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Hello everyone!

This is my first attempt at a pizzicato instrumental and wanted to run it past you all for some opinions while I still have time to make any changes.
Is this of sufficient quality to submit? Are the samples good enough? Is it "light and positive" enough? Is 2:12 pushing it time wise too far? Other thoughts?

Thanks in advance!





Here's the call this was built for:
_______________

LIGHT & BRIGHT PIZZICATO INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a very successful boutique Music Library that's distributed by Universal and has tons of credits in Big Films, Countless TV Shows, and Commercials!

This is a catalog you want to be in! Please listen to the following examples the Library gave us to get yourself in the ballpark of what they need:

Instrumental Examples

Quoting the Library: "We do NOT want the 'usual' whimsical, curious mood & feel here – your Cues should be light, bright, positive... So, emotionally upbeat but without the usual emphasis on 'curiosity' that these types of Cues sometimes have. Pizzicato should be the focus, accompanied by other suitable, organic instruments like mallets, vibraphone, light percussion, etc. Consistency and being background-friendly is key, while also having a great, sophisticated motif."

Please submit polished Instrumental Cues that feature Pizzicato string instrumentation. Craft your Cues around a singular motif, and create a sense of dynamics and forward momentum by layering instrumentation in and out as they progress. Your production should be high-quality, and any virtual instruments or samples you use should sound like the real thing and not stiff, synthetic, or MIDI-driven.

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. Broadcast Quality is needed.

NOTE: This company has a strong preference for composers who understand music licensing companies and how typical music library deals are structured. If that's not you, they politely ask that you don't submit to this request.

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 Composition rights. Please send as many Instrumental Cues 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 Tuesday, July 20th, 2021. TAXI # S210720BR

Time-wise, 2:12 is a bit on the edge of "returned because too long", I would remove one or two of the many repetitions you have got there. Your tune sounds fairly light and positive to me. What samples are you using? There seems to be a bit of noise around them, or soft distortion, cannot really put my finger of what that is exactly. Perhaps you are smashing the velocities of the MIDI notes?

I have the same question! For the strings, flute and clarinet I use the BBC Symphony Orchestra sample. See https://www.taxi.com/my/artist/songs/zq ... g/download

Hello all and thanks for the input!

Understood on the time. I should be able to easily shave at least 7 seconds off if I cut 2 measures out of the first tick tocky section which is the one spot where this cue drags a bit for me. (always afraid to "over add" just for the sake of filling space, but admittedly it's a fine line sometimes...) Anywho - Can do!

On the samples, I am using the Vienna Big Bang Orchestra layered with a Korg Kronos2. The marimba is also from the Kronos. ( I really love the Vienna BBO and am slowly expanding my sound sets, but hadn't thrown down for the 'percussion pack' yet... Still, i think the Kronos sounds really good in the full mix.)

Re: distortion I didn't hear it.... until I did. (thanks!) There ARE spots where it distorts... I double checked the velocity and nothing was too high on those notes (nothing over 100 out of 127) and nothing in the mix waveform suggests is should distort at those notes, but it does...!

Going to rush this song into emergency exploratory surgery to see if we can't get to the bottom of this mystery. Thanks again for the heads up - my ears missed it completely the first 400 times through (how does that happen...? lol) I'll follow up when the song is in the recovery room...

Cheers!

It sounds good to my ears and I think you satisfied the requirements of the listing.

I wouldn't worry too much about the time. 12 seconds probably falls within the range of "give or take". Just don't make it any longer, haha!

The only thing that might concern me about a piece like this one is the possibility of being too repetitious, but I didn't really feel that way about it.

Good luck!

jdkotaska wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 03, 2021 12:03 pm

It sounds good to my ears and I think you satisfied the requirements of the listing.
I wouldn't worry too much about the time. 12 seconds probably falls within the range of "give or take". Just don't make it any longer, haha!
The only thing that might concern me about a piece like this one is the possibility of being too repetitious, but I didn't really feel that way about it.

Thx for the feedback. I did go ahead and trim the time - the final note now hits at 2:01 and is the reverb is out by 2:05. I took it as a challenge! I know I need to be able to do adjust times to fit publisher needs from time to time... I wanted to know I could do it. I'm actually happier with the result - as it is a bit less repetitious... (It's ok, I thought so too!

Also think I found the source of the distorting notes. While all the velocities were relatively low... I sustained a few of the lower notes for quite a bit. Like... Pizzicato half notes.... In the lower registers, they built up making it muddy and occasionally taking the mix over the hot mark. Pulled everything back to no more than an 1/8th note and I think the problem has been solved. Will post the revised version as soon as i can get another 30 minutes of studio time and we'll see!

Cheers and thx again!

rpeckyno wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 05, 2021 9:56 pm

Also think I found the source of the distorting notes. While all the velocities were relatively low... I sustained a few of the lower notes for quite a bit. Like... Pizzicato half notes.... In the lower registers, they built up making it muddy and occasionally taking the mix over the hot mark. Pulled everything back to no more than an 1/8th note and I think the problem has been solved. Will post the revised version as soon as i can get another 30 minutes of studio time and we'll see!

Cheers and thx again!

I usually have my pizz notes at between a quaver and a demiquaver, depending on the tempo. Also, it has never made sense to me to have a long pizz note, after all it is just a finger plucking a string, and I have never encountered somebody who can pluck for as long as a crotchet Perhaps in slow motion??

Hello back at ya!

Out of genre so just general observations/impressions.

I like the piece think it gets the "light upbeat" thing nicely.

The strings do sound like they could be sharper(?). They sound a little blown here and there.

The two build sections around 1:00 and 2:00 could be more pronounced. Maybe start them at a lower volume and have it rise as the section moves on.

Good luck!!!

Geo

Thanks Marco and Geo!

LOL - it's true. There really is no such thing as a pizzicato half note... ;P

Cheers and thanks again to everyone for the feedback!!