music cues

[billykidd]

If anyone can enlighten me, what is meant by a music cue for tv or film placements? How long a piece? any general rules or formats? thanks in advance.BillyKidd

[mazz]

You probably already know what a cue is, you just didin't know what it was called. Just watch pretty much any TV show or film, any time you hear music start and then end, be it song or background (score), that's considered a cue. Another way to say it is "A cue is a discrete musical event in a TV show or film". A collection of cues is generally called a score although the term soundtrack is also used but IMO that term implies all sound in the show (sound FX, dialog, music).As far as length goes, most TAXI listings will give a desired length and it's all over the map depending on the needs of the producition.Formats are generally specified by the client. Usually 16 bit .wav files, if its going to video then 48K sampling rate as opposed to 44.1 (CD sampling rate). You need to be able to provide whateve the client requests but it's not rocket science, any modern DAW will be able to export whatever is needed.Hope this helps,Mazz

[billykidd]

Mazz,a late reply...but, yes, your response certainly does help. thanks.BillyKidd