Distortion?

[scotttroyer]

My track "Bring Me All The Way Home" was returned for recording reasons. This was the comment from the listener:

The recording had a lot of distortion on the track.

I'm not sure what the listener heard, but that track doesn't have any distortion whatsoever. Maybe my ears aren't that good? Thoughts anyone? my TAXI profile

[richmstudios]

The screener is probably referring to the boad/waves sound effects. At first it sounded like distortion to me too when the track started and I didn't really realize it was SFX until the end of the track.

Just as a general rule, I wouldn't put any nature sounds or other sound effects when pitching for film and TV - it tends to make it not universal and may not fit with the scene it is intended for.

Hope this helps,

Rich

[scotttroyer]

The screener is probably referring to the boad/waves sound effects. At first it sounded like distortion to me too when the track started and I didn't really realize it was SFX until the end of the track.

Just as a general rule, I wouldn't put any nature sounds or other sound effects when pitching for film and TV - it tends to make it not universal and may not fit with the scene it is intended for.

Hope this helps,

Rich

Thanks, Rich. It's the album version. I suppose I should upload one without the FX.

[VanderBoegh]

I agree with Rich, the sound of the waves (at least, that's what I think the SFX is) basically kills your chances at licensing opportunities for film/TV, as now it can only be used during scenes involving water. Take that out and you've got something with a lot of potential. But as long as it's in there, you're gonna be fighting an uphill battle. I can see how the screener might mistake that sound for distortion, although it may have been better if they'd said something a little more to-the-point so you didn't have to wonder what they were thinking.

~~Matt

[Russell Landwehr]

If the SFX were what the screener heard... then this worries me that this golden ear listener called it distortion. Or was it not screened by a Taxi screener but by someone sent in by the listing party?

Russell

[scotttroyer]

I agree with Rich, the sound of the waves (at least, that's what I think the SFX is) basically kills your chances at licensing opportunities for film/TV, as now it can only be used during scenes involving water. Take that out and you've got something with a lot of potential. But as long as it's in there, you're gonna be fighting an uphill battle. I can see how the screener might mistake that sound for distortion, although it may have been better if they'd said something a little more to-the-point so you didn't have to wonder what they were thinking.

~~Matt

Thanks, Matt. I'm still learning about what works and doesn't work for submitting to these listings. I only have the album versions of these tunes, so that's what I have to work with. You're right though, a little more description would've been helpful. Distortion can mean a lot of different things, but certainly it doesn't apply here.

[scotttroyer]

If the SFX were what the screener heard... then this worries me that this golden ear listener called it distortion. Or was it not screened by a Taxi screener but by someone sent in by the listing party?

Russell

That was my thought too, Russell. While the SFX may disqualify the track for broadcast, but calling it distortion is definitely a poor assessment (or at least poorly worded assessment). It sure makes me question whether it's worth submitting when spades aren't called spades.

[andygabrys]

If the SFX were what the screener heard... then this worries me that this golden ear listener called it distortion. Or was it not screened by a Taxi screener but by someone sent in by the listing party?

Russell

That was my thought too, Russell. While the SFX may disqualify the track for broadcast, but calling it distortion is definitely a poor assessment (or at least poorly worded assessment). It sure makes me question whether it's worth submitting when spades aren't called spades.

Scott - that might be (and I got your PM to the same) - but its likely that the screener is moving fast and isn't maybe a techno minded type - maybe more of a songwriter who knows when something sounds wrong to them, but sometimes can't articulate it.