A temp track is an existing piece of music or audio which is used in film production during the editing phase. It serves as a guideline for the mood or atmosphere the director is looking for in a scene.
The track is usually replaced before release by an original soundtrack composed specifically for the film. While some feel that having to follow a temp track can be limiting for a composer, it can be a useful tool in finding the right style of music for a particular scene and can be a time-saver for both the composer and director.
The temp track is sometimes also referred to as scratch music, temp score or temp music.
Famous quotes containing the word track:
“What joy when the insouciant
armadillo glances at us and doesn’t
quicken his trotting
across the track into the palm brush.
What is this joy? That no animal
falters, but knows what it must do?”
—Denise Levertov (b. 1923)