[PAMMusic]

Another question, since I primarily am a piano player and use mainly software instruments… Is how to make the “fake” instruments come to life more?

One thing I have started doing recently that has really brought life into my playing of software instruments, particularly strings & synths, is to record all automation live in “touch” mode using a fader (dynamics, expression, filter cutoff etc), rather than writing it in after. It adds detail to the performance and another “human” element that you don’t get otherwise.

[PAMMusic]

Also HD channels. For instance I have recently had a placement that will be broadcast on Quest, Quest +1 and Quest HD.

[PAMMusic]

@wvjohnson Thanks for the detailed reply – I think it was a Scorekeepers email. I like the idea of your approach and I think it is definitely one I will attempt to use in the future. I have certainly thought a lot more about structure since that email!

I like the idea of building a foundation with one instrument. I have always thought you can tell a great song by if you strip it down to just piano and vocals and it’s still interesting. So it seems a good place to start!

[PAMMusic]

Pam, yeah, it makes sense, actually, very close to GAS pleasing too lol

Yeah any excuse to buy new gear. Every time I make a sale i say to my wife “See! I did need to buy that synthesiser!” 😉

[PAMMusic]

Hehe I am very guilty of this. I think when the aim is to produce around 1500 tracks it’s very hard not to!

I think making sure you don’t just rely on the same old software instruments etc for certain genres can help avoid it a bit though.. Keep getting new gear to keep things feeling fresh.

[PAMMusic]

Bedtracks is also Non-Ex

[PAMMusic]

Congrats @maxpower! That’s a great milestone and encouraging to hear for a newbie like myself! Keep up the good work! 🙂

[PAMMusic]

Since then I have made much more effort to ensure that developing a piece doesn’t just sound like a lot of copying and pasting melodies with different software instruments!

[PAMMusic]

In the very early days I made a lot of tracks that I think are very much guilty of what they are referring to –
Just starting with a melodic loop and adding layers basically.

[PAMMusic]

I think I roughly know what they mean, but was more interested in how other composers here might interpret it, and how they develop their pieces, as I imagine most library composers start out as a ‘solo’ operation, so it is would be really easy to get stuck in your own ways in terms of how you build a piece of music.

[PAMMusic]

Depends on your PRO I guess. Might be worth emailing them.

[PAMMusic]

Thanks Art,
Not contacted my PRO yet as it’s only just been broadcast but done a quick cue sheet search and similar shows on Quest have cue sheets registered with my PRO so that is a good sign.

[PAMMusic]

In the end I decided to join BMI for the USA and Canada while remaining with the PRS for the rest of the world which they will allow if you write to them. It’s worked pretty well so far and I’m glad I made the switch.

Hi @Orca,
I am also a UK based composer registered with the PRS and it would be great to hear more about how you set this up with BMI, as I have a lot of tracks in primarily USA based libraries. When you did the switch did it mean having to contact all your libraries to tell them you have switched to BMI and give them a new CAE/IPI number etc? Or do you use the same number?

Thanks for the info you have given so far – bit of an eye opener!

[PAMMusic]

Thanks 2gnc27! Would be great to hear some of your tracks too! Good luck with your first pitch!

[PAMMusic]

Thanks for the replies. 🙂
I have been currently trying to always submit “something” to most briefs when I start at a new library. Mostly as an exercise in trying to push myself to build up my speed of writing while I’m starting out, but also to try and use it as a way of building a relationship with the guys running the library, and hopefully work towards me being one of the composers that is always in the front of their mind when pitching. I don’t know if this would be considered a good approach by more experienced library composers but I’m giving it a shot!

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