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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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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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Nice! I enjoyed the backstory as well. Yes, drums are necessary. 
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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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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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"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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Yeah, I can see them now!
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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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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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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
Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
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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
Last edited by vicarn; 02/16/21 06:09 AM.
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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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Cool intro Alan. Guitar was excellent. Well done
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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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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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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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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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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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love this most excellent!!! love the phrasing awesome mix so well done Alan thanks for sharing Eric
AMD (TM) 5950 4.9 GHz 16Core Processor 64 bit 32 bits of ram windows 10 pro 64 bit os. sound card Antelope ZenQ guitars Ibanez 2202a 1968 les Paul Custom and Cavin ae 185 Guitar boss Gt-100,GT1000 pedal Yamaha HS8 studio monitors
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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
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