Feedback: Uplifting, acoustic based instrumentals

[mattbee]

Hi all,
Would love some feedback on my track for listing S231012SV
https://s.disco.ac/mqwavavvxcvt
I'm particularly unsure about some of the body percussion elements and their timings. I've erred on the side of leaving them loose rather than quantised (most are recorded hand claps, thigh slaps, and clicks) but would love any feedback on how people go about this when maybe you've recorded 5+double tracks of them etc...

Many thanks in advance for any feedback about absolutely anything, and here's the listing brief:

Several UPLIFTING, ACOUSTIC-BASED INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a very successful boutique Music Library that's distributed by Universal for placements in Promotions, Advertising, and other TV Programming.

This is a catalog you want to be in! Please listen to the following references to get yourself in the general wheelhouse of what they need:

"Main Street" by Mica Amory

"Inspirational Acoustic" by Aleksandr Shamaluev

"Buado Guan" by Magnus Boqvist

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM THE LIBRARY: "Many composers throw in way too many ideas and are not focused on ONE CENTRAL MOTIF. They try to keep things interesting by adding in new harmonic lines and elements (melodies, even improvisations, etc.), instead of focusing on the productions and textures." Put simply, keep it SIMPLE! We know that other Libraries like to receive music with complementary A and B sections, but this Library is NOT one of them – stick with ONE CENTRAL MOTIF per submission, please!

Please send in well-crafted, acoustic-based Instrumentals that have an overall positive and inspirational sound! Catchy motifs, solid rhythms, polished productions, and simple arrangements with one central motif are all needed for this pitch. Acoustic instrumentation that's in the general wheelhouse of the references will work best (think acoustic guitar, ukulele, acoustic piano, etc.). Live instrumentation is highly recommended, but if you choose to use virtual instruments or samples, please make sure they are high quality and not dated-sounding.

All submissions should be about 2 minutes long, give or take. Good edit points and non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings are required. Do NOT copy the references in any way, shape, or form. Use them 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.

This Music Library offers an EXCLUSIVE deal with a cool twist. You’ll keep 50% of all gross income generated by your music, plus you’ll get 100% of the Writer’s share income generated by your PRO. In other words, if the company licenses your music under a blanket deal, you’ll get income. If they license it for a YouTube video, you’ll get income. Not all music libraries pay you for things like that! The Publisher will get 100% of the Publisher’s share.

Because this is an Exclusive deal, the music you submit for this pitch cannot already be signed with other Libraries or Publishers. You must own or control 100% of your Masters and Composition rights. Please send as many Instrumentals as you’d like, online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PDT) on Thursday, October 12th, 2023. TAXI # S231012SV

[DouglasKnight]

Hey Matt -- really nice work on this track! I actually like that the claps/snaps are natural-sounding and not over quantized. I've used the Flex Time feature in Logic to tighten up recorded audio, but that can sound fake and unnatural if overdone, and since the listing states that "Live instrumentation is highly recommended" I think you're right to have recorded them yourself. Best of luck with this!

[mteezykeys]

I think the snaps and claps feel pretty good. Track has a decent build and development.

I'm a little worried about the strings not being realistic enough, but I'm always worried about that with my own tracks as well. I'd consider adding some dynamic swells, and automating the vibrato to the strings to make them sound more like a real section.

Overall I think this track is pretty close. Good luck!

[mattbee]

Much appreciated guys, thank you! I think I'm still mastering expression/mod of strings, I try to ride the mod wheel when recording it but think I was probably a little too subtle, good pickup!
Many thanks