Custom Critique- worth it?

[EnderBender]

Hey everyone, So I submitted 4 instrumental cues (drone/ambient/eerie) to a request, a couple of weeks ago, and they got returned.
Overall I was pretty much near what they wanted but I got the same notes on all four cues and they were things that were easy to fix/address.

There are a couple more requests for cues in this genre (due at the end of this month) and I'm pretty confident I can deliver several cues. I'm addressing the issues that were pointed out in the notes, that were given to me, but I want to make sure I'm really on the right path before the date arrives and I submit the songs.

So... The question is: are "Custom Critiques" good for this type of thing? How do I know I would get feedback from someone who really understands these particular cues?

I've seen people post some of their cues on this forum. But I'm always a little sketchy to get feedback from people I'm (in a sense) in competition with.
So, basically, what's the best way to make sure I'm on the right path and make sure I have addressed the issues that held me back last time?
Thoughts...?

Thank you!!!

[cassmcentee]

Set aside your fear and ask for help
You will be pleasantly suprised

[EnderBender]

You're completely right. I guess I have some trust issues... Asides from that, what is the overall experience with Custom Critique. Is it a good tool to help shape cues/songs into shape as deadlines approach?

If I do post something for forum feedback, where would be a good place (within the forum)?

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[cassmcentee]

I haven't used the Custom Critique but many others have...
If you use the "search" function for Custom Critique, here in the forum, you can read honest postings from others and decide for yourself if it is the right option for you.
Many of us here upload our mixes on Soundcloud (where you can set the tune to Private) and then post them in the "Peer to Peer" section for feedback before submitting.
I have never worried about the competition nor the idea of someone copying my ideas
In this business, to be succesfull, you need to make a LOT of music and be pretty fast about it!
We are all individual, good luck to anyone trying to copy my soul!

[EnderBender]

Thank you!!! And you're right, from the little I've navigated through the forum everyone seems straight forward and positive which is awesome. I will give posting something a go. Really like your track. Thanks again for taking the time to communicate with me.

[cosmicdolphin]

Not sure how much value you would get out a CC for a drone type cue Vs something like a song which is more involved potentially has a greater scope for actionable feedback.

I would give the peer to peer a go first. Also I've had some tension/drone stuff rejected and subsequently had the same 4 or 5 forwarded for a slightly different Listing. Never lead to a deal though as there's tons of them on the forward blog usually, so you can check out what made it through but also make note of which genres are more heavily saturated. If there's 50+ forwards each time that'll make it hard to stand out.

Mark

[EnderBender]

Thank you Mark!!! I'll give peer to peer a go.

[EnderBender]

Tom, I just saw this. Thank you soooo much for your reply. I'm about to post a cue (aimed at the "Lab Cues" request) and see what kind of feedback I get. Thanks again!!!

[mikehamm123]

I've rec'd a few very worthwhile custom critiques.

I've found drones are hard because the feedback I get is that mine are almost always too busy or not busy enough. I've had a few forwarded but not many.

Of course each listing can be for a different producer/library so the same cue could be too much *and* too little depending on the listener.

[mojobone]

Hey everyone, So I submitted 4 instrumental cues (drone/ambient/eerie) to a request, a couple of weeks ago, and they got returned.
Overall I was pretty much near what they wanted but I got the same notes on all four cues and they were things that were easy to fix/address.

There are a couple more requests for cues in this genre (due at the end of this month) and I'm pretty confident I can deliver several cues. I'm addressing the issues that were pointed out in the notes, that were given to me, but I want to make sure I'm really on the right path before the date arrives and I submit the songs.

So... The question is: are "Custom Critiques" good for this type of thing? How do I know I would get feedback from someone who really understands these particular cues?

I've seen people post some of their cues on this forum. But I'm always a little sketchy to get feedback from people I'm (in a sense) in competition with.
So, basically, what's the best way to make sure I'm on the right path and make sure I have addressed the issues that held me back last time?
Thoughts...?

Thank you!!!

The very BEST situation for using Custom Critiques is with a specific song and listing in mind; however, there's no guarantee you'll get a custom critique back, before the listing closes. It all depends on the volume of submissions and not just the submissions to your particular opportunity; somebody has to decide who's the most appropriate screener to answer your hopefully specific questions. That takes some time. Peer To Peer is a great option, and you'll often get a consensus more quickly from the member hive mind.