ATTACK OF THE DRONES!!!

[RebekahAnnCurtis]

Someone please tell me if this is on target.

https://soundcloud.com/pocketsingularit ... es/s-LeaIT

This is the listing:

EXPERIMENTAL "DRONE" INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a 5-Star Music Library that's really eager to find great new material for their catalog. Give them heavily layered Cues in the general stylistic wheelhouse of acts like Roly Porter, Suum Cuique, Jar Moff, etc., etc., etc. Give theme cues that use interesting sounds and production techniques to create a layered mess of sound in a compelling, suspenseful, and unique way. This genre of "music" isn't known for structure or melody, so if you're confused as to what they're exactly looking for, please review the referenced artists for the avant-garde sound they need. Your submissions should be at least 2 minutes in length. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine). This company offers a NON-EXCLUSIVE, 50/50 deal. The Publisher will get 100% of the Publisher's share, and you'll get 100% of the Writer's share. You'll keep 100% of all rights of the original copyright and master. You must own or control your Master and Copyright to pitch for this opportunity. Please submit one to three Instrumental Cues online or per CD. All submissions will be screened on a Yes/No basis - No full critiques. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59PM (PDT), on Thursday, November 26, 2015. TAXI #Y151126DC

[funsongs]

Hey RebekahAnn -

Sonically - very cool... sounds like you're on the right "track" - pardon the pun.
However, 2 things that jump out from the listing:

1) "Give them heavily layered Cues..." I think you're not there yet; but you could make your piece build and get there by taking those sounds and... well... layer them. i.e. multiply & grow them. Maybe using some edit points every 15 and/or 30 seconds and double up,
or add a little more each time.

2) Might be more effective, too, to stick to the "2:00 in length".

2 cents' worth from the old guy.

[RebekahAnnCurtis]

Pardon my noobness,

First, let me say, thank you for your excellent insight and input!

I do have some questions regarding your meaningful commentary.

When they say in the listing "at least 2 minutes" should I NOT go over the 2 minute mark? Make all the drone tracks exactly 2 minutes?

I'm also confused since the referenced artists have no edit points in their tracks at all. They're pretty monotonous and do not change for several 'measures'. How would I go about making an edit point that makes sense and still sounds like the referenced artists?

I know that you are very knowledgeable about such things, your tracks are very refined and have been mixed very well, so I'm just asking for clarification in regards to the wording of the listing, and your experience in submitting to taxi.

Thank you in advance for your continued guidance.

[funsongs]

Pardon my noobness,

First, let me say, thank you for your excellent insight and input!

I do have some questions regarding your meaningful commentary.

When they say in the listing "at least 2 minutes" should I NOT go over the 2 minute mark? Make all the drone tracks exactly 2 minutes?

I'm also confused since the referenced artists have no edit points in their tracks at all. They're pretty monotonous and do not change for several 'measures'. How would I go about making an edit point that makes sense and still sounds like the referenced artists?

I know that you are very knowledgeable about such things, your tracks are very refined and have been mixed very well, so I'm just asking for clarification in regards to the wording of the listing, and your experience in submitting to taxi.

Thank you in advance for your continued guidance.

Well... I must confess, I'm still a noob and almost no experience on the submitting end of things, especially for the cues listings. My remarks & comments are based solely on paying attention to, and hopefully learning from, the other Taxi folks who get forwards.

It is my understanding that the referenced tracks/artists are intended to give you general sonic & style guidance as to the material they're looking for; without sounding like you're doing a 'cover', nor ripping off their riffs.

If you're jumping into the cue-writing thing... I'd suggest listening to the guys & gals who have gotten forwards and placements. I think you will find that the edit points, builds, and 2:00 lengths are pretty consistent 'markers' that make up a good cue.

Also: pay attention to wording in the listing - say if it's for something with dialog, you'll probably find the most successful stuff turns out to be the simplest. That is why I think your piece might have a good chance, if you do the edit points & layering of what you have starting out.

Hope that helps. Maybe some 'cue pros' who've got lots of forwards can dial it in for you with more precision.

Good luck; I think you have a good start, and can do this.
Cheers.

ps: I mostly am busy writing songs. But - I'm paying attention to this cue stuff in advance of, and preparing for, the day when I can copy, cut, & paste bits of the instrumental tracks and create cues from them. I'm still a Freshman; that stuff's probably gonna hit in my Sophomore or Junior year!
Know what I mean?

[Russell Landwehr]

Hi Rebekah

It was great to meet you at the Rally and work with you as a volunteer!

If the listing says "at least 2 minutes", then you can go over 2 minutes as far as you want... well... over 3 minutes is probably pushing it. I generally shoot for 2:00-2:30.

As far as edit points, drones don't really have this, so it's not a problem. The thing that keeps drones interesting is the layering and bringing elements in and out where they make sense.

As far as this one, when I listen to Jar Moff and Roly Porter, their most popular drones are pretty dark and dangerous and gritty... I think if you bring those kind of elements into this you will have a better chance at this listing.

Russell

[RebekahAnnCurtis]

Hi Rebekah

It was great to meet you at the Rally and work with you as a volunteer!

If the listing says "at least 2 minutes", then you can go over 2 minutes as far as you want... well... over 3 minutes is probably pushing it. I generally shoot for 2:00-2:30.

As far as edit points, drones don't really have this, so it's not a problem. The thing that keeps drones interesting is the layering and bringing elements in and out where they make sense.

As far as this one, when I listen to Jar Moff and Roly Porter, their most popular drones are pretty dark and dangerous and gritty... I think if you bring those kind of elements into this you will have a better chance at this listing.

Russell

It was great to meet you as well!

So, this one isn't dark enough, or have enough gritty elements?

How about this one?

https://soundcloud.com/pocketsingularit ... ia/s-5JrLP

or this one?

https://soundcloud.com/pocketsingularit ... ay/s-WxkN8

[RebekahAnnCurtis]

Or is this closer?

https://soundcloud.com/pocketsingularit ... re/s-snsq8

[RebekahAnnCurtis]

Maybe this one is closer?

https://soundcloud.com/pocketsingularit ... ut/s-ciq6d

[RebekahAnnCurtis]

When I listen to Suum Cuique, there's a much more nuanced subtlety going on with those tracks than the heavy handed darkness of those that are more frequently listened to by Roly Porter. And I find Jar Moff to be more atonal and mechanical than dark and disturbing.

I suppose it depends on which of the artists the library is more interested.

[RebekahAnnCurtis]

Made another one... This one closer to being dark, menacing, and like Suum Cuique, Roly Porter or Jar Moff?

https://soundcloud.com/pocketsingularit ... on/s-6nC6y