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I expected a return, but the reasons surprised me.

Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 2:38 am
by HowlingUlf
I had this return from a listing where a lot of things went wrong even before I had it submitted and I almost gave up. Then I decided to give it a last chance since ... I could.
I submitted the songs then realizing that they were not really that close to the a la songs and I stopped hoping for anything. Time was running out and it was too late fix anything so ... bummer!
I'm still at the rhino in china shop stage it seems ... :oops:
===

So I get this strange return introducing new requirements after the fact!??!
The target group were all of a sudden teens! haha.
So now one of the song was too dark. WTF?
Didn't see that one coming but OK.
But is that really fair?

* * *

General question about sound FX.
In hindsight it was a stupid idea but it sounds perfectly reasonable in the context of the song.
I added some FX noise before the song and started a fade before the song and faded it so it was probably inaudible unless you knew it was there.
So ... can't the editor just chop that off or whatever if they have a song they like?
Is that a reason to return a song?

No matter what I learned one thing the hard way: NO FX IN TAXI SONGS EVER AGAIN!!!
Unless someone specifically asks for it but that's another subject.

* * *

I noticed when control listening to the songs one of the songs where a little lower in volume but it's not much but as I said time was running out so I thought if they liked it they just turn it up 3dB or whatever.
This was pointed out like a complete deal breaker?!!?
What post production software can't do that?
They can "remaster" it and EQ it and compress it and limit it and crush it and make it the loudest ever?!!?
I dunno but it was just a strange comment that it was too low?

===

The rest was my fault haha!

But does anyone have some wise words on unknown parameters like teen target audience, nonos like FX and overall levels not being adjustable?

Re: I expected a return, but the reasons surprised me.

Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 5:16 am
by Kolstad
Hehe, I think you need one of those Batman to Robin slaps (meant caring)..

Robin: "Batman, but I..."
*SLAP*
Batman: "Keep it simple dude, and get it done!"

Truth may be that every one of your objections is right:
But is that really fair?
Is that a reason to return a song?
I dunno but it was just a strange comment that it was too low?

With production music, you are in the service provider business, and the client need competitive music, on spec, that makes them look good when they use or pitch it to their clients. They need it to be convenient and ready to use the second they recieve it.

So the teen audience, you had no chance, just keep your head up and wait untill the pain fades out.
The sound fx, lesson = never use it.
Loudness compliance = you should use measures and compare with other tracks in the genre you pitch, and comply with that.

The Batman slap is for complicating things unneccesary. You are capable of great work, don't let your head come in between and mess it up.

Use the KISS principle :D

Re: I expected a return, but the reasons surprised me.

Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 11:47 am
by HowlingUlf
HA! Yeah, a bat slap isn't a bad idea actually.
My work ethics has been deteriorating I notice.
But that's not really part of it.
I was just surprised so that's why I'm asking.
Growing pains and the pains of the bat slap haha.
Oh, well. Now I know three things more ... 8-)

No, make it four!
I need to take better care of my time ...
But that's another story!

Re: I expected a return, but the reasons surprised me.

Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 2:48 pm
by Russell Landwehr
There are some things you will learn are definite no-nos. We all make these mistakes and learn from them

Another thing that can be helpful in a case like this is if you post the text of the listing and links to the music you sent in.
HowlingUlf wrote:But does anyone have some wise words on unknown parameters like teen target audience,
There is nothing you can do about unknown parameters.
I know about this listing you are talking about. Several of my friends were returned for the "teenager" requirement that was not in the listing text. They will be contacting TAXI monday morning to find out about this.

Russell

Re: I expected a return, but the reasons surprised me.

Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 3:06 pm
by HowlingUlf
Russell Landwehr wrote:There are some things you will learn are definite no-nos. We all make these mistakes and learn from them

Another thing that can be helpful in a case like this is if you post the text of the listing and links to the music you sent in.
HowlingUlf wrote:But does anyone have some wise words on unknown parameters like teen target audience,
There is nothing you can do about unknown parameters.
I know about this listing you are talking about. Several of my friends were returned for the "teenager" requirement that was not in the listing text. They will be contacting TAXI monday morning to find out about this.

Russell
No no no, I'm beginning to regret I even started the freakin' project haha!
No matter what I tried it just went sour I can think in hindsight.
So ... no links this time :oops: :lol:
If I had started at the right end I would also have links and the rest, but sometimes ... stuff happens.

And we learn.

Ah! The "teenager" thing is under investigation? :idea: 8-) 8-) 8-)

Re: I expected a return, but the reasons surprised me.

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:42 am
by mojobone
It's just a fact that the screeners are gonna know more about the listing parties and their needs than we can; if the info is available, it usually gets written up in the description, but things can fall through the cracks. This seems like one of those cases.

Re: I expected a return, but the reasons surprised me.

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 12:10 pm
by HowlingUlf
yeah, but ... :lol:
I don't know about teenagers in Texas and how much they listen to the blues in 2016 but ... it would kinda help to know BOTH the blues ingredient and the teenage ingredient BEFORE you start haha?
I feel kind of like going too fast into a surprise turn on the road.
The road turned 90° left but I didn't ... so I'm stuck in the middle of a mud field like "huh??? :o "
Oh, well. :lol:

Re: I expected a return, but the reasons surprised me.

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 6:49 am
by HowlingUlf
Russell Landwehr wrote: Several of my friends were returned for the "teenager" requirement that was not in the listing text. They will be contacting TAXI monday morning to find out about this.

Russell
You happened to hear anything, or did I miss it?
TIA

Re: I expected a return, but the reasons surprised me.

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 4:18 pm
by ExcelMusicStudio
"ditto" for the Rhino ... elephant ,, hippo ,,, heard of wilderbeast ... ha haha :lol:

Re: I expected a return, but the reasons surprised me.

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 6:20 pm
by WeWillWriteUaSong
Russell Landwehr wrote:Several of my friends were returned for the "teenager" requirement that was not in the listing text. They will be contacting TAXI monday morning to find out about this.

Russell
I also got a return for that one... baffled me cuz I thought it definitely should have been in the listing if that was pertinent information. I wrote specific to that post and had I known, the lyrics would have been different. Hey Russell if you don't mind me asking, did anything come from them contacting taxi about it? I wouldn't think to do that... I thought the blues was supposed to be a little dark.. and in my song my wife didnt even leave me...and my dog still lives...lol

My return : "This track is overly dark and dramatic for this teen road trip show."