How to produce for sync
June 21, 2023
Producing your music for sync doesn’t have to be complicated.
Here are some tips if you’re doing a stripped down production approach to license to TV & film.
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Our goal is for you to start getting your music into TV & film.
thanks
You got it, Amanda.
Wonderfully encouraging again, Chris. Thank you 🌸
Glad you enjoyed it, Bethany!
RIght on, I tend to go for more in the way of production, but this makes sense. I may just take some older songs that were big and re-do a simple take in this manner. At this point, I’m for anything that can help me get that first sync! Thanks, Chris, this is timely.
Great to hear, Jim!
Very interesting. I have two things when I arrange/produce. 1. The song the song the song. If it’s not supporting the song, sacs it. Production can be simple or complex, but it’s about the song. 2. Get people that can sing/play. Record them well. It has to already sound decent or good before eq, compression etc. Or no dice. That’s my deal.
Bingo! Couldn’t agree more, Daniel.
Great perspective. Thank you for sharing this
Thanks Kate.
Love this! .. So reassuring to know simplicity can be a good thing with tracks for syncs as it’s production that holds me back. Thanks so much Chris !
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Two emotionally powerful tunes. In "The Age of Adeline" Jefferson Airplane’s "Comin Back to Me" and in "After Life" the deeply moving orchestrated version of "Both Sides Now". In both these cases the song score was the outstanding feature of the movie! Powerful emotions beautifully set within the stories! Not really background! It depends. IMO Rod Brown
It does depend on the show, movie or ad. I certainly didn’t mean you have to dumb down the music, but just to be careful how you are targeting it.
You gave me the answers that I’ve been wanting to hear about not being the best singer or instrument player. You also clarify the dos and don’t that I needed to know about music for sync. Now I can produce with confidence. Thanks
Thanks Fred! Glad I could help.
Sterling:
Thanks for great tips. Belief and emotion great ingredients.
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I usually do separate tracks to a click track but I can never get the same emotion I can get with a live guitar or piano and vocal. I can feel it better. Slow down, pause and build in a more natural way I think. My latest project I added piano and cello without a click track and have gotten good feedback on it.
Kyle Merkley provided me with “Hurt” by Johnny Cash as a reference. Both the song and the production are worth checking out for a stripped example.
Great to hear, Schuyler. Click tracks are definitely not necessary if you have good meter.
Dear Chris,
Thanks so much for your continued reflections on sync songwriting. It is always very reassuring.
In Peace & Harmony,
Gera
Thank you, Gera.
Thanks Chris. Love the pairing of the music and scene like pairing wine and food. Elevates what may feel like ‘behind the scenes’ songwriting.
Another awesome pairing: your video with sunny boat scenes ⛵️
Haha, thanks Catrina.
This is wonderful, Chris. I’ve always seen my songs as the soundtrack to my life, like musical diary entries, always putting the emotion of my vocals front and center. (And no, I don’t have a great voice.) I want my listeners to feel like I’m sharing these feelings as if I were whispering into their ear. One critic once called my songs "the brooding aftermath" of something that just occurred, which sounds a lot like what you’re describing in pairing music with a scene. I’m deeply hoping my work will connect with this new endeavor. I certainly could not have found a better course to help make this happen. Fingers crossed!
Thank you and great to hear, Mary Ann!
Hi Chris: Good advice … but what would help us is to know a little about any upcoming advertisements or movie scripts (the theme and the conflicts). Then we would know what to write and record and/or what originals or covers are on our shelf. Can that even be done?
Jay
Yes, that is targeting. That is something I teach heavily in The Art Of The Song Pitch. You hit the nail on the head, you always want to send supes what they are looking for when they are looking for it.
I have some of the same opinions as Schuyler johnston. One supervisor said recording without a click track was distracting for him in one of my songs. I am working on doing my instrument to a click track, but my engineer doesn’t think it is necessary with my kind of music. I’m going to try one song both ways and see which I like better. I’m still struggling with getting my DAW setup to work properly. I’m researching other interfaces now.
I would say that if you have problems with your tempo, a click track is a good idea, but if not, then I would say don’t worry about it. But if supe noticed it maybe you should use one. When using a click track I always used to pretend it was somebody playing claves at the back of the room. The idea is to play around them not always on the beat. The best rhythm players can play to a click and you would never know it. I would suggest setting up a click at any tempo and playing to it for awhile, experimenting with pushing or pulling the tempo. Playing naturally around the strict meter as if it doesn’t exist.
Hi Einen, if your DAW lets you ‘loop / cycle / repeat’ a track independently of the rest of your tracks, you can also try pasting in a simple repeating drum beat (4 bars or 8 bars will usually do it) that reflects the general feel of the song. If not, just copy your audio and keep pasting it into the track out beyond where you think your song will end. For me, replacing the mechanical monotony of a click with some actual rhythm I can play around, "pushing or pulling the tempo," like Chris says, feels much more natural. Good luck!
