Insult or just irony?
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- Impressive
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Insult or just irony?
So I got a return (not unexpectedly) on my uptempo investigative drama bed.The ChaseThe mini-critique said simply, "weak samples, especially the sax."Does anyone else find it ironic that the sax was the ONLY LIVE INSTRUMENT on this track? Any suggestions for tweaking this to sound better? Kathleen
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Re: Insult or just irony?
Well it sounds like a sax to me, and it sounds like it was well recorded. Don't go screwing up your cool track, obviously the screener made a mistake because he/she doesn't know any better. That in itself is a bummer but you shouldn't take it as an insult. Betcha a dollar that somewhere down the line you will get comments on how cool the sax sounds! (maybe from the same screener on a different day) The only thing I didn't like were some of the spacey synth sound fx but that's just a personal thing.I don't know anything about the 'investigative drama" genre, but I really like this track . . . I was thinking while listening to it that if it had a real fretless electric bass playing with sort of a Jaco approach & was lighter on the orchestration this could drift into older Weather Report territory which could be very cool.
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Re: Insult or just irony?
Thank you, Bill! I'm a little disgusted with myself over how much I let this get to me. I appreciate your honest comments and have now decided not to sell the sax after all.Kathleen
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Re: Insult or just irony?
Kathleen,This may be one of those rare times where you get Robin, the head screener in the loop.I had a screener call one of my guitar parts a "synth horn" part.My call to TAXI did not change the outcome of a return, but at least it may have planted a seed that the screeners sometimes are out in left field when they are listening to a track.I also created a short dialogue about "dated sounds" I think it may be impossible for one single screener to keep up with the sound sources we are using and continue to update. They may hear a sound that they have not heard before from a brand new sound source and refer to it as "dated" only because it is not part of their listening vocabulary.ChuckBTW Listening to "The Chase" I think the track could possibly fit the genre better without the sax. I don't think I've heard any crime drama stuff with sax or for that matter trumpet as a solo instrument. If the fills are an important part for you compositionally, you may want to try alternative instruments (low piano, low harp)
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Re: Insult or just irony?
Hi Kathleen,The sax sounded great....fits the vibe and style of the tune perfectly. I agree with my friend Bill a fret-less bass would be nice, or even pumping it up a little. Perhaps, bring the sax up a little in the mix, the screener probably couldn't appreciate the fine playing cause it wasn't out front enough.Chuck has a good point, I contacted Robin once when my minimalist piano pieces, weren't forwarded, she reviewed and actually reversed the screeners decision. It's definitely worth a shot, Nice writing and playing..Bob
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Re: Insult or just irony?
Kathleen,This is a cool track. I think the listing wanted the piece to build and this one kind of stays where it starts out for the most part. That's not a bad thing, it just might have not been exactly right for this listing composition-wise.The only thing I can surmise regarding the sax comment might be the amount of reverb that was on the sax. I understand aesthetically why you did it, but the reverb might have reminded the screener of the sax sounds from workstations of the past that had the sound drenched in reverb to make it sound better. Having that much reverb on it might take away a bit from the realism of the part. If it were more up front, it might sound more "real". But that's a double edged sword because any lead instrument that is too up front in a library piece tends to interfere with any spoken voice.It still might be worth it to try to "dry it up" a bit, or try a subtle echo instead.This is a cool piece, even with the reverb and I think it will eventually find a home. I would consider doing a mix without sax at all just to have the option. MazzEDIT: Try the sax part reversed, like flipping the tape over in the old days. Why not? It would make it even more a part of the texture rather than an obvious lead.
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Re: Insult or just irony?
Hi Kathleen - Go ahead and send an email to headscreener at taxi.com. I'll be out of the office for a couple of days but someone will get back to you. Include the listing number and we'll look into this for you. - Robin
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Re: Insult or just irony?
Jun 16, 2009, 2:23pm, taxirobin wrote:Hi Kathleen - Go ahead and send an email to headscreener at taxi.com. I'll be out of the office for a couple of days but someone will get back to you. Include the listing number and we'll look into this for you. - RobinCool, Robin, thanks!I want to make sure you know I'm not arguing about the return at all. But this kind of stuff does reflect on the credibility of the screeners. We'll see where it goes.Kathleen
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Re: Insult or just irony?
Hey Kath!I listened to this one more than a few times. I'm no expert at determining a real sax versus a sampled one, but it certainly sounds like a real sax ta' me!I thought your sax tone could've been a little brighter maybe?, but still sounds good. The bass & drums may have really caught screener's ear. I know, it's really tough when it comes down to those 2 instruments (guitar too). It's to the point where it's almost impossible to substitute for the real thing, without some super nifty programming & mixing, etc... I feel your pain, no question. I'd be willing to bet that that's what screener was focusing on, those 2 things. This IS a GOOD track though! If you have another way of addressing those 2 items (I'd be glad to offer any assistance, if needed), this should be GOOD TO GO next time 'round. These are just my opinions, so take 'em with a grain. ibanez468
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Re: Insult or just irony?
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