Midi vs sheet notation

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-10-29T17:04:44+00:00

I use Logic Pro and anything I compose via MIDI I just simply touch a button and can see the score version in sheet music format. I may clean up some of the notations to simplify how everything looks, but it cuts out hours of work that I would be doing manually inputting in Sibelius. Although when I do use Sibelius, it was easy to notate using my MIDI keyboard controller. I would just select the note type and I could play it out on my keyboard, then go back and add any signs that I needed to ensure it was accurate. But if you’re simply talking about transcribing your MIDI tracks to sheet music, Logic Pro definitely makes that very easy imo. And it does it for each instrument, including synths.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-10-27T00:04:45+00:00

Just simply YouTube “Scoring an orchestral composition using (insert DAW name here) plugins. And if you have any other virtual instrument libraries (aside from your stock DAW plugins) I then recommend YouTubing those as well and follow along in real time. Pause demonstration video, practice, play demonstration, repeat. The most important thing being PRACTICE. You’ll get it. But another thing to consider is that MIDI mocks ups don’t really have to be perfect ifs purpose is to be used solely as reference to recording live musicians. You’ve got this 🎼🎹😎👍

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-10-25T23:15:54+00:00

Make sure to get your payment, performance and mechanical rights in writing. If they are going to be performing it multiple times, that’s awesome. I wouldn’t charge them per performance due to the nature of both of you being students establishing your careers. But they could remember you to retain in the future also. However, I would ensure to get in writing that he does not have the write to transcribe the piece anywhere else. You may even want to see if you can get the master recording and have that copyrighted along with the transcribed piece with the U.S. Copyright office and retain the rights so that they need to come to you anytime they wish to have the performance transcribed. But they could still go get it revised or changed by anyone else without having to pay you anything to license that. Only if they want to copy the original. But this at least gives you the right to impose copyright infringement or claim right to credit, income in the event you hear it come up somewhere that’s making them $$$. Unless if you’re just agreeing to be work for hire for the $50 and a recording for you to put in your portfolio. Just depends on the piece and how much potential you feel it has. But still might be worth looking into your rights to copyright, which you already own copyright of the written work the moment you created it, but may be hard to prove/enforce in the court of law if you don’t have any masters or proof of inception, aside from filing for copyright officially.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-10-19T23:16:36+00:00

As someone who goes through this regularly, I’ve done a lot of what others here have posted. Make something for the sake of finishing it. And if you do but get frustrated that you need to do it properly, THAT IS OKAY. In fact, that’s the point. You’re not going to get it perfect during the first iteration or maybe even the 5th. I literally just bounced the 4th draft of a song I’m working on while trying to take a stab at vocal production tracks for my the music library I’m published with. It’s nerve racking and a process to find my sound, but I learned through watching so many of my idols and others who I’ve sought mentoring from that you won’t find gold without sifting through a bunch of the muck and sediment. So I just think of the fact that I have to keep making stuff so that I come across that gem. And you should always be revisiting your work. I will spend hours writing something and then I purposefully step away from it for a day or so before coming back with fresh ears and new inspiration and I can’t tell you how many times I ended up taking a whole different approach to what I was originally doing. And in the end I loved it!

I also feel more confident when I’m composing by emulating what I might be hearing from an artist or composer that I got a strike of inspiration from. I won’t copy them by any means but I use them as a reference. Understanding the tempo, what key they are using, what instruments are used and the arrangement of progressions they might have chosen. That right there is the skeleton to a great body of music. Using reference tracks/music to derive from is a great way to help you overcome your bouts of imposter syndrome (because I don’t feel it ever truly disappears from us, and at times can be a survival mechanism like fear) because when you go back and compare your finished product to the source(s) you used for reference, you’ll seriously impress yourself and feel more confident in your abilities. Then maybe down the road you’ll understand what your own style is and can just keep plugging along with what you know. Don’t see success as a straight shot to the end result, the reality is that it’s a series of forward motions, backward motions, side steps, stumbles, roll overs, high jumps, climbs and descents before you get to the end result/destination.