Hey Chris.. as usual, great advice! I tend to produce any song I write to reflect the quality and originality of what you would hear on the radio these days… if radio still exists! Lol. I do this because I am writing for myself first and foremost and I expect nothing but absolute pristine tracks as a result. If a sync licensing opportunity comes along.. great!! but if not, no biggie! I write for myself, The Songs of Love Foundation (sick children) and our good Lord!
That is the best first step forward with your music. Authenticity. Good goin’!
How do I get in touch with u I write my songs in a cinematic style great advice would love to have a chat
Hey, I wish I could hang out with everyone who asks. That’s the one drawback of publishing videos like this, I get a lot people I’d love to spend time with but it’s just impossible. One thing to keep your eye on is I am creating a special community where I can meet everyone online. Keep your eyes on your inbox for it and I’m looking forward to chatting with you.
Great advice and fully agree … as a vocal coach and songwriter, I have always told my students that when performing, to forget technique – the most important thing is to be in the story, own the lyrics and deliver the message of the song. I think the same principles apply here. 🙂
Couldn’t agree more! Technique can be very important, but should be forgotten in the moment to let it support what you are trying to do.
Hello. Hope you and your family are will. I’m having trouble with vocal artifacting. Not to mention no one liking my music…lol
I believe there are always people out there who will like what you do. You just need to find them!
Absolutely, agreed!
Cool!
Thanks Chris, great advice. Stripped down versions of an original or cover can be very cool. It’s all about the vibe.
Great to hear, Gene.
Ever since I started playing, recording and experimenting with music I’ve always avoided playing and learning other people’s songs. Not sure why. It’s probably the learning process versus the creative process. But I do see what you are saying and maybe I might try a few cut down covers. Ah, but which ones…
Haha, I am very much the same. I did learn a couple of covers though that really worked. I highly encourage it.
Great advice Chris, I am not the best singer and piano player, but it’s all about the song and emotions. Stripped down some of my productions and they immediately sound better. Less is more! Thanks so much for keeping us on track … Armin
Love it and thanks!
✅Hey Chris! Totally agree, I can’t help putting the emotions the feel, and I do exactly what Daniel says, great advice and can’t wait for those live sessions with you😍🎶
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Great advice. I do wonder what the format should be, however. What should it be ideally?
Thanks!
Almost any format can get a sync placement. Just do you.
Chris, I’ve been following you and SyncSongwriter for a while now and just this last weekend have done just what you referenced here, just came from the heart with little production. I’d love your thoughts and criticism in suitability for Syncing of a track like this, “is it too specific?” would be my question as it is my story although I believe it may be a generic one. Kevin G Clark (song is It Was You on YouTube and Spotify)
Thanks for forwarding that, Kevin. I unfortunately don’t have time to listen to all the music that gets sent to me and if I do it for someone I would have to do it for everyone which is impossible. That said, if you feel that my advice rang true I think you are on the right path.
Hi, Chris. First, I really enjoy your videos and suggestions/tips. I always get some jewels out of them. Thank you. I write and write. But what I am not is a producer. I play piano and sing, but after my tunes are written, I’m just not sure how to get them "sync pitch ready" on a budget. Do you have any creative suggestions in that area? Thanks so much! And thanks for doing what you do.
I sure do. Research online producers like myself in your price range and just listen to their work. When you find one who you think will do a great job on your music within your budget, you’re good to go!
Hey Chris, I attended one of your seminars several months ago and enjoyed it very much. Since then the thought of using my music for TV, Film, Ads has been ringing around in my head. I’m a jazz guitarist by trade, but write music in all genres in my home studio. I would love to have an opportunity to show what I have, and to see if it can be used, If not for anything else but to generate some side income and to continue to fund the toys to create more music! Thanks again for your help.
Totally! I help indie musicians and songwriters do that all the time.
I agree 100% what I do need to know is how the sales or prospecting aspect is approached? I have a strong sales background and so I know it us important also.
Richie
It’s actually less about selling and more about relationships. That is the best thing to focus on.
I keep telling my clients (and my friends) to AT LEAST mute the vocals and run an instrumental mix of their songs before they wrap up an album project. -BJ Leiderman
Yup, always.
Great advice as always Chris. I do not write for sync or with sync in mind. I write for myself and if by some miracle one of my songs ends up being synced I would be happy with it, but I am happy without it as well.
franmanmusic.com
Well you are most of the way there except the big hurdle at the end. That is exactly what I recommend; it’s write for yourself BUT target your song to the opportunities that will work for you. The big hurdle is getting that track heard by the supervisor for that perfect opportunity… which is where I come in. 🙂
Great video as usual. Always get good advice.
