HIP HOP as underscore for TV placement.

Producing a Hip Hop Track with a Dramatic vibe for Library
Social Media
WEBSITE: www.marlongibbons.com
/ marlongibbonscomposer
TWITTER: / marlon_musician
INSTAGRAM: / marlon_gibbons

[@remshawmusiek7565]

Thanks

[@MarkHimley]

Perfect example of why less is more. It's all about the MOOD. Nicely done!

[@MarlonGibbons]

Thanks, Mark!

[@MarlonGibbons]

Those of you that do tune in every Thursday, sorry this one was a couple days late.

[@milcmaster]

Excellent

[@phillipbowermusic3842]

Fantastic!

[@MarlonGibbons]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@frankspears4597]

No worries about being late Marlon. Look forward to next week

[@lemonderangello]

great job! these things you teach are things I learned by myself, alone. so it's kind of refreshing to hear someone just benevolently showing what us stock music producers are doing in our little studios making this music, music that by its design is so forgettable. just nice to see one of our own!

[@MarlonGibbons]

That's exactly it! Such a great industry (not without it's challenges) but, a lot of good people, helping each other! Thanks Lemon. Continued success, to you.

[@odasis8722]

Yo man, much love for the content. This was worth the watch

[@MarlonGibbons]

Thanks! and Cheers!

[@ChrisHaighMusicOfficial]

Another cool video of how you do your thing Marlon. Keep them coming. I think it would be interesting for your viewers to know what sample libraries you use in your tracks.

[@MarlonGibbons]

Thanks, Chris, appreciate you taking the time. And yes, great idea. I do have a similar topic (sound palettes and templates) planned, it maybe a few weeks, but I do agree.

[@lonniemills9963]

I am glad I found your channel! Great video I have learned a few things..Thank you!

[@MarlonGibbons]

Thanks so much for taking the time to watch.

[@TraderTimmy]

Thanks for the video. Excellent

[@MarlonGibbons]

Tim King thx for taking the time to watch!

[@danwilhite]

This is great! Thanks!

[@MarlonGibbons]

Cheers!

[@protoolsboy]

Can you make more of these videos. I love them.

[@MarlonGibbons]

HipHop themed? or "Production / Behind-the-scenes" in general?

[@bobbybebrave4756]

this is a dope piece

[@MarlonGibbons]

Thanks, Bobby!

[@cori2120]

This is great mate. Really really useful.

[@MarlonGibbons]

They Cori, thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@RomanSenykMusic]

Hi Marlon! I am really your big fan! Your videos blow up my mind! I want to create more music after your videos!! Thank you!!

[@MarlonGibbons]

Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and the nice feedback! I wish you much success.

[@RomanSenykMusic]

@@MarlonGibbons How do you fight with some kind of burning out and keep yourself in good mind fit?

[@BossLevelAudio24]

I'm on the learning curve with stock music writing. 30 years of writing songs. Been making the mistake of writing songs with big chord progressions and modulation etc. Stock music seems to be about capturing a mood with repeating motifs that are layered well. It's music that enhances a scene or commercial but is instantly forgettable. A bit soul destroying when you want to wrote something people will sing in 20 years but hey, if I'm successful and it helps pay my bills I won't complain!

[@JustMusicbyRogelio]

What if you don’t have a keyboard, will sound loops be ok to use, or is that some sort of copyright violation?

[@Mindbodyandspirit240]

Good stuff Marlon!

[@MarlonGibbons]

Thanks for taking the time to watch! Much appreciated.

[@ciganaromungra]

Hey Marlon - first off, thank you so much for these videos. -Do you do your own mixing as well?

[@MarlonGibbons]

Thank you for taking the time. I don't do my own mixing if I can help it, but... mostly for Library tracks, yes I do my own. A good time, always provide stems so the end user will have a bit of control to re-mix to their liking. It increases your chances of getting your tracks placed, too.

