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Would love some feedback on the track I made for this listing. It was my first attempt at a funk track and I ended up having a tougher time than I expected. But that is how we grow...

All feedback welcome but I am particularly curious of how my mix is. I used Retro Groove as my specific reference track. My track: https://on.soundcloud.com/zrdvM

FUN, FUNKY INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a very busy Music Library with a great track record of placements in Films and TV shows!

This Library is looking for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals that could be heard on a playlist with the following references:

"Ready to Groove" by WavebeatsMusic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsJwnFyNC9c

"Trouble Jazz (Funky Mix)" by Blender https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swIMDDJWow

"Retro Groove (No Brass)" by Bob Bradley & Andrew Griffiths https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CblGEc5Wivg

Quoting the Library: "Tracks should have lot’s of fun bass, percussion, and funk guitar – BUT should NOT have horns."

Please send them top-notch Funky Instrumentals that could work well for Game Shows! Your submissions should have engaging motifs, energizing grooves, funky bass lines, and excellent arrangements with plenty of dynamics, forward motion, and interest. Instrumentation in the general ballpark of the references will work best for this request – think bass, electric guitars, drums, synths, etc. – but please, NO horns! Your production should be polished and any virtual sounds or samples you use should be contemporary and high-quality.

All submissions should be about 90 seconds to 2 minutes long, give or take. Non-faded, button/stinger endings will work best. Do NOT copy the references in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a guide for tempo, texture, and tone. Do not submit any material with unauthorized samples of other artists’ Songs, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.

This company offers an EXCLUSIVE, 50/50 deal in perpetuity. You’ll split any applicable sync fees the company receives 50/50 with the company. You’ll keep 100% of the Writer’s share and the Library will get 100% of the Publisher's share. You must own or control your Master and Copyright to submit for this opportunity. Please submit 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 Wednesday, March 1st, 2023. TAXI # S230301GS

Of the ref tracks, the 1st one has the best dynamic of space and tonal quality, in particular how the bass fits into the mix.

Your track sounds very well fitted into a playlist with the ref tracks: i.e. tempo & instrumentation & composition.
If you could manage to match more closely to the 'sparkle' of the first ref track - seems you've met the listing criteria.
I wouldn't yet call it top-notch... but getting there.

Just one pair of ears' opinion... let's see what other comments are. Good luck.
Your Mileage May Very

funsongs wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 25, 2023 4:08 pm

Of the ref tracks, the 1st one has the best dynamic of space and tonal quality, in particular how the bass fits into the mix.

Your track sounds very well fitted into a playlist with the ref tracks: i.e. tempo & instrumentation & composition.
If you could manage to match more closely to the 'sparkle' of the first ref track - seems you've met the listing criteria.
I wouldn't yet call it top-notch... but getting there.

Just one pair of ears' opinion... let's see what other comments are. Good luck.
Your Mileage May Very

Got any tips for that sparkle? My first thought would be boosting some higher frequencies on the mix bus.

DolfoMan wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 25, 2023 5:13 pm

funsongs wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 25, 2023 4:08 pm

Of the ref tracks, the 1st one has the best dynamic of space and tonal quality, in particular how the bass fits into the mix.

Your track sounds very well fitted into a playlist with the ref tracks: i.e. tempo & instrumentation & composition.
If you could manage to match more closely to the 'sparkle' of the first ref track - seems you've met the listing criteria.
I wouldn't yet call it top-notch... but getting there.

Just one pair of ears' opinion... let's see what other comments are. Good luck.
Your Mileage May Very

Got any tips for that sparkle? My first thought would be boosting some higher frequencies on the mix bus.

TBH - I'm not sure - but what I'm hearing seems like too much separation of the instruments - like the perc all on the left, and the keys on the right.
You might try 'bleeding' just a little bit of each of those into the other side.
Hopefully there will be some other suggestions & input.

funsongs wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 25, 2023 5:40 pm

DolfoMan wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 25, 2023 5:13 pm

funsongs wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 25, 2023 4:08 pm

Of the ref tracks, the 1st one has the best dynamic of space and tonal quality, in particular how the bass fits into the mix.

Your track sounds very well fitted into a playlist with the ref tracks: i.e. tempo & instrumentation & composition.
If you could manage to match more closely to the 'sparkle' of the first ref track - seems you've met the listing criteria.
I wouldn't yet call it top-notch... but getting there.

Just one pair of ears' opinion... let's see what other comments are. Good luck.
Your Mileage May Very

Got any tips for that sparkle? My first thought would be boosting some higher frequencies on the mix bus.

TBH - I'm not sure - but what I'm hearing seems like too much separation of the instruments - like the perc all on the left, and the keys on the right.
You might try 'bleeding' just a little bit of each of those into the other side.
Hopefully there will be some other suggestions & input.

Got it, I'll take a look at putting up some panned sends to see if I balances out a little better.

Telefunkin wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 26, 2023 3:21 am

Interesting! I like the feel and the funk of this, so well done on getting that tightness and groove.
I can't help forming the impression that the track is an assembly of prepared parts or loops, but if I'm wrong and you made the parts yourself then great job!
The reason I say that is because the track sits over A for most of its life, but at 1:16 the organ starts playing over a D and yet the bass doesn't. What happened?
Similarly, its unusual that the very last hit is on a D chord, and there's also no bass note in there. Again, what happened?
If I can hear these things then screeners and library owners will definitely notice them too. Remember that the listing is asking for 'top notch'.
Mix-wise, I'd say the organ pokes up a bit too much, mainly because it seems a bit too bright.
The ref track you chose might not be particularly polished but is well balanced, so go for a similar balance.
Good luck .

Hey thanks for the feedback,
It's a mix of midi loops that I use as a foundation then tweak to make it my own and live recordings I do.
- I intended to keep the entirety of the track in Am, the last chord strike being a D is just a goof on my part. I'm thankful for the catch.
- I did intend at 1:16 for the organ to modulate to D while the bass kept in A, but I see that's probably not the right course to take now.
- I've gotten several critiques about the organ so I'll bring it down and bit and try some EQ or tape saturation to see if that helps too.

Thanks again!

Version 2!

https://on.soundcloud.com/3G1Vc

DolfoMan wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 26, 2023 10:09 pm

Version 2!

https://on.soundcloud.com/3G1Vc

Well, cool... the 'spectrum', if you will, sounds full and better balanced; to these ears.
What do you think?

Something to consider might be throwing in a couple of vocalizations/shoutouts: "Hey", "One two, three". There are a number of them in the refs and they might lend some variety/kick.

===
Michael