Is this pitch-ready? -- REVISION

[hummingbird]

Here's the listing:UPTEMPO, CONTMPORARY PROMO MUSIC (:10, :15, :30 versions) -- are needed by an East Coast Music Library/Publisher that has signed & placed dozens of TAXI songs through the years. He's open to current-sounding tracks that are in line with what is being used for News Programs, MTV, Court TV, Lifetime -- and everything in between. He wants tracks that are in the :10 to :30 range. He offers exclusive deals with a reversion clause [typically 2-5 years] for instrumental tracks. Broadcast quality needed (Great-sounding home recordings are OK). Here's my first version:The Penny Drops - http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... ream=1It's orchestral/dramatic hopefully contemporary.... feedback appreciated thanksHummin'bird EDIT -- POSTED A NEW VERSION -- http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... =trueNotes - this is no longer targetted to this listing. I'm simply working on getting the orchestra to sound real & on different aspects of the composition.

[avillaronga]

Hi,I like the string runs, they draw you in right away which, in a ten second piece, you need to grab the attention of the listener right away, it definitely does that. One note: the piece is 9 seconds long, since they specified the exact time range, you should make sure you are within that range. There are also two bass drum hits (at :05 and :09) that seem to be distorted a bit, I tried with both headphones and monitors and I could hear the "click" with both. I wasn't too sure about the brass sounds but that is really a matter of taste, since the nice string runs take center stage, I didn't even pay attention to the horns until the 4th or 5th listen.Overall, I think this could work as a short promo. HTHAntonio

[hummingbird]

Thanks Antonio for that feedback. I'll take a look at the bass drum & see what's happening there. The piece is exactly 9.5 seconds long, which is I think what they want for a :10 sec cue. I could be wrong, but that's what I understand is wanted in these cases. Appreciate the help!!cheersHummin'bird

[paults]

If this is just shy of 10 seconds, what about something right at the beginning that leads into the downbeat of the first measure? That would make it the right length, and would solidify where the all important "One" is.Having listened to this a few more times, my Pop Music-centric ears lead me to a question. Are the hits on the downbeat of each measure? If so, I think a kick on One and a snare on Two of each measure would add a lot of power to your piece.

[avillaronga]

Quote:Thanks Antonio for that feedback. I'll take a look at the bass drum & see what's happening there. The piece is exactly 9.5 seconds long, which is I think what they want for a :10 sec cue. I could be wrong, but that's what I understand is wanted in these cases. Appreciate the help!!cheersHummin'birdYou're right that the music should probably be no longer than 9 or 9.5 seconds but if they are going to have a 10 second spot, they need something that will fill up those 10 seconds and not leave .5 of dead silence. Ok maybe 1/2 a second is not truly a big deal, I mean, who's gonna notice? But I find it always best to follow directions as closely as possible so that the people picking the music can see how professional you are and how well you follow directions. I think the common approach is to end the music at around 9 secs and let it ring out for the extra second (if you ended the song at exactly 10 secs, it would be quite an abrupt ending), at least that is what I do: if someone asked me for a 15 second spot I make sure that my file is *exactly* 15 seconds even though the actual music part may be 13.5 or 14 seconds and the rest is the remnants of reverberation or drum hit decay, etc.

[ciskokidd]

Hey Vikki,Matt probably knows better than me, but I would expand that good idea into a 30-60 second spot. Then you can edit 10-15-30 second spots from there. The reason I say this, is that if the client wants more than the 10 seconds you have, you may not be able to get him/her what they want in a timely manner.My 2 cents for what it's worth.Cisco

[jamesm]

Hi, Vikki. Fun little clip! I found an internet café for lunch and got to listen.I like the opening a lot. Definitely grabs your attention. Towards the end it sounds a little music box-y to me. One thing I'd get rid of is the major third at the end. The chromatic nature of the clip has more of a minor/tense sound to it until I get to the end. There are piano hits (?), I think, towards the end that are giving it a little bit of a "plunky" sound. I'd fatten up the final hits with doubling at octaves with other instruments and avoid the resolution to the peaceful chord. I'd also move the next-to-last note down a half-step in the string melody. I think it would add a little darkness to that ending. And, as always, these are just my ideas. Please feel free to ignore. It might be worth trying the tweaks in a copy and seeing what your ears think.

[Casey H]

Hi VikkiI liked it... It went by pretty quick in 9 seconds, but it sounded very good... I think the suggestions that you expand it to a longer clip such as 30 seconds is a good one. That way they can get a better listen and then cut it down if they like. My fear is they won't have time to really decide. But, as said, hopefully Matto will give his thoughts.The big issue, other than length, is whether it is 'contemporary' sounding and how they define that for promo music such as this... It has a bit of a classic feel... Sounded really good in my headphones! Casey

[mazz]

Hi Vikki,Sounds good and I think you're headed in the right direction. I'm going to go against the grain here and suggest you take out an eight note from your ending riff so the ring out doesn't sound cut off. My understanding is that 10 seconds really means 9 seconds in broadcast and your ring out will sound more musical if it doesn't bump it's head up against the time requirements.Musically here's my observations:The strings are dragging a bit in relationship to the drums. In a piece like this, you want continual forward motion and the strings dragging kind of work against that. Put each line individually up against the drums and make sure they attack right in time. I'm not suggesting over-quantizing, rather, moving the strings ahead in time so they line up with the drums. In the second bar there's one note in the strings that is pretty late and pulls my focus.Also, I would add more low end to the piece overall. Something like this: timpani hit right on the first note and every couple of bars as appropriate musically. As the piece progresses, have your cellos descend and have the basses join so by the end you have a nice 3 octave or so spread of your strings. This makes the piece crescendo in timbre as well as volume. Watch CNN to hear how these things are used and what aesthetics they are after, most hit hard right away and then build up again.Good stuff! Mazz

[stevelane]

Very nice Vikki It was well fast needed to listen to it 3 times cos I missed the first two times.Steve