Author Topic: We Came As Strangers Mixing Competition (Read 14474 times)

TheCasual · « **Reply #25 on:** June 08, 2014, 08:15:32 pm »

Do some thinning out on the track.

It sounds very 80's though haha.

TB-AV · « **Reply #26 on:** June 08, 2014, 08:51:32 pm »

You probably need to bring that bass drum up. It's hard to hear and definitely can't feel it If you are going for the dance beat it needs to thump. ... and the one included is a thumper on it's own. So you should be able to get it working.

Your new bass line sounds about right for that style but you lost the kick. The dancers need that kick.

Cue Zephyr · « **Reply #27 on:** June 08, 2014, 09:28:24 pm »

With all these mixes cropping up I'm starting to wonder if I should actually enter. I've been out of producing/mixing for a while now and the last track I did sounded extremely outdated.

TB-AV · « **Reply #28 on:** June 09, 2014, 01:58:32 am »

Well everybody seems to have their own idea of what a remix is.

The song is a good song on it's own, you could do the banjo mix where the only real difference is that it has a banjo track. that's a new mix.

I'm not sure what they want or expect, I think it's anything goes, but I expect they want it recognized as the same song. IOW, not a new song with samples from their song placed in. and not a mashup of two songs.

I've heard remixes that a lot of them don't sound a whole lot different. One might be bass heavy, one might have strong bass and drum line for dancing, one might be instrumental, one might have a guest artist.

If nothing else everyone could play a guest track and then just mix it into their track using their finished mix as a guide. That's a new mix.

Go for it! You gotta take a banjo chorus.

Cue Zephyr · « **Reply #29 on:** June 09, 2014, 12:31:10 pm »

I've always had the same idea of a remix - keeping the essential elements of the song, often including the chord progression but with a new and refreshing approach. Not saying that this is refreshing, but this is a lot like what I've done a few times in the past: http://youtu.be/_-aTlvncUsw

Scooter Trash · « **Reply #30 on:** June 09, 2014, 10:06:59 pm »

I likely won't enter the competition, but here's my mix:

I added some guitar parts and part of the Martin Luther King "I have a Dream" speech.

Endureth · « **Reply #31 on:** June 09, 2014, 11:51:05 pm »

Nice Scooter, you should enter it man, sounds good.

Scooter Trash · « **Reply #32 on:** June 10, 2014, 12:01:25 am »

Quote from: Endureth on June 09, 2014, 11:51:05 pm

Nice Scooter, you should enter it man, sounds good.

Thanks Endureth.. I just found out about this this morning and only spent about 3 hours on it.. but I went ahead and entered it..

Scooter Trash · « **Reply #33 on:** June 10, 2014, 10:59:39 pm »

Quote from: TB-AV on June 09, 2014, 01:58:32 am

Well everybody seems to have their own idea of what a remix is.

The song is a good song on it's own, you could do the banjo mix where the only real difference is that it has a banjo track. that's a new mix.

I'm not sure what they want or expect, I think it's anything goes, but I expect they want it recognized as the same song. IOW, not a new song with samples from their song placed in. and not a mashup of two songs.

I agree.. the "remix" thing is confusing because "remixed" songs are often actually re-produced and/or rearranged and not just remixed. But I think this contest includes all of the above.

Found this on YouTube, Justin explains what they expect:

Endureth · « **Reply #34 on:** June 10, 2014, 11:32:27 pm »

I believe you have full control with what you want to do with it, anything goes. As long as the core of the song is intact.

Cue Zephyr · « **Reply #35 on:** June 10, 2014, 11:40:16 pm »

Quote from: Scooter Trash on June 10, 2014, 10:59:39 pm

I agree.. the "remix" thing is confusing because "remixed" songs are often actually re-produced and/or rearranged and not just remixed.

For me personally, that's always been the definition. That might be because I started in EDM and have done remixes in that vein for years.

Quote from: Scooter Trash on June 10, 2014, 10:59:39 pm

Found this on YouTube, Justin explains what they expect:
[video]

That's how I learned about the contest in the first place, did I miss something?

I have one of the concepts down right now, working on the instrumentation and arrangement. Instrumentation? Yes, I only kept the dry vocal track. I didn't even keep the chord progression the same, which caused some happy accidents.

I might be taking this a little too seriously.

Speaking of arrangement, does anybody else feel this song is rather 1) slow and 2) long? I say that because by now I've both shortened it and sped it up and it still seems to drag a little bit.

Scooter Trash · « **Reply #36 on:** June 11, 2014, 12:17:14 am »

Quote from: Cue Zephyr on June 10, 2014, 11:40:16 pm

Quote from: Scooter Trash on June 10, 2014, 10:59:39 pm
Found this on YouTube, Justin explains what they expect:
[video]
That's how I learned about the contest in the first place, did I miss something?

