CONTEMPORARY ROCK | Should I ?

[PhilRey]

Not sure about the production quality again (it's because of this CONTEMPORARY thing again I guess...). And these temp tracks are very well produced too...
So what do you think ? Is it realistic for a little french guy in his studio to try to compete with these big boys ?
https://soundcloud.com/melodeicon/gimme ... strumental

CONTEMPORARY ROCK INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed for an (up-to) $8,000 (to the writer/composer), placement by a Very Successful One-Stop Music Publisher for a National TV Commercial for an Automotive Company. They want Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals that are in the general stylistic wheelhouse of the following references that we got from our client:

“I Only Lie When I Love You” by Royal Blood / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BermIHe03zU

“You Think I Ain’t Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire” by Queens of the Stone Age / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS8LvHT_zcQ

“DEVIL” by Shinedown / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AsPY1bQx70

NOTE: You’d be wise to submit material that matches the energy and tempo of the reference tracks. They’re not looking for knockoffs or sound-alikes, but your submissions should be inspired by the “vibe” of referenced examples.

Although the references above have vocals, this pitch is for Instrumentals only.

Please submit well-crafted Rock Instrumental Cues that have a sound, style, and vibe that’s in the general ballpark of the references. Your submissions need to sound like an authentic band with very high-quality drum sounds or recorded real drums, and not a MIDI-driven studio project. Be sure to build your Cue around a central melodic theme while adding and subtracting layers of Instrumentation as your track progresses to add dynamics and keep it from sounding too repetitive or linear.

NOTE: You’d be wise to send Instrumental Cues that sound more like records rather than material that sounds like it came from a Music Library.

[SawtoothPorter]

Nice track. You definitely nailed the vibe and are very close to production quality.

Something needs to happen with the drums. I am hesitant to say they need to come UP (meaning volume) but they need something. I would just do a lot of A/B with the ref tracks and an EQ to get them just right.

You're close enough for me to be searching for small nitpicky things so I think just keep A/B'ing and you'll achieve production match in a matter of hours.

Cue Andy for some real help!

[PhilRey]

Nice track. You definitely nailed the vibe and are very close to production quality.

Something needs to happen with the drums. I am hesitant to say they need to come UP (meaning volume) but they need something. I would just do a lot of A/B with the ref tracks and an EQ to get them just right.

You're close enough for me to be searching for small nitpicky things so I think just keep A/B'ing and you'll achieve production match in a matter of hours.

Cue Andy for some real help!

You know what ? I had the same thoughts yesterday Good to have confirmation for all of this however ! Thank you very much
(Yes Andy is the man for sure ! But he is already helping me with my "hip hop" issues lol. This guy is awesome !) - Phil

--------------EDIT ---------------REMIX ---------------EDIT ------------------ REMIX

Works better now I think - Thanks again : https://soundcloud.com/melodeicon/gimme ... strumental

[lesmac]

Great playing and composition Phil. Lots of ear candy all the way through. Loved those chords of the rundown to the outro especially.

Just listening on my laptop with crappy headphones. No expert here but I think in this genre especially they place emphasis on the low end. Kick punching, bass controlled and defined, wide guitars etc.

Right now the kick isn't punching. Maybe the guitars have built up a lot of low end and are masking things down the middle. Try applying a low cut to the guitars until you can notice it then dial it back a bit. Maybe check some of these points. http://mmmmaven.com/2014/06/25/how-to-g ... every-mix/
I think you could squash the drums a bit with a parallel compressed track or a smashed room mic blended in a bit. My preference would be for another snare sample blended in with some lower frequency content as well.

Try sweeping the reference tracks with a low pass filter to see how your track compares down there.

Will give it a listen tomorrow in the studio, who knows I could be way off the mark!

[PhilRey]

Great playing and composition Phil. Lots of ear candy all the way through. Loved those chords of the rundown to the outro especially.

Just listening on my laptop with crappy headphones. No expert here but I think in this genre especially they place emphasis on the low end. Kick punching, bass controlled and defined, wide guitars etc.

Right now the kick isn't punching. Maybe the guitars have built up a lot of low end and are masking things down the middle. Try applying a low cut to the guitars until you can notice it then dial it back a bit. Maybe check some of these points. http://mmmmaven.com/2014/06/25/how-to-g ... every-mix/
I think you could squash the drums a bit with a parallel compressed track or a smashed room mic blended in a bit. My preference would be for another snare sample blended in with some lower frequency content as well.

Try sweeping the reference tracks with a low pass filter to see how your track compares down there.

Will give it a listen tomorrow in the studio, who knows I could be way off the mark!

Thank you so much for this ! I was not sure about having more kick presence, as in the temp track I'm using it doesn't seem to be super present (like you said, it works hand in hand with the bass and guitars so I'm not sure in the end who does what..). I've been tempted though... I'm gonna listen to all these temp tracks again specificaly with this in mind and apply a few of your receipes ! .

[lesmac]

Have you checked Warren Huart's YouTube channel? I love listening to him when I'm doing the dishes and mundane stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks0IxEau2SU

[PhilRey]

Have you checked Warren Huart's YouTube channel? I love listening to him when I'm doing the dishes and mundane stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks0IxEau2SU

Very well done, very good reminder ! Thank you !

Btw I worked on my kick a little bit... (only if you have time ): https://soundcloud.com/melodeicon/gimme ... strumental

[lesmac]

Yep, you got ti!

[PhilRey]

Yep, you got ti!

lol ok good ! Thank you for your awesome help !

[feaker66]

Excellent work. Love how those power chords completely shut down to let the track breathe. Is this midi or are you playing it? Really enjoyed this. congrats

Paul