Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com

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bitflipper
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2015/06/30 10:13:01 (permalink)

Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com

Another mix contest hosted by Brandon Drury's RecordingReview site. However, this one's different from every other mix contest I've come across, in that you get the MIDI files for the sampled instruments (in addition to bounced audio) so you can use alternative samples if you want. There also doesn't appear to be any restrictions on what you can do to the song, including changing the arrangement or adding parts. Sounds like fun.
 
And there's a prize: Fabfilter Saturn. 
 
Read the rules and get the files here. Submission deadline is July 31st.


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    Amine Belkhouche
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/06/30 18:02:58 (permalink)
    Thanks for posting this. This looks awesome.
    #2
    synkrotron
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/06/30 19:24:02 (permalink)
    It does indeed sound fun...
     
    I've downloaded the files but I'm not sure I will have the time. And I'm hopeless at so-called "remixing" as I tend to just stick with the content provided rather than adding my own stamp on the project.
     
    Still... Might be worth a try, and I don't care so much about any prize (which I already have in this case).
     
    thanks for the heads up Dave
     
    cheers
     
    andy

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    #3
    bitflipper
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/06/30 20:12:35 (permalink)
    I've got the files and have done a rough mix already. It took me less than an hour.
     
    The project actually comes partly mixed, e.g. there are already volume changes within the audio tracks from previous automation, so it's not like you're starting completely from scratch. Everything's already been comped. The tracks are pretty clean so there won't be much editing required. 
     
    The guy who made the project says it needs pitch correction, but I don't think it does. Sure, not everything's smack on, but it's not a pop song and doesn't need to be Cher-ified. I put compression and light dynamic EQ on the vocal for de-essing, added a send to ValhallaRoom and called the vocal done.
     
    Now the fun stuff. I can do anything I want with the song, but I don't see a need to radically change it. I'll just treat it the same way I'd approach a mix for anyone. Keep it simple and retain the cleanliness of the original tracks.
     
    Of course, it's quite unlikely my sensible mix will win the prize, but I've already got FF Saturn anyway so this is purely for fun.


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    Amine Belkhouche
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/06/30 21:54:53 (permalink)
    Unfortunately I don't think I will have time either, I have to pick my battles.
     
    Bitflipper, no vocal riding necessary? Also, I'd imagine the contest might want some arrangement in addition to some mixing due to the fact the provided the MIDI files.
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    Jimbo21
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/06/30 23:11:45 (permalink)
    I've been mixing songs at Duelingmixes.com and ratethemix.com for a while now. May try this as well if I can find the time. I think the extra mixing has helped me tremendously. But, then again I could be fooling myself.

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    #6
    bitflipper
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/07/01 09:19:33 (permalink)
    Amine Belkhouche
    Bitflipper, no vocal riding necessary? Also, I'd imagine the contest might want some arrangement in addition to some mixing due to the fact the provided the MIDI files.



    Only a little volume automation was needed from section to section. I suspect the vocal had been previously compressed and leveled.
     
    I thought the original instruments sounded fine, although I did apply a fair amount of EQ on them, especially the drums (which are not virtual). At the moment all I've actually added to the song is some percussion. Everything else has been a manipulation of what's already there. After all, it's a mixing exercise, not a composition contest.
     
    Altogether I expect to invest perhaps 2 hours in this exercise. 
    post edited by bitflipper - 2015/07/01 09:26:23


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    synkrotron
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/07/01 09:29:23 (permalink)
    bitflipper
    It took me less than an hour.



    bitflipper
    Altogether I expect to invest perhaps 2 hours in this exercise. 





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    bitflipper
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/07/12 22:01:32 (permalink)
    Well, I've thrown my hat into the ring. Anybody else give this a go? (It's not too late - deadline is 31 July.) 


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    synkrotron
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/07/13 01:08:10 (permalink)
    Nice hat Dave.
     
    I've just finished a project and was wondering what to do next. So I might have a look at this.
     
    I'm only going to do a straight mix though, and my hat will be staying on my head, although I may post a link to it here...

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    #10
    synkrotron
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/07/13 04:54:25 (permalink)
    Well... I've spent a couple of hours on this and I'm done.
     
    On its own, I didn't think I'd done too bad, but when I play it alongside the original it sounds a pile of pants.
     
    I'm too embarrassed to put this on my SoundCloud site 
     
    http://synkrotron.co.uk/Upper_Hand.mp3
     
    And there's not a cat in hell's chance I'm posting it on the recording review website.

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    #11
    bitflipper
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/07/13 12:08:30 (permalink)
    No need to be embarrassed about that mix, Andy. Post it. There are certainly far worse submissions up there already! 
     
    I'd suggest backing off the reverb a bit first, though.


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    #12
    synkrotron
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/07/13 14:09:25 (permalink)
    Cheers Dave,
     
    yeah... deffo too much verb...
     
    I'll have a think about it  (posting it up for the comp)...

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    Jimbo21
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/07/13 19:34:49 (permalink)
    Glad y'all brought this back up. I'd forgotten about it. I may try and get to it before the end of the month.

    Dell XPS 8700 i7 4770 3.4GHZ, Windows 7 64bit, 8gb Ram, Focurite 18i6, Sonar Platinum
     
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    PilotGav
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/07/16 08:34:43 (permalink)
    I'm in!
     
    #15
    synkrotron
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    Re: Mixing Contest at RecordingReview.com 2015/07/16 08:42:44 (permalink)
    Yeah, my mix is in, FWIW... 

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