Omnisphere - How's it working for you?

[ggalen]

FT,Interesting story. And good points!

[mazz]

I can say for sure that on my TV gig, even though the music is mixed way back most of the time, they don't want mindless wallpaper. I don't care how great a piano or synth sound you have, if you can't create something that sets a heartfelt, emotional vibe (or whatever else they're looking for), sometimes overnight, then "you're out" (to quote a famous supermodel/reality show host).No one-finger-Omnispehre-jockey is going to cut that gig, not for very long at least. It's harder than it sounds on the surface, that's for sure!! The really good composers make it sound effortless.Mazz

[mazz]

Sept 21, 2008, 1:17pm, hummingbird wrote:I would certainly like to think I am a composer, and not just somebody who holds down a key for effects. I think it's possible to use the new tools to create interesting sonic textures and innovative soundart but still be the one who is building a composition from the ground up, working with melody & counterpoint to create a something that has expression and meaning.Vikki,I wasn't even thinking of you when I was thinking of one-finger "geniuses".You are a real artist and composer.Mazz

[ggalen]

Mazz,Yup. That's got to be what we target: people who want music written to order.Remember I talked about iStockphoto?Unfortunately I see that a few months ago they created iStockMusic.I read that iStockphoto and other similar sites have completely changed the market for stock photography...much to the financial detriment of professional photographers.We really do have to make connections with people who want music made to order, as you are doing.

[stoney]

Love the way this thread has developed and the comments are great to read. I agree with all that is being said and to add I think it's worth mentioning that music libraries are aware of their music sounding like wallpaper in the face of competition. Take the library Extreme music, I think they have some of the best talent around on there books. Go check there website and listen to there music, it's quality and a first call library for Hollywood. KPM has artsits such as Harry Gregson-Williams his brother Rupert and Debbie Wiseman. If 'mere' libraries employ these guys composers like me need to constantly up your game and being as creative as possible over and above holding down one note is key to being employed, boy it's tempting though and hard to resist but we must.Great Thread

[ggalen]

Stoney,I am calling it the way I see it, but I am also aware of my limitations here since I maybe don't really understand the business in the music production centers, like Los Angeles or Nashville.But I fall back on the unchanging laws of supply and demand. If some product or service, in this case, nice-sounding tracks, becomes quite common and easily found on the Internet...then fees and royalties HAVE to fall, eventually.I mean, if you drop dollar bills all over the floor in an upscale shopping mall, the people walking there will pick them up even though they don't really need the money.Likewise, a production company, making a tidy profit today even though it's paying good fees for licensing music, will not turn down a cost savings on music if it becomes very easy take advantage of.Matto has talked about relationships being key; and that makes sense. But when the price gets very attractive and easy to take advantage of, even your best clients might jump.

[mazz]

There becomes a point where "inexpensive" equates with "cheap", as in "cheaply made". I firmly believe that there will always be a market for quality and my goal is to make "Mazz Music" or whatever I call it, the equivalent of Mercedes or Ferrari in the music world. The people that want "cheap" I'd rather not work with anyway because they'll nickel and dime you to death. The people that recognize quality will find a way to pay for it. Besides, then you have bragging rights: "my TV show/Film/Game has a score by Mazz" cue audience: "ooooooohhhhh..........aaaaahhhhhh" Lets all rise out of the mediocre "off the shelf" "one size fits all" mentality and create a brand that is indisputable in it's quality. One finger Omnisphere factory patch music won't get us there. Mazz

[hummingbird]

I'll just be devil's advocate for a moment and say, if it's possible to get forwards, deals & placements by just mangling a couple of presets so it sounds like you've done something creative - let's see ya do it My point being - I constantly hear about the 'dumbing down" and "homogenization" and how we're "selling out " when we write "commercially viable" music - and I say, if it's so easy... why aren't more of us dumbing down & selling out so we can feed our kids? Is it really that we are that principled? Or is it that, whatever way you cut it, competition in the industry is fierce and the 'one shot' wonders might land a deal or two, but they will never be at the level of our friends like Matto, Mazz, Dave, etc... who compose and get paid for it. And when I listen to their music I hear nothing homogenized or dumbed down. I hear amazing talent using tools with skill and knowledge. I hold to them as my example of the idea that it IS possible to be yourself & express yourself creatively while still being commercially viable and successful as a songwriter/composer/producer.In fact, I would say, that is the challenge.

[mojobone]

One of the quoted reviews of Omnisphere, forget if it was here or on their website, noted that we probably would be hearing a lot of the factory patches soon; this has happened with a number of popular sample sets, back in the era of hardware samplers and the Korg Karma, as well as Kontact's scripting capabilities. It still takes a modicum of musical sensibility to achieve an emotional effect, let alone the desired emotional effect.

[stoney]

Great and memorable piece of advice I was given once from a top UK composer and I quote "always buy good reverbs and DON'T BUY STYLUS OR ATMOSPHERE!". I don't think he was being literal but his point was clear everyone in TV uses these products and TV companies become aware of this and aren't shy in letting you know that you sound bland and like everyone else.Not saying I'm 100% original or unique but I do try and it doesn't take much to turn a patch into something unique and musical.