Feedback Request - Retro Synthwave

[macomposer]

Hi Everyone,

I'm working on Retro Synthwave right now, and wanted to get feedback on this:

Danceable Adrenaline

Specifically, does it belong on the same playlist (particularly references 1 and 3, not 2)?

Note that this isn't mixed yet, so the levels are rough.

Please note anything else you hear that stand out good or bad.

Thanks,
Mark

Here is the listing:

Lots of RETRO SYNTHWAVE INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a highly successful Music Licensing company with an impressive track record of sync placements in hit TV shows!

This Company is on the hunt for Instrumentals that could fit on a playlist with the following examples:

"Droid Rage" by OGRE Sound

"Stranger Things" by Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein

"Wave" by iamMANOLIS

Please submit original Synthwave Instrumentals dripping with retro vibes! Your submissions should have engaging synth-driven melodies and motifs, solid rhythms, throwback style production, great musicianship, and arrangements with a forward-developing arc. Whether your piece's approach leans more dreamy and nostalgic or dark and driving, the groove, tone, and arrangement should feel cohesive and emotionally evocative. Instrumentation in the general stylistic wheelhouse of references will suit your submissions best (think lush analog synthesizers, pulsing drum machines, bass synths, gated reverb-heavy snares, shimmering arpeggiators or sequencers, etc.). If you're using virtual instruments or samples, they must be high-quality, realistic, and genre-appropriate.

All submissions should be about 2 to 4 minutes long, give or take. Non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings are strongly recommended. Do NOT copy the references in any way, shape, or form. Use it only as a general guide for tempo, tone, 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.

AI ALERT: This company can't accept or sign music that has been melodically composed using generative AI, nor will they accept backing tracks or full instrumental tracks created with AI.

This company offers a NON-EXCLUSIVE, 50/50 split. You’ll split any upfront sync fees 50/50. You'll keep 100% of the Writer's share. The Publisher will get 100% of the Publisher’s share. You must own or control your Master and Copyright, and you need to be affiliated with a Performing Rights Organization for this company to include your music in their catalog. Please submit as many Instrumentals as you’d like, online or per CD. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PDT) on Monday, August 18th, 2025. TAXI # S250818YY

[cosmicdolphin]

I think you've done a nice job here Mark...good work

Definitely fits into the playlist of the 2 ref tracks. I haven't really got any musical critique, just a few production notes.

After listening to the 2 refs , your track sounded a bit harsh. That first lead sound you use was quite piercing to my ears which isn't the vibe I got from the refs, they were warmer and less 'in your face '

Also I am lacking the sense of front to back depth in your mix that I got from the refs, everything in yours sound like it's at the front of the stage instead of some things being further back.

I think if you can work on taming the harsher mix frequencies either with EQ or something like Soothe and then work on your reverb & delay setup ( I tend to use the 3 reverb trick now - short-med-long and use that to create depth ..it's on YouTube somewhere if you wan to look it up )

EQ can also push things back or bring them forward in a mix - things that are further away have less top end, just like in nature. Hope that helps.

Mark

[macomposer]

I think you've done a nice job here Mark...good work

Definitely fits into the playlist of the 2 ref tracks. I haven't really got any musical critique, just a few production notes.

After listening to the 2 refs , your track sounded a bit harsh. That first lead sound you use was quite piercing to my ears which isn't the vibe I got from the refs, they were warmer and less 'in your face '

Also I am lacking the sense of front to back depth in your mix that I got from the refs, everything in yours sound like it's at the front of the stage instead of some things being further back.

I think if you can work on taming the harsher mix frequencies either with EQ or something like Soothe and then work on your reverb & delay setup ( I tend to use the 3 reverb trick now - short-med-long and use that to create depth ..it's on YouTube somewhere if you wan to look it up )

EQ can also push things back or bring them forward in a mix - things that are further away have less top end, just like in nature. Hope that helps.

Mark

Thanks Mark!

There is more work to be done for the mix definitely. I want aggression, but definitely not harshness.

Soothe sits in the mastering chain, but I haven't applied it yet. And nice - I use the 3 reverb trick too, sometimes plus a plate as glue (although not sure if I'll need the plate here).

All great thoughts - thanks again!

Mark

[cosmicdolphin]

Soothe sits in the mastering chain, but I haven't applied it yet.

Try it on the lead synth as well as the master buss

[WSAO]

Hi Mark, cool track.
This listing is a bit confusing, since they ask for throwback-style production but some of the references—especially the first one—use modern synths and even sidechain effects, which really only became common in the 2000s (25 years ago, sure, but definitely not part of the 80s synthwave era).

Mark (cosmicdolphin) pointed out some valuable things for the mix (the guy’s got some serious ears!). The only thing I’d add is maybe a touch of gate on the snare to better mimic that 80s sound.

I’m submitting for this listing too, so good luck to both of us!

Cheers,
Andre

[macomposer]

Soothe sits in the mastering chain, but I haven't applied it yet.

Try it on the lead synth as well as the master buss

Now you're talking crazy Will do! Thanks again Mark!

[macomposer]

Hi Mark, cool track.
This listing is a bit confusing, since they ask for throwback-style production but some of the references—especially the first one—use modern synths and even sidechain effects, which really only became common in the 2000s (25 years ago, sure, but definitely not part of the 80s synthwave era).

Mark (cosmicdolphin) pointed out some valuable things for the mix (the guy’s got some serious ears!). The only thing I’d add is maybe a touch of gate on the snare to better mimic that 80s sound.

I’m submitting for this listing too, so good luck to both of us!

Cheers,
Andre

Had not thought of gated snare! That's something to try out... although sounding dated comes to mind... But I'm going to try it and see how it sounds.

I'll post the finished mix here back here when it's done.

Thanks Andre!

[macomposer]

So here is the final mix. Thanks again Andre and Mark for your suggestions. I didn't really end up with a gated snare sound per se, but I did mimic the ambience of the first reference (or at least I hope I did). And I did end up using tape across all the channels as well as soothe to deal with the harshness. I'll post back here when I get the results.

Danceable Adrenaline (Master)

[BradleyHagen]

I recently bought RC-20 Retro Color from XLN Audio..... it is a lifesaver for tracks like this, and does a way better job than tape emulation alone of getting that "vintage vibe"....check it out Mark!

[macomposer]

I recently bought RC-20 Retro Color from XLN Audio..... it is a lifesaver for tracks like this, and does a way better job than tape emulation alone of getting that "vintage vibe"....check it out Mark!

Thanks Brad! Yeah, that one's in the bag... use it often, although I didn't come up with this particular track.

Thanks again!
Mark