Ears for this returned instrumental cue

[viroxrod]

Hi All,
I would really appreciate your comments about what went wrong in this instrumental cue to see what I missed .

https://soundcloud.com/viviana-rodrigue ... sive-rumba

Here are the references:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hue77rbsFlU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnAmeh0-E-U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM7_jMD8EIM

The screener said, it could be more in line with the top 40 style of the reference tracks.

Thanks for the help guys!

[cosmicdolphin]

OK, I hear what you did. Basically you took the first reference track and mimicked it but not that well. Dont' worry as I have fallen into the same trap.

What you should be doing is finding the similarities between all 3 references and then writing something unique with the same sensibilities. They are fairly varied in style but still have certain things in common, so listen closely and note down everything you hear for each one and note what cross references.

I would also say that the sounds and production aren't up to par so that makes it sound less like the references as well. Whilst the steel drums give it a nice Tropical type vibe I think the pattern they play is quite stiff, the bass sound comes across like a cheap midi keyboard type vibe and the low pad is just very static, try adding some subtle movement to the sound and pushing it more into the background with some lush reverb.

There's lots of little production trick in those references that you need to learn to identify, replicate and incorporate. Takes time but keep at it.

Mark

[lesmac]

Hi, I agree with Marc in respect to the bass and the kick as well. They need attention to make them interesting. Distortion and various fx can be great for bass. This clip is an ear opener!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBDJDZAo41c

I noticed that the wide pad seemed to rob the sense of width and space and it got boring. You could try putting it in a box of its own at say 45 degrees to one side or both? Don't be scared to have a spare mix and bring things in and out.

I would try mangling the steel drums or replacing with a lead synth.

Just some thoughts, I know it can be hard to make drastic changes after bonding with what you have been working on for a while. Maybe soak up some more reference type music and come back to it.
My 2 cents
HTH
Lester

[viroxrod]

the low pad is just very static, try adding some subtle movement to the sound and pushing it more into the background with some lush reverb.

There's lots of little production trick in those references that you need to learn to identify, replicate and incorporate. Takes time but keep at it.

Mark, Thanks so much for your valuable feedback and for your time listening my track. This is the kind of feedback that I needed. Just want to ask you , what do you mean for "lush reverb", kind of different reverb to L and R?

and could you tell me please, some of the productions tricks to try to identify them?

Again, thanks!

[viroxrod]

Thanks Lester! great clip!
So much to learn, I really appreciate your feedback and your time

[cosmicdolphin]

what do you mean for "lush reverb"

Thick , dense , big and long

and could you tell me please, some of the productions tricks to try to identify them?

Well you need to go and do your homework really but here's a few links to get you started

https://www.izotope.com/en/learn/5-popu ... -them.html

https://www.izotope.com/en/learn/6-musi ... -less.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72fR1s8fx5U

https://getthatprosound.com/50-pro-tips ... nic-music/

Mark

[viroxrod]

Thanks Mark! I really appreciate this great info and your time!