[@protoolsboy]

You should do a video about keywords in the music libraries hiw to label and title your tracks. And how many tracks should yoy submit at one time. Also how loud should your mixes be. I would appreciate it.

[@MarlonGibbons]

I'll add to the list. For now, I'll say... #1. Some Libraries will add the meta-data / keywords themselves to ensure their clients get what they search for. Otherwise, a Thesaurus is your friend. Seriously. #2. If you're submitting to a library, then I assume you've read their submission criteria, in most cases they'll tell you how many tracks to submit. If they don't, I'd personally give them 3 of your best, but be prepared to have more ready for them, on standby. #3. Your mixes should be nothing less than the BEST you are capable of. Never send in a demo, work-in-progress or anything unfinished. They will assume that whatever you provide, is your best.

[@TimSidden]

Hey Bud, Enjoyed the video. Your like me, Can't watch a TV show or Movie without analyzing the bed of music. Loved the arrangement. Thanks for the friendship.

[@MarlonGibbons]

Likewise, my friend! and thanks!

[@HitMenProductionGroup]

Good job and nice tutorial! Hey, what happened to the red acoustic panels and the Yamaha monitors?

[@MarlonGibbons]

Studio make-over, about a year ago. I added a wood frame around the panels and changed out the fabric. Otherwise, same material inside. Monitors, I traded them out for Focal Shape 65's and WOW what a huge improvement. Live a vail had been lifted. The Yamaha's were decent, but too much for my small room. The Focal's (6.5" vs 8") are just heads and tails better.. I can hear so much more clarity in my mixes.

[@REBELLIOUS513]

so glad i found this channel,but is there a secret society to sending music to libraries? all i find during my research is people trying to get me to buy something,which i'm not opposed to,just a lot seem sketchy and leaves me scratching my head,ive had songs ive done with rap artist featured in movies,but i was work for hire so i never made any solid lead connections

[@MarlonGibbons]

Hey! Glad you dig the channel. I understand what you're saying but I don't think there's a secret society. I'm aware that others have more of a business model set up. Meaning for a cost, they'll sell you an industry connection list or actual "job" listings, or even how-to programs that include 1-on-1 mentorship. I'll say this, several of them could give you more help/info than I ever could and IMHO what they're offering is of GREAT VALUE. While, the content I'm providing is free, it may not be as structured as the "paid for" stuff. At the end of the day, I'm just sharing my experiences, that may or my not help you. I've hit walls, felt defeated, discouraged and made mistakes that ended opportunities, but I've learned a lot that works - truly, I just want to help others. My reward is this growing community/network of amazing people, producers, musicians, composers. Sorry for the lengthy reply! Again, thanks for the support!

[@ratjuice3665]

Have you gotten this one placed yet? I have that same lava lamp too. I load up on the lava's... Inspiring.

[@MarlonGibbons]

Ice Tiger, every studio needs at least 1 lava lamp. I even have a backup lol. This cue has not been placed yet (that I’m aware of).

[@studiognd]

How do you pitch versions in library? Do you post each version as separate track? Or do you use "versions" option that libraries have, meaning that you post all versions under the same title - one title has several files in it?

[@MarlonGibbons]

Great question! Only (1) One Title but with each audio file, you change the descriptor at the end.. e.g. "MySong_fullmix.wav" add to that.. "MySong_no_drums.wav" or "MySong_piano_guitar.wav" or "MySong_guitar_bass.wav". Unless directed, it's up to you what combination of tracks you want to provide. But to answer your question, yes multiple files (versions) and identity those versions in the title. NOTE: When 1st submitting to a library, you likely won't need or be asked for stems. Only if you're accepted. Your first submissions they'll be looking for production value and relevance to their library. Hope that helps.

[@studiognd]

Fore example, "MySong_piano_guitar.wav" could be very different in mood from "MySong_drums_bass.wav", although it is from the same song. In such case, would you submit each song with different keywords/tags? Or do you usually try to keep the mood of versions, and avoid versions that change the mood too much?

