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Well, struck out on this one. But with every return, I study what the screener said and attempt to learn from it. In this case, I was told that while there are some nice parts, the overall approach to the track is dated, as are some of the keyboard sounds. Will take the advice, learn from it, and move on to the next song!

Here's what I submitted: https://soundcloud.com/ldigiorgi/the-discovery

D150923IS

INVESTIGATIVE STYLE INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by an incredibly active Music Library that gets a lot of TV placements. They’re on the hunt for Down-to-Mid-Tempo Cues that you’d hear in “procedural” scenes in shows like CSI, NCIS, Criminal Minds, etc., etc., etc. Please listen to these references to get in the general stylistic wheelhouse of what they’re looking for: “CSI” Crime Scene Investigation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9qjdUlRs7Y “CSI” Crime Scene Investigation (start-00:27): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMPGm8oNjpg NCIS: Los Angeles: (1:04 - 1:45) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI_PYpNfFdM NCIS: Los Angeles: (1:20 - 2:10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHYdv3Riwrk Your Cues can be dark-ish, ambient, pulsing Instrumental Cues that jump right into a simple, yet somewhat suspenseful melodic motif (short to no intro recommended) that builds as the Cue and the scene progress. Synth-based Cues will most likely work best, and you’d be smart to avoid cheap, dated sounds. Cues that can work well under dialog, as well as in the clear for procedural montages should make them happy! All submissions should be at least 2 minutes long. Easy edit points are needed, and button/stinger endings are highly encouraged. This Company offers an EXCLUSIVE agreement with a 50/50 split. The specific terms of this agreement will be determined directly between you and the Library. You must own or control 100% of your Master and Composition rights to pitch for this. Because this is an Exclusive deal, please submit music for this pitch that is not already signed to any other Libraries or Publishers. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine). Please submit one to three Instrumental Cues online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI on a Yes/No basis and must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PDT), on Wednesday, September 23rd, TAXI #D150923IS

the only link that would play for me is the first one, the rest said they were private.

well....what I hear is:

the Guitar (or what sounds like a guitar sample on the main two note motif) - which sets up a tonal feel rather than sound design based
the high synth suggesting a major tonality in the first 3 seconds
no real edit points.

dated sounds is a hard one - that is a frequent comment. To me it means either "sounds that we have heard before" or "sounds that we might have heard before and weren't freshened up with innovate mix effects".

I know it says simple melodic motif straight off - but that might not mean that a "melody" is the best way to present that motif - it might be a sound more than a particular melody.

HTH

Thanks for the feedback, Andy! It's definitely one big learning experience.

-Loren

A good track overall, I think it can definitely be tweaked and reused for the next tension listing. The tonal movement reminded me of Twin Peaks, that might be the 'dated' reference... even subconsciously.

I got two returns for this one as well, one for being too dark and foreboding and not suspenseful enough, the other for having percussion elements that were too forward that would conflict with potential scene dialogue.

My Taxi mantra variation: "Write, Submit, Remix, Repeat." Keep at it, you've definitely got the right vibe down.

Paulie wrote:A good track overall, I think it can definitely be tweaked and reused for the next tension listing. The tonal movement reminded me of Twin Peaks, that might be the 'dated' reference... even subconsciously.

I got two returns for this one as well, one for being too dark and foreboding and not suspenseful enough, the other for having percussion elements that were too forward that would conflict with potential scene dialogue.

My Taxi mantra variation: "Write, Submit, Remix, Repeat." Keep at it, you've definitely got the right vibe down.

Thanks for the input, Paule, it's helpful and appreciated. I will definitely rework this and keep it on file for the next listing. Btw, I listened to your two trip hop tracks on an early commute today, and they were just what the doctor ordered.