Wagtunes Production Music

[Music Bird]

As for the production, I’d probably add percussion and rhythmic marimbas in the background, and maybe turn down the synth pads, as well as some lead instruments over the top.

[wagtunes]

As for the production, I’d probably add percussion and rhythmic marimbas in the background, and maybe turn down the synth pads, as well as some lead instruments over the top.

So you'd make it a more percussive piece and a less melodic piece.

[Music Bird]

Maybe add in some melodies too.

[Music Bird]

I’m not so used to library music production, if you want it more melodic, maybe keep it the way it is and add a piano or sax on top, and a slow drum beat.

[wagtunes]

Maybe add in some melodies too.

Okay, previously you said to turn down the lead instruments. Those are the melodies. Now you're saying add them back in?

Sorry. Confused.

[Music Bird]

I was confused because I didn’t hear the melody instruments.

[wagtunes]

I was confused because I didn’t hear the melody instruments.

Well my intention was for the melody not to be too prominent. You don't want the music to distract from the speaking. That's the main thing with production music. Don't distract but support. It isn't as easy as it sounds, which is why I started this thread asking for feedback. Granted, everybody is going to have differing opinions.

[Karma_tba]

Maybe add in some melodies too.

Okay, previously you said to turn down the lead instruments. Those are the melodies. Now you're saying add them back in?

Sorry. Confused.

This guy has stated he doesn't know library music....he's reacting to a stand alone piece. His advice will be flawed but so will mine because I think you are wasting your time. Especially since a paycheck is your driving force. Music...love it or leave it. Love it enough it MIGHT pay some dividends. Don't love it enough you might get a one hit wonder. Ultimately no one will remember your name or song.

[wagtunes]

Maybe add in some melodies too.

Okay, previously you said to turn down the lead instruments. Those are the melodies. Now you're saying add them back in?

Sorry. Confused.

This guy has stated he doesn't know library music....he's reacting to a stand alone piece. His advice will be flawed but so will mine because I think you are wasting your time. Especially since a paycheck is your driving force. Music...love it or leave it. Love it enough it MIGHT pay some dividends. Don't love it enough you might get a one hit wonder. Ultimately no one will remember your name or song.

Well you know what? It's my time to waste.

Thank you for your feedback.

[telecode]

I finally overcame my paralysis and wrote my first track.

Here was my thought process going into this and actually executing it.

First of all, I cleared my mind of everything. I didn't listen to any music beforehand. I didn't want to be influenced by anything. I also didn't want to allow my safe biases influence what I wrote. IOW, I tried to get away from my norm.

I then opened up my DAW and let my mind wander, trying to hear sounds, textures, whatever, in my head. I then opened up a plugin and looked for something similar to what I was hearing in my head as a foundation. You'll hear it plays through almost the whole track.

I then played it back and went through the process again, thinking what I could build onto it. And I kept doing this for layer after layer.

I didn't concern myself too much with production as far as processing, but I did keep an eye on my SPAN to make sure nothing was terribly out of whack. No harsh frequencies or serious mud.

As I'm going through the process, I asked myself what I could imagine this being played under and named it accordingly. I think the title alone (which I was told by somebody in the business is critical to success) will at least get people to check it out.

Anyway, this is what I ultimately came up with. Please feel free to be completely honest. I personally have no idea how good, bad or indifferent this is as I have no frame of reference and this is my first track. But I will say this. The track is no attempt to be any kind of copy of anyone or any genre. It is totally me and how my brain worked to get here. If you think it's just plain horrible, say so. If you can maybe give an idea why, that would help.

This is very important to me, so please. Be as brutal as you need to be. Hopefully, with each suggestion, I can improve over time. And maybe I won't improve. As somebody said in another thread, maybe I'm never going to be any good at doing this. But at least I'm going to try.

Thank you for listening and your support.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -mysteries

TOOO LOUD!!! TOOO DRAMATIC! Think background...the narration and visuals are the focus NOT the BACKGROUND music. You're trying to be the center of attention...that's not the role of library music. You are trying to be cinematic...if you're want to go that route you should be composing to video and the specific action taking place. Maybe you should spend some time watching public television. Personally I don't think production music is for you. You want to be the star...not be relegated to your name buried in the credits or given no credit at all.

Actually, given some of the careers some of the top library music producers have, in spite of them being unknown, I'd be perfectly happy to be an unknown but get a nice little paycheck once in a while.

But basically what you're saying, in regard to the track, is that there is too much going on and will detract from whatever voiceover is on top of it.

Correct?

