Thanks, Shane! Glad it's translating. I feel like I over-explain things often and just make it confusing. Appreciate you tuning in!

I'm as guilty as anyone! It is difficult. That balance of keeping it practical (usable), yet being happy with it creatively.

Hey ROQSTAR, Thanks, and also for taking the time!

Hey Dennis! Thanks for taking the time. Great to hear you found value in the video. Best to you.

I agree that TV shows use scaled back versions in placement, far more than the full versions, you are correct. That's been my experience, too. However, rather than send them (The Library) only a "scaled back" version, send them a bunch of stems, to best increase your chances, then they can piece together your track, to the scale of their liking. Besides, perhaps another client may like the "full version". Stems, reduced, cut-downs, alt-mixes.. providing these puts you ahead of the competition. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, Dominik.

Thanks so much, man! I appreciate the support. Lots more to come.

I appreciate you taking the time, David! Best to you.

Great idea. Just need to find the time. Thanks.

Do you mean like "sound design" ? I do mention in many of my videos how I use a microphone to capture sound to use in my work. Not sure if that's what you mean.

Thanks so much, Allan! I appreciate the support!

Hey, thanks for checking out the channel. Every channel has a "thing".. mine is that I just want to help other aspiring producers and composers, without asking anything in return. No collecting emails or info, no redirecting to other sites. Just paying it forward. Glad you found value in the info. Cheers.

Shhhhhhh!

@@MarlonGibbons I really appreciate this. I'm starting this ( again ) a bit later in life , but being a bit older and experiencing life , I'm hoping to use that to create my sound. Want to make this something that will help supplement taking care of my family in the near future so thank you for all of your info. #reapthemusic

@@gemini_grimm_llc8220 Thanks for tuning in and supporting the channel. It's a great time to be in this industry. Wishing you the best!

@@MarlonGibbons You sir have just earned a subscriber! Thank you for all the info and your time in explaining everything!

Thanks so much for watching! BTW - I was married in Cabos and vacationed all over Mexico. We love it there!

I could do an hour long video to answer your questions and maybe I will revisit structure, form, arrangement. But for now, here’s the simply answers.. What I’ve shared in the video(s) is merely my experience, what has worked for me, but not the only way to form a track. And certainly not the only way to have success with placements. I typically start minimally, It could be a riff or melodic theme. After a few bars (4 to 8) add a new layer/sound/instrument. Keep repeating this process, building the track and it’s intensity. You could hand off the melody/theme to other instruments along the way. If you can create dynamics (builds and releases) that’s all the better. So by the end of the tack… it’s much more intense than the beginning (Trailer Music would be a much more exaggerated example of what I’m describing). You can label it A1, B A 2… if that helps you… but by the time you’re done, your track should open with a simple instrument or 2, could even be a rhythm. The track grows along the way with intensity (it doesn’t always take added instruments to do this - there are other ways). Often Libraries (video editors) love edit-friendly tracks. That is… sections where it would be ease to cut, so if you can write in a way that has these, you increase your odds. Home some of this has helped.

Thank you Marlon! So any trailer may be an example.. there will be no substantial change in harmony, just a chord progression with a melody and build up.. got it!

@@julialesnichycomposer4965 Simplest advice, create a chord prog. Keep building/layering on that chord progression.

Hey! Thanks, great to hear. I often wonder how relevant my topic choices are and if they are of interest. Appreciate the feedback.

I appreciate you taking the time to watch!

Thanks for taking the time to watch, Jonny! Cheers.

Glad you find helpful. It's a small studio but it works! Thanks!

That's right! Thanks for watching!

Thank You, for taking the time to tune in and support the channel.

Please excuse my late reply, but thank you for watching!

Hey Peter! Great question, I do get what you're asking. I don't choose tempo with the short edits in mind. It's more important to choose the tempo to support the mood and genera you're going for. While, yes this can make getting those 15's 30's..etc. more challenging..It's more of an issue to have a track that doesn't flow well, in which case it wouldn't matter if you're cut-downs were spot on. Hope that helps and thanks for watching! Much appreciated. -M

Thanks Marlon for sharing some of your great secrets. I agree, emotions is the key in every song and less is more. Awesome channel!