Thanks Bill!
evocative nuance. i need to remember to get in to the headspace of the song, not just the headspace of recording. definitely need to remind myself how important this is when playing/performing.
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Ok
Cool.
Hi Chris: Really enjoying the SyncSongwriter course – learning a lot about production while I’m doing this. I write and produce all my own songs and what I’ve gleaned from your course is, the SUPs are looking for something that’s universal – something that stands out somehow and let’s the best parts shine through. BUT I have a lot of songs with specific titles – like "Mary" about a homeless woman, or "Loretta" an Americana love song. I’m hoping that’s not a disqualifier, because the SUPs can cut up the song any way they want – they can use just the chorus or just the bridge, etc? IF they like the vibe and it fits. Your thoughts? Maybe it would be better to pitch my more "universal" songs first? Those songs are here on SoundCloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/glen-hornblast. Thanks dude 🙂
Yes, don’t stress about the arrangement too much. You are right that they will grab what they need from your song.
Chris,
You seem pretty cool. You just tell it in a way that resonates with me and probably most people. I think one of the hardest things to do is explain in detail how to create and express feelings through music or singing. It’s like trying to explain how to act in a movie or drama production. You can teach the basics but it really comes down to how the actor portrays the feeling of that part. Some better then others. It’s not easy. I just played a 3 hour set of nothing but original songs for the public for the first time in my life yesterday happy hour. But, it went much better than I thought it would. I played and sang those songs as if I was playing cover tunes. It was awesome. It was how I felt those tunes that made it great. Well, enough of my rambling. Thanks Chris for speaking with such heart and realness.
Musically yours
Michael John Aiken
Thanks Michael, and I love hearing that the audience stuck through a whole set of originals. That says something about you since it’s hard to catch listeners on the first listen of a song… let alone a bunch of them. Good going!
Just wrote a banging little song that although i did not write specifically for a coffee ad (because i tend to write what i feel) the more i listened to it the more i thought it would actually be great IN a coffee ad so i retweaked the lyrics a little but now im looking at the arrangement and im wondering Chris what advice you can give on song arrangement for advertising? Im figuring they would just mix in the parts they need probably like the bridge blending into the chorus but any advice would be appreciated. Also i hear a lot about authenticity but its hard to be authentic mentioning say times,places and locations in a song your writing because it works in an authentic way and fits the song perfect only to hear conflicting advice in the sync world that it is best not to mention places locations etc. Personally im thinking best approach with these particular songs would be targeted opportunities.Either that or i tone down my lyrics and end up with something very generic. Thanks.
In terms of arrangement you can let the editor handle that. About lyrics and authenticity, can you stay authentic and just find a different way to say it that doesn’t get too specific? That would be the best way. Don’t dumb down the lyrics, just think of ways to say it another way while still delivering the message.
Awesome thanks for the input. I will certainly apply your advice into my songwriting. Been wondering though if alternate lyrical versions of the same song are acceptable to music supervisors?
Hey Chris! Excellent reminders. Sync is about the storyline, not about the songwriter. You just made the whole process a lot less intimidating.
Cheers!
Nice! Glad I could help.
Thanks so much for letting me be apart of this family and won’t let y’all down hope my music is brighten up some cookouts and can wait to work more 😍🥰
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One thing I’ve learned after 8 months in Sync Club, it’s all about the vibe, and mainly the vocals. Usually I base my song groove and "band" on an acoustic or electric guitar part as that’s my strongest instrument, but then I do vocals next and if I don’t get a killer vocal down, there’s no point in finishing the song. This is the opposite of the way I used to record things which was bottom up finishing with the vocal. The results are blowing my mind, just a simple change in perspective and the way I see the song is starting to yield great songs that I knew were in me.
That is exactly how I like to approach songs a lot of the time.
Thanks Chris – I totally agree. I’ve been told by some supes that my music is doing just that. Giving the emotion with quality production, but not overwhelming the scene. I’m happy to hear that and hoping that works in my favor. Been making nice relationships so far.
Great to hear, Jonny!
OMG I love this. Thank you. I am just learning production, but I have been a performer for 20+ years and I want to do stripped-down stuff, but everyone keeps telling me I need lots of layers. This is so freeing. Thank you.
Great to hear, Robin!
Great info Chris! Next step for me is getting my music in front of the supervisors. Any advice on that aspect?
I have lots of advice for that and help musicians do that all the time. Too much to get into here, but keep an eye on your inbox in December and I will tell you how I can help you with that.
Chris I Appreciate All The Great Inspiring Words&Advice You Shared On This Video I Wish The Best For All My Fellow Musicians&Music Sync Sisters&Brothers Everyone Keep Sharing Your Great Musical Talents
Love it! Thanks.