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Hi All,

If anyone has any feedback on this percussion instrumental I am working on, I sure would appreciate it. Thanks very much!

TAXI # S250121US
Please submit Percussion-based Instrumentals with an exciting, energetic sound and dynamic arrangements with plenty of development and forward motion!

Here's the reference track:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6wQ-setN8A

Here's my song:
https://www.taxi.com/members/RyiDDiJ7Qw ... lappy-days

Appreciate it!

Gary Shaffer

Hi Gary,

I think it has a similar vibe. The reference is slightly more aggressive and fuller, but that’s not an issue.
I’d suggest lowering the volume of the reverse cymbal slightly.
Great track overall!

Cheers,
Andre

Thanks, Andre. I appreciate the notes and will act on them. One tricky area for me is striking a balance between giving the song a building, "forward motion" without overcrowding it.

I appreciate you taking the time to listen and reply!

Gary

It's quite challenging to achieve that, especially since the reference track itself starts off busy, dips down, builds up again, and then finishes softly.
It doesn't consistently move forward.
That said, you've got a great one on your hands.
Cheers.

Hi Gary,

Took a listen and I like it!! I agree with the earlier statements about the energy... The only thing that I might tweak is the reverb... For me, this is one of those areas where you have to really think about what you want... It could work as is, but you might consider "drying it up" just a little - that might give it a bit more intense energy at the expense of sounding a tad bit less epic. YMMV...

I wish you the best with it.
Mark

Thanks, Mark. I really appreciate you taking the time to listen. Interesting point about the reverb as I felt the ref track was pretty wet to start. I rollled it back a touch to make sure it trailed off fully in any edit points. We'll see what happens. Thanks again!

Gary

Hey Gary, great track! To add on to what's already been said, I'm wondering if a kick or some kind of bottom end element could add that driving forward motion you're after? That's the only thing I felt was missing. Aside from that, love the depth in the mix and the verb, and I would also second that I found the reverse cymbals on the loud side.

Good luck with the submission,
Josh

Thanks, Josh. I appreciate the listen (and the advice). All good ideas. It really helps to get a "second set of ears." Thanks for the help!

I've submitted to this one myself!

It's very well produced, varies enough to keep it interesting. I'd definietly agree there's a lot of reverb, I actually has a hell of job finding Kontakt libraries without baked in reverb and had to use a noise gate on some of them!

To me the reference has more pucnh, more of a dead sound. It's a great bit of work but just needs that element dialing in a bit.