What is "Broadcast Quality"? - a philosophical pondering

[Unstar]

I found myself asking this question ... What exactly is "broadcast quality" ? Is it purely technical in terms of optimzed frequencies, perceived loudness, and the ability to sound optimal on various audio sources? Or does broadcast quality also include the domain of aesthetic?

For example, if I compose a very dated sounding dance track on my Roland XP-50 and master it to current technical industry standards, is it really a broadcast quality recording? Or does it have to be "current" and "not dated sounding" to be considered broadcast qualuty?

Anyway my pondering lead me to this series of articles written around 2004. Some very interesting insight, at least for a noob like me.

"A song dynamically changes with each recording made in the process of bringing that song from inception to market. And, some songs are born from production, rather than production added on later. The production IS the song. "

1. http://www.musesmuse.com/00000788.html
2. http://www.musesmuse.com/00000822.html
3. http://www.musesmuse.com/00000822.html
4. http://www.musesmuse.com/00000824.html
5. http://www.musesmuse.com/00000825.html
6. http://www.musesmuse.com/00000826.html
7. http://www.musesmuse.com/00000827.html
8. http://www.musesmuse.com/00000828.html
9. http://www.musesmuse.com/00000829.html

Cheers

[Unstar]

Someone on here once told me that it was a somewhat "self-serving term", as it was invented by Michael Laskow according to himself I think (he mentioned it on a show). He also himself said that BCQ could be about composition as well, not just production/mixing. Meaning, if it can't be played on air in Taxi's view, it is not BCQ. So, no crappy mixing, VIs etc. or dated composition allowed if you want to be BCQ.

I just realized it's defined in Taxi glossary of terms and essentially it's stated the same I did. Should have checked there first!

[shoodBworkin]

Do the listings still add "Great-sounding home recordings are fine" ?

[VanderBoegh]

Michael Laskow has defined "broadcast quality" many times on Taxi TV. He's even done some entire episodes on it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwP1Q3AOxvk
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R26ADwAU3-Q

~~Matt

[Unstar]

Do the listings still add "Great-sounding home recordings are fine" ?

I haven't seen that specific verbiage on any listings. Maybe they did at one point, but from what I've been seeing it seems like "broadcast quality" is the default expectation. There are a couple I've noted where it says:

"You don’t need to submit a fully produced demo for this! This Producer is willing to listen to stripped-down demos, but your song has to be really, really strong!"

and

"Your submissions can be well-crafted, stripped-down demos or fuller productions, as long as what you send is competitive with what the client gets from writers on the Row."

and

"NOTE: Stripped-Down demos and full productions are both okay to submit, as long as your songs are great and your recording is clean, clear, and well-balanced!"

But I am thinking those are the exceptions. I'm assuming everyone else is submitting as to close to "broadcast quality" content as they can anyway so I don't know how realistic it is to expect stripped / demo material to get much consideration unless it is so absolutely stellar that it blows the listener away. As in relentlessly compels them to pick up the phone and call the composer and thank them personally for submitting such a gorgeous piece of music.

I am imagining there is just so much great / stellar music out there being submitted by hungry composers that if it doesn't hit you in 5 or less seconds it gets passed on. I like to picture a red solo cup. That red solo cup represents requests for music. Then I take that red solo cup and put it at the bottom of Niagra Falls. Niagra falls represents submitted music. That's how I picture the content to demand ratio. It's just gotta pretty much be awesome.

[shoodBworkin]

You paint a vivid picture, friend. Thanks!