Thanks! Hope they're helpful!

Hey Michael. This is a classic yet discontinued IKEA desk called "Jerker" (I'm not kidding,). Yes the speaker stands were add-ons.

@@MarlonGibbons Thank you Marlon...

Hey J. Griff Griffin, this is a great question. In fact, I’ve heard the same. Yes, many have had success spreading their tracks out there (it’s a numbers game). The last few years, it’s been my personal choice to only do exclusive. However…. Many Libraries now, will offer both exclusive agreements and non-exclusive agreements, leaving it up to you. I think there’s pro’s and con’s to both. I’ve been told it’s a great selling feature, for Libraries to promote their tracks as exclusive, as in, not in a bunch of other Libraries. I make the assumption this has to do with building trust and wanting loyalty from their users. I can’t see anything wrong non-exclusive if both parties agree to it. I don’t feel I’ve suffered lack of distribution being exclusive because the companies I work with have incredible reach. So in my case it’s quality over quantity (terms of Libraries) that is working for me. Sound Cloud: I’ve heard the arguments. I host a lot of my tracks on the back-end of my website ready to stream. If you’re going to submit to a Library, perhaps ask them if they have a preference. Sorry, I can’t suggest what the current trend for that is.

Thanks, my friend!

Thanks, Buddy! Maybe see you early next year!

Cool!! Look forward to it!

Yeah Buddy!

I wrote some music for the opening and closing credits. Funny you ask, Nate (Start Local Producer/Director) will be a featured guess here on the channel in a few videos to come.

Hi Phillip! The desk in this video is an old IKEA desk that I modified. I've since had a custom desk built.

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks, Kyle!

I use Logic & Pro Tools. Yep, I do use Sample Libraries.

Hey Brodie, most often I write to mood, more than genera (unless asked). Sometimes it's a mood inside a genera. Further to that, what I recommend doing is, if you have some Music Libraries on your radar, see what shows they are getting placements in.. if there's a couple notable and frequent shows, it's likely they have a relationship with someone on staff. Research the show and see what the most common element is. It could be "genera" based, like...(Car shows, Food shows, Make-over shows) often use Pop/Rock but also use a lot of "emotion" focused tracks. Think "builds, anticipation, surprise, disapointment, joy...etc." Those are what describe a scene more over a genera. Sorry for the book, hope some of it helped.

it really is comfortable. You can buy a Herman Miller for $500-$1000 or.... my chair at Staples. www.staples.com/Staples-Hyken-Technical-Mesh-Task-Chair-Black/product_990119

I went to school, it taught me the basics/fundamentals. I still use a lot of that today, but... I can tell you that if you're able to mentor with a composer or producer that is successful, or hang in a studio and shadow, you'll learn much more from "doing" and having a Pro give you practical real-world industry advice, rather than a text book.

@@MarlonGibbons Sir for that reason ,I believe the most important thing is to have a strong foundation about music theory. I am already learning through an online school. My primary instrument is key board & I am learning through piano note. com. They have introduced amazing curriculum which includes song writing & composing along with lessons on music theory & many more. As you said Mr. Gibbons "It's a marathon & not a sprint", I believe I am moving at the right direction as I am working on my strong foundation (music theory, chord progressions & drums) . I am following you sir because your information was so accurate & simple to understand. Thanks for your channel , it's a great medium & an eye opener to gain good knowledge about production. Sir if I will have further doubts ,I would get back to you for sure 😀.Regards Ankit

Hey Jesse! Thanks, and great question.. Production Music is a bit different than traditional songs, both in structure and length.. Production Music cues usually are no less than 2min, but not typically over 3. Always exceptions to the rule, but that's generally speaking.

Makes sense. Thanks, Marlon. Do you typically make alt-mixes of varying lengths, or simply make 1 long (say, 3 minute) version up front to err on the side of caution? I suppose one could do longer or shorter versions upon request. Thoughts?

