Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
#642199 02/14/21 07:33 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,408
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,408
Sparkle Drops

Back 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


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

Al-David #642204 02/14/21 08:41 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,613
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,613
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

Al-David #642208 02/14/21 09:09 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
Nice! I enjoyed the backstory as well.

Yes, drums are necessary. wink


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
Al-David #642218 02/15/21 12:58 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,089
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,089
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 smile

Al-David #642254 02/15/21 05:58 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
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

Al-David #642301 02/15/21 10:47 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,979
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,979
"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

Al-David #642305 02/15/21 11:05 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,558
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,558
Yeah, I can see them now!


Link: www.soundcloud.com/ed_shaw (Feel Free to Use)
https://drooble.com/edward.shaw/hymn/index.htm
Biab for WIN 2020 -- Win 10 64bit -- Reaper/Audacity
Zoom R-16 -- Tascam DP-03-SD -- SoundTap -- Crescendo --
Al-David #642321 02/15/21 02:44 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
W
Expert
Offline
Expert
W
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
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. smile

Will

Al-David #642327 02/15/21 03:56 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,009
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,009
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.


Music should be part of your life
http://www.soundclick.com/blackcatjazzcafeband
Al-David #642390 02/16/21 03:42 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,539
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,539
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
Al-David #642421 02/16/21 07:09 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,766
Expert
Online Content
Expert
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,766
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 07:09 AM.
Al-David #642432 02/16/21 08:07 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,994
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,994
Superb. Yes, keep the drums :-) They, to my ears at least, drive the track forward.

Loved it.

Al-David #642446 02/16/21 08:45 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,522
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,522
Cool intro Alan. Guitar was excellent. Well done


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
Al-David #642537 02/16/21 07:44 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
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

Al-David #642564 02/17/21 03:59 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,314
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,314
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!!


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
and https://soundcloud.com/babumusic-5080285
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 11
Al-David #642706 02/17/21 02:53 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,892
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,892
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

Al-David #642709 02/17/21 03:36 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,659
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,659
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!

Al-David #642764 02/18/21 07:06 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
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

Al-David #642883 02/19/21 03:55 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,659
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,659
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
Rob4580 #643188 02/20/21 11:18 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,408
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,408
Originally Posted By: Rob4580
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

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

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
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.

A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."

"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."

"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."

Happy Easter! Holiday Hours...

2024 is well underway - it's already Easter Weekend!

Our Customer Service hours this weekend are:

Friday, March 29: 8-4
Saturday, March 30: 8-4
Sunday, March 31: closed

Regular hours resume Monday, April 1st - no joke!

Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!

The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!

There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.

If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.

We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

Video: Volume Automation in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created a video to help you learn more about the Volume Automation options in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows.

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Volume Automation

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#volume-automation

Video: Audio Input Monitoring with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created this short video to explain Audio Input Monitoring within Band-in-a-Box® 2024, and included some tips & troubleshooting details too!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Audio Input Monitoring

3:17: Tips
5:10: Troubleshooting

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#audio-input-monitoring

Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!

We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!

Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.

You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.

See the Melodist in action with our video, Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Melodist Window.

Learn even more about the enhancements to the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024upgrade/chapter3.htm#enhanced-melodist

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,401
Posts732,558
Members38,443
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
danielsk, Mark Morgan, zagrajbarke, Ernest J, Izzy
38,442 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 199
Al-David 132
DC Ron 115
rsdean 84
dcuny 83
Today's Birthdays
(charlie), WobblyGstring
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5