News Track feedback please :)

[stansongman]

This is my first effort at writing something for news/etc., just started working with some new software as well. If any of you have had forwards or placements in this area, I'd welcome any and all feedback! If you'd pitch it for listings besides news, I'd really like to hear about it. The link is: http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... am=1Thanks!

[hummingbird]

Quote:This is my first effort at writing something for news/etc., just started working with some new software as well. If any of you have had forwards or placements in this area, I'd welcome any and all feedback! If you'd pitch it for listings besides news, I'd really like to hear about it. The link is: http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... 1Thanks!Hi Stan. Wow, I thought this good!! Sounds very "newsy" to me. I think it is well composed. I think it would work for any kind of "positive" or "uplifting" instrumental listing as well as "news". Might also be good for a comedy situation.I'm not an expert, so take my comments with a grain of salt, but the woodwinds & horns at :17 secs - that little section -- there's something about them that sounds a little cheesy. Could just be my montors or ears, so let's see what other people say.I like the different sections, how the piece pulls you thru and keeps the same lively atmosphere going all the way through. Good ending, too.cheersHummin'bird

[rlcmusic]

Hi Stan,It has quite a 'triumphant' mood to it too and apart from news I can imagine it as a backdrop to a sports report (skiing comes to mind!).I don't currently have music in this area but that's what sprung to mind when hearing your piece....Rachel

[davewalton]

Quote:This is my first effort at writing something for news/etc., just started working with some new software as well. If any of you have had forwards or placements in this area, I'd welcome any and all feedback! If you'd pitch it for listings besides news, I'd really like to hear about it. The link is: http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... 1Thanks!Hi Stan,The composition is excellent. Personally I think you did a great job of capturing the "news" feel.The recording is another matter. It's almost like it's recorded in mono... everything (with the exception of the piano) is all coming from one single spot in the center of my speakers. At around the 0:20 mark where the high violins are playing and the phrase is finished up by the trumpets, I should be hearing the violin parts coming mostly from the left but everything is packed into dead center. As a result, things are sounding "midi-ish"... probably not as realistic as they could sound.I looked at your threads... looks like you're using VSL? Maybe some VSL users or those knowlegeable about VSL can, no pun intended, chime in.

[mikebarresi]

Hey.. good trackI agree with Dave. Everything is in the middle. Open it up and use the entire sonic landscape. That will help this arrangment. I think a little bit more of a reverb trail after the last note may help as well.CyaMike

[davewalton]

Quote:Hey.. good trackI agree with Dave. Everything is in the middle. Open it up and use the entire sonic landscape. That will help this arrangment. I think a little bit more of a reverb trail after the last note may help as well.CyaMikeFrom our own "Mr News" Mazz, a track with a similar vibe, not quite as upbeat as yours but the soundscape is nice and wide on the speakers. www.broadjam.com/player/playerhosting.a ... 913_358496

[mazz]

Thanks Dave for posting that piece! Fortunately EW orchestra comes "pre-panned" which helps get a good soundstage "out of the box". I do spend a lot of time on the sound design aspect of every mix, it's a huge part of creating the illusion of live musicians and a more emotional experience for the listener (hopefully!). Stan, nice piece, good composition and it has a nice contrasting middle section but not too contrasting, which is a good thing!I think panning the instruments will help a great deal, I'd like to hear it after you do that. One other thing to consider is you have a lot of instruments playing the 16th note patterns and they all have a lot of high frequency content which makes the groove sound cluttered. Panning will help some of this but I'd consider EQing the highs down on one or two instruments. A good candidate would be the piano, as it sounds like it's fighting sonically with the hi-hat at times. This would also free up sonic territory for the strings.Good first crack at it, let's hear the re-mix!!Mazz

[Casey H]

Hi StanNice track. I'm working on the assumption that you are targeting something along the lines of a news theme such as the music you hear when the news comes on TV. If not, can you be more specific about where you see it being used in the news world? It's important to know the target.My first reaction is it's too festive and "happy" for news. A while back I was talking with another member about a news track submission and found out that many stations have samples of their news themes on the Internet. I googled a local station (WPVI Channel 6 in Philadelphia) and found a page with dozens of links to their news themes through the years. I thought it was really helpful for comparing what you have against some real examples.As far as production and engineering, I have to leave that up to the guys who know that stuff like Dave, Mazz et al. I'm pretty clueless there.It is a really nice track. If I am right that it's too festive for news, you might be able to keep some of the melodic themes and just tone it down... Not sure. And also, sometimes if a track doesn't fit one thing, it's just right for something else.Best,Casey

[tedsingingfox]

Quote:My first reaction is it's too festive and "happy" for news. A while back I was talking with another member about a news track submission and found out that many stations have samples of their news themes on the Internet. I googled a local station (WPVI Channel 6 in Philadelphia) and found a page with dozens of links to their news themes through the years. I thought it was really helpful for comparing what you have against some real examples.But a GREAT, GREAT idea and suggestion, Casey. I never knew "pages" like that even existed.

[tedsingingfox]

And Dave, now that I've listened to your piece...(and keep in mind that I am a nobody, who knows nothing...)I have to agree with what Casey said. Don't hear me wrong...it is VERY "newsy" in its tempo and production (ie: sounding like the old news tickers in the quickness of the notes...almost like someone pecking a story out on an old manual typewriter), but the music itself (to my poor old cynical brain) is too happy for network news. For "Entertainment Tonight" or any other show featuring Mary Hart, it's perfect. Sports clips, as well, would work, I think. But again, as I said earlier, the world isn't the same world as in Walter Cronkite's day, and I'd bet minor keys would work a little better.Wash this BS down with tons of salt, OK?And no matter what, it's a tremendous track. So pay no attention to the man with the earbuds on.Ted