Is this too close to the ref track?

[PeteW]

Hello - I'm new to the forum, excited to be here and see some of you at the RR in November.

I put this track together last month for a brief from another outlet, and I felt like I went too close to the ref track,
but would like some feedback on the following, please:
(my track link - https://s.disco.ac/anglwfaedben) - (ref track link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WVsdbjUYgw)

1) Am I too close to the ref track?
2) I've thought about changing key, percussion beat, etc, but would love any thoughts on how best to
get close to ref tracks without accidentally copying them.. such as guiding parameters to meet?
3) How does the overall mix/production quality sound on my track? I'm still learning to mix,
and although I've come a long way, I consistently get feedback from Taxi reviewers that
I can improve in the mix category.

Thank you very much for your help - any and all feedback is welcome.
Pete

[DouglasKnight]

Hi Pete! Yes, it sounds like a pretty direct copy of the reference to me. In the briefs it usually states "Do NOT copy the referenced material in any way, shape, or form" and I think this one is over that line. It's best to try to find the commonalities between the 3 references and then come up with something new that incorporates those common threads but is still original. The track sounds okay to me, except for the extra long pauses towards the end and the bum note when it comes back in. All the best...

[cosmicdolphin]

Yeah it's too close and it's a famous song as well - Sometimes if you're a little too close to a library track it's less of a problem because it's unknown and highly unlikely to be worth hiring a lawyer over.

But when it's a well know commercial song it's too risky.

[PeteW]

Thank you, both! This particular brief only had one reference track (from another company), and
I found myself trying to emulate the sounds and style.. obviously got too direct with this one.
I'm just starting out with writing to briefs, and the Taxi TV episodes have been SO helpful
to understand what to listen for when referencing tracks.

[PeteW]

Hi Pete! Yes, it sounds like a pretty direct copy of the reference to me. In the briefs it usually states "Do NOT copy the referenced material in any way, shape, or form" and I think this one is over that line. It's best to try to find the commonalities between the 3 references and then come up with something new that incorporates those common threads but is still original. The track sounds okay to me, except for the extra long pauses towards the end and the bum note when it comes back in. All the best...

Thanks for the feedback on the overall track sound - the pauses toward the end were originally intended as cut-downs.. I'll listen
again for the bum note thing. Regarding cutdowns.. is that generally something I should just include with any stems that
might be requested by a library, vs. including it as part of the main track file I submit?

[DouglasKnight]

Hi Pete! Yes, it sounds like a pretty direct copy of the reference to me. In the briefs it usually states "Do NOT copy the referenced material in any way, shape, or form" and I think this one is over that line. It's best to try to find the commonalities between the 3 references and then come up with something new that incorporates those common threads but is still original. The track sounds okay to me, except for the extra long pauses towards the end and the bum note when it comes back in. All the best...

Thanks for the feedback on the overall track sound - the pauses toward the end were originally intended as cut-downs.. I'll listen
again for the bum note thing. Regarding cutdowns.. is that generally something I should just include with any stems that
might be requested by a library, vs. including it as part of the main track file I submit?

HI Pete, just seeing your message.... In my experience, the library may or may not ask for stems and cutdowns, so, when submitting to Taxi, send just the full mix and then you can create cut downs if requested by the library. Generally stems would be requested of the full mix but not for the cut down versions. Hope that helps!

[PeteW]

Very helpful, thank you!

[myk247365]

I think you could separate this from the pack with different effects on the guitar, go wild and throw it to the back with reverb, what would a feverish guitar sound like tossing and turning in bed? and add a distant anvil to the back beat.

hth

Michael