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Hi all,

Even though I do think my instrumentals and listing-reading is getting better, I got another returned piece. Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

LISTING
ACOUSTIC GUITAR-BASED INSTRUMENTAL CUES Give them easy-going, laid-back Mid-Tempo Cues that you might hear in the films like Catch and Release, Into The Wild, The Holiday etc., etc., etc. “We need Acoustic Guitar Cues that range from solo acoustic guitar to small ensembles that would be great for a scene featuring a trip down a country road or a bucolic summer day at the lake.” Please avoid material that’s frenetic or overly busy, so it works well under dialogue. Easy edit points and buttoned endings are recommended. S

SUBMISSION
https://soundcloud.com/derclaye/paddock

REVIEW
"Nice piece of music but there was an underlying high pitched organ or synth pad that became a distraction and clouded the overall mood of the piece."


THOUGHTS
First of all I thought I was in the right ballpark in terms of mood, emotion and instrumentation. The guitar playing could've been better but at least it sounded like someone was playing. I took the high synth part from one of the references, which kinda gave it this earie windy paddock-mood (hence the title). Apparently, it is that very synth sound that got the piece returned. IF they like the piece, couldn't they just ask to lose that part? I've seen people talking about being asked to change minor things in order to get accepted.

I'm just trying to make the most out of this review in order to do better next time and all feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for reading this.

B

The listing says it should work under dialogue, so the problem is probably the frequencies the synth occupies. It does draw attention to it. It's not about how good it sounds, it about the particular use.

Nobody will ever tell you to change your music. They expect it do be done and ready when you submit. Production music like this is all about the conveniance musicians can supply. If there are other pieces that works as well, why should they bother to ask you to edit a piece.. It's not about you, it's about the job they need to finish, as fast as they can.

If you already had a relationship with that supervisor, and they were certain they could have the edited track back in half an hr, they may just have done that, if they knew you could deliver fast and were as smooth with the papertrail. Then, that could have been more conveniant for them. It's about the service of conveniance.

It's just one of those things. For another use in a similar production, without dialogue, your piece may work just as well.

in addition to what Magne posted.....compared to the Tommy Stinson piece

IMO - its all timbre, volume, ambience. I think you could have got this through put the pad was just too obvious.

You choose a sound that grabs your attention.
You panned it middle left instead of widening it in stereo.
You made it drier that the acoustic guitar in the intro vs. making it wet and making it sound "behind the guitar"
You left it relatively full range in frequency instead of rolling off some highs that would help it sit back instead of stomping on the guitar.
You made it louder than the acoustic guitar.

This all could have had something to do with it.

Re: interpreting the listing - its always a gamble isn't it? But in this case, 3 tunes, 2 with somewhat atmospheric strings. One with a synth pad. I think if I was going to add a pad / strings I would have chosen strings.

great interpretation of the listing Andy!

That means a lot coming from you Owen. You two are among the Jedi Masters of these forums, while I struggle to remain among the lowly padawans.

Check out "Sunny Side Up" on Geno's Taxi page: http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.php?artist=Geno It was forwarded for the same listing. I always try to check out forwarded songs to listen to form, mix, instrumentation, etc.

Wow, this is very valuable feedback Andy. I guess, when I'm so into the project I tend to forget the very obvious facts right in front of me.
Thanks all for your time guys. Truly appreciated.

Cheers