Apparently not. But if others, like me, found out about the competition here in this thread, it may be helpful to them. It also clears up what TBAV had wondered.

mike42 · « **Reply #37 on:** June 11, 2014, 01:16:54 am »

Quote from: Cue Zephyr on June 10, 2014, 11:40:16 pm

Speaking of arrangement, does anybody else feel this song is rather 1) slow and 2) long? I say that because by now I've both shortened it and sped it up and it still seems to drag a little bit.

I've shortened it, but I haven't sped it up. I'm working on adding some of my own playing but it's tough getting things to fit in with all the subtleties on the existing tracks. It's my first attempt at remixing something, so we'll see how it ends up working out

By the way, has a deadline for submissions been announced? All I saw when I downloaded the stems was the date they are announcing winners.

Cue Zephyr · « **Reply #38 on:** June 11, 2014, 08:22:49 am »

Quote from: Scooter Trash on June 11, 2014, 12:17:14 am

Quote from: Cue Zephyr on June 10, 2014, 11:40:16 pm

Quote from: Scooter Trash on June 10, 2014, 10:59:39 pm
Found this on YouTube, Justin explains what they expect:
[video]
That's how I learned about the contest in the first place, did I miss something?
Apparently not. But if others, like me, found out about the competition here in this thread, it may be helpful to them. It also clears up what TBAV had wondered.

I see. I thought there might have been another source for a second.

Quote from: mike42 on June 11, 2014, 01:16:54 am

Quote from: Cue Zephyr on June 10, 2014, 11:40:16 pm
Speaking of arrangement, does anybody else feel this song is rather 1) slow and 2) long? I say that because by now I've both shortened it and sped it up and it still seems to drag a little bit.
I've shortened it, but I haven't sped it up. I'm working on adding some of my own playing but it's tough getting things to fit in with all the subtleties on the existing tracks. It's my first attempt at remixing something, so we'll see how it ends up working out

The subtleties in the track are actually improving my playing dynamics.

_Avalon_ · « **Reply #39 on:** June 11, 2014, 08:43:51 am »

Is there an ending date indicated somewhere ? I must be blind because I can't find any. If there is still some time I might try something for the fun.

Cue Zephyr · « **Reply #40 on:** June 11, 2014, 08:48:04 am »

I suppose the closing date will be a few days before thee winners are chosen (July 18), so yeah, I'd say there's some time.

Good luck!

_Avalon_ · « **Reply #41 on:** June 11, 2014, 10:22:31 am »

Great! I will think about what I can do. Like you said, I think the song is rather slow, so I might speed it up, maybe rocking it up a bit too.

TB-AV · « **Reply #42 on:** June 11, 2014, 08:56:38 pm »

sounds good Mr. Trash.....

I've gotten slammed with work and had to put mine aside. I've tossed a piano in there...

Man yours is really laid back... I didn't think that song could get much more laid back.... nice one.

I had a damn midi feed back loop causing a drop out and I didn't think I would d ever find it.

Scooter Trash · « **Reply #43 on:** June 12, 2014, 12:41:56 am »

Quote from: TB-AV on June 11, 2014, 08:56:38 pm

sounds good Mr. Trash.....

I've gotten slammed with work and had to put mine aside. I've tossed a piano in there...

Man yours is really laid back... I didn't think that song could get much more laid back.... nice one.

I had a damn midi feed back loop causing a drop out and I didn't think I would d ever find it.

Thanks TB.

The song had kind of a dream-pop vibe to me and I didn't see any reason to change it much. I do wish I would have had the individual dry layers and not just the mixed stems though.. It's a kewl song.
I'm glad you got your drop-out issue sorted out.

TB-AV · « **Reply #44 on:** June 13, 2014, 05:27:41 am »

I've still got a ways to go but I think I see some light at end of tunnel.

Cue Zephyr · « **Reply #45 on:** June 17, 2014, 09:17:34 pm »

TB, I'm liking those drums and the piano.

I'm second guessing my own work, but I'm gonna try to finish it nonetheless.

TB-AV · « **Reply #46 on:** June 17, 2014, 10:19:18 pm »

I like it... I think you are on right track. It goes surprisingly well with her voice.

I've had a disaster with my cars. Had to play auto mechanic all weekend. Still trying to get things sorted. I hope to get back to finishing this up. I actually wanted to try another style too but I'm not sure if I will make it or not.

Endureth · « **Reply #47 on:** June 18, 2014, 05:36:53 am »

That sounds AWESOME Cue! Can I call ya Cue?

artonsafari · « **Reply #48 on:** June 18, 2014, 09:54:32 pm »

Second guess nothing, that sounds great CZ!

Endureth · « **Reply #49 on:** June 19, 2014, 05:24:01 pm »

I'm not seeing an actual cut-off date for submissions. I see winners are announced on the 18th of July, but when is the cut-off?

We're definitely taking the power ballad route.