Music Library Recommendations

Scott Pollak

Okay, I KNOW we've covered this elsewhere before, but I could NOT find it on the forums here.

I've worked with pretty much all of the 'big' production music libraries over the years from Network Music to Omni to Liquidtrax and on and on. I've never actually made the plunge and purchased any for my own use here at my home studio, though, and am edging ever closer. Give me your thoughts and recommendations. I do NOT want to spend $500 for a library. I checked out Digital Juice and while I've heard a lot of good things about them, they're still a little pricey.

Thanks.

Robert Jadah · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 02:42 (GMT) Post subject: Music Musing

Between Christmas and New Year, I paid a $99 special for Digital's BackTraxx.
We're talking 20 CD's with enough music to take me into the 24th century.
By which time I hope I can dance.

Todd Ellis · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 02:50 (GMT) Post subject:

I'm with Bobby, Scott. Digital Juice is hard to beat for the price. Heck, that's only 1/2 a year or 3,461 auditions with V123!

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 03:05 (GMT) Post subject:

If I could still get it for that price, yeah. But I can't find ANYTHING on their site now for under several hundred dollars, with the exception of their "JumpBacks" Traxx and I don't want those.

Keith D. Milby · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 03:08 (GMT) Post subject:

I just checked and

Todd Ellis · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 03:12 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott - subscribe to their newsletter & be patient. The run special offers all the time.

http://www.digitaljuice.com/

Lynne Alston · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 03:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott, hold off, I recently purchased backtraxx library 1 and 2 (61 cds) for $198.00
They are sure to run a special again, just sign up for their newsletter.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 03:56 (GMT) Post subject:

Allen Scofield · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 04:12 (GMT) Post subject:

I also have both BackTraxx sets and one of the Mix broadcast sets from Sound Ideas. All good stuff and I got 'em all on sale last year Very Happy

Digital Juice runs a daily deal special and it'll come 'round again.

Keith D. Milby · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 04:22 (GMT) Post subject:

George Karnes · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 04:52 (GMT) Post subject:

Is Digital Juice pretty much "the" way to go? or are there good alternatives?

John M. Thomas · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 12:27 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott,

Have you tried: www.radio-mall.com? I have purchased some radio imaging discs from them and they were excellent.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 13:32 (GMT) Post subject:

Allen Brown · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 14:51 (GMT) Post subject:

I have gladly paid a monthly blanket license to Manhattan Production Music for many, many years. I've tried a few of the cheap houses and use some of it to supplement the library when quality isn't an issue. If all you're using your library for is on-hold or the occassional commercial, the cheap guys are fine. If, however, you are asked to provide music for a documentary or other long-form piece, quality, variety and other aesthetics really start to matter.

Like the VO biz, the production music biz has had to re-invent itself because of technology. You have a lot of "artists" throwing stuff out there just trying to compete. I'm not a musician, but I'm even scoring some of my own productions now using Sony's Cinescore program. It's very cool, but just can't stand up against world class musicians, arrangers and studios.

Some of the libraries you guys mention here are really good. Some of them are...well...a guy with a keyboard and limited imagination. I don't mean to sound snooty about this - I'm just stirring the pot a little about quality.

I'm never against saving a buck or two, but if quality, effectiveness, and emotion matter, you're going to have to spend some bucks. And, if you can't hear the difference, as some of the producers who hire talent from this site think the $50 a pop folks are just fine, then find a musician friend with a golden ear to help you hear the difference.

If you've ever been in the position of auditioning library music for a client and seen them wrinkle up their nose like you've just served them cheap wine, you know what I'm saying. If you don't have clients who can hear the difference, it really doesn't matter - open the cheap stuff. Smile

Anthony Williams · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007, 20:28 (GMT) Post subject: Music

Hi Scott,

Although i produce a lot of my own Music. I enjoy this library as well

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