Feedback for FEEL-GOOD, ACOUSTIC-Based INSTRUMENTAL CUE

[DennisPMusic]

Hi Taxi members

I know this is rather late, but I started on this track yesterday and I have just finished it:-).
Do you have any last minutes comments?

My song:
https://www.taxi.com/members/a9Q_Ye0vSv ... -sunny-day

Reference Tracks:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5jerwwibk7pu ... N1jwa?dl=0

The Listing:

FEEL-GOOD, ACOUSTIC-Based INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a very successful boutique Music Library that's distributed by Universal for placements in Commercials, Advertisements, and Promotions.

NOTE: We previously ran this request as TAXI Listing #S210729FG, but the Library didn't find what they were looking for. If you submitted to listing #S210729FG, please send different material this time around.

NEW TIPS FROM THE LIBRARY TO HELP YOU NAIL THIS PITCH: "Many composers throw in way too many ideas and are not focused on ONE CENTRAL MOTIF: they try to keep things interesting by adding new harmonic lines and elements (melodies, even improvisations, etc) instead of focusing on the production and textures. What I'm looking for is basically: obvious production music (in form and structure), that sounds like commercial music (production style)." Put simply, keep it SIMPLE! We know that other Libraries like to receive music with complementary A and B sections, but this Library is NOT one of them – stick with ONE CENTRAL MOTIF per submission, please!

This is a catalog you want to be in! Please listen to the following examples the Library gave us to get yourself in the ballpark of what they need:

Instrumental Examples

Quoting the Library: "We’re looking for cues that have a clear light-hearted and feel-good mood: Warm, positive, and somewhat easy-going. We want to hear pieces with organic/acoustic instrumentation that have a human touch."

Please send top-notch Instrumental Cues with an overall feel-good vibe and sound. Craft your Cues around one clear motif, and create a sense of forward momentum and dynamics by layering instrumentation in and out as they progress. Acoustic-based instrumentation that's generally similar to the references will suit your submissions best – think acoustic guitar, ukulele, handclaps, glockenspiel, whistling, etc. Please be sure that your production and any virtual instruments or samples you do use are high-quality, modern, and don't sound stiff or synthetic. The more your submissions sound like they're being performed by real musicians playing real instruments, the better.

TAXI Tip: Some non-lyric vocal parts like "oohs," "ahhs," etc. could help add some extra care-free energy to your tracks. They're not a requirement, but the references they gave have them, so listen to see how they've used them!

All submissions should be about 2 minutes long, give or take. Good edit points and non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings are required. Do NOT copy the references in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, texture, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

[DBarnett]

Hi Dennis,
This is good, I think it fits the listing
The only thing in my opinion is that sonically it stays at one level, maybe backing off the limiter could help the dynamics
The recording and performance are excellent
Good Job!!

[DennisPMusic]

Hi Dennis,
This is good, I think it fits the listing
The only thing in my opinion is that sonically it stays at one level, maybe backing off the limiter could help the dynamics
The recording and performance are excellent
Good Job!!

Hi Dave

Thanks for your feedback it's appreciated .
The limiter/Comp isn't working that hard, (-2 - 3db), but maybe I can automate the master fader, to make it a little more dynamic .

All the best

Dennis

[karafinman]

This is a very nice sound, comparable to the refernce. The only thing I think it is lacking is a slight variation of the rhythm. Even though you vary the melody, the rhtyhm is still the same (I can't think of a way to write it out without using music notation). If you vary the second one just a bit, for example by using two sixteenth notes where there is an eighth, you would keep the listener from being turned off. This is a fine point that is hard to teach someone if they don't have an innate sense.

[AlanHall]

It's been my sense (and I could be wrong about this!) that modern folky/americana/whatever tracks tend to stick with pentatonic melodies, adding some other modal tones as needed. To my ear, the chromatic passing tones in your cue make it sound dated. I'm remembering - or having flashbacks to - the songs that were popular in the 60s and before; I get a sense of that 'vintage' of music. Is that a problem? I can't say, but wanted to share that. The sounds and recording are spot-on! Great rendition

[DennisPMusic]

It's been my sense (and I could be wrong about this!) that modern folky/americana/whatever tracks tend to stick with pentatonic melodies, adding some other modal tones as needed. To my ear, the chromatic passing tones in your cue make it sound dated. I'm remembering - or having flashbacks to - the songs that were popular in the 60s and before; I get a sense of that 'vintage' of music. Is that a problem? I can't say, but wanted to share that. The sounds and recording are spot-on! Great rendition

Hi Alan

Thanks for your feedback, it's appreciated.
It's true that the melody has some kind of "Vintage/Classic" Throwback vibe. I don't know if this will be a problem for me, getting this song forwarded, we will see.

Best regards

Dennis

[JohnnyP]

Hey Dennis, cool track.

My suggestions would be

1) adding some edit points maybe at :15 and :43 ish.
2) My ears want to hear an organic instrument like a Uke or Ac Gtr playing that melody at some point. Just to let it feel more human. It gets a bit stiff sounding after a while.

Nice track and best of luck!

[StevenE]

Hi i think your song fit the requested listing criteria very well. Upbeat happy lighthearted with a human touch.

[Casey H]

My 2 cents... I think it's really good, especially the bed track. I find the lead instrument too hot and distracting. Play the cue at low volume and try to get that to blend in more so it doesn't stand out so much. I'm not sure you should open with the lead instrument. You could start without it and bring it in (maybe where the bass comes in?). Another thing I'm not sure of, and I don't have a great ear for this so BIG grain of salt, is whether the lead is in the pocket. Ignore that if no one else gives you that part of the feedback.

HTH and keep in mind I'm not a cue writer or production guy.

Good luck!
Casey

[DennisPMusic]

My 2 cents... I think it's really good, especially the bed track. I find the lead instrument too hot and distracting. Play the cue at low volume and try to get that to blend in more so it doesn't stand out so much. I'm not sure you should open with the lead instrument. You could start without it and bring it in (maybe where the bass comes in?). Another thing I'm not sure of, and I don't have a great ear for this so BIG grain of salt, is whether the lead is in the pocket. Ignore that if no one else gives you that part of the feedback.

HTH and keep in mind I'm not a cue writer or production guy.

Good luck!
Casey

Hi Casey

Thanks for your feedback, it's much appreciated .
I got a return for this, that's a shame, but the last 8 of my 9 submissions got forwarded, so I don't complain.
The screener thought it was too repetitive, so I should have started without the melody and maybe mute it again later in the song for variation.

The screener also thought that my instruments/samples sounded dated and he/she also checked the box "Need mixing & Recording improvement".
I agree on the repetitive part but not on the other things.
I got 2 songs forwarded and signed with a Library last month, where I used the same instruments and samples.
Actually, it's the first time that any screener or Taxi member has commented on my sounds and mixing skills because I consider myself a rather good mixer, so I'm a little tired of the screener's feedback on this.


Best regards

Dennis