Do the screeners hate receiving 2 versions of the same track?

[BradleyHagen]

Hey Taxi Folks!
Quick Question... Do the screeners get irritated with you if you submit 2 different mixes (or versions) of the same track?? For example - one version has a longer intro and a guitar solo, whilst the other one has a short intro, and no guitar solo, or two different mixes.... Since I cannot read their minds, sometimes I feel the need to submit two versions to cover all bases...... Thoughts?

[Casey H]

It's perfectly fine, no one hates it. You paid for each submission and they do their job and listen to both.

BTW, always keep your intros short. That one's a no-brainer. A&R folks of any kind don't want to wait 20-25 seconds for it to start.

For sync, guitar solos can be problematic if they are prominent in the mix. Your track is most likely going to be played at very low volume under dialog. If the guitar sticks out at low volume it will interfere with dialog and can't be used.

You may have mentioned these things just as random examples of 2 different versions but since you mentioned them, I figured I'd comment in case it helps you or anyone.

Best,
Casey

[BradleyHagen]

Thanks Casey! Just a quick question about intros..... Does this also apply to cover tunes?? I am currently working on the Fleetwood Mac cover "Everywhere", and the original version has a long, rather disconnected intro....should I just lose it altogether? I wouldn't shed a tear! lol

[BradleyHagen]

BTW, always keep your intros short. That one's a no-brainer. A&R folks of any kind don't want to wait 20-25 seconds for it to start.

I figured that one out early on Casey! I can't wait until I finally finish my 9 minute long prog rock masterpiece with a 2 minute intro however..... I will definitely post it for you guys, but yeah.....its never going to make in the sync world! lol

[funsongs]

"Fbrd" - by LnrdSknrd... sorta?

[Casey H]

Thanks Casey! Just a quick question about intros..... Does this also apply to cover tunes?? I am currently working on the Fleetwood Mac cover "Everywhere", and the original version has a long, rather disconnected intro....should I just lose it altogether? I wouldn't shed a tear! lol

Of course. It definitely applies. I'd lose or trim any version with a long intro. Good luck!
Casey

[Casey H]

"Fbrd" - by LnrdSknrd... sorta?

Yea, maybe don't submit 13 versions of Free Bird.

[BradleyHagen]

"Fbrd" - by LnrdSknrd... sorta?

Nahhh Peter - It is more "ELP meets Tool" lol

[cosmicdolphin]

It would annoy me if I was a screener.

There's often little discernable difference when folks post the same track twice.

[Casey H]

It would annoy me if I was a screener.

There's often little discernable difference when folks post the same track twice.

I think it's only worth doing if there is a REAL difference between the versions, not just some faders 1-2 db, an EQ tweak, etc. Maybe different instrumentation such as leaving out some, for example, and giving it a different feel. BUT if you have to rely much on this, you most likely are missing the point of the listing, the ref tracks, etc.

It's also a good idea to gain confidence in your "best shot". With Taxi, you can pay another $5 and submit that over version but in the "real world", you generally only get 15 seconds of your best to impress or not.

Casey