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Just Chillin'

Posted: Fri May 20, 2016 12:52 pm
by mrdtman
Trying to move into a new category. I enjoy Chillout but never tried to do any & have been seeing listings for some so, what U think?
https://soundcloud.com/dtman-2/neo-sunset/s-fCwqy

For this listing:

NEW LISTING -- CHILLOUT LOUNGE INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a NON-Exclusive Production Music Library with a great list of placements in Film, TV, and Commercials. They're on the hunt for relaxing Down-to-Mid-Tempo Cues that could be found on the same playlist with acts like (but not limited to):

Thievery Corporation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN9tulBHr8Y

Zero 7:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tZlu4wP4pw

Morcheeba:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJQHjy9p_rk

Although some of the references have vocals, they're only looking for Instrumentals for this pitch.

Please submit laidback, cosmopolitan sounding Cues that sound like a believable Chillout artist/act, with in-the-pocket grooves and relaxing melodies. Give them Cues with a simple, yet focused melodic motif, while keeping your Cues interesting, dynamic, and forward moving by adding and subtracting various sounds and instruments as your Cue progresses. Please avoid overly busy or frenetic sounds that might sound out of place in Chillout or distract from dialog.

All submissions should be at least 2 minutes long with easy edit points and natural, non-faded, buttoned endings. Do NOT copy or rip off the referenced artists or songs in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a guide for tempo, texture, tone, and vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed (Great sounding home recordings are fine).

Re: Just Chillin'

Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 12:47 am
by HenriettaAtkin
I think this sounds great. It really has a chill feeling.

Re: Just Chillin'

Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 11:15 am
by Russell Landwehr
This TAXI listing is asking for Chillout. The tracks and artists they are referencing are bordeline Trip-Hop which is a pretty modern compatriot to Chillout.

Neo Sunset is certainly Chill. It leans toward Smooth Jazz minus the sax, which is the phase "Chillout" went through a while back.

On Neo Sunset, I would try to bring in some of the modern elements you hear in the referenced songs. Also, from a mixing standpoint, you could probably make your mix a bit louder. A/B your stuff with the YouTube links.

You've got a little time until the deadline. This is certainly in your specialty. Good Luck :)

Russell

Re: Just Chillin'

Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 1:12 pm
by mrdtman
Russell Landwehr wrote:This TAXI listing is asking for Chillout. The tracks and artists they are referencing are bordeline Trip-Hop which is a pretty modern compatriot to Chillout.

Neo Sunset is certainly Chill. It leans toward Smooth Jazz minus the sax, which is the phase "Chillout" went through a while back.

On Neo Sunset, I would try to bring in some of the modern elements you hear in the referenced songs. Also, from a mixing standpoint, you could probably make your mix a bit louder. A/B your stuff with the YouTube links.

You've got a little time until the deadline. This is certainly in your specialty. Good Luck :)

Russell
Thanks Russel & Henrietta. I too thought the examples leaned more toward Triphop than Chillout. I'll do a couple things to it before the deadline with the mix. Was thinking about adding one more little 'modern' element to it.

Re: Just Chillin'

Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 3:46 pm
by cosmicdolphin
Hey DT

I liked the track in general but I felt it was missing an organic element, the drums for instance sounded like they had a more drum machine sound and the snare poked out the mix. Also I think it could use a live bass guitar to make it feel more like the references.

Mark

Re: Just Chillin'

Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 4:29 pm
by mrdtman
cosmicdolphin wrote:Hey DT

I liked the track in general but I felt it was missing an organic element, the drums for instance sounded like they had a more drum machine sound and the snare poked out the mix. Also I think it could use a live bass guitar to make it feel more like the references.

Mark

Thanks CD,

It was a beat machine ( 808 stuff). I try a version with drums and bass.

More good ideas from P2P!

Re: Just Chillin'

Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 7:33 pm
by mrdtman
OK, here are some changes. Not mixed but need feedback. Replaced drums & bass. Hoped to give that more 'organic' feel mentioned.

https://soundcloud.com/dtman-2/neo-sunset-03/s-4j1SA

Re: Just Chillin'

Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 1:52 am
by cosmicdolphin
mrdtman wrote:OK, here are some changes. Not mixed but need feedback. Replaced drums & bass. Hoped to give that more 'organic' feel mentioned.

https://soundcloud.com/dtman-2/neo-sunset-03/s-4j1SA
I prefer it now, the snare still sounds like it needs to take a step back in the mix, the bass sound is better but it sounds a bit too perfectly on the beat and a bit robotic

Re: Just Chillin'

Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 4:56 pm
by HenriettaAtkin
Mr DT,

Do you have a "humanize" feature in your DAW. This makes tracks sound less robotic (though I thought your track sounded fine, but the other guys are certainly more experienced engineers than me)

My Logic X has a default of setting +/- 10 points for length, position and velocity. I like to range from +/- 3 to 6 (depending on piece) because 10 can sound sloppy.

Try that on your sampled drums and see what happens.

HTH

Re: Just Chillin'

Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 6:20 pm
by Russell Landwehr
Yeah, now you're zoning in on this. Don't worry about humanizing anything... the a'las aren't very human.

Here's the next thing, these TV folk like the cues to build. This one kinda peters out. Which is perfect for chill, but doesn't always work for Film and TV. Although, come to think of it, I've been forwarded with "petered out" submissions in this genre (the screeners used their politically correctness skills and called it "pseudo fades but I'm going to forward it anyway" :lol: )
SO, in other words, probably any way you go with this ending it'll probably be right.

At any rate, this is a tasty number.

Russell