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Hi There! "Before The Fire Goes Out" is a top song! Well produced, professionally recorded vocals! the whole track balanced beautifully! I am classed as a professional in the media world and even I would struggle to get this Country track sounding this good! you shouldn't have any trouble getting that placed! You just have to decide if you are going exclusive or nonexclusive with it. Is it all you doing the singing and production? Great stuff!
David... Many thanks. Coming from you that is a nice compliment. Before the Fire Went Out was turned down in Nashville three times due to Bridge lyric. Dirty Alcohol was picked up recently. Walked from it All almost made it in Nashville. Still waiting for Already There to pop. I don't perform Country. These are all professional demo's. I wrote and arranged the songs. I do produce all the instrumentals. Mix of me and help from my electronics.
David... If you have the time, could you have a listen to "Matter of Time"? I keep getting shot down on "not broadcast quality" and I'm not sure why. Any insight or suggestion you have would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Josh, I had a listen to "Matter Of Time" and my overall opinion is that it definitely shows you've got a good imagination. Lovely atmosphere. Possibly too many changes for most libraries...Unless you are looking to submit to a request for unusual out-side-the-box cues? verging on avant-garde (which I am often guilty of and only one library out of 50 will take it). The actual quality is good for this ambient style...Here's what I would do if I was to remix this. I would remove the little bell/pings at beginning (could leave one at the end) remove the almost jolly jazzy upright bass... maybe try a deep pulsing bass that runs thru most of the track or drone without distracting the listener (a trick I often use when I can't find the right bass melody). On the section that a big drum/hit comes in after the slow building sweep I would make that hit a little bigger (not louder) could do that with some FX. then nothing for a second or two just the rumble of the hit, perhaps then a ticking clock that continues to form part of the rhythm mixed in with ambient percussion. Lovely sounding pads here. When the string swells come in (to me they are a little dry) I would add some delay and reverb to the tail of these strings. I am basically making this cue more cinematic but try not to have so many changing parts in order to get this accepted by a sync library. What do you use for mastering? I use a VST pluging called G W Mix Centric that not only lifts the volume (a bit) but removes some of the mud and adds a bit of sparkle. You will need a limiter over that...I use Smart Limit by Sonible...Note this is on the master output when doing you final mixdown. it is sometimes too powerful for ambient pieces like this (makes them unnecessarily too loud) so you sometimes have to ignore the automatic setting Smart Limit gives you. Smart Limit not only stops your mix going into the red but it does things like sets the correct volume/sub volume for broadcast use (basically the two plugins help to give it broadcast quality). Hope I didn't ramble on too much (ha) was any of this useful? When you get a chance have a listen to "Orbs In The Sky" it was snapped up by a top library. I think you would be good at that kind of track. Notice how there is movement but nothing distracting https://www.broadjam.com/songs/davi dbanks/orbs-in-the-sky
David... Thank you. This is so helpful, Orbs in the Sky... alot going on in a very tight space. Well done! I added it to my reference collection. My country music was picked up by a major catalog for Film/TV. I enjoy the complexity of this music better and want to give it an honest try. "Let it Go" and "Mesmerize" have been getting some traction on SoundCloud. I really admire your work and pay very close attention to your sense of ambiance, timing and motion. I will work on the changes you kindly offered and repost remix when ready. If there is anything I can ever do for you, please keep me in mind. Fred
David... I will look into the plugin's you mentioned. I create using Cubase and Kontact for content. I use Ozone 11 for a reference point and then switch over FG-2 or Chandler or Console 1, depending on frequency mix in mix bus. I master with Steinberg WaveLab Pro and use Fab Filter EQ & Limiter, (most of the time) and measure with Native Instruments Insight for LUFTS, etc.
Yes I use Cuebase too! used it from the very first version over 25 years ago! Sounds like you have got all you need for mastering but I would still check out G W MixCentric as it does clean things up (I probably need it more than you as my tracks are often way too busy/noisy/muddy). Just noticed it is currently in a sale at Plugin Boutique. Search for Greg Wells MixCentric. So easy to use. They show in the video review the settings are really high but I find just turning the settings to less than half of what they show is enough to make a difference without making things crunchy and keep some space in the track. Note a top trailer library contacted me asking for an album of my more hybrid work but all my music was tied up so I had to write new material for them. I felt under great pressure not wanting to let these big boys down! Luckily they were knocked out with it! When you get time or need more inspiration you can listen to the album "TALOS" here....enjoy! https://posthaste.sourceaudio.com/a lbum/9111064
David... I bought it. Thank you. Will use it. Thanks for the help, info and link. Fred
Just had a listen. Wow... So much to learn. Thank you again.