Blues/Rock Instrumental Cues

[thegajman]

Anyone have some quick thoughts on whether or not I am on track for this listing please?!

My cues are more traditional blues rock and this listing asks for an "edgy sound", so I think that is where I may come unstuck. So if there is anything you think I could do in the mix to give these more "edge" let me know!

https://soundcloud.com/glenn777johnson/in-the-groove
https://soundcloud.com/glenn777johnson/down-in-the-dirt


Here's the listing... Thanks!


TAXI #Y180210BR
BLUES/ROCK INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a well-respected Music Library with a very solid track record of TV and Film placements. This company ran a lot of listings with TAXI about 10 years ago, and placed a bunch of music from our members. They’ve recently started a New Company, so this is a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor, and they pay an Upfront Fee to Composers!

They’re looking for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumental Cues that would fit well on a playlist with the following references:

“Howlin’ for You” by The Black Keys
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct?b=bypVSeQ ... fR&l=6.wGD

“Badman Redux” by Brent Lindsay
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct?b=20e1JCm ... fR&l=6.wGD

“Heartbroken, In Disrepair” by Dan Auerbach
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct?b=gwVg07x ... fR&l=6.wGD

Although the references have vocals, please submit Instrumentals only for this pitch.

Please submit well-crafted Blues/Rock Cues that have an edgy sound with standard Rock band instrumentation, and great musicianship that’s played with conviction, attitude, and authenticity. Adding some “rust” and “grease” couldn’t hurt! Your submissions should be well structured, with catchy, gritty guitar riffs, engaging melodies, and a super in-the-pocket rhythm section. Add and subtract layers of instrumentation as your Cues progress to add dynamics and keep it moving forward.

Your submissions should be about 2 minutes long (give or take), with Non-Faded, Buttoned/Stinger endings. Please Do NOT copy the referenced bands or songs in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine).

[timothycook]

Nice job Glenn.

I would say that Down in the Dirt is spot on. Especially remembering that alas are songs and they are really looking for cues. <shrug>

Good luck.

Tim

[Piewackit1]

I think they both have a chance. Both have great riffs...a little more traditional blues than the references, but close. I would dirty up the drums. I gave the same advice to Tim. Throw the drums through a saturation plug in.


Great tracks and good luck.


Jeff

[thegajman]

Thanks guys!

I'm using Logic so this might do the job for the saturation... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DLpg6hEtfg

[LOCK88]

Glenn, 2 really strong track here, excellent work! I've got a few thoughts as to how they compare against the reference tracks:

1) Snare: Neither of the 3 reference tracks has an apparent snare. They are replacing it with hand claps and/or tambo. And if the snare is there, it is not jumping out above those claps and tambo. So you might consider doing the same.

2) Guitar/Drum mix: I feel like the reference tracks have their drums out in front of everything, but the drums are quite dirty, and almost muted. So like Jeff mentioned, running them (or at least the kick) through some sort of saturation plugin might help achieve that tone. The guitars and other instruments are pulled back quite a bit in the mix.

I actually think your mixes sound quite a bit more polished than the references, and for this listing, that might need to be addressed. Dan Auerbach is such a monster, and I'm pretty sure he used Tchad Blake to mix these tracks, so I would say they are some VERY high bar tracks they are referencing. Very well done Glenn!

robb

[DavidRad]

Hey Glenn,

Nice job, these cues sound great. I think they match the "edgy" tone of the listing perfectly. I also love the guitar riffs in the track.

Jayson

[thegajman]

I'm so glad I put these up for review. Such great advice, and kind words to boot!

Thanks Tim, Jeff, Robb and Jayson.

Robb: I can't believe I hadn't noticed the low profile of the snare in the reference tracks! Its amazing how easy it is to get tunnel vision, not only with your own track but also with the references.

[LOCK88]

Robb: I can't believe I hadn't noticed the low profile of the snare in the reference tracks! Its amazing how easy it is to get tunnel vision, not only with your own track but also with the references.

Yeah Glenn, your mixes sound so good as you had them, so I can see how easy it would have been to miss this. But if we are really comparing to the reference tracks, that's where it kinda stood out. Those reference tracks come from such high-caliber song writers, with the best-of-the-best mixers (Tchad!!!), while being kinda low-fi. So getting a high-caliber-low-fi sound is freaking HARD to do. I'd love to hear any updates if you end up making some tweaks...The main thing you got going is 2 really great tracks there, so either way, I'd bet you're gonna find success with these.

[thegajman]

Hey guys... I've attempted the LOFI/Saturated drums on those tracks and a 3rd one that wasn't finished until today.

The changes are subtle. I did bring the Snare volume down on 2 of them. (Down In The Dirt uses a loop so I couldn't change the snare volume).

Here are the updated versions...

https://soundcloud.com/glenn777johnson/ ... ms/s-XpB6Y
https://soundcloud.com/glenn777johnson/ ... ms/s-sAVC0
https://soundcloud.com/glenn777johnson/defiance

[Piewackit1]

Yup Defiance hits the spot. It's got a great chance of getting a forward. The other two are great as well, but I'm not as sure about the forward on these two.