[@MarlonGibbons]

Perhaps "drums_bass" may not have been best example. To your point, yes, try to keep the originally intended flavour of the tracks. Think of it like this, try to give the Music Supervisor or Music Editors, options. I've had big orchestral tracks where all that was used in a TV drop, was the piano_cello stem. If you write Electronic or Hip Hop, try offering up a reduced version (obviously if you're reducing it, it will sound thinner) but that's the point, reduced sometimes is preferred. Often we think our FULL_MIX track sounds awesome, but in reality, it's too much or busy for a TV scene. It happens a LOT that my reduced mixes or a mix other than the full mix is used. Keywords, I focus on the intended vibe of the full mix, they'll see you have available stems from the full mix.

[@CRASS2047]

Do you have to embed metadata into every single track? Say a library loves a 4 bar loop, that is piano and a bass. They only want the piano, will you upload that track separately? And if so, that would mean you would have to make sure your metadata is in every single piece right?

[@MarlonGibbons]

A lot of Libraries add their own Meta (They have either their own process for it or a staff member who's job it is). Personally I don't add meta to my stems, but there's a few Publishers I work with, where I provide data (meta and other) in an accompanying document. Best is to ask the publisher you're working with, what they need.

[@isaiahnordland]

How did you create that synth tone? Would love to see a tutorial!

[@MarlonGibbons]

Ahh this was a few years ago, sorry. I don't know that I even have the session anymore. I know this doesn't answer your question, but I'm a huge user of VPS Avenger + making my own with my SUB 37 & Prophet.

[@chriswilliamstunes1]

what strings do you use? or samples?

[@MarlonGibbons]

Session Strings - Native Instruments. Or possibly VSL.

[@chriswilliamstunes1]

MarlonGibbons cool. thanks

[@jrosboston9106]

Can you tell me how to find Library's

[@MarlonGibbons]

To BEST help you, even though it’s not the quickest way, because it involves you doing work and research (thus = BEST results) is to Google “Music Libraries” or “Production Music Libraries”…. Once you’ve compiled a list, roll up your sleeves. You’ll want to…. Read everything you can on a Music Library, the same way you would if you were applying to a company for a job. Learn about them! Listen to their catalog, decide if a) You feel it’s decent quality and b) if your music is on par and even if it’s in the same genera (if not, don’t submit). Look at their roster of clients. Are they getting lots of placements? How big are they? Are they MASSIVE and you’ll virtually be lost in their catalog. Or are they Boutique and value their contributors (it’s easy to see if they go above for their writers). What are other people saying about them when you google reviews? Ask about their terms/agreement. Exclusive vs Non-Exclusive. What are the Splits %. How long do they keep/represent your tracks Do they respond to questions, are they easy and helpful. Accessible? Do they specialize in one area, e.g. Trailer music, or Hiphop, or Electronic/Rock fusion.. or.. maybe they focus more on “Singer/Songwriter” traditional songs. (again, are you a fit?) Do you even have enough material to submit to them? Some want 10 tracks off the hop (it’s not a good idea to solicit to them and ask them what they want, then tell them you’ll go write it and come back) - be prepared. It’s super easy to find a list of Libraries. It’s difficult to convince someone that’s been in the game for a long time, to give you a list of the Libraries they work with.. They’ve spent years nurturing relationships, and building trust with them. They’ve put in the countless hours doing what I’ve outlined above (#1-#9) But multiply that by several libraries. And more importantly, every producer/composer is different and what fits or works for you, may not work for me and vice versa. There’s a TON of free helpful content on this channel, too. There is no easy/quick path, but.. if you do the work, your odds are amplified. Best to you.

[@jrosboston9106]

@@MarlonGibbons thank you

[@MarlonGibbons]

@@jrosboston9106 You got this! I listed to some of your work, you'll do ok.

[@doziermuzic]

Very nice work.

[@MarlonGibbons]

Much appreciated!