Jesse Miller no worries! Most of the time, yes. I do my own Mastering. Sometimes the client/agency wants to apply that final touch. Side note: when I say "Master" I don't mean proper mastering, that's a true art form in itself. I just get the tracks hot and sounding tight using the tools and ears I have.

Ah, yes... the art of proper mastering still alludes me. Been using TRacks and now Ozone 7 for a while. And just to clarify, you "master" the stems as well as the full mix, or do you leave the stems "un-mastered"? Thanks! :)

Yep, the stems get the same treatment. Mostly due to whatever I have on the Master Buss. (I don't create a separate session for mastering) I just put what's needed on the Master buss in the session (Comp, Limiter, Hi-Pass..etc). I do use Ozone 7, too. So therefore, the stems are treated the same as the stereo full-mix file. Make sense?

Hey, Mark. Thanks for the Sub!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for tuning into the channel! Hope you find some value. To your question, yes you could. Adding, keep things simple/short and as obviously descriptive as possible (rather, don't be cryptic with your titles). Don't play on spelling, e.g. L8R G8R.. or creative (but incorrect) spelling of words. Mostly, put yourself in the shoes of someone looking for a track, if the title speaks to what you're looking for.. you have a better chance!

@@MarlonGibbons Thank you! Your channel validates some of my intuitions in approaching this field and also steers me away from iffy ideas and actions that I may have otherwise found appropriate. Thanks again!!! Stay healthy✌

@@smmusicplus96 I really appreciate the comments! This is why the channel exists. Best to you.

Personally I always aim for no less than 2min. That's just my approach. If a Library tells you how long, obviously follow their wishes.

MarlonGibbons one more question should I claim publishing through BMI if the music library is going to claim that anyway. Will it cause conflict? Thanks for the response.

@@witnessthewrath8061 I can't speak for BMI, but you'd need to be set up as a Publisher (actual business and separate profile than your composer account). Also, It would depend on your agreement with each Library and what the shares are and who gets what rights.

Hey Roland, I get what you're saying but strongly suggest you try to get used to recording to a click-track. There's a million reasons why it's a good idea, but just a couple are... 1. When submitting your tracks to Music Libraries and publishers, they'll often ask for a BPM. Clients also, may want to know the tempo of the track. Groove is very important (we agree) but you can still have groove playing to a click track and in fact, it will produce and even tighter sounding track once you're comfortable with it.

@@MarlonGibbons Makes sense when your selling your music out there. I'll start practicing using the metronome in my Daw. FYI, I don't skip the adds in your videos. Thanks for the tip Marlon.

@@akosirolandr for sure and I hate to discourage anyone from doing what feels right, it's just that there's a practical (beneficial) reasons for using a click track. Thanks for the support and gesture, too. I can't stand ads so I appreciate it.

Yes, all the time. Often, producers/composers will focus on a specific genera or style, rather than the emotion the track evokes. Actually, a lot of briefs/requests put out by libraries ask for a style to be emulated rather than an emotion depicted.

Appreciate you taking the time to watch!

Hey Charlie, in fact I have done that a while back, however for the most part, I don't control the publishing on most of my tracks. I'll certainly keep that in mind as a future idea when it's possible. Thanks for tuning in.

They are legit. They've been around longer than most. Some composers do very well with them. It's whether you want to pay to play, though. That's a personal choice.

Hey, Sergio. I do make a living in this industry. Cheers.

that's awesome! God I want to so badly. I've been e-mailing libraries, but no one is getting back to me, only a royalty free library

I know it's easier said than done, but keep at it.. I took lots of rejections in the beginning. It's a marathon, not a race.

I'm gonna keep this comment posted and genuinely Thank you, for taking the time. Even if you didn’t find value, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I hope you’re well and wish you success.

Simply, to help people. BTW checked out your channel. Great stuff! Wish you the best, man.

No idea what you're talking aboot.

I'll take that constructively and keep in mind in future videos. Thanks for taking the time to watch and give feedback.

Thanks for taking the time to watch!