If you have a reference track, compare the spectral plot of both of them and see if they kind of match. You can do that with a free waveform editor such as Audacity.
- The clappy finger snaps don't convince me. I would go for a real, organic sound.
- There seems to be a de-essing problem. I hear a lot hissing from 0:29 onwards. It is very distracting. I recommend to EQ-sweep the corresponing spots to detect the problematic frequencies of the singer. Then reduce the "s" and "t" sounds by hand (-5dB to -10 dB, or so) and, additionally, de-ess further using the EQ- frequencies (super narrow cuts, -5dB to -10dB again). It is not an exact science, so play around until the pain in your ears is gone.
- I think the reverb is a little too roomy/boxy. I would try and make it more ethereal. It could be an idea to (sidechain-)duck it behind the vocals, so it comes up once the vocal rang out.
- Check your LUFS. I would not go beyond -9 dB.
- If you are aiming at TV (I think this is very licensable and you would be in business soon), create a clean version (no n-word, f-word,...), too. Make sure everyone has their ducks in a row before submitting to a library or supervisor - i.e. everyone has their PRO membership sorted and all split sheets etc. have been signed. Also, make sure no one uploaded it to Spotify, CDBaby, Distrokid and such and clicked a monetization, administration, or publishing button - an absolute no-no if you want to earn money in film/TV, because your track needs to be unencumbered.
Overall, a very cool track and not much more has to be done in my opinion. If you can produce like this, you should be able to earn good money in TV licensing. Good luck with it!
on Golden State by BraskoSama
on Mind Body and Soul by Dj4Real
Production:
- I think the kick is too loud, try -5dB.
- The clappy finger snaps don't convince me. I would go for a real, organic sound.
- There seems to be a de-essing problem. I hear a lot hissing from 0:29 onwards. It is very distracting. I recommend to EQ-sweep the corresponing spots to detect the problematic frequencies of the singer. Then reduce the "s" and "t" sounds by hand (-5dB to -10 dB, or so) and, additionally, de-ess further using the EQ- frequencies (super narrow cuts, -5dB to -10dB again). It is not an exact science, so play around until the pain in your ears is gone.
- I think the reverb is a little too roomy/boxy. I would try and make it more ethereal. It could be an idea to (sidechain-)duck it behind the vocals, so it comes up once the vocal rang out.
- Check your LUFS. I would not go beyond -9 dB.
- If you are aiming at TV (I think this is very licensable and you would be in business soon), create a clean version (no n-word, f-word,...), too. Make sure everyone has their ducks in a row before submitting to a library or supervisor - i.e. everyone has their PRO membership sorted and all split sheets etc. have been signed. Also, make sure no one uploaded it to Spotify, CDBaby, Distrokid and such and clicked a monetization, administration, or publishing button - an absolute no-no if you want to earn money in film/TV, because your track needs to be unencumbered.
Overall, a very cool track and not much more has to be done in my opinion. If you can produce like this, you should be able to earn good money in TV licensing. Good luck with it!
Tom/CTWF