JR - What a fun recording - Thanks for that!  Maybe we can work it into the Shootout page as an added bit of entertainment.

Thomas - THANKS, I appreciate your post, and for letting us know that the MP3 player works well for you.  Now there's also an alternate page of MP3s posted on the site which makes it easier to download if you want.

NOTE TO FUTURE SUBMITTERS:

---You definitely want to make your MP3 at 320kbs - That will make your file between 2.5 and 3 MBs in size.

--DO NOT ADD info in the I.D. fields - I've been getting some MP3s that identify the software used and people's names.  This first phase of the contest needs all such information to be unavailable - so I'm stripping that info out when I find it, but it would be great if you just don't add it in the first place.

Randy B.

NOTE TO FUTURE SUBMITTERS: ---You definitely want to make your MP3 at 320kbs - That will make your file between 2.5 and 3 MBs in size. --DO NOT ADD info in the I.D. fields - I've been getting some MP3s that identify the software used and people's names. This first phase of the contest needs all such information to be unavailable - so I'm stripping that info out when I find it, but it would be great if you just don't add it in the first place.

I was just about to write the same thing but Randy beat me to it.

You definitely don't want your 128kb/s file being compared to another at 320kb/s. 128 might normally sound acceptable - all my songs on Soundclick are 128 because I'm too cheap to pay for an account there - but when heard side-by-side with higher bitrates the difference is stark.

Eratu - Thanks for the thumbs up!

Red Shirt - Congrats on getting in on that 1/2 price offer for GPO--fantastic!

And yes, you've interpreted Bit's rules correctly.  You can certainly submit more MP3s, but they need to be substantially different than the first one - as in, they need to use different soft synths.

Looking forward to your next file!

Randy B.

Yup, Dr. Hash, you should get a prize just for being the instigator of this whole thing.

But you won't.

Not without submitting an entry, anyway.

Hi Dave and Randy.

This was a surpising and interesting turn of events.
So now we`re all in a competition, ......that`s cool.

It will be interesting to hear the new versions as they get posted.

Great website you have made, it was fun to listen through the 30 entries. A lot of different versions.

Best, JH

NOTE - For now use the alternate MP3 list posted on the main Shootout site.  For easy reference, here's the direct link to the alternate page:

SHOOTOUT MP3 LIST

For some reason several MP3s aren't playing at the Wix site, and I've spent enough hours today trying to remedy that.  All files play fine at the above alternate site, so for now please use that.

IMPORTANT REMINDER ABOUT THE RULES:

We've had some entries which haven't followed the rules and guidelines Bitflipper has posted.  Those entries are still up at the site, but if any of those MP3s gather winning votes, they'll be disqualified.

The specific rule ignored on some tracks:

--Some MIDI tracks were deleted and not used.  The entrants made the decision that they didn't like part of the arrangement, and so just didn't include it in their version.  But we've made it very clear from the start of this that the whole point is to compare different libraries playing the EXACT same raw MIDI data.  That means all instruments have to be included and all notes.

We've also made it clear that all sorts of editing is allowed.  You can change note lengths, velocity values, cc controller info.  You can double instruments.  You can split out tracks to make better use of your library - i.e. the percussion tracks really Has to be split in order to be usable. The piccolo tracks is clearly two different lines and should be split for piccolo and flute.  You may want to split brass tracks so individual instruments are playing the various lines.  And you can do everything you know how to do in mixing your project to make it sound as good as possible.

There's lots of leeway - but basic changing of the arrangement is contrary to the whole concept of the contest.

REGARDING MP3s:

They should be at full resolution, which is 320kbs.  The entries recorded at lower resolutions are suffering in comparison to others.  We're getting some new higher resolution versions of entries already up, but we're leaving the original low rez copies up as an instructional tool.  It's a good way to understand how bit depth really does make a difference in the audio quality of MP3s.

Randy B.

DeeS


Is Tempo change a disqualifier?

Dee

Hello, Dee - Glad you're going to do one of these.

In the original thread, changing the tempo was thing listed as not allowed, but I see that didn't make it on the new list of rules Bit started this thread with.  People have been changing the tempo anyway, so we have to allow it.  Hopes of being able to line them all up for a perfect match in Sonar, so MP3s could be compared, - that had to go out the window.

I'll tell you though, the original file's tempo of 112 bpm, which is the tempo in both the .cwp file and the MIDI file works best.  Some of these are slower and don't sound as dynamic, I don't think.  There's no reason to not stick with the 112 tempo and focus on making the most of your MIDI and Audio editing.

Randy B.

The mp3s with a b suffix don't play on the WIX site here.

Question,   Is this just for modern/recent synths or libraries  or would 'old' gear be of interest as well?

For example I have some old 1980's midi sound modules.... (if they still work)

Is this just for modern/recent synths or libraries or would 'old' gear be of interest as well?

Absolutely!!!

The first "orchestration" I ever did for a real commercial record (c. 1979) was a string track performed on an Oberheim 4-voice. It wasn't mine, it belonged to the studio. But I lusted for that machine for a long time afterward even though the $4k price tag was beyond my means. I haven't heard that record for decades, but I'm sure that although it still sounds nice it wouldn't fool anyone that it was real strings.

HELLO CAN YOU SEE ME?!?!

Aren't you guys seeing my posts?  Yesterday a technical difficulty came up when I added new MP3s to the site, and I still can't get it fixed.

Some people who originally submitted low resolution MP3s have new 320kbs of their same file, and it's only fair that those better sounding versions are up.  Those are the "B" MP3s, the B added to their names.

But the new files aren't working yet at Wix.  I've posted twice now that the alternate page has to be used for now- All files are working there - I posted the link directly to that page 1/2 hour ago.

I'm still trying to repair the Wix site.

Randy B.

Twigman

rbowser


HELLO CAN YOU SEE ME?!?!

Aren't you guys seeing my posts? 

Yes we can see you loud and clear...I was merely explaining the problem to bitflipper.....and yes I've been able to listen to the mp3s on the other page.

hehe--Thanks, Twig.  Glad to know I'm not invisible this morning.  Sorry about the techno problem - I'm working on it!
RB

Randy,
Listening on my laptop with a verizon wireless card (wix site) and all is good (including the "b" versions).
I get a little "hicup" once in a while, not unusual with my v-card.

Thanks to both you and Dave.
This is great!

UPDATES ON THE SHOOTOUT SITE

If you haven't visited the site recently, there are now 32 entries, and there are higher resolution copies posted of 5 of the MP3s which are labeled "B."  Go take a listen.

And there's still time to enter, deadline is the 15th.  And voting starts right after that.

THE ORCHESTRAL SHOOTOUT

Randy B.

ANOTHER UPDATE

The new submissions are now uploaded and available at both the official Shootout site and the mirror page where you can download the MP3s.

AND, "JR"---  We got yer "MOOG TREK" up there also!  It was too much fun to not include it at the site.  It doesn't quiiiiite follow the rules, so won't be on the voting list, but it's there to entertain everyone - and I'm sure everyone who takes a listen will be entertained.   Thanks for putting that together!

Randy B.