Have I upset screener #452 ?

[tpwmusic]

This is my third rejection from screener #452.

This time it's for the following listing:

EMOTIONAL SOLO PIANO INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a globally distributed Music Licensing Company that's represented in over 75 countries and has a lot of success landing TONS of Major Network placements every year!
This Company is on the hunt for building Instrumental Cues in the general wheelhouse of the following references we got directly from them:

We are in this together NBC News & MSNBC Campaign - https://youtu.be/YAEhiApgF1w
"Nuvole Bianche" by Ludovico Einaudi - https://youtu.be/sR2W2scFS4Y
WeCanWeWill Campaign - https://youtu.be/AcV10oWZMzU

Although some of the references include additional instrumentation, please submit Solo Piano Instrumental Cues only for this request.

Please send well-performed Solo Piano Instrumental Cues that start with a subtle beginning and gradually build throughout to a climactic crescendo. Your submissions should have engaging motifs, excellent musicianship, well-balanced production, and top-notch arrangements that capture the emotional journey this Company is looking for. Solo piano is required for this pitch. If you choose to use any virtual instruments or samples, please be sure they are of the highest quality and sound like the real thing as nothing stiff, dated, or overly MIDI-driven will work.

Your submissions should be about 90 seconds to 2 minutes long, give or take. Non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings will work best. Do NOT copy the referenced material in any way, shape, or form. Use it only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

Here's my solo piano track:

https://www.taxi.com/members/k42FZOv_Sp ... ember-pno-

Here's his feedback:

https://www.taxi.com/members/k42FZOv_Sp ... NBql3Ffehg

I wrote this piece on a real piano, then recorded it using Spectrasonics Keyscape. The patch I used was "LA Custom C7 - Wash", with pedal and release noise reduced. I then layered it with a piano patch from my Yamaha MODX7 called CFX Shrine, which sits very low in the mix.

Curious what you guys think. Do you agree or disagree with screener 452?

Cheers,
Glenn

[Casey H]

Screeners don't make decisions on you personally. They're job is to match the submission to the listing so I wouldn't worry about that part. What I'm surprised here as far is the critique is the screener didn't mention a big problem with your submission:

Please send well-performed Solo Piano Instrumental Cues that start with a subtle beginning and gradually build throughout to a climactic crescendo.

Your track doesn't do that at all. Listen, for example, to the piano on the last 2 minutes of the 2nd reference. While the build and crescendo in the references is aided by the other instrumentation, you can hear a clear build up in the piano part.

As far as the samples and mix, not my area, so I'll let others help with that. But i don't think that even with the best production, this meets the listing requirements.

One thing you might want to do is seek out collaborators here. Maybe you have a good idea that needs production/mix help and a collaborator can both bring it over the finish line and teach you about what they did. Are you coming to the rally? That's a great way to meet future collaborators.

Best,
Casey

[tpwmusic]

Screeners don't make decisions on you personally. They're job is to match the submission to the listing so I wouldn't worry about that part. What I'm surprised here as far is the critique is the screener didn't mention a big problem with your submission:

Please send well-performed Solo Piano Instrumental Cues that start with a subtle beginning and gradually build throughout to a climactic crescendo.

Your track doesn't do that at all. Listen, for example, to the piano on the last 2 minutes of the 2nd reference. While the build and crescendo in the references is aided by the other instrumentation, you can hear a clear build up in the piano part.

As far as the samples and mix, not my area, so I'll let others help with that. But i don't think that even with the best production, this meets the listing requirements.

One thing you might want to do is seek out collaborators here. Maybe you have a good idea that needs production/mix help and a collaborator can both bring it over the finish line and teach you about what they did. Are you coming to the rally? That's a great way to meet future collaborators.

Best,
Casey

Are you #452?

[Casey H]

Are you #452?

Nope. But you helped me expand my command of language. I didn't realize "pedant" was a noun. I was familiar with "pedantic" as an adjective, but not that noun usage. Am I the only one out there who had to look that up?

Best,
Casey

[tpwmusic]

Are you #452?

Nope. But you helped me expand my command of language. I didn't realize "pedant" was a noun. I was familiar with "pedantic" as an adjective, but not that noun usage. Am I the only one out there who had to look that up?

Best,
Casey

Back to the review, the screener actually states "I like the developmental arc and structure of the track. The performance is nice as well" - this suggests my track ticks the necessary boxes for build, composition, feel & arrangement. I'm more confused with their comments about the piano sound and mix, then ticking the "not broadcast quality" box. This is a solo piano piece, so are they referring to the levels of the reverb? Because there are no other instruments in the piece. They also say the piano sound seems "hollow", Would you agree with that because to my ears that just isn't true.

[eandersonmusic]

Nope. But you helped me expand my command of language. I didn't realize "pedant" was a noun. I was familiar with "pedantic" as an adjective, but not that noun usage. Am I the only one out there who had to look that up?

Best,
Casey

+1

[cassmcentee]

To my Ears, I hear Midi in the resonance of the first notes and couldn't erase that from my thoughts the rest of the way
The screener might have heard the same thing?
Very nice piece!

[tpwmusic]

To my Ears, I hear Midi in the resonance of the first notes and couldn't erase that from my thoughts the rest of the way
The screener might have heard the same thing?
Very nice piece!

You hear Midi? Please explain.

[cassmcentee]

In the intro the lower notes feel a bit distant from the higher notes being played.
Kinda as if it's from a second piano, I wouldn't hear that from a mic'd piano.
And then for some reason the notes at 20 sec that lead us into the second section are pretty obvious as well
Can't quite put my finger on it, as to why, but it stands out...
John Q Public would never notice, and I'm positive you can find a good place for this piece.
After I gave a listen to the first seconds of each of the Reference Tracks, 1 & 2 are Pure recorded (sounding) Piano
Track 3 seemed an obvious tell to how the piece could be used in an Ad Campaign.
If I was a betting man, the screener is listening for true unaffected solo piano.

[tpwmusic]

In the intro the lower notes feel a bit distant from the higher notes being played.
Kinda as if it's from a second piano, I wouldn't hear that from a mic'd piano.
And then for some reason the notes at 20 sec that lead us into the second section are pretty obvious as well
Can't quite put my finger on it, as to why, but it stands out...
John Q Public would never notice, and I'm positive you can find a good place for this piece.
After I gave a listen to the first seconds of each of the Reference Tracks, 1 & 2 are Pure recorded (sounding) Piano
Track 3 seemed an obvious tell to how the piece could be used in an Ad Campaign.
If I was a betting man, the screener is listening for true unaffected solo piano.

Cheers Robert, appreciate your feedback. What I think you're hearing is the shimmering from the layered MODX7 piano I've layered with the Keyscape piano. I kind of like overall effect it creates when combined with the wash of the Keyscape piano....I guess it won't be to everyone's taste but yeah, I think I get whereabouts you're coming from.