Five dramatic tension cue forwards

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Onaginoffegin
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Five dramatic tension cue forwards

Post by Onaginoffegin » Tue Mar 28, 2017 7:49 pm

"State of Anxiety" is new.
This cue brings me to a point I'd like to make about something Michael said on a TAXI TV episode that changed the way I write tension cues.
He was talking about a guy he knew who was responsible for the music on a TV show.
This guy told Michael that the first thing he does is look at the shape of the stereo waveform of a track.
If it doesn't have peaks and valleys, he goes on to the next track.

One of the mistakes I made when I first joined TAXI was not having changes in dynamics within a cue.
I would get returns with the comment; "Needs more dynamic changeups."

A lot of TAXI listings suggest "layering instrumentation in and out to create forward movement and a sense of building."
That's true. But changes in dynamics are equally important.

And that's not just changes in dynamics in the overall cue. That's changes in dynamics in each individual track.


Henry

https://soundcloud.com/henry-winckel/state-of-anxiety
https://soundcloud.com/henry-winckel/on-the-edge
https://soundcloud.com/henry-winckel/manhunt
https://soundcloud.com/henry-winckel/jack-the-ripper
https://soundcloud.com/henry-winckel/behind-enemy-lines

S170306DT
DRAMATIC TENSION INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a NON-Exclusive Music Library that's always getting placements in a bunch of TV Shows, Film projects, and most recently, Movie Trailers. They're searching for Down-to-Mid Tempo Instrumental Cues in the general stylistic wheelhouse of the following references: Scandal: (0:00-3:13) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wmV6zKxx-0 Law & Order: SVU: (0:00-2:55) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvcHATh8bpY How To Get Away With Murder: (0:00-0:55) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZI42B-BtrM Please submit Tension-inducing Instrumental Cues that can be Orchestral-Based Hybrids that use edgy, current-sounding patches/Virtual Instruments and production techniques or Cues that are mainly done with synths, Virtual Instruments, or even guitars, and no Orchestral layers. In any case, your Cues should add a sense of expectancy and/or anticipation to a scene. Stick with one mood from beginning to end, and give your Cues forward movement and a sense of building by layering instrumentation in and out to keep them from sounding too linear or one-dimensional. Please avoid any parts in your arrangement that are overly busy, frenetic, or in the higher registers, as that could distract from dialogue in a scene. Please submit Instrumental Cues that are at least 2 minutes in length. Short intros, or no intro at all, easy edit points and non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings are strongly recommended for this pitch. Do NOT copy or rip off the referenced tracks in any way shape or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine). This Library offers a NON-EXCLUSIVE, 50/50 Deal. You'll get 50% of any applicable sync fees and 100% of the Writer's share. The Publisher will get 50% of applicable sync fees and 100% of the Publisher's Share on the version they pitch. You'll keep 100% of the original copyright and master recording. You must own or control the Master and Copyright to submit to this pitch. Please submit one to three Instrumental Cues online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than 11:59PM (PST), on Monday, March 6th, 2017. TAXI #S170306DT

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Re: Five dramatic tension cue forwards

Post by funsongs » Tue Mar 28, 2017 9:57 pm

Though I don't submit much stuff, I too recall that comment & bit of insight about the 'graphic' -
and started to pay more attention to how those look on various tracks and songs posted on Soundcloud - including my own.

That's quite polar-opposite from once being told "for good mix & volume-sake - the graph should 'look like a stick of butter'..."
which, from what Michael observed, wouldn't even get a 1st listen or 2nd-look/consideration, when it comes to screeners/reviewers of cues.

Excellent that you make that distinction; and how very wise of you to incorporate that 'lesson', which resulted in SUCCESS!
Bravo, Henry - again.
Cheers,
Peter
Peter Rahill - aka "funsongs"
NOW, back on YouTube (2022)
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Re: Five dramatic tension cue forwards

Post by artturner » Tue Mar 28, 2017 10:02 pm

Great cues, Henry. Congrats on the forwards.

Also great insight into how to create better tension cues. I appreciate your share of information.

Now if we could just figure out how to stand out in a bundle of 61 forwarded tracks! :| (I had two forwards for this as well.)

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Re: Five dramatic tension cue forwards

Post by 5barIMP » Wed Mar 29, 2017 6:27 am

Hi Henry - really good tension cues. I like how subtle you've managed to make them. Also, that's some great advice about dynamics - I'll keep this in mind next time I submit for this kind of listing.

Dave.

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Re: Five dramatic tension cue forwards

Post by Onaginoffegin » Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:19 am

Thanks Peter.
Yeah, I've learned quite a bit from watching TAXI TV. Between that and screeners' comments, it's like going to school.

Thanks, Art.
And congrats on your forwards. Can't wait to check them out.
Always enjoy listening to your stuff.

And thanks for your comment, Dave.


Henry

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Re: Five dramatic tension cue forwards

Post by Telefunkin » Wed Mar 29, 2017 10:14 am

Nice work Henry, and congrats on all of the forwards.
Graham (UK). Still composing a little faster than decomposing, and 100% HI.

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Re: Five dramatic tension cue forwards

Post by Onaginoffegin » Wed Mar 29, 2017 2:12 pm

Thanks, Graham.


Henru

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Re: Five dramatic tension cue forwards

Post by markhimley » Wed Apr 12, 2017 6:15 pm

five forwards?? great job! Also thanks for sharing the insight about the visual aspect of the waveform and dynamics in general - definitely gonna be keeping that in mind!

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Re: Five dramatic tension cue forwards

Post by Onaginoffegin » Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:38 am

Thanks Mark.
And you're welcome.


Henry

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Re: Five dramatic tension cue forwards

Post by steveprobst » Thu Apr 13, 2017 10:01 am

Congrats Henry and thanks for passing on the helpful info!
Steve Probst

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