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I'm interested in this listing and I want to make sure I send them tracks that are edited down properly.
What does a supervisor expect from a cue. ( length, button ending , fades etc... )

Thanks,
Rich.

MODERN ROCK INSTRUMENTAL CUES in the wide range of Arcade Fire to Arctic Monkeys to Black Keys to White Stripes, etc., needed by a successful Music Licensing Agent to pitch to a Popular Cable Network TV show. Although the referenced artists cover a broad range , they're are looking for the DRIVE, ENERGY, CREATIVITY, VIBE, and MELODIC PRESENCE that these artists represent. Mid to Uptempo tracks would work best for this pitch, please DON'T submit anything too MOODY or DARK. Instrumentation must be top-notch! Broadcast quality is needed (excellent home recordings are fine.) This agent offers a non-exclusive deal, and takes 50% of any upfront licensing fee, as well as a 20% commission on all performance royalties earned pertaining to the license. Please submit one to three songs, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened by the Licensing Agent herself on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Thursday, February 2, 2012. TAXI#Y120202MR

"Cue" is a very generic term for music used on TV. Lengths can vary from a few seconds to a few minutes in actual use.

When no length is mentioned in a listing, such as with this one, assume you send tracks in the approximate 2-3 minute range. It's best to shoot for over 2 minutes but don't lose sleep if you have something great that's only 1:45... Like-wise, a gret 3:31 track is fine too. If you got the goods for a music sup to pick what they want from within your track, you are OK. But...

Get to the meat quickly (e.g. give them the "feel" they want from the get-go) and DEFINITELY a button ending, not a fade. Only pitch tracks with fades for film/TV if specifically requested.

What matters here most is meeting the specifications as far as drive, energy, 'a la', etc. Don't let the word "cue" throw you off.

As far as samples, I'd recommend sampling tracks from the 'a la' artists.

Good luck!
Casey

Casey H wrote:"Cue" is a very generic term for music used on TV. Lengths can vary from a few seconds to a few minutes in actual use.

When no length is mentioned in a listing, such as with this one, assume you send tracks in the approximate 2-3 minute range. It's best to shoot for over 2 minutes but don't lose sleep if you have something great that's only 1:45... Like-wise, a gret 3:31 track is fine too. If you got the goods for a music sup to pick what they want from within your track, you are OK. But...

Get to the meat quickly (e.g. give them the "feel" they want from the get-go) and DEFINITELY a button ending, not a fade. Only pitch tracks with fades for film/TV if specifically requested.

What matters here most is meeting the specifications as far as drive, energy, 'a la', etc. Don't let the word "cue" throw you off.

As far as samples, I'd recommend sampling tracks from the 'a la' artists.

Good luck!
Casey

Thanks Casey !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIlZP1lYDVI

Hey there, Rich.
I responded to a post of yours elsewhere on this topic, too.
The above link has a clip that starts off with a cue.
Also, think of Cheers, where they'd start off a scene with a
little clarinet lick, or Seinfeld with that sampled slap bass.

Cues are generally pretty short and button ended.

Take care.

Thanks Burpo,

Appreciate the help !

burpo wrote: Also, think of Cheers, where they'd start off a scene with a
little clarinet lick, or Seinfeld with that sampled slap bass.
Cues are generally pretty short and button ended.

Actually, the "cues" you are referring to are a very specialized type of cue usually called bumpers, re-joins, stingers or transitions, somewhat depending on their function.

As Casey stated, the term cue as it is used in film and tv nowadays is much broader in meaning and really just another word for "(instrumental) piece of music used in film/tv". E.g. in film or tv scoring, each individual piece of music is referred to as a cue, and naturally these can range from short to very long and have hard starts or endings or 'sneak in' or 'out'.

As it relates to production music and the listing in question, I have found that unless you are given specific instructions to the contrary, aiming for +/- 2 minutes for your cues, with a button ending, will be your safest bet.

matto

matto wrote:

burpo wrote: Also, think of Cheers, where they'd start off a scene with a
little clarinet lick, or Seinfeld with that sampled slap bass.
Cues are generally pretty short and button ended.

Actually, the "cues" you are referring to are a very specialized type of cue usually called bumpers, re-joins, stingers or transitions, somewhat depending on their function.

As Casey stated, the term cue as it is used in film and tv nowadays is much broader in meaning and really just another word for "(instrumental) piece of music used in film/tv". E.g. in film or tv scoring, each individual piece of music is referred to as a cue, and naturally these can range from short to very long and have hard starts or endings or 'sneak in' or 'out'.

As it relates to production music and the listing in question, I have found that unless you are given specific instructions to the contrary, aiming for +/- 2 minutes for your cues, with a button ending, will be your safest bet.

matto

Thanks Matto !