Looking for a bit of help

[davidagates]

So, my life currently seems to be a long list of declines, which although disheartening is something I want to rememdy.

The below listing was declined based on it not using "modern sounds", or words to that effect, which I did actually use. I'm looking to see if someone can steer my in the right direction here.

ELECTRO-POP INSTRUMENTALS for COMMERCIALS 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 a wide variety of Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals. Please listen to the references below to get a general idea of what might get this Company really interested:

Fitbit Inspire 3 Commercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4a_b1SYqrs

Starbucks Commercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3ybWiEUaUU

Monday.com Commercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IC8rtWSPCI

Apple iPad Air Commercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5G2qkj2TIM

Please submit well-crafted Electro-Pop Instrumentals with great, fun energy throughout, that could work well for sync placements in commercials! Your submissions should have super catchy melodies, engaging and energetic rhythms, and dynamic arrangements with forward motion and interest. Modern Electro-Pop instrumentation that's in the general wheelhouse of the reference tracks will work best for this listing. Please make sure your productions are polished, and any virtual instruments or samples you use are high quality and not dated-sounding.

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. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.

This Company offers an EXCLUSIVE deal, so the material you submit for this request CANNOT be signed with other publishers or catalogs. Sync fees will be split 50/50. The Publisher will get 100% of the Publisher’s share, and you’ll keep 100% of the Writer’s share. You must own or control your Masters and Copyright to pitch for this opportunity. Please submit as many Instrumentals as you’d like, online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PDT) on Monday, September 18th, 2023. TAXI # S230918RD

TAXI # S230918RD

I keep writing track I think would be featured on the "same playlist", but each time they seem to get rejected. Not sure where I'm going wrong, I don't want to outright copy sounds that are used so I'm in a catch 22 situation. Any guidance would be appreciated. I'll include the feedback and a link to my track below.

I think you could improve this song by
I feel this cue is not delivering in the Modern Electro Pop vein as showcased in the projects references. I would suggest making sure that all the sound selection elements are matching, and if in the same playlist, your cue would fit in.

I returned or forwarded this song because
The cue is not in the same mood/genre or wheelhouse as the projects needs. The cue is also outdated in sound selection, and could use a better development arc.

https://soundcloud.com/dave-gates-62481 ... al_sharing

[Casey H]

Hey David

I would just chalk it up to it not sounding close enough to the references and move on. You have a solid track to pitch elsewhere. You can't let any one, or even a few returns, get you down. Even very successful members get a lot of returns, some even 50-60% or higher. Keep in mind that Taxi listings often have a fairly narrow focus. A return is not necessarily a comment on the quality of your work, just whether or not if fits that particular listing. I've heard your work and it's excellent IMHO.

Best,
Casey

[cosmicdolphin]

It's a really nice track but the first part withthe synth bass part sounds more like it comes from a 90's techno track ....but once you get to the main part of the track it seems more in line with the refs

Most of the refs seem to use a processed live bass type sound ( you can proabably used something like Kontakt's Rickenbacker bass or similar ) so that gives it a comepletly difference vibe and a moer contermorary sounding intro.

The other older more cheesy sounding part is the lead synth at 1:12. Now maybe you're using ironically but it jsut sounds out of place. Maybe something more organic would sound better ( but still highly processed )

These types of tracks are as much about clever production and sound design as they are the the actual music. I also thin the refs are sparser so maybe try the mute button or sidechain stuff more to make it sound more minimal.

Mark

[davidagates]

It's a really nice track but the first part withthe synth bass part sounds more like it comes from a 90's techno track ....but once you get to the main part of the track it seems more in line with the refs

Most of the refs seem to use a processed live bass type sound ( you can proabably used something like Kontakt's Rickenbacker bass or similar ) so that gives it a comepletly difference vibe and a moer contermorary sounding intro.

The other older more cheesy sounding part is the lead synth at 1:12. Now maybe you're using ironically but it jsut sounds out of place. Maybe something more organic would sound better ( but still highly processed )

These types of tracks are as much about clever production and sound design as they are the the actual music. I also thin the refs are sparser so maybe try the mute button or sidechain stuff more to make it sound more minimal.

Mark

Cheers mate, I was quite pleased with it, which is why I think it was a bit more crushing. Glad you think it's a good track though.

The lead synth was a bit tongue in cheek to an extent, it's actually from a C64 patch, I'm a sucker for SID, but ill advised in this case.

The singling out of the actual instruments, eg the bass in this instance, is actually a really good shout. I'll start doing that with more frequency.

You live and you learn, I'm going to try and get stuff up on here prior to submission. It's just so hard with work and all that to get the time, by the point I'm happy with something it's submission time and that's it. Game over!

[davidagates]

Hey David

I would just chalk it up to it not sounding close enough to the references and move on. You have a solid track to pitch elsewhere. You can't let any one, or even a few returns, get you down. Even very successful members get a lot of returns, some even 50-60% or higher. Keep in mind that Taxi listings often have a fairly narrow focus. A return is not necessarily a comment on the quality of your work, just whether or not if fits that particular listing. I've heard your work and it's excellent IMHO.

Best,
Casey

Thanks man, just feel with AI and the level of competition out there that time is running out, and I don't have the time to commit that others have. I've submitted quite a bit though, and it's all a learning curve.

[cosmicdolphin]

The lead synth was a bit tongue in cheek to an extent, it's actually from a C64 patch, I'm a sucker for SID, but ill advised in this case.

Me too , Rob Hubbard is a big influence but I didn't identify this lead part as SID like

[davidagates]

That's odd, must lost in the mix. I'll chop it out anywho, it's of no benefit.

[davidagates]

I think one of my major difficulties is that I don't know what style I'm best at, I'm finding myself biting and boring about the place fairly rudderless. I need to zeronin on something and stick with it.

Doune advice as ever.

[cosmicdolphin]

I think one of my major difficulties is that I don't know what style I'm best at, I'm finding myself biting and boring about the place fairly rudderless. I need to zeronin on something and stick with it.

Doune advice as ever.

I dunno , I had a go at loads of different things which helped me figure out what I was better at and what I liked making most. I woudn't restrict yourself too much at this point.