Tension cue

[NMN]

Hello Zaychi, nice track! The percussion and bass sounds definitely improved in the new version. I guess the only thing I don't like is the bass tone. I agree with Alan's advice about putting more high frequency emphasis on the bass. If there are any higher frequencies with it (bow, string sounds, etc), it might give it more definition. Doubling the bass with a cello, or maybe just a standard bass of some sort at a lower volume might help to round out the tone. Best of luck with the track!

[Picardster]

I don't feel qualified to give a substantial critique. Frankly, after I had listened to the first version I thought: Nice tension-cue. Just the drums are a bit adventurous, but hey, each track needs something special.

And at 1:40 I heard the lead-line dragging a wee bit.

The second, imho, sounded a bit faster to me (although it isn't). So the forward momentum seems to have been met. Since I only used the earbuds, I cannot tell much qualified assessments regarding the frequencies.

And - the screeners' decisions sometimes are a riddle to me. So the best I can do is wish you good luck for that listing, Zaychi

Cheerio/Stefan

[Zaychi]

Thanks, but the deadline has gone on this one... gotta keep the fingers crossed.

Still thanks for commenting!

[Zaychi]

I'm very confused... it got returned, which sucks but is still fine of course, but the reasons baffle me...

Here's the critique:

What I like about your song:
I like the sounds and the ideas. This is nicely mixed and you have some good things going on.

I think you could improve this song by
This is a little repetitive and needs more thematic development. It would benefit from more layers and sounds as you progress and the ending could be a little more dramatic.

I returned or forwarded this song because
This needs more layers as you progress, more thematic build, and more consistency with the references. It stays in the same place at the same intensity for too long. The ending could be bigger, more dramatic and offer more resolve.

Checkmarks:
Could have a better developmental "arc"
Too Repetitive

The first time a screener said something I submitted was "nicely mixed" which is a big plus of course... but as I said above, I was very worried that it would be too busy, especially towards the end. The "drama" of the end was as far as I dared go given it would be used for an "envelope-opening" scene in reality TV... but now the screener tells me I should have made it bigger?? I feel like I'm adding more and more elements towards the end (timpani, trombones, etc), and that no two bars are the same ; yet it is repetitive?? What am I missing here?

[swdaze]

I'm very confused... it got returned, which sucks but is still fine of course, but the reasons baffle me...

Here's the critique:

What I like about your song:
I like the sounds and the ideas. This is nicely mixed and you have some good things going on.

I think you could improve this song by
This is a little repetitive and needs more thematic development. It would benefit from more layers and sounds as you progress and the ending could be a little more dramatic.

I returned or forwarded this song because
This needs more layers as you progress, more thematic build, and more consistency with the references. It stays in the same place at the same intensity for too long. The ending could be bigger, more dramatic and offer more resolve.

Checkmarks:
Could have a better developmental "arc"
Too Repetitive

The first time a screener said something I submitted was "nicely mixed" which is a big plus of course... but as I said above, I was very worried that it would be too busy, especially towards the end. The "drama" of the end was as far as I dared go given it would be used for an "envelope-opening" scene in reality TV... but now the screener tells me I should have made it bigger?? I feel like I'm adding more and more elements towards the end (timpani, trombones, etc), and that no two bars are the same ; yet it is repetitive?? What am I missing here?

If you take some instruments out at the beginning and then layer them in over the course of the piece you can get the desired effect without too much repetition. Also try simplifying the melody initially especially on the bass. Later as you make it more intense it will have the effect of adding a layer without adding another instrument.
It's a good piece I just think you need to open it up in the beginning, give the tension space to build.

Geo

P.S. Returns suck, sorry.