could you guys judge this please

[jude3]

These two songs did not make it for the dispatch listing that wanted a Sade feel for a scene in a TV show where a girl was going to seduce the main charactor. They needed a song that was similar to Smooth Operator.Does any one have a copy of that listing. I lost it.could you guys please judge these:http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... ream=trueI also keep getting low morks on the engineering and fidelity. Is there something wrong there too?That is pretty sad for an ex engineer that mixed major records that many of you probably heard before.I am at a total loss. maybe the screeners are listening with crappy headphones.

[daniel481]

Hey Jude,Just so you know, I'm an engineer, too, with a lot of mix credits, and I've gotten lower marks than I would have expected in those areas, as well.As to these tracks, they're good. But, they're not GREAT. And that's what those screeners are always looking for. To me, they both feel a bit stagnant with the repetive drum loops. The loops are also slightly dated sounding. And I find that the vocal sound isn't as good as it should be, as well. Something about the tonality just isn't sitting right for me...it seems to have a lot of extra presence in the mids, and it sounds like a home recording on a cheaper mic. I don't mean to be harsh, but I'm just being as picky as those screeners are. The performance of the singer is OK, but the double is too present, and the harmonies aren't nailed as well as they should be.The vocal track on the second track started out better for me, but as soon as multiple voices came in, I found it having the same feel as the first one. I'm just not hearing enough variety in the song to keep it interesting for three minutes, and again, the drums sound dated. With all that being said, you're still not far off! Some variety in the rhythm tracks, a more modern sound to the loops, and taking extra care with the vocals (especially being careful with heavily present doubles), and I think you'd be there on these. So nice work!HTH,Dan

[aubreyz]

Jude,I think Daniel nailed what I'm hearing too. Drums and vocals date this one. I'm an engineer by trade, and my first scores were lower than I thought they would be too. Unfortunately, my skills were more dated than what I thought also Unless a listing is specifically calling for a dated sound, even if the ala is dated, like Sade, most of the time they are still looking for a modern sound. Another observation, even when engineering marks weren't as high as I thought, that was never listed as a reason for not forwarding (in fact, I was forwarded a couple of times even though the engineering scores were lower than I thought they should be).Like Daniel said... you're not that far off. The rating system, though probably the best system for this, is not a real accurate scale. A 6 from one screener doesn't necessarily mean the same thing as a 6 from another. It's the ratio between marks that I look for. Some screeners give higher overall marks than others. Instead of comparing the scale, I look for the high and low trend among different critiques.Also, the better your material is... the better your engineering marks will be... there is of course the human nature factor. Aub

[jude3]

Quote:Hey Jude,Just so you know, I'm an engineer, too, with a lot of mix credits, and I've gotten lower marks than I would have expected in those areas, as well.As to these tracks, they're good. But, they're not GREAT. And that's what those screeners are always looking for. To me, they both feel a bit stagnant with the repetive drum loops. The loops are also slightly dated sounding. And I find that the vocal sound isn't as good as it should be, as well. Something about the tonality just isn't sitting right for me...it seems to have a lot of extra presence in the mids, and it sounds like a home recording on a cheaper mic. I don't mean to be harsh, but I'm just being as picky as those screeners are. The performance of the singer is OK, but the double is too present, and the harmonies aren't nailed as well as they should be.The vocal track on the second track started out better for me, but as soon as multiple voices came in, I found it having the same feel as the first one. I'm just not hearing enough variety in the song to keep it interesting for three minutes, and again, the drums sound dated. With all that being said, you're still not far off! Some variety in the rhythm tracks, a more modern sound to the loops, and taking extra care with the vocals (especially being careful with heavily present doubles), and I think you'd be there on these. So nice work!HTH,Danthats cool. I kinda thought the same thing only since it was suppose to be a Sade thing then the drums should not sound current.It is hard to write, record and mix two songs in two days.at least i know the little voice in my head was not wrong now that you basically said the same thing it was saying.only I have heard tracks here that went into TV shows that were not "amazing".Thanks

[jude3]

Quote:Jude, Unless a listing is specifically calling for a dated sound, even if the ala is dated, like Sade, most of the time they are still looking for a modern sound.How do you know that?

[aubreyz]

Quote:Quote:Jude, Unless a listing is specifically calling for a dated sound, even if the ala is dated, like Sade, most of the time they are still looking for a modern sound.How do you know that?Good question. Just from experience. btw-- just the fact you were able to produce these two tracks from write to upload in two days most likely means you're going to do great at the dispatch game. One of the hardest things to master is reading the listings but not reading more or less into it. Unless they say dated, you can almost assume that a current "sound" is desired. Without reading the listing, it's hard to know for sure (and btw you should be able to click the listing in your hosting area in the critique).So what would Sade sound like if recorded today? That's what I try to imagine if the ala is dated, but the listing doesn't mention a "time period" sound.Aub

[jude3]

Quote:(and btw you should be able to click the listing in your hosting area in the critique).Thankshere it is:Amid- to slow-tempo, seductive R&B-ish ADULT CONTEMPORARY SONG a la SADE’s “SMOOTH OPERATOR” (from her 1984 release “Diamond Life”) is needed by the Music Supervisor of a new major network TV show that’s a cross between “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Entourage.” For this scene, one of the characters attempts to seduce the show’s main character, so the supervisor needs something sexy & sensual. Lyrically, stay within the parameters of “Smooth Operator” - he needs the same vibe/theme lyric-wise. No profanity, please. FEMALE VOCALS ONLY. They’re offering a license fee of about $6000-$8000 for this cue. Broadcast quality needed [excellent-sounding home recordings are OK]. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS ONLY - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI. For ground submissions, please enclose a S.A.S.E. if you would like a response. As always, we will notify everyone via e-mail, whether your submissions have been Forwarded or Returned. Submissions must be received no later than 12:00 NOON, Pacific Standard Time (California time), Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. TAXI # D071210ACI am not using any compression. I wonder if that is making a difference.

[daniel481]

Another thing to pay attention too is how much they're offering money wise. If they're willing to pay upwards of $6000 for it, you can bet they're going to want something really great! And since it's for what appears to be a new HBO or Showtime show, you can also be sure that it's a very high bar listing.You're right in the fact that it can be hard to get these dispatch listings ready in time, but you're definitely on the right track. Just move on to the next ones and keep writing!Dan

[matto]

Hi jude,I think the second one is closer than the first one. I think "technically" they are both quite close to Sade and probably close enough. What they lack pretty much entirely is the sultry irresistible feel and vibe of Sade, both vocally and in the tracks. And when you're trying to do an "a la" like this, the vibe/feel/mood is the MOST important thing to match, above everything else, cause that's what the non musicians (directors and producers) go by.The vocals on these songs sound uncomfortable and "out of the pocket", in the first one in particular the singer is rushing and does not settle into the groove at all. The performance also sounds forced and somewhat stiff, a stark contrast to Sade's fluid and simultaneously "hot" and "cool" delivery.To be fair this is a tough assignment...Sade's music is all vibe and without a singer of her calibre/personality it would be almost impossible to pull that off convincingly...

[aubreyz]

I'll try to listen in the studio tomorrow and give you some better feedback. No compression at all on the vox could explain some, but honestly I don't think engineering was the reason these didn't pass. Although some less than amazing stuff get's placed on tv/film.. for a listing like this (major network, healthy license fee) the bar is going to be very high.Aub