KVR Audio

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 3:05 pm

Hello and welcome to the KVR Mix Challenge 13 - August 2015.

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.

The current challenge is a special tread. Not only features guitars tracks created with Impact Soundworks' Shreddage X, you will also be able to shape the sound of the guitar yourself! Re-amping is part of the current mix session. The last time we did this, the feedback was overall positive. So let's do it again.

Please take note of our overhauled rule set as of MC10 (strict time frames) and MC11 (active client involvement). Consult the sections on "Song Provider" and "Voting Rules" in the official Guidelines thread for further information: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 2&t=415154

IMPORTANT (please spread the word!):
We're looking for new source material for the KVR Mix Challenge 15 (October) and up. If you have a track that gives you headaches and you want the talents of this challenge have a stab at it, please get in touch.

We're especially looking for a Rock/Metal track for "Rocktober" (October), preferably with vocals. Maybe even with DI tracks again. So please spread the word, and get in touch with us by early September latest!

We also highly recommend to sign up to our official Twitter account to stay up to date regarding news. Though we will try to answer short questions as well of course.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KVRMixChallenge
Hashtag: #kvrmixchallenge

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: First mix evaluation (please read follow up posts)
Mix Round 2: Mix Round 2 participants announced
Results of the Mix Challenge 13: Winners announced

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 3:06 pm

CURRENT CHALLENGE - GENERAL INFORMATION

Time Frame: Saturday, 01st August 2015 to Friday, 21st August 2015 (21 days)

Challenge submission will end on 21-08-2015, 11:59pm PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) - until further notice. 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: AudioSupernova (KVR Profile)
Song Name and Length: Elsewhere, 6:02min
Song Information: 100 bpm (varying), time signature varying, in Key of F# min
File Format: WAV, 44kHz, 16bit

GENRE: Instrumental Progressive Metal

Preview of the Song:
https://soundcloud.com/audiosupernova/elsewhere

A word from the song provider:

AudioSupernova (Dennis Koop) wrote:The solo instrument tracks have been provided with no amping, EQ or reverb added beyond what was captured in recording, or included in the VSTi samples. The two rhythm guitar parts each have two sets of recordings. The mix I provided has all rhythm guitars double tracked. So Rhythm Guitar #1 has the (1) and (2) versions of the exact same part, and the same is true of Rhythm Guitar #2.

RULES:
- Re-amp all guitar parts
- Have a focus on progressive metal
- No rearrangement of the production

A few words by the Mix Challenge staff:

Staff (Compyfox) wrote:You need to bring up the signal to a nominal level (proper operating level) first!

Please have a focus on clarity of the instruments, both the lead guitar and the piano especially set a specific mood, dare I even sell "tell a specific story" - have an eye on that.

The drums are great to begin with. (really) Drastic sound shaping is not necessary - rather build upon the given sound.

Let yourself inspire from great progressive metal bands from 2000s and up, but still try to find your own style.

A starting point might be:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_metal

And the infamous "Map of Metal"

Please also consult the TXT files that are bundled in the source files package below. There you can find more information about the individual files and changes to the time signature.

Special Add-On Rules:
- find a good mix balance, have a focus on progressive metal
- Re-amp all guitar parts
- No rearrangement of the song structure (all tracks need to be featured)
- No omission of any track/no muting/deletion of channels other than to cut noise or using a custom reverb
- no drum replacement
- try to not(!) pre-master the track

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Source Files:

Mirror on Studio Compyfox (247MB, LZMA compressed)

The provided files were packed as ZIP with LZMA compression.
File size extracted: 747 MB, packed 247 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.
Changes to available prices on short notice may be possible and will be announced separately.

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

Ghostwave Audio (KVR User Karten) 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/

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

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

Sound and Graphic, KVR user and Mix Challenge staff satYatunes is donating one commercial product of winner's choice (until further notice)
More info on satYatune's page: http://www.satyatunes.com/

Tone2 is kind enough to donate either a bundle consisting of AkustiX Enhancer and WarmVerb, or a license of Ultraspace to the winner (until further notice)
License will turn into NFR
More info on Tone2: https://tone2.com

Two Notes Audio Engineering is kind enough to donate one license of Torpedo Wall of Sound III to the winner, loaded with 57 cabinets (equivalent to "Torpedo WoS II") (until January 2016)
License will not turn into NFR
More info on Two Notes: http://www.two-notes.com/en/

THANKS FOR THE DONATIONS!
And also a thank you to all former contributors 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 the challenge staff.

Also, please spread the word of the challenge. We now have a dedicated Twitter Account:
https://twitter.com/KVRMixChallenge

You can also still use the hashtag #KVRMixChallenge

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

audiosupernova · Post by **audiosupernova** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 3:22 pm

If anyone has any issues with the samples, questions about the track, or other inquiries, feel free to ask and I'll help out where I can. Happy mixing!