Maybe what one can do is make two versions. A stripped down version and a busy version. When I listen to it, I hear too much drama and not enough atmosphere. If I were collecting music for a doc I was working on, I'd be looking for music that creates an atmosphere for the visuals. It has to have space so that the focus the doc can come to the foreground. The focus will be the story and narrative of the doc.

Its really hard to answer as there isn't a specific doc that we are discussing. What may be worthwhile is looking as some average docs on Netflix or Mubi (ones not made by well known film makers) and paying attention to what is going on with the music in the background.

[wagtunes]

I finally overcame my paralysis and wrote my first track.

Here was my thought process going into this and actually executing it.

First of all, I cleared my mind of everything. I didn't listen to any music beforehand. I didn't want to be influenced by anything. I also didn't want to allow my safe biases influence what I wrote. IOW, I tried to get away from my norm.

I then opened up my DAW and let my mind wander, trying to hear sounds, textures, whatever, in my head. I then opened up a plugin and looked for something similar to what I was hearing in my head as a foundation. You'll hear it plays through almost the whole track.

I then played it back and went through the process again, thinking what I could build onto it. And I kept doing this for layer after layer.

I didn't concern myself too much with production as far as processing, but I did keep an eye on my SPAN to make sure nothing was terribly out of whack. No harsh frequencies or serious mud.

As I'm going through the process, I asked myself what I could imagine this being played under and named it accordingly. I think the title alone (which I was told by somebody in the business is critical to success) will at least get people to check it out.

Anyway, this is what I ultimately came up with. Please feel free to be completely honest. I personally have no idea how good, bad or indifferent this is as I have no frame of reference and this is my first track. But I will say this. The track is no attempt to be any kind of copy of anyone or any genre. It is totally me and how my brain worked to get here. If you think it's just plain horrible, say so. If you can maybe give an idea why, that would help.

This is very important to me, so please. Be as brutal as you need to be. Hopefully, with each suggestion, I can improve over time. And maybe I won't improve. As somebody said in another thread, maybe I'm never going to be any good at doing this. But at least I'm going to try.

Thank you for listening and your support.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -mysteries

TOOO LOUD!!! TOOO DRAMATIC! Think background...the narration and visuals are the focus NOT the BACKGROUND music. You're trying to be the center of attention...that's not the role of library music. You are trying to be cinematic...if you're want to go that route you should be composing to video and the specific action taking place. Maybe you should spend some time watching public television. Personally I don't think production music is for you. You want to be the star...not be relegated to your name buried in the credits or given no credit at all.

Actually, given some of the careers some of the top library music producers have, in spite of them being unknown, I'd be perfectly happy to be an unknown but get a nice little paycheck once in a while.

But basically what you're saying, in regard to the track, is that there is too much going on and will detract from whatever voiceover is on top of it.

Correct?

Maybe what one can do is make two versions. A stripped down version and a busy version. When I listen to it, I hear too much drama and not enough atmosphere. If I were collecting music for a doc I was working on, I'd be looking for music that creates an atmosphere for the visuals. It has to have space so that the focus the doc can come to the foreground. The focus will be the story and narrative of the doc.

Its really hard to answer as there isn't a specific doc that we are discussing. What may be worthwhile is looking as some average docs on Netflix or Mubi (ones not made by well known film makers) and paying attention to what is going on with the music in the background.

Yeah, I was trying to avoid being influenced by the work of others. I just wanted to be myself and let whatever come out naturally.

But I may have to do as you suggest.

Let me get some more opinions first.

[The Noodlist]

I agree with elements jumping out, maybe these areas could be used for suspense, i.e. "the butler did"
Visuals should be the primary focus with unobtrusive music.
A perspective user could also automate the volume in areas if required, along with ducking.
Cool tune.

[wagtunes]

I agree with elements jumping out, maybe these areas could be used for suspense, i.e. "the butler did"
Visuals should be the primary focus and music unobtrusive,
A perspective user could also automate the volume in areas if required, along with ducking.

So there should be more space in the track and then cues for things to jump out. That's difficult to do without having a video to cue to. Thus why production music is more generic so it can be used for multiple things.

Perhaps the piece is simply too busy and unsuitable for generic use. Tomorrow, or maybe even tonight, I will work on a piece that's more minimalist.

[Karma_tba]

Maybe add in some melodies too.

Okay, previously you said to turn down the lead instruments. Those are the melodies. Now you're saying add them back in?

Sorry. Confused.

This guy has stated he doesn't know library music....he's reacting to a stand alone piece. His advice will be flawed but so will mine because I think you are wasting your time. Especially since a paycheck is your driving force. Music...love it or leave it. Love it enough it MIGHT pay some dividends. Don't love it enough you might get a one hit wonder. Ultimately no one will remember your name or song.

