Ears Please: Pop Instrumental

[EvanLainhart]

I've created a track for this listing, and was wondering if I could get your thoughts on it:

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FUN, FEEL-GOOD TOP 40 INSTRUMENTALS are needed by an A-List Film/TV Music Publishing Company that’s always landing lots of upper crust placements. They’re looking for fresh, Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals in the stylistic ballpark of Artists/Songs like (but not limited to), Pharrell, Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, etc., etc., etc. Please listen to the following references they gave us to get yourself in the general ballpark of what they’re looking for:

“Happy” by Pharrell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM

“Moves Like Jagger” By Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEPTlhBmwRg

“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfWlot6h_JM

Although the references have vocals, please submit only Instrumentals for this pitch. Give them well-crafted Instrumentals that have an emotionally up-beat feel, with catchy melodies, rhythmic beats, and a cool sounding ear-candy through-out. Your overall production should be current sounding (not dated, please) and have a slick, polished, Top 40 sound.

All submissions should be at between 3:00 and 5:00 minutes long, give or take. Non-Faded/Buttoned endings with a natural ring out will work best. Do not copy the references in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as general guide for overall feel, texture and tone. Broadcast quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine).

This company offers an EXCLUSIVE deal. You’ll split all upfront sync fees 50/50. The Publisher will get 100% of the Publisher’s share, and you’ll get 100% of the Writer’s share. You must own or control your Master and Copyright. Since this is an EXCLUSIVE deal, please be sure the material you submit for this pitch is NOT already signed with any other Libraries or Catalogs. Please submit one to three Instrumentals online or per CD. All submissions must be received no later than 11:59PM (PDT), on Tuesday, June 20th, 2017. TAXI #Y170620FI

My submission can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/user-545984338/b ... dy/s-s8Ysc

Thanks in advance for your time. It's MUCH APPRECIATED!
Evan

[lesmac]

You have good bones there with this track.

My two cents from the sidelines would be:

1: the drums sounded predictable, try layering kicks and snares in with what you've got. Add some grit.

2: I wanted to hear more percussive elements earlier, sixteenths and maybe some syncopation.

3: More depth by using delays and adding new sounds would be desirable.

4: builds, drops and risers. pop music is full of them.

I think you just need to fill the track out more, the structure is pretty good, just throw some more 'stuff' at it.

[EvanLainhart]

Awesome feedback! So, a full length instrumental for a listing like this can be a little more "in your face" than a pop cue is what I'm taking from what your saying. Correct? I was worried that it was too busy as is!

[lesmac]

Awesome feedback! So, a full length instrumental for a listing like this can be a little more "in your face" than a pop cue is what I'm taking from what your saying. Correct? I was worried that it was too busy as is!

There is a caveat here, I have no placements in any genre

I'm offering my subjective opinion so you may want to wait on input from those with a few runs on the board before making major changes.

[EvanLainhart]

Either way, I really appreciate your time, Lester. I'll probably make at least a couple of adjustments. Beef up the kick a bit... Maybe a swell or two for a little added drama. I guess we'll see what happens! Cheers from here in the northern hemisphere brother!

[ttully]

Hi Evan,
Here's my 2 cents...
In all the examples...they are all using live drum tracks...with midi elements added.
You are starting with a naked midi drum track ...that's tough to pull off!
The drums are just too quantized and the cymbals are too midi sounding...tone them down and don't use the same one every time.
The drum track is too dry and dull...add some compression and verb and pull it back..add some high end sparkle to the snare and cymbals..but add bass to the kick...try a 80 htz sine wave with each kick hit.
Listen carefully to the examples to how the drums sit in the mix perfectly.

Also on the examples they are using alot of live instruments...that is going to be very tough to duplicate the power and cohesive live feeling they are getting with midi instruments
The synth that starts at about :40 is too 80's Duran Duran sounding. ( the listing says 'not dated please')
Listen carefully to the examples and emulate what they are doing

The whole track is too midi and quantized..... loosen it up ..add some live tracks move the notes around a bit.

I also agree completely with lesmac...especially with #4.
The listing wants a modern slick track with lots of ear candy....


Not trying to be too harsh .. just trying to help you...this is a very very tough genre to get right...because it uses the most modern of modern production to get the the finished product.

.

[EvanLainhart]

Thanks a bunch Ttully! I appreciate your time and the feedback!
Evan

[ttully]

Hey Evan,

I wouldn't even be brave enough to put up some of the failed pop tracks I have written!

Tim

[EvanLainhart]

Hey guys I wanted to say thanks again. based on your suggestions, I made as many changes as I could and fired it off to the screener. I think the changes I made we're well worth the time.
Really appreciate the energy you all put into sharing your ideas! Thanks again!