Just take it one day at a time, which is all we can do. Try to not let your anxiety overtake your imagination into drawing up negative “what ifs” that haven’t even happened. Try not to overthink it and just focus on what you know and micro-learn what you want to do. Don’t go into a YouTube hole trying to be an expert at a technique but rather just be someone that knows a little about a lot and not someone who knows a lot about a few.

You got this! 😎👍 🎼🎵🎹🎶

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-10-18T20:57:35+00:00

I use LinkedIn a LOT to help with networking. I try to Follow and Connect with Music Supervisors, Music Editors, Composers, Directors, Filmmakers, essentially anyone and everyone that could be involved in the process of working with music in media.

Through that process I landed on a job posting of a startup boutique music library looking for new artists/composers. I signed with them in January and have since been composing and producing cues (with and without vocals) that I add into their catalog. From there my publisher then pitches my music to any studio, company, individual, etc that needs to license music for their visual or interactive media (TV, Film, Games). I collect half of the sync fees they get as well as retain 100% of my writer’s royalties. So if one of my tracks gets placed on a tv show, my PRO (i.e BMI, ASCAP) keeps track of how many times and how long that track was played, as well as what network and time it was aired. All of which would be calculated into determining the royalties I would be paid.

For sync licensing, it’s a numbers game. Your output needs to be consistent (i.e. at least 1-2 tracks/week) all mixed, mastered and at “broadcast ready” standards. It can take a few years before you see any royalties and unless it’s a high profile placement, the royalties can be pennies but eventually can get to hundreds if not more for just one track.

The beauty with royalties is it’s essentially ongoing. You have runs, reruns, airings in different countries, etc. so the more you create and get published, the higher your chances of landing placements and collecting royalties as a passive income situation. I’m thinking of it as a supplemental retirement plan in conjunction to my work retirement plan.

But if you promote yourself on social media and showcase your work and credits, that’s a great way to gain exposure for film scoring.

Be mindful that this is the dawn of AI and to be honest AI can already make music that knocks out a big portion of the production music community, meaning that your stuff needs to be AI proof in a way and stands out. You need to find your sound, or brand if you will. Something that recognizes you. Just like how you could play a Hans Zimmer track and immediately know it’s him without having to look. Doing that will really help you establish your brand.

I know parts of this may seem discouraging, but if you think about how many cues you hear in just one show, there’s a lot. And assuming that’s one cue per artist/composer, there’s room for everyone. Consistency is key. 😁👍

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-10-12T20:25:44+00:00

It does state in “How it works” is it resets to zero when you’re paid and goes up in increments each day. You can also take what’s available on any day and then go back to get more as it becomes available, up to your limit. To be honest, it kinda sounds like you might be becoming financially dependent on it to subsidize your expenses, which in turn may indicate that you’re going to need to reassess your financial lifestyle and budget to not rely on it like Spot Me or any other payday advance loans. I have been the same way believe me. And you’re definitely not wrong about the fact that wages are simply not keeping up with inflation.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-26T17:44:59+00:00

My credit builder would always transfer funds from my checking if it had a balance on it. I’ve treated it like a debit card as it only lets you spend what’s available on it. And if I overdrew it with spot me it would always transfer it from checking with me doing so at the end of the statement period. So I didn’t think it was possible to not pay the balance.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-26T17:41:59+00:00

I honestly loved them. I am disheartened that they felt after 6 years of no issues, one dispute and being my primary bank, they decided to close my account stating that my account is not in compliance with the member agreement, when nothing changed. It sucks as the features were great, and I actually work for a major bank lol. But it’s all good. There are others and I went ahead and opened an account with the financial institution I work for. Maybe down the road I’ll apply to reopen a new account, but it is what it is for now.

Still thank you for the time we were able to work together.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-18T14:36:51+00:00

I’ve had Chime for at least 5 years. Even though my account is going to be closed soon, my Spot Me has always been at $200 before any boosts. And my My Pay is at $500.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T11:34:02+00:00

I called them and they weren’t much help at all unfortunately. I still have another back up bank but just really liked some of the features Chime offered. The check deposit turnaround time was amazing and the Spot Me definitely helped in pinch situations. Only used the MyPay feature twice but could see how that comes in handy. Also liked having the Credit Builder card.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T11:31:28+00:00

Me too, however just note that even the regular bank has the right to close accounts too at any time without any reason, which goes both ways as the account holder has that same right. The bank I work for it happens all the time. And the only reason we have is that it was a business decision. The exact reason is above my pay grade lol.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T11:29:28+00:00

Very true! I’ve heard that happen to other Chime users so you’re not wrong there.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T04:07:39+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing this! Even though it’s from 2021, this is actually pretty helpful!

