temp track

A temp track is an existing piece of music or audio which is used during the editing phase of television and film production, serving as a guideline for the tempo, mood or atmosphere the director is looking for in a scene.{{cite journal|title=CJO - Abstract - The role of the music editor and the 'temp track' as blueprint for the score, source music, and scource music of films |last=Sadoff |first=Ronald H. |journal=Popular Music |volume=25 |issue=2| doi=10.1017/S0261143006000845 |publisher=Journals.cambridge.org |date=9 May 2006 |s2cid=162272822 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.filmscoremonthly.com/daily/article.cfm?articleID=2375 |title=X-Files: Fight the Temp-Track |last=Bond |first=Jeff |publisher=Film Score Monthly |date=2 June 1998 |access-date=17 August 2020}} It is also referred to as scratch music,{{cite web|url=https://www.filmmaking.net/filmmakers-faq/answer.php?id=21|title=What is scratch music/temp track? - filmmaking.net |website=filmmaking.net |access-date=25 January 2019}} temp score{{cite web|url=http://www.sweetwater.com/expert-center/glossary/t--TempScore|title=Glossary: Temp Score {{!}} Sweetwater.com|website=sweetwater.com|access-date=25 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220210413/http://www.sweetwater.com/expert-center/glossary/t--TempScore|archive-date=2008-02-20|url-status=dead}} or temp music.{{cite web|url=https://www.mediamusicnow.co.uk/information/glossary-of-music-production-terms/what-is-temp-music.aspx |title=Temp Music - Glossary of Music Production Terms |website=Media Music Now |access-date=25 January 2019}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.epicsound.com/resources/temptracks.html |title=The Relevance of Temp Tracks |publisher=Epic Sound |access-date=17 August 2020}}