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Recently got a return of 3 pieces submitted for:
D160610AI
AMBIENT SOUNDSCAPE INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a very busy NON-Exclusive Music Library with a long list of great placements. They’re on the lookout for Ambient Soundscape Cues in the stylistic ballpark of what you’d hear from composers like Atticus Ross, Hans Zimmer, Max Richter, etc., etc., etc. Please listen to the following references to help get an idea of what they’re looking for: “Perihelion” by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npFeMDdODi0 “Coward” by Hans Zimmer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkFgOJR-A20 “The Leftovers, Season 1” by Max Richter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxEgGTJCl3I Please give them simple, textural, Ambient Soundscape Cues in various moods that could include anything that’s dreamy, dramatic, tense, calming, dark, eerie, foreboding, or mysterious. Instrumentation should be based around current sounding electronic elements that can be tastefully embellished with anything from orchestral instruments to bowed metal sounds, as long as it helps to set the tone of a scene without being so intense or predominant that it could potentially distract from any dialog it’s used under. Add and subtract layers of instrumentation as your Cue progresses to add some forward momentum and interest. Stick to just one idea from beginning to end, as Cues that go through different “scenes” are hard to use in a scene that has one central emotion.

Two of the three I considered kind of long shots but one, Ice Cave, I thought hit it pretty well. The reviewer (#374) explained the rationale on all three - and I always appreciate that - but I think I'm missing something the he/she heard or heard differently.
"Hi Bob, Good execution, but could be tonally more current sounding when compared to the reference material. Check out "Perhilion" by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross for reference."

I'd really l ike to hear from others on their take on this. Thanks. https://soundcloud.com/bob-cross-1/ice-cave

Wow, scratching my head... to me it's very similar to the reference. I also got returned on this one. They said my tracks were solid but had too much "new age" sensibilities...

I submitted three and all were returned. I usually don't submit three cues unless I'm confident I will get a forward. I've had forwards for this genre before.

Waiting For Nothing: https://soundcloud.com/paulcroteau/waiting-for-nothing
One for not having a singular idea: "There are some nice textures in the mix, but the cue could be more focused on one singular idea."

Comatose: https://soundcloud.com/paulcroteau/comatose
One for having a singular idea: "The undercurrent that kicks things off is cool, Paul, but I feel the focus should have remained on that as opposed to the top line melody that follows."

Make Up Your Mind: https://soundcloud.com/paulcroteau/make-up-your-mind
One for having too much going on: "The focus is on the soundscape here, but I feel there is a little too much going on texturally to work for this pitch."

Put your tracks away for later and use the feedback to tweak them for future listings.

Thanks for the comments and examples, guys. Good advice - save the tracks for next time.

I have a perfect record so far--all returns!