Programming Needs improvement?

[douglasricketts]

First off, I didn't program a darn thing! I played every note by hand on this and if I quantized anything it was with no more than 80% accuracy. So that's confusing me. The point was to create a light uplifting piece. Should I have made the strings more complex? I was trying to keep things simple to match the tone of the examples.

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The feedback:

Feedback for "Embracing Joy"
Listing D250209LR

What I like most about this song
The gradual build and uplifting mood is working well with the instrumentation used.

I think you could improve this song by
We would need to work more on the string programming to make it better. For the intro, there could be a way to make it shorter.

I returned or forwarded this song because
The programming could be improved.

Checked feedback: Recording/Mix needs improvement

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My submission: https://www.taxi.com/members/1xEs3OLTQV ... racing-joy

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The listing:
Lots of UPLIFTING, TRAILER-Style INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a very successful boutique Music Library that has tons of credits in Big Films, Countless TV Shows, and TV Commercials!

This is a catalog you most definitely want to be in! Please listen to the following references the listing company's CEO sent us to get yourself in the general wheelhouse of what they need:

Examples (Download)

Quoting the CEO of the Company: "We're looking for inspirational, uplifting, and building tracks with hybrid instrumentation. They should basically have a trailer structure, but without the full-blast, 'theatrical trailer' sound. So, somewhat 'light trailer' so to speak. These tracks should have a storytelling element, with subtle sections that build up to a big 'resolution.' The references reflect this concept very well."

TAXI Tip: Please listen carefully to the refs! Note that while they do grow dynamically as they progress, they never reach the big, bombastic intensity you might hear in trailers with huge, Taiko drum-driven endings. Follow that lead!

Please submit trailer-style Instrumentals with an exciting, cinematic sound and lots of inspirational and uplifting energy! These tracks need to be structured like a trailer, maintaining one central motif and building in intensity as it progresses through different sections. Your track should have awe-inspiring compositions, exhilarating motifs, profound sentiment, forward development, and an emotionally captivating sound. Soaring strings, powerful rhythms, pulsing synths, cinematic risers, brass swells, and atmospheric pads could all potentially work here! Aim for tracks that capture all of the emotion of a blockbuster trailer track while reigning in the intensity and toning down the attention-grabbing elements just enough to make these work well with dialogue. Instrumentation should stay in the general ballpark of the references, combining both Orchestral and hybrid elements. Please make sure any virtual instruments or samples you use are very high quality, modern, and very realistic-sounding if they are organic based.

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 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!

All submissions should be about 2 to 3 minutes long, give or take. 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.

AI ALERT: This company does not accept or sign music that has been melodically composed using generative AI, nor does it accept backing tracks or full instrumental tracks created with AI.

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 Master and Copyright. 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 (PST) on Sunday, February 9th, 2025. TAXI Dispatch # D250209LR

[RealPickle]

Hey Douglas,

When they say "programming" regarding strings, they are referring to use of cc1 and cc11, ("dynamics" and "expression" respectively) to make the strings sound more realistic. It's not a quantization or timing thing, it's a string realism thing. Right now yours sound fairly synth-y.

There are loads of good youtube videos on how to do this well. Search "Marc Jovani string programming" and you'll find some good ones.
Also, just my opinion, I'd build out your final act a bit more. I know this said "trailer-light" but you still want to have it build to an exciting conclusion. Both from listening and looking at your wav-form on Taxi, the 3rd act isn't drastically different than the 2nd.

[douglasricketts]

Thanks Geoff! That makes a lot more sense to me now. I'm such a newb.

[telefunkin]

Hi, RP is right as far as I can tell. I hear stiff piano, some plain strings, an arrangement that doesn't develop much and a mix that doesn't quite gel together.
Guy has you covered on adding a bit more realism...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeXwvpRWqoo
...plus a lot more besides if you want to get into things.

[douglasricketts]

Thanks Telefunkin! Appreciate the feedback.