
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Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 5119
Loc: Sacramento, California
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Nice! I enjoyed the backstory as well. Yes, drums are necessary. 
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#642218 - 02/15/21 02:58 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 4344
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 4344
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Sounds great to me, Alan, I would say that lead guitar is sitting in the mix right where it should be. I think the high note at 2:13 is a harmonic? That's what it sounds like to me anyway. You could tame it a bit with a volume envelope on that track in your DAW I suppose, but I don't think it sounds bad. Yeah, I would leave the drums I think. Good instrumental, went well with my first coffee of the day 
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#642254 - 02/15/21 07:58 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10208
Loc: Florida
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Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10208
Loc: Florida
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Alan,
I continue to be AMAZED at your ability to make BIAB instrumentals sound SO good. The lead sounds so well THOUGHT OUT.
A real delight to hear.
Excellent mix (drums sound good). Lead perfectly placed.
SOLID.
fj
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#642301 - 02/15/21 12:47 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 11785
Loc: GA USA
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Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 11785
Loc: GA USA
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"I'm guessing the genre to be something like Ambient Cinematic Pop??????"
We think that pretty much nailed the genre.
It sounds fine to us as ... I suggest staying with the drums.
We enjoyed the read of the post and the plays of the tune!
J&B
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#642305 - 02/15/21 01:05 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 10/09/16
Posts: 1440
Loc: Central Ohio
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Registered: 10/09/16
Posts: 1440
Loc: Central Ohio
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Yeah, I can see them now!
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#642321 - 02/15/21 04:44 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 09/02/18
Posts: 1362
Loc: Denmark
Expert
Registered: 09/02/18
Posts: 1362
Loc: Denmark
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Hi Alan, That is a very nice track in a style I like a lot. Very well-done! Oh, and if you ask me I think the track would have been as good (if not better) without the drums. But it is difficult to say before actually hearing a version without drums. Will
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#642327 - 02/15/21 05:56 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 08/24/07
Posts: 1780
Loc: Florida, USA
Expert
Registered: 08/24/07
Posts: 1780
Loc: Florida, USA
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Loved it! It takes a sensible mind to put ensemble all that thought. Yes, although as a drummer I am bias I think that the drums tie the whole tune together. Keep it.
Cheers
Mike B.
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#642390 - 02/16/21 05:42 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 05/30/20
Posts: 1009
Loc: Belgium
Expert
Registered: 05/30/20
Posts: 1009
Loc: Belgium
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Hi Al-David,
Beautiful atmosphere created, the arrangement is superb and the mix well balanced. It's very pleasant to listen to. Well done.
Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
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#642421 - 02/16/21 09:09 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 01/03/14
Posts: 606
Journeyman
Registered: 01/03/14
Posts: 606
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Hi Al.
I like the general sound of this. My first thought was to introduce the "children" gradually (maybe after the first few bars) and then fade them out and in as if they are running in and out of earshot.
Just an idea.
Drums in I think.
Vic
Edited by vicarn (02/16/21 09:09 AM)
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#642432 - 02/16/21 10:07 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 1413
Loc: United Kingdom
Expert
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 1413
Loc: United Kingdom
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Superb. Yes, keep the drums :-) They, to my ears at least, drive the track forward.
Loved it.
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#642446 - 02/16/21 10:45 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 12/08/11
Posts: 6645
Loc: Edmonton, Ab, Canada
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Registered: 12/08/11
Posts: 6645
Loc: Edmonton, Ab, Canada
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Cool intro Alan. Guitar was excellent. Well done
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#642537 - 02/16/21 09:44 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 04/02/19
Posts: 621
Loc: Canberra, Australia
Journeyman
Registered: 04/02/19
Posts: 621
Loc: Canberra, Australia
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Enjoyed your explanation of what you set out to achieve, Alan and you sure did a wonderful job of realising your vision. Amazing how you bend BIAB to your will.
Regards,
Leon
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#642564 - 02/17/21 05:59 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 05/27/19
Posts: 1917
Loc: Dallas, PA, USA
Expert
Registered: 05/27/19
Posts: 1917
Loc: Dallas, PA, USA
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Love your explanations, Alan. Really cool how the song developed. Man, after that description it is easy to see the kids dancing in the colorful rain. You paint pictures here. Love that guitar, and can't say it's lost in the mix. That high note is just another sparkle. Yes, keep the drums. Very well done!!
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#642706 - 02/17/21 04:53 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 6571
Loc: Davis, CA
Veteran
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 6571
Loc: Davis, CA
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Another great instrumental Alan!! This could be in a movie soundtrack.....just has such a pleasant groove!! I think the drums definitely help the track. Great stuff!! Take care. Greg
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#642709 - 02/17/21 05:36 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 09/02/18
Posts: 1791
Loc: Virginia USA
Expert
Registered: 09/02/18
Posts: 1791
Loc: Virginia USA
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As I've said before, you always have the best titles.
I am in the keep the drums camp.
Fine production for balance and placement. Composition-wise, you keep everything moving forward.
Nice work!
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#642764 - 02/18/21 09:06 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 06/09/16
Posts: 3179
Veteran
Registered: 06/09/16
Posts: 3179
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Al,
A cool inspiration for another superb showcase for how good the software is in capable hands.
The balance sounds right to me.
Instrumentals can conjure so much - you are quite the magician!
Robert
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#642883 - 02/19/21 05:55 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Al-David]
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Registered: 12/26/11
Posts: 2370
Veteran
Registered: 12/26/11
Posts: 2370
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love this most excellent!!! love the phrasing awesome mix so well done Alan thanks for sharing Eric
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#643188 - 02/21/21 01:18 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Sparkle Drops
[Re: Rob4580]
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Registered: 12/29/12
Posts: 5897
Loc: Originally Missouri ... Now Al...
Veteran
Registered: 12/29/12
Posts: 5897
Loc: Originally Missouri ... Now Al...
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A delightful story with an equally delightful band.
Love the lead guitar.
Could easily see this as some sort of movie backing track.
Well done my friend. Rob4580 T<hanks, Rob! Glad this gave you the intended image. Take care ... Alan
_________________________
BIAB 2022 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win10*8GB DDR4*I5-6th Gen*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120 Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
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