Good Enough to go Pro?

[Subversounds]

Hi,

In the begining of 2009 i was pre-hired to do sound design and soundtrack for a PC game. It was a small company and in the end of 2009 they've got no funds to finish the game (Brasil business-making is hell).

I've made quick demos for them, they loved and since it was a small company, i don't have a clue if the songs were acceptable for professional sound designer/soundtracking. I've done lots of small works (audio books, institutional videos and so).

But what do you think, are these demos good enough to get small soundtrack job in the pro market?


obs: please listen to this as demos not close to a finished sound.

Novo Tema 8.mp3

Nova Intro MP3.mp3

[soundfx]

Here's my honest assessment, and it may sting a little. Sorry. :) And perhaps these tracks will sound different when not demos, but I have to critique what you posted.

They sound very robotic, quantized and lacking any dynamics whatsoever. The sounds and mixing lack any real depth, and the phrasing isn't very interesting. MIDI-based orchestration requires a great deal of finesse and attention to detail in order to even remotely come close to the real thing. You need to "humanize" timings, velocity, pannings, etc. So do I think you could get composing jobs with this caliber of composition?...nope. But you know how to do basic programming and can continue to learn and improve and perhaps one day be able to compete. I hate to sound negative, but sugar-coating wont help you. There are too many people doing too many jobs out there that sound way way better than this. I'm sure you could hone your craft by doing free gigs for a while though. Try going to this link (if you don't already go to soundsonline) and listening to the sort of things some of your competition is doing.

Music Cafe - Soundsonline-Forums

Granted, a few are dreadful, but many, as you will hear, employ a nice level of dynamics, phrasing, and depth. There are tons and tons of composers hungry for work so you really need to step it up in order to compete.

[Subversounds]

Originally Posted by soundfx

Here's my honest assessment, and it may sting a little. Sorry. :) And perhaps these tracks will sound different when not demos, but I have to critique what you posted.

They sound very robotic, quantized and lacking any dynamics whatsoever. The sounds and mixing lack any real depth, and the phrasing isn't very interesting. MIDI-based orchestration requires a great deal of finesse and attention to detail in order to even remotely come close to the real thing. You need to "humanize" timings, velocity, pannings, etc. So do I think you could get composing jobs with this caliber of composition?...nope. But you know how to do basic programming and can continue to learn and improve and perhaps one day be able to compete. I hate to sound negative, but sugar-coating wont help you. There are too many people doing too many jobs out there that sound way way better than this.

Thanks for the comments. That is what i always think. I'm way better recording people than composing themes. But i love to write :-D
For now, i'll stick to 'easier' rock n roll and left discriptive music for the future, i'm still young.

[kylesoundman]

Search up Nick Phoenix in google. he has done some of the most amazing VST audio for video scoring I have ever heard. He also founded Quantum Leap...im sure you know how amazing their VST instuments sound if you have dabbled in the scoring for video at all.

That said....instead of hanging it up go listen to some of his work and then give thsoe demos another crack and postem up! I can't think of a better example of audio for video than his work to be influenced by!

[soundfx]

Yeah, I didn't mean to be too discouraging, just trying to bring some reality in to the picture and point out what could be improved. There's alway room and time to figure out what's not working and fix it. Keep at it. :)

[The MPCist]

Let me bring another opinion to the table. You don't have to be 'good enough' to be pro.

I know a lot of 'pros' who really aren't that good.

It's a mixture of talent, luck, and money. Being at the right place and the right time is what launched many a career and they started off 'not so good' but learned as they worked and most became 'good' and even a few 'awesome'.

So keep it up if it's what you eat and breathe -- keep honing your talent no matter what. Who knows...?

[jsbeeth]

In addition to the above, don't forget about the nuts and bolts issues of composition either -- melodic construction, harmonic content/voice leading, orchestration/arrangement, etc. Maybe see if you can take some lessons with a composer/theorist in your area and do some analysis of the classical repertoire with respect to these musical parameters, and of course, practice writing your own pieces with continuous critical feedback.

This is a heavy disclipine unto itself separate from all the 'tech' issues like midi programming etc, and really requires its own practice and experience.

Good luck!

[Subversounds]

Thanks for all the comments fellas :-D

I'm already on piano and harmony lessons (the last classes of that i took i was 13 years old and not that interested).

Doing this minor demo soundtrack for this game and sound design for three books (explosions, splashes, awkwar noises, steps and so...) was one of the best times i had in the music business.

I'll search for Mr. Phoenix. Sounds promising.