Do I stand a chance ?

[JohnEdwards]

I'm new to Taxi and quite excited about the possibility of submitting to listings. However, It seems that you guys have a lot of electronic gadgetry for creating fantastic virtual instruments. Whereas I'm a guitarist (electric & acoustic) with only a Korg PA300 keyboard. Though it does have loads of built in 'styles' and great sounding instrumentation, I also have a 8 track mixer.
Unfortunately, I haven't the funds at the moment to spend on the dedicated software you guys use to create your fantastic sounds.
I would value your opinion as to whether in your experience (remember I have non) there are frequent enough listings that only 3 instruments (2 x real plus a Keyboard) would be able to submit to.

I am a experienced musician / composer regularly performing as a paid hobby and thought it would be good to branch out into new territory !
I'm booked into the November Rally, as either way I'm sure I'll find it fascinating watching and listening to you experienced musicians.
I hope this isn't too 'off topic'.

Your advice appreciated...

[Sunset]

Hi John,

I'll throw out a few thoughts that might help.. . First off are you using a PC or Mac???- if Mac, you have Garageband included (no investment necessary) and can use its Vi's and the sounds in your Korg to write to listings... I'm not on PC ,but believe there are some decent DAw's that would help you produce and mix down for the listings...

You don't have to acquire a lot of gear, really, to start- but there probably are a few genres you might want to avoid for now-that in my opinion- are somewhat Vi intensive .. Orchestral (and trailers and hybrids ) and some tension or specialty kind of listings can be hard to accomplish starting out... with Orchestral you do need to have good-great orchestral samples depending on listing requirements AND you have to make them sound convincing( and that takes time and practice) ..for tension and atmospheric, many producers do use some popular Vi's like Omnisphere to get their sounds- but they can be acquired as your funds become available...


Also a suggestion- Hang out in the "forwards" section in the forum and see what others have posted in their tracks that were forwarded, and see if you can get sounds that are similar/compelling to theirs.. That might help you determine where you are in your "gear quest"...

Glad you're coming to the Rally..It's a real educational experience, and a lot of fun and networking.. also continue to post/read the Taxi forum..members here and very supportive and helpful..

Other members might have suggestions for Free/low cost gear to help you along...


My .02

John

[hummingbird]

I'm new to Taxi and quite excited about the possibility of submitting to listings. However, It seems that you guys have a lot of electronic gadgetry for creating fantastic virtual instruments. Whereas I'm a guitarist (electric & acoustic) with only a Korg PA300 keyboard. Though it does have loads of built in 'styles' and great sounding instrumentation, I also have a 8 track mixer.
Unfortunately, I haven't the funds at the moment to spend on the dedicated software you guys use to create your fantastic sounds.
I would value your opinion as to whether in your experience (remember I have non) there are frequent enough listings that only 3 instruments (2 x real plus a Keyboard) would be able to submit to.

I am a experienced musician / composer regularly performing as a paid hobby and thought it would be good to branch out into new territory !
I'm booked into the November Rally, as either way I'm sure I'll find it fascinating watching and listening to you experienced musicians.
I hope this isn't too 'off topic'.

Your advice appreciated...

I'd say, before we can give much advice, we actually need to hear what you do now. Certainly I think guitar tracks would have many uses in film/tv if they are recorded clean and well mixed. Do you have anything online we can listen to?

[Kolstad]

Aquiring lots of gear before you know you will have an actual use for it can be a crippling experience, so it's definitely not the gear but the ear that counts. While this is true, there is no way around learning to mix and produce up to the same level that your musicianship is. Your material needs to be competitive either way, and there are 1000s of skilled producers out there.

Playing and producing are different skill sets, and each has their own mindsets and knowhow, so it can definitely be challenging to swap from the musician "hat" to the producer "hat". It may be these challenges that lead some to the idea that is about aquiring more or better gear, while often, its more about understanding the power of what you have and make the most of it.

Dean Krippaehne in these forums has often been a spokesperson for that view "It's not the gear, it's the ear". He is a guitarist and works with a simple setup. Check out his website for more info on his approach http://www.deankrippaehne.com

These threads on the subject may also be helpful:

home-studio-tracks-for-tv-t134803.html? ... hne%20gear

post478683.html?hilit=krippaehne#p478683

It's not so much if you stand a chance, it's more an inner journey where you learn about what to do, how to achieve it, and where to deliver it. You need to develop confidence in your work, so publishers, libraries and clients can be confident requesting music from you.

[andygabrys]

I'd say, before we can give much advice, we actually need to hear what you do now. Certainly I think guitar tracks would have many uses in film/tv if they are recorded clean and well mixed. Do you have anything online we can listen to?

Absolutely agree.

There are a few that use “old school” gear to record and mix - Richard Dance “Crawdaddy” is one of them. He uses a standalone recording box (Roland I think).

There are lots of experienced ears here to give an opinion on your material if you post it someplace. Private links on SoundCloud are a good way to go. Or Dropbox. Or Box.

And if you have written something for a specific listing for Taxi, post the entire listing text into your post with the link to your track.

Even if your track by itself sounds great - it has to be a great pitch for the specific listing. Otherwise it will get returned.

Good luck!

[Tunesmith]

I think you absolutely have a chance! I have seen listings for guitar instrumentals. And you will learn a lot at the Rally. See you there!

Best,
Linda C

[JohnEdwards]

Thank you all so much for your input.
I'm looking forward to the Rally even more now !

regards from John in the UK

[Telefunkin]

Hi John,
You did see this didn't you?
the-shed-my-multi-million-dollar-yeah-r ... 39179.html
Matt, the shed owner, is VERY successful.
Hope it helps.

[cosmicdolphin]

Korg PA300 keyboard. ...does have loads of built in 'styles' and great sounding instrumentation..

Hey John

I think you will find the Korg will only be of value in certain genres, and in others it will come across too much like a cheesy home keyboard sound.

It could probably work for Muzak, Lounge type stuff..possibly Dramedy..but I think once you get into any modern Pop - EDM ..stuff with up to the minute synth & drum sounds or something with very exposed sounds like a solo piano piece then these types of Workstations are generally just not going to cut it.

The great news is you play guitar and there are plenty of tracks that need those, but if you pick up even an entry level DAW these days there's tons of plugins and sounds and many more for free or little money. You could even go as far as subscribing to something like Splice for relatively small monthly outlay and pick up some bang up to date loops and samples.

All depends on your genre, but you don't need to spend a fortune for a good setup ..you could have a really awesome setup for less than your Korg costs.

Mark