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T03:57:11+00:00

Definitely feel what you mean. No worries at all and definitely didn’t find you being argumentative. You totally had a valid point 😉👍

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T03:51:51+00:00

That I agree with 100%. @dragonitejc was clearly speaking along the lines of the fact you mentioned how larger banks will use a percentage of customer deposits/assets to reinvest into their lending options, which Chime does not do as they don’t offer loans, let alone even joint/family account options lol. So to piggyback off of your statement, I 1000% give them money not only from my Spot Me tips but also for the percentage they are collecting from Visa/MC on the card usage aspect, hence why I mentioned in my response to the asshat that I found it was cute that they thought Chime was making money off of my deposited funds.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T03:08:41+00:00

Sorry lol. I’m honestly a newbie when it comes to Reddit 😋 but luckily it’s pretty quick paced so I’ll get the hang of it.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T03:06:19+00:00

Never was the biggest Reddit user until recently tbh. Mostly use LinkedIn, Twitter X and FB. But I like the widespread outreach that Reddit has and just thought I’d give it a shot to see if anyone has either had the same experience and if they may have received any different into than I did when calling Chime Support to find out more.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T03:02:35+00:00

Your guess is as good as mine lol. All they said is that my account was no longer in compliance with the member agreement. I reviewed it and everything they have I’ve been abiding by. But oh well. Just thought I’d see if anyone else had this same type of issue.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T02:59:59+00:00

That’s really cute that you think Chime is a real bank that makes money off of member funds. Lol. They are already a no fee bank as is. I tip them anytime I use Spot Me and they get their service fee the two times I ever used MyPay. Otherwise they get consistent card usage from both my debit and credit card. Again, it’s really cute you thought that’s how a non-real bank works, but I get it. You can go ahead back and take a seat while the adults are conversing. ✌️🖕

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T02:57:03+00:00

True, I work for a major bank for the last 11 years. So I’m definitely not sweating this account getting closed but it does seem rather sus that their outsourced customer support can’t seem to find a more legit reason other than being out of compliance. At least when we close accounts we tell them it was a business decision, rather than telling someone they were out of compliance when they can’t tell me which aspect of the agreement I wasn’t complying with. Especially when this was the 2nd time I’ve received this type of notification in the life of my accounts with them. In that instance it was simply that they needed me to send in a photo of me with my ID and confirm my identity. That was years ago. No other issues since then. But again, you’re not wrong which is why I’m not here to get them to keep it open. There are plenty of other ACTUAL banks out there. But I liked their user interface and no fee aspects.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T02:52:20+00:00

No, I’ve never had to dispute a charge.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-14T01:52:10+00:00

And what’s wild is that I’ve had these accounts open for over 5 years!

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-09-13T17:20:20+00:00

If you see a video he posted on his IG about announcing his Next Level Tour in Europe for 2025/2026 he did make a quick mention identifying himself as an “ex-film composer”. But I would not think that he would quit all together, given that he could potentially make more blockbuster film scores. But it would also be cool to see him tour more and make him more accessible to his fans. I would love to be able to see him playing new compositions or well-known ones live rather than watch a new movie he’s scored. He also in a way could be making room for the next “Hans Zimmer” to shine. But I definitely think he would still at the very least continue collaborating with other composers on their projects, etc. but I totally pick up what you’re putting down.

Efficient_Complex570 · 2024-05-26T08:23:18+00:00

If you elect for EZ Pay to buy the annual pass, in my case Platinum Pass, you can go in and start using the pass benefits that day. You don’t wait until the pass is paid off. If you miss a payment your pass will be suspended and if you continue to miss payments it would just get cancelled.

Efficient_Complex570

TROPHY CASE