VSTs used to create the track:
Electric guitars on this track are all powered by "Shreddage 2X" from Impact Soundworks;
Bass guitar is "Shreddage Bass" from Impact Soundworks;
Piano is a Bosendorfer 290 library from East West;
Strings from the East West library "Gypsy";
Drums are from Steven Slate Drums 4 Platinum;
Synths are from Image-Line's "Sytrus";
Guitars and bass were all amped with "Amplitube 3" from IK Multimedia.

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 6:29 pm

Thanks for the information of the used tools, AudioSupernova.

And also thanks to a very observantly mod, the thread topic's date was off. Of course the deadline is the 21st, not the 01st of August. Good luck to everyone.

geroyannis · Post by **geroyannis** » Sun Aug 02, 2015 8:14 am

This one will be tough for those who try. The existing mix sounds pretty good to me already!

Halma · Post by **Halma** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 3:29 pm

Just curious...no "live real life instruments"? Only Samples/Synths?

If "yes"...

...and this is coming from an old git who loves Techno, House & DNB...but grewed up with 80s Punk & HC & Acid & Electro & EBM & ...

Cheers
Sebastian

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Sat Aug 08, 2015 3:01 am

Yes, this was all created ITB. Or as some rockers would say in a slanderous way - "out of the tin can".

Do we see your mix at the end of the challenge, Halma? The more participants, the better.

Halma · Post by **Halma** » Sat Aug 08, 2015 4:54 am

Compyfox wrote:Yes, this was all created ITB. Or as some rockers would say in a slanderous way - "out of the tin can".

Do we see your mix at the end of the challenge, Halma? The more participants, the better.

Yeah, lets see what I can come up with. Actually I am pretty excited to mix something completely different. And that we have to "re-amp" the guitars & bass. Finally I can experiment a lot with my Amplitube and some "real guitar sounds"

(instead of synths and beats or some lame free guitar loops from my usual testing environment).

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Sat Aug 08, 2015 12:48 pm

Definitely looking forward to the results.

And - welcome to the Mix Challenge.

audiosupernova · Post by **audiosupernova** » Sat Aug 08, 2015 3:19 pm

Halma wrote:Just curious...no "live real life instruments"? Only Samples/Synths?

If "yes"...

...and this is coming from an old git who loves Techno, House & DNB...but grewed up with 80s Punk & HC & Acid & Electro & EBM & ...

Cheers
Sebastian

Thanks Sebastian,
Yeah this is 100% "fake". Not a single real instrument was used, and I made exclusive use of virtual instruments. Like Compyfox said, certainly doesn't give me any rocker cred

I used to play in a few bands throughout highschool, college, and beyond, but I've just gotten sick of the drama, so this is how I get out my urge to write music. NO BAND NECESSARY

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Sun Aug 09, 2015 4:28 pm

Ladies and Gentlemen,

we're proud to announce a new sponsor that will accompany us until January 2016.
A huge thank you goes to Two Notes Audio Engineering for a license of "Torpedo Wall of Sound III", and satYatunes for the visuals.

We also just updated the "Rules and Guidelines" thread with the new sponsor, and the statistics from recent months. Furthermore, we're still looking for your help, and especially a track for #Rocktober. Please spread the word, and share as much as you can through your preferred social media platform.

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Two Notes Audio Engineering is kind enough to donate one license of Torpedo Wall of Sound III to the winner, loaded with 57 cabinets (equivalent to "Torpedo WoS II") (until January 2016)
License will not turn into NFR
More info on Two Notes: http://www.two-notes.com/en/

camsr · Post by **camsr** » Sun Aug 09, 2015 9:32 pm

What did you use to distort the guitars in your mix, audiosupernova?

audiosupernova · Post by **audiosupernova** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 5:58 am

camsr wrote:What did you use to distort the guitars in your mix, audiosupernova?

All amping was done with Amplitube 3. Only effects I used outside of Amplitube on the guitars was some reverb and EQ. In Amplitube's stomp section (pre-amp), I think I used a few pedals, like a tube screamer, distortion, maybe a compressor pedal. The rhythm guitars used the Soldano sim which itself has some overdrive built in. The lead guitar was using one of the "tube lead" amps that are non-branded, but I don't think the lead had overdrive on it. Bass is using the Gallien Krueger sim. It's been a while since I looked at the setup, but it was something to that effect.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 12:10 pm

Hello everyone,

I'm sorry to say that IK Multimedia will not be sponsoring this current Mix Challenge. My inability to manage distributing prizes in a timely fashion has caused IK's support department a lot of trouble lately and I don't want to abuse their kindness by having it happen again. I am 100% to blame for this, not IK Multimedia or anyone else who is part of the Mix Challenge.

IK Multimedia has been absolute stars as a sponsor and I'm sure we will see them back in the future.

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 12:48 am

Friendly reminder:
A bit less than 10 days to mix, people.

Please spread the word. The more participants, the more fun.
Let the heat build up in the studio!

KVR MIX CHALLENGE - MC13 August 2015 - Winners announced