I would appreciate some ears and thoughts

[Guitarhacker23]

MOODY, PIANO-Based AMBIENT INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a very successful EXCLUSIVE Music Licensing Company with a long history of AWESOME placements for TAXI members!

They're on the lookout for a range of compelling Instrumentals that could be heard on a playlist with the following references we got directly from our contact at the Company:

"In The Androgynous Dark" by Brambles

"Pink And Golden Billows" by Brambles

"Unsayable" by Brambles

Please send ambient Instrumentals with an overall dark, moody sound and vibe. Judging by the references, we think piano-based tracks with a mixture of other organic and synthetic instrumentation will suit your submissions best — think subtle synth pads, light pizzicato, legato strings, etc. Your productions should be polished and well-balanced, and any virtual instruments or samples you use should be high-quality and cutting-edge!

TAXI Tip: Make sure to really study these references! Notice that none of them grow too big or have a bombastic climactic moment — they stay in a more minimal, atmospheric place and revolve around one or two melodic motifs. That being said, be sure to layer instrumentation in and out to keep your submissions from feeling stagnant or boring.

All submissions should be around two to four minutes in length, give or take. Non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings will work best. Please do not copy the referenced music in any way, shape, or form. Use it only as a general guide for tempo, tone, texture, and overall vibe. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.


So I have 2 instros that I'm considering for this.

Instro 1: https://app.box.com/s/eccym9rmaqk1yxzie1g9dhrn2zf10qjc

Instro 2: https://app.box.com/s/20xrlxgmc43jikdi7utq4o7uem03jngm

I'd appreciate a quick listen and your thoughts. Submit or not.

Thanks

[AlanHall]

TAXI Tip: Make sure to really study these references! Notice that none of them grow too big or have a bombastic climactic moment — they stay in a more minimal, atmospheric place and revolve around one or two melodic motifs. That being said, be sure to layer instrumentation in and out to keep your submissions from feeling stagnant or boring.

I'll add that in my opinion, you have enough material in your 2 tracks for an album's worth of cues!

Re-read the selection of the listing that you posted. Take note of 'minimal...one or two melodic motifs'. Listen to the ref tracks, hear how the composer repeats (loops) a phrase while adding contrasting and harmonizing material to it. These interlocking parts over a "ground" are an essential form used in cues today (and it's a form that been around since forever!). You can certainly change it up, but be intentional about it.

And it may be just my mind talking, but there's enough "wrong" with the sound of the piano in the ref tracks to make it interesting and lively on its own. The recordings are very intimate and personal, I'd wager on that being a reason the client picked them. I'd try to stay away from being too 'emotionally cool' and 'high art' with this listing. JM2C

[Guitarhacker23]

Thanks to both of you for your insight. I was thinking it was a bit too busy... but I was second guessing. I'll rework and simplify.

[Paulie]

Agree with the feedback above. In addition to simplifying I suggest you change the piano choice. Do you have a Felt Piano by chance? There are a few free ones out there, I am a huge fan of the Noire Piano by Native Instruments (not free). I think felt will get you closer to the desired sound, the piano you are using now sounds very bright/brittle to me. Make sure the sound effects you have are further back in the mix, they are secondary to the piano and need to be in the background.

PC