Well you know what? It's my time to waste.

Thank you for your feedback.

Waste away... Here's something to consider. The field you are trying to break into is fading fast. There is decades of popular music for producers of news, sports, and documentaries to draw from. Stop what you are doing turn on your TV. I guarantee that every commercial,show etc. is using a popular song as is or adapted to invoke the atmosphere they seek. The viewer can readily relate to these already successful tracks. Even politicians harvest this treasure trove for their campaigns. Because of our history you react to me as trolling you and just being negative. I have NO skin invested in the game so chances are I am bluntly more honest with you, but the truth sometimes hurts.

[telecode]

I finally overcame my paralysis and wrote my first track.

Here was my thought process going into this and actually executing it.

First of all, I cleared my mind of everything. I didn't listen to any music beforehand. I didn't want to be influenced by anything. I also didn't want to allow my safe biases influence what I wrote. IOW, I tried to get away from my norm.

I then opened up my DAW and let my mind wander, trying to hear sounds, textures, whatever, in my head. I then opened up a plugin and looked for something similar to what I was hearing in my head as a foundation. You'll hear it plays through almost the whole track.

I then played it back and went through the process again, thinking what I could build onto it. And I kept doing this for layer after layer.

I didn't concern myself too much with production as far as processing, but I did keep an eye on my SPAN to make sure nothing was terribly out of whack. No harsh frequencies or serious mud.

As I'm going through the process, I asked myself what I could imagine this being played under and named it accordingly. I think the title alone (which I was told by somebody in the business is critical to success) will at least get people to check it out.

Anyway, this is what I ultimately came up with. Please feel free to be completely honest. I personally have no idea how good, bad or indifferent this is as I have no frame of reference and this is my first track. But I will say this. The track is no attempt to be any kind of copy of anyone or any genre. It is totally me and how my brain worked to get here. If you think it's just plain horrible, say so. If you can maybe give an idea why, that would help.

This is very important to me, so please. Be as brutal as you need to be. Hopefully, with each suggestion, I can improve over time. And maybe I won't improve. As somebody said in another thread, maybe I'm never going to be any good at doing this. But at least I'm going to try.

Thank you for listening and your support.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -mysteries

TOOO LOUD!!! TOOO DRAMATIC! Think background...the narration and visuals are the focus NOT the BACKGROUND music. You're trying to be the center of attention...that's not the role of library music. You are trying to be cinematic...if you're want to go that route you should be composing to video and the specific action taking place. Maybe you should spend some time watching public television. Personally I don't think production music is for you. You want to be the star...not be relegated to your name buried in the credits or given no credit at all.

Actually, given some of the careers some of the top library music producers have, in spite of them being unknown, I'd be perfectly happy to be an unknown but get a nice little paycheck once in a while.

But basically what you're saying, in regard to the track, is that there is too much going on and will detract from whatever voiceover is on top of it.

Correct?

Maybe what one can do is make two versions. A stripped down version and a busy version. When I listen to it, I hear too much drama and not enough atmosphere. If I were collecting music for a doc I was working on, I'd be looking for music that creates an atmosphere for the visuals. It has to have space so that the focus the doc can come to the foreground. The focus will be the story and narrative of the doc.

Its really hard to answer as there isn't a specific doc that we are discussing. What may be worthwhile is looking as some average docs on Netflix or Mubi (ones not made by well known film makers) and paying attention to what is going on with the music in the background.

Yeah, I was trying to avoid being influenced by the work of others. I just wanted to be myself and let whatever come out naturally.

But I may have to do as you suggest.

Let me get some more opinions first.

I am a film guy and I am listening to your piece from a hypothetical perspective if I were working on a film.

If I were working on a doc about ancient civilizations, it sounds a little too synth heavy and too effects laden for my tastes. I wouldn't know where to place the parts with the effects. They add a very overwhelming dramatic feel -- and there are only going to be so many overly dramatic moments in a doc. I am envisioning this as if it were me working on a objective documentary about Assyrians or ancient Judaism. The effects (aka .. those cave like swishes) seem too overwhelming. They would only work if it were a doc there the narrative revolves around some sort of unsolved mystery set in ancient times.

Just try doing a version without the swishes and limit the use of the plucky motifs to just the beginning and once at the end. See how that sounds.

(also, perhaps don't focus too much of what the type of doc you think the piece is meant for. Focus more on thematic feels of whats the music adds to a visual. e.g. mood, feel, emotions.)