Help! - DARK and OMINOUS UNDERSCORE INSTRUMENTAL CUES

[MattCurious]

Hi everyone

I started writing for this based on the soundtrack to Zero Dark Thirty (the influence is clear when you listen), but it was one of those that took on a life of its own, and now I think it might be too "big" for the following listing.

They want something with a crescendo, so it does seem like it has to get "bigger" - but I think I may have strayed into trailer music. What do you think? The idea was to try to capture one of those scenes where the hero suddenly puts all the pieces together.

Hope you can help!

Here's the track: https://soundcloud.com/matt_curious/07- ... me/s-FhtqC

Here's the listing:

DARK and OMINOUS UNDERSCORE INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a Non-Exclusive Music Library with a long list of placements. They usually get placements in Reality Shows, but they've upped their game, and are now getting Film Trailer syncs and placements in Dramas as well. The Cues you pitch for this could end in any and all of the above! They're on the hunt for suspenseful, tension-filled, Down-to-Mid-Tempo Underscore Cues that could work well for shows like The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, Daredevil, etc., etc., etc. Please submit well-crafted Underscore that immediately gives the audience an uneasy feeling that something's about to happen. Instrumentation can vary, but should focus on a central melodic motif, while weaving layers of different instruments in and out to keep your Cues forward moving, and emotionally compelling. All submissions should be at least 2 minutes long with easy edit points and a crescendo that leads to a buttoned/stinger ending. Broadcast Quality is needed (Great sounding home recordings are fine). This Library offers a NON-EXCLUSIVE, 50/50 Deal. You'll get 50% of any applicable sync fees and 100% of the Writer's share. The Publisher will get 50% of applicable sync fees and 100% of the Publisher's Share on the version they pitch. You'll keep 100% of the original copyright. You must own or control the Master and Copyright to submit to this pitch. Please submit one to three Instrumental Cues online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than 11:59PM (PST), on Sunday, January 31st, 2016. TAXI #S160131UC

[Joseph]

Matt, I don't think it gets too big. In fact, I was expecting the texture to get just a little bigger or maybe more agitated for the last 30 seconds or so. I think that rise/hit thing at the very end is too loud, though. Maybe you could pull that down a bit so it's just supporting the final hit and not forcing it. Overall, I think it works.

-Joseph

[josephdaigle]

Matt,
I think you have a good shot with this one! However, I, personally, would back down on the drone sounds (bass, bones, etc.) to let the other elements come through. Then you could bring it back up at the crescendo...

[mrdtman]

Matt,

I like it and agree with you that it seems like it needs to get 'bigger' . I think somewhere around 1:15 is where the high strings come in and to me if you could crescendo up to that and maybe bring in more of some type of pounding drums that would help.

DT

[Onaginoffegin]

Matt,
For me, your mix seems unbalanced. Some sounds you can barely hear because others are overwhelmingly loud.
I would dial back the volumes on the synth and string sounds, to allow the elements in the background — drums and that arp sound that's barely audible — to come through more clearly.
Also, I would fade the beginning from soft to loud, because the opening synth is pretty in-your-face.

Just my thoughts.

Henry

[MattCurious]

Cheers, guys. Agree that this is a bit unbalanced at the moment - I tend to post a working mix to get feedback and then work it in with fresh ears.

Listening back, the cello and bass are waaaaaay to hot to start with and there are a couple of other bits I'm going to tweak.

But so far the consensus is that it's not too bombastic for underscore?

[Joseph]

But so far the consensus is that it's not too bombastic for underscore?

I don't think it is.

-Joseph

[MattCurious]

Cheers, guys - here is a revised version hopefully taking care of the mix issues (although I've deliberately kept the arpeggio low in the mix - it's more for texture / movement than for melody)

All further feedback welcome:

https://soundcloud.com/matt_curious/07- ... me/s-Sue1E

Thanks!