KVR Audio

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 3:02 pm

Hello and welcome to the KVR Mix Challenge 07 - December 2014.

This is the introduction post, where we link directly to the challenge corresponding files (source files, submission information, sponsors), start of the evaluation process and maybe even the first post for resubmissions.

This post will be updated with the corresponding links as we progress, and of course the suitable thread headlines. So please watch this spot:

Submission Period - General Information, Source Files, Sponsors
End of the first mix round - Song Evaluation, Information for Mix Round 2
Results of the Mix Challenge 07: Mix Round 2 Results, Winners Announced

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 3:04 pm

CURRENT CHALLENGE - GENERAL INFORMATION

Time Frame: Monday, 1st December 2014 to Sunday, 21st December 2014 (21 days)

UPDATE: Due to the holiday season, the current mix challenge has been extended for another three weeks, to 11-01-2015

Challenge submission will end on 11-01-2015, 11:59pm PST (Pacific Standard Time) - if you want to find out when that is the case at your place, please use the following tool and and select "Los Angeles" as location 1, and your location as location 2:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html

Song Provider: Doc Jon
Song Name and Length: Valley of the Lotus Dragon, 4:06 Min
Song Information: 71 bpm, 4/4
File Format: WAV, 44kHz, 24bit

GENRE: Soundtrack

Preview of the Song:
https://soundcloud.com/docjon/valley-of ... tus-dragon

A word from the song provider:

Doc Jon wrote:This track was produced for a competition run by Synthmob featuring presets and sounds designed by The Unfinished. (I didn't win anything )

I wanted to create a soundtrack piece with a contrast between a delicate quiet first half, and an epic loud second half. Most of the sounds provided were from NI Massive so very much electronic rather than orchestral and so I used a lot of layering which made it sound a bit of a mess in places. I had to get creative with the EQ in order to make everything fit when I should probably have just left some of the sounds out.

You will probably need to do the same, don't worry about making massive cuts (or boosts) to change the sounds significantly if it makes them fit better as long as the track retains the same overall feel. As long as the Tribal Beat remains the main focus in the second section you can process the other sounds as you wish to get that epic feel.

The key features I am hoping for is a marked contrast between the two sections, quiet then LOUD, and a clear mix in the second section which doesn't sound too overcrowded and messy.
Best of luck. Jon

Special Add-On Rules:
- No rearrangement of the song structure
- Focus needs to be on a dynamic transition
- absolutely no drum replacement, or removal of the drum loops
- no muting/deletion of channels, work with proper filtering and/or creative automation

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Source Files:

Through the song provider (DropBox, 433MB)
Mirror on Studio Compyfox (385MB, LZMA compressed)

The provided files were packed as ZIP with LZMA compression.
File size extracted: 1700 MB, packed 385 MB (ZIP, LZMA)
In order to extract the files, we can recommend these programs:

Macintosh:
The Unarchiver - get it here

Windows:
7zip - Installation, Portable

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Please take note of the official rules - they can be found at the following thread:
KVR Mix Challenge - Official Rules and Guidelines

Please address any OT question in the official Gossip thread:
KVR Mix Challenge - Gossip and Discussion

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SPONSORS (Prizes):

Prizes for mix participants:

Note: All licenses are NFR (Not-For-Resale), except where noted.

Acon Digital is kind enough give away a single plugin of winner's choice.
More info on Acon Digital: http://acondigital.de

IK Multimedia is kind enough to donate a license of one of their API Plugins. Winner's choice.
More info on IKM: http://www.ikmultimedia.com

Metric Halo will give away a single plugin of winner's choice.
More info about Metric Halo: http://mhsecure.com/metric_halo/

JRR Shop will give away either one of the following plugins:
SONiVOX Wobble, Pulse, Vocalizer, or Twist
More info about the plugins on SONiVOX: http://www.sonivoxmi.com
More info about the sponsor: http://www.jrrshop.com/

Tone2 is kind enough to donate either a bundle consisting of AkustiX Enhancer and WarmVerb, or a license of Ultraspace to the winner.
More info on Tone2: https://tone2.com

KVR user Karten (CEO of Ghostwave Audio) is kind enough to donate MixRight (a Reaktor Ensemble) to the winner (until further notice)
License won't turn into NFR, you need Native Instruments Reaktor 5.8+ for this
More info on Ghostwave Audio: http://ghostwaveaudio.com/

THANKS FOR THE DONATIONS!
And also a thank you to all former contributor as well.

If you want to sponsor content (please have a focus on mix plugins, bundles and the likes), please get in touch with the headmaster of the competition.

Also, please spread the word of the challenge. We also have a Twitter hashtag for this purpose. It's #kvrmixchallenge

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Good luck to all participants.
And most importantly, have fun!

photonic · Post by **photonic** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:45 pm

WOW !

