Material not compelling/distintive?

[johnnyb333]

NU METAL INSTRUMENTALS a la P.O.D., Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, etc. are wanted by a very successful Production Music Library who has placements with ABC, CBS, NBC, WB, Disney, Discovery, Lifetime, Fox, USA, etc. (to name just a few). They want tracks that build and grow, with melodic and dynamic variation, for a variety of Film/TV placement opportunities - they need to quickly add to their catalog in this genre. You may consider editing down a full-length song in order to avoid long sections of repetition, since this company NEEDS to have tracks that are changing & building constantly. You can submit tracks that range between 1-4 minutes in length and be sure there are NO VOCALS - they'll be focused on the sound of the guitars/drums for this one (be sure they sound authentic and current!). They want material that sounds like it could be on the radio, but will only be interested in Instrumental versions for this listing. Broadcast quality is necessary, though excellent home recordings should be fine. If you submitted material and/or were forwarded for Dispatch listing # D081230TV, please do not submit the same songs for this listing. This company liked what they've heard so far and wants to hear more. Please submit 1-3 Instrumentals online or per CD. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than February 9, 2009. TAXI #I received the reason for not being forwarded as "Material not compelling/distinctive enough." I have received this reason on most of my returns and am curious as to what that exactly means so I can improve on it for future listings. Anyone with any ideas or answers please let me know. Here are the songs returned. Let me know if you feel it lacks the "distinction" as well. Not upset, just trying to improve.http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... tream=true

[bigbluebarry]

hey Johnny, I had the same reason not being forwarded on this listing too. I "think" that in it's simplest terms, the "material not compelling/distinctive enough" means that the person listening to the song just didn't like it. Typically on a Y/N listing, if the listing party is also doing the screening, they usually mention it in the listing. But since they didn't, I'm not sure if that's the case. Even though that reason really doesn't give you enough to go on, just a few months earlier, you wouldn't have even known that. That's a new feature that they just started doing on the Y/N listings this year.I'll check out your tunes tonight on my studio machine when I get home tonight so I can give them a proper listen.- Big Blue

[johnnyb333]

thanks blue. Please let me know what ya think once you listen to em!! There's always room for improvement.

[simonparker]

it's a catch-all/quick way of saying that you didn't stand out enough in the listener/screener mind to get forwarded. I wouldn't say that the listener didn't like it, per se.

[partyofone]

hey johnnyb.. yeah I just listened to blue's song that got same comment. I can see how that could mean that it just didn't hit them as blue mentioned above...but your track sounds on target, current, and pretty solid production. the only thing that nagged my ears was the snare sound and/or also the stiffness of the beat itself. IMO I think the snare could have some high freq's taken back. also I'm not sure if it's the crappy headphones I'm listening on but the whole mix seems a bit cloudy and I'm not sure if it's because of verb of some kind of smearing in freq's. overall I think it was very solid effort and I feel like this is one of those areas I've talked about before where you've risen above the majority of the stuff out there and then you're competing with the best of the best and it gets super competitive.but who knows. good luck though!

[johnnyb333]

thanks patrick for all your input. it is no secret that mixing is my weak spot but I am working very hard to improve that. The snare bugs me too but it is a lot better than what it was, I promise!! Its a work in progress. I was in a "numetal" band for a few years and really thought I owned this one, but maybe a few tweaks on the mix and I'll send it out for the next appropriate listing. Thanks again!

[k o star]

hey Johnnyb333... I also got the same comments on my rejected trax for this same listing. I was a little dissapointed but not too surprised but however, after listening to Ur trax... I'm really puzzled. Hmmm... I mean, Ur trax are super kick ass man! Especially "Count". Love the piano parts on that... It's confusing... really don't know what they're looking for... ... Oh well... write more... keep submitting perhaps...-Kelvin

[bigbluebarry]

Feb 25, 2009, 12:46pm, simonparker wrote:it's a catch-all/quick way of saying that you didn't stand out enough in the listener/screener mind to get forwarded. I wouldn't say that the listener didn't like it, per se. Thanks Simon, that was I "meaning" to say but you said it better ok Johnny, I listened to your stuff... first off, I TOTALLY DIG it, especially your use of piano. Keyboard is a huge weakness for me so I really appreciate what you're able to do. Also, LOVE the chugga-chugga riff guitar you got going on in "Count." Good stuff dude. Nice tight playing. It sounds like you were in the ballpark style-wise on these two to me but I'd have to agree with Patrick about the snare. How do you record drums? Samples? You definitely have a lot of talent. So just keep at it. Work hard and the forwards will come in time.- Big Blue

[johnnyb333]

thanks kelvin!!! Knowing that my peers really enjoyed my songs definitely lightens the blow of rejection. Simon, I think you are dead on!! It makes a lot more sense the way you worded it.Blue, thanks for the encouraging words! All my drums are created with reason redrum. I have spent countless hours trying to mix the drums to sound as real as possible. Each is run through it's own eq. I know it doesnt compare to the real thing, but where I live right now, and for a while longer, it is the only option. Any advice on improvement much appreciated. Any advice on better drum software also wanted!!Thanks for the encouragement everyone!!! Time to crack the knuckles, and move forward to the next level!! DO IT UP!!!!

[bigbluebarry]

Love your attitude Johnny... I think that's gonna be just as integral to your success as any software that you might use. There was a thread in the tech section a few weeks ago on Drum Software. There are several really good options out there. I started on EZ Drummer with the Drumkit From Hell expansion pack. I added a few more of the expansion packs and then a few months ago I upgraded to Superior Drummer 2.0, which lets you use all of the EZ Drummer packs inside of it. I LOVE SD 2. But I know there other people out there using Addictive Drums and BFD and getting some great sounds as well. It'd be hard to go wrong with any of those. It just depends on your budget and your needs. - Big Blue