Client Guide: How to brief a music and sound company

Creating the perfect soundtrack for your project starts with clear and detailed communication with your music and sound provider. At Molecular Sound, we aim to make this process easy and enjoyable. This guide will help you put together a thorough brief so we can fully grasp your vision and deliver amazing results.

Original: Creating the perfect soundtrack for projects hinges on clear, detailed communication with the music and sound provider. At Molecular Sound, we strive to make this process seamless. This guide will help prepare a comprehensive brief, ensuring we fully understand the vision and deliver exceptional results.

The first thing we need to know is about the project. For example:

1. Project Name: Provide the working title of the project.

2. Project Type: A description of the project in detail. Is it for a film, commercial, video game, podcast, or something else?

3. Duration: What’s the total length of the music needed? If the project is divided into sections, an outline of the different segment lengths is needed.

4. Usage Details: Detailed information ensures smooth project execution:

· Purpose: What is the soundtrack for? Background score, theme song, or jingle?

· Distribution Territories: Where will the music be heard? TV, cinema, video games, locally, nationally, or internationally?

· Duration of Use: How long will the soundtrack be used? One-off, campaign, or ongoing use?

Next, we need to know the timeline. What are the delivery times, and deadlines?

Clearly outlining the key deadlines and setting a timeline for drafts and final delivery means that expectations can be managed.

A clear creative brief captures the exact sound envisioned for the project. For example:

· Sonic References: Are there music tracks that reflect the creative? If so, sharing them helps.

· Mood: What emotions should the music convey? Energy, emotion, tension, etc.

· Emotion: Should the music's emotion change at certain points? For example, starting upbeat and transitioning to a calm vibe.

· Instrumentation: Knowing the types of instruments that should be prominently featured, and of course those you want to avoid is essential.

· Tempo: Should there be a consistent tempo or variations based on different sections of the project?

· Timing Cues: There may be specific points in the project where the music should change, such as hitting a dramatic note or fading out.

Like any relationship, we want our collaboration to run smoothly, which is why communication and a full brief is essential right from the start. These include:

1. Initial Meeting: To discuss the brief in detail, addressing any questions and allowing all parties to get to know each other better.

2. Logistics and Process Details: To explain how the process works, including:

· Review Process: Outing how the drafts will be reviewed, and how feedback will be provided. This includes agreeing the number of revision rounds and expected turnaround times.

· Final Approval Criteria: Discuss the signoff criteria and any third-party approvals needed.

Here are our tips, which ensure that working together is plain sailing:

· Be Clear and Concise: Provide detailed information, but keep it clear and concise to avoid misunderstandings

· Be Open to Suggestions: With extensive experience in creating sound and music, there may be suggested enhancements that could help the project.

· Communication: regular communication, especially as deadlines approach or changes arise is essential.

Following the steps outlined in this guide will help create a thorough and effective brief, ensuring the delivery of a perfect soundtrack for the project. A cohesive and detailed brief streamlines the production process and ensures the result aligns with the vision and goals.