Not busy enough vs TOO busy for underscore ...

[PeterD]

I thought I had this one too ...

Sent in my song "Summer Vacation" https://soundcloud.com/moanakeiki/summe ... rumental-c
to this listing and got this reply from #319:
"Nice rhythm track and feel. The other MIDI elements (strings, active counter lines) make this too busy for typical music library use under dialogue and voiceover."


In the past, I've made my instrumentals really fundamental and have been criticized for them not being busy enough. UGH!!! It would have been so easy just to mute the lead track too ...

Oh, here's the listing:
EASY LISTENING INSTRUMENTALS in the stylistic range of artists like Jamie Grace, Colbie Caillat, Latice Crawford, etc., are needed by a World-Class Production Music Library that gets TONS of great placements. They want Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumental Tracks that could be used as Commercial beds by Inspirational/Praise Radio Stations for Ministry Programs, Radio Commercials, and local Churches to promote their events. Here’s the unusual part: Two of these references are Christian Artists, but that’s nearly irrelevant because they only need Instrumentals! Please listen to the following songs as a reference to get you in the general stylistic ballpark they're looking for: "Hold Me" featuring Toby Mac, by Jamie Grace: http://bit.ly/LdvMqH "I Do” by Colbie Caillat: http://bit.ly/1aaIC4d "There" by Latice Crawford: http://bit.ly/1eDwbuA Although the referenced artists' songs all have vocals, it's important to keep in mind that this request is for INSTRUMENTAL tracks only. Make sure your Tracks aren’t too busy or complicated so there's plenty of space for dialogue and voice over. They're looking for Tracks that are emotionally uplifting and positive. Your Instrumentals should have a smooth, "easy listening" feel that will appeal to the Radio listeners across Middle America. Acoustic based tracks with light accompaniment will work best for this pitch. Acoustic guitars, pianos, keyboards, light ambient electric guitars, etc. could all work well for this kind of Track. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine). The company has asked us to be very selective in what we send them, so please submit Tracks that feel like a real band. They're NOT interested in anything that's stiff, or MIDI-Driven. Your Instrumentals need to be at least 60 seconds long and should have nice, tight, buttoned endings. Please, do NOT copy or rip off the referenced artists in any way, shape, or form. Do not submit any material with unauthorized samples of other artists' songs, sounds, or any other form of media. If your Instrumental Track is selected by the company, you'll receive a $400 Buy Out Fee, and it will be an EXCLUSIVE Work-for-Hire deal. You'll keep 100% of your Writer's share. The Library will get 100% of the Publishing rights. Please be sure the material you send is NOT already signed to any other Libraries or Catalogs. You must own or control 100% of the Master and Copyright to be considered for this opportunity. All Instrumentals will be screened on a Yes/No basis. No full critiques.

[HectorRContreras]

Hello dear Pedro,

We are back for a little while.

Yes, I understand this feeling of not enough, too much, not this not that, ... and no Forward. It is UGH ! Probably due to the many different Screeners in the TAXI room, as it seems that they could be interpreting stuff in a dissimilar fashion. But Michael I know disagrees with that.

At times, Michael suggests that we work on a good number of simple Musicals with just a little difference between them, and that we build up likewise, files of Records that will have their use in due time.

Myself I always prefer to work hard toward a Listing that I particularly like and that inspires me. But to do so like this probably pays less.

Take care, Blessings ..., dear Pedro.

[Casey H]

Hey Peter
Nice track. One suggestion when you see a listing like this is try some alt mixes with one or more prominent instruments muted. You can always submit more than one track. For example, I just had a classic rock forward where they mentioned being under dialogue and I left off the lead guitar.

Best
Casey

[daveydad]

Great tune! I can see their view. It's a wonderful track to just sit back and enjoy musically. I had a couple of returns for the same exact reason. They l liked my compositions, mix and arrangements but I am sooooo melody driven that I find it hard to just make a simple "background" sounding kind of track. Keep at it!!