As self-confessed Vangelis fan I love this track. You made me a christmas gift to give us this track to mix.
Can't wait to put my hands on it.

PALU · Post by **PALU** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 10:38 pm

Thanks for the track - I will try my best!

satYatunes · Post by **satYatunes** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 8:18 am

How are we doing? No submissions yet? 8 more days left. Come on guys shows us what you got

photonic · Post by **photonic** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 8:05 am

Hi all,

My mix is allready ready since the last weekend. But I did not want to be the first again to submit a track!
But Satya is right and so here it is mine:

WAV: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/717 ... otonic.wav
MP3: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/717 ... otonic.mp3

What I had done:
Drone Beat – ReaEQ, boost 70Hz dB, cut 140Hz 10dB, Low pass to cut highs, TesslaPROmkII for saturation and transient gain.
Tribal Beat - TesslaPROmkII for saturation and transient gain, TDR VOS Slick to boost 2kHz and 4.7kHz, Nova67P to tame some high peaks at 10kHz
SeqBass – Gstereo to mono below 200Hz, ReaEQ to cut 3dB at 400Hz, FerricTDS for slight saturation.
DrumsPan – ReaEQ, high pass at 120Hz and bosst 5dB at 1 kHz
Percussion - ReaEQ, high pass at 120Hz and bosst 5dB at 1 kHz
WarmPad - Gstereo to mono below 200Hz, ReaEQ for high pass and high shelve
AbbeyPad - ReaEQ for high pass and high shelve
ChimeDrone - Gstereo to mono below 200Hz, ReaEQ for high shelve
MonasteryPad – none
WideOrgan - ReaEQ for high pass and high shelve
OrganPad – ReaEQ to boost 5dB at 300Hz, high pass and high shelve
TremoloPad - ReaEQ for high pass and high shelve
DistantCall - ReaEQ for high pass and high shelve
80sSynth - TDR VOS Slick to boost 5dB at 5kHz, ReaEQ for high pass and heavy high shelve
70sBrassPad - TDR VOS Slick to boost 6dB at 2kHz, ReaEQ for high
EthnicPluck - ReaEQ for high pass and boost 7dB at 4.7kHz, above low pass, NastyDLA
MassiveStrings1&2 - ReaEQ for high pass and high shelve
Massive high – none
AstralPad - ReaEQ for high pass and heavy high shelve, notch at 900Hz. Gstereo to mono below 200Hz
DistantMelody - ReaEQ for high pass and heavy high shelve, notch at 900Hz. Gstereo to mono below 200Hz
CymbalAmbience – ReaEQ to cut with a low shelve, Gstereo to mono below 200Hz
EthnicBells - ReaEQ for high pass and high shelve
BellFX - for high pass and high shelve

Reverbs: Uhbik-A, a shorter one for percussion and a longer and brighter one for pads and leads.

Stereo-Master:
MQ57 filter for final sound shaping
AkustiX, used Exciter and Smart Filter to get some shimmer
The Span Analyser
TT Dynamic Range Meter

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 11:24 am

You should get an award for always breaking the ice, photonic.

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:27 pm

Three and a half day remaining.

Did nobody actually join this round?

shroom feverish · Post by **shroom feverish** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 12:03 am

WAV
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1cnad ... sp=sharing

MP3
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1cnad ... sp=sharing

Lot of processing:

HP filter on every track.

EQ narrow cuts (mainly low mid regions) and wide boosts (above 3kHz).

Three re-verb sends(long dark, long shimmer, short spring) and one delay send.

Mono maker where bass was to wide.

Drums have various compression techniques/styles.

Four group channels with EQ, HP filter and some compression.

Volume automation on two tracks. EQ automation on master bus to give low freq boost for intro.

Saturation were used a lot .

Some screen shots, if anyone interested.
http://1drv.ms/1zb6LCx

Boom!

mixedmind · Post by **mixedmind** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 12:14 am

the screenshots are a great idea

PALU · Post by **PALU** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 12:45 am

Compyfox wrote:Three and a half day remaining.

Did nobody actually join this round?

My son is sick and I've got not enough time for this one

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 5:12 am

Since the participation is less than normal... should we "extend" the challenge until January?
Or do a break (as we obviously all need one) and redo this again in February?

mixedmind · Post by **mixedmind** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:25 am

mine will be posted tomorrow

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:32 am

Then it's still only three entries.

Actually... I brought this up internally - and so far, we're considering actually moving or at least extending MC07 due to the holiday season and all it's resolving problems (time constraints, being away from home, family matters, etc). I also contacted Doc Jon about this, but have yet go get an answer.

As of this moment however, chances are that things might be shifted around a bit.

westcoast2 · Post by **westcoast2** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:47 am

Mine will also be posted tomorrow.

KVR MIX CHALLENGE - MC07 December 2014 - Winners announced