MIX CHALLENGE - MC22 June 2016 - Winners announced

[Compyfox]

Hello and welcome to the KVR Mix Challenge 22 - June 2016


This is the introduction post, where we directly link to the challenge corresponding files (source files, submission information, sponsors), start of the evaluation process and the first post for re-submissions for Mix Round 2.



This month, we celebrate two years of running Mix Challenge! The Challenge couldn't exist without the help from our song providers, the participants and the people behind the scenes (the hosts, the sponsors, etc). So please raise your glasses, have a drink, throw some confetti (if at hand), then let us shoot for [url=ttp://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=443876]another year with new material to mix[/url].

In this month, we're changing the pace again. We once more collaborate with well known faces from the One Synth Challenge here on KVR - this time KVR resident, Sound Designer and Videogame Soundtrack Songwriter (Fast Racing Neo on WiiU comes to mind) Bjulin. He is offering us the chance to venture into the Soundtrack realm with his track "Recurring Thoughts".



Please take note of the following

• as of MC17, the rule set has been overhauled/simplified - please take note of them in the Rules and Guidelines thread.
• our Twitter Account can be found via the handle @MixChallenge

Also Important:

• We're desperately looking for new source material for future Mix Challenges. Our pool is in constant fear of running dry. Please follow our official campaign for this in the Music Cafe. No new tracks, no more challenges!
• Please also spread the word on your preferred social media platform. Our Twitter Account is already a good start

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
Mix Round 2: Global Feedback and Round 2 Participant Announcement
Results of the Mix Challenge 22: Winners announced

[Compyfox]

CURRENT CHALLENGE - GENERAL INFORMATION

Time Frame: Wednesday, 01st June 2016 to Tuesday, 21st June 2016 (21 days)

Challenge submission will end on 21-06-2016, 11:59pm CEST/GMT+1 (Germany) - 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 "Berlin (Germany)" as location 1, and your location as location 2:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html



Song Provider: Bjulin (KVR Profile)
Song Name and Length: Recurring Thoughts, 2:02min
Song Information: 70 bpm, time signature 4/4
File Format: WAV, 44kHz, 24bit

GENRE: Soundtrack


Preview of the Song:
https://soundcloud.com/bjulin/recurring-thoughts

A word from the song provider:

So, what do I want, as your client?

I want to see your creative juices flowing. You don´t need to stick to a special mix style. Also you can add some details into the track, but don´t get carried away. The organizers and myself don´t want this to end up in a “Remix Challenge” for now. The song should stay as it is ­ but if you think the overall mix would profit from some details here and there, then it would be ok.

I already cleared some ugly frequencies from most of the melodic stems. But I didn´t tidy up everything. Watch out for those parts!

The Stems are as loud as possible to prevent noise floor. But there´s still 1 to 2 dB headroom, so we´re save in terms of clipping, too.

If you have any questions, please ask in the KVR thread, so everyone can read it. I don´t want to answer questions through PM or eMail. So, please stick to the official KVR thread. I´ll try to answer as quickly as possible.

A few words by the Mix Challenge staff:

If you load up the challenge, you'll notice a loud clicking noise at the beginning of the track, and some reverberation. This is due to a rendering error that happened on STEM creation.

The song provider tried to recover the files, but due to a run out license (subscription) of the instruments in question, it was impossible to him to perform this task. It is still possible to clean up the tracks with a proper fade in however. Consider this a separate challenge.

I can't give any further recommendations for this "Soundtrack" production. Other than maybe let yourself inspire from either hollywood productions (i.e. the soundtrack from "Oblivion" from 2013), or modern day video games (jRPGs especially).

Be creative!

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:

• try to create a mix that complements this production (in your own style)
• Clean / Alternative versions can be used if you need more flexibility over a certain sound (not present in this production)
• No rearrangement of the song structure
• try to not(!) pre-master the track (please no overuse of mix bus treatment)

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Source Files:

Main Mix Package - Mirror on Studio Compyfox (367,47 MB, LZMA compressed)


The provided files were packed as ZIP with LZMA compression.
File size extracted: 805,56 MB, packed 367,47 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:
Mix Challenge - Official Rules and Guidelines

Please address any OT question in the official Gossip thread:
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.



Bjulin Waves is kind enough to offer bonus license exclusive to this challenge:
3 soundsets of choice to the 1st place, 2 soundsets of choice to the 2nc place and 1 soundset of choice to the third place
More info on Bjulin Waves: http://bjulin.de



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 a free copy of Audiffex/Audified STA Preamp (until further notice)
More info about the plugins on Audiffex (now known as Audified): http://shop.audified.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/



Nyrv Systems offers AGENT incl. all currently available NyrvDevices and free update to at least v1.5 of winner's choice (until further notice)
License will turn into NFR
More info about Nyrv Systems: http://www.nyrvsystems.com/



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") (donation until Q3 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 Mix Challenge staff.


Did you know that there are even more contests / competitions / challenges here on KVR Audio?

• One Synth Challenge (see stickies) - a demanding game where you have to use "one synth only", tweak it to your needs and write song with it (the OSC offered us a lot of songs in recent months!)
• Music Cafe (KVR, see stickies) - A thematic monthly competition. Use recording, real instruments, synths and samples.

Please spread the word of the challenge on social media.
For example with our dedicated Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/MixChallenge

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

[Bjulin]

So, then, it's my turn to welcome all participants!

Hope you do enjoy the song.
I try to do my best to give lots oft feedback to all entries.

Have lots of fun while mixing...
Good luck, everybody!

[bjporter]

Good luck everyone. Bjulin is a great dude, and a great artist.

[vasdim]

Hi all,
this is my attempt to mix:
https://db.tt/HE7J6ovr
Good luck to all.
VasDim

[Bjulin]

Hi all,
this is my attempt to mix:
https://db.tt/HE7J6ovr
Good luck to all.
VasDim

Thank you!

I just listened to your mix.
It´s fun to hear what you did to the tails of the pluck sound... heavy phasing in there.
You brought the percs to the front. That´s no problem with me, if it wouldn´t push back the other elements.
In this case, the tonal elements should have much more priority, since the whole theme is more emotional than energy driven.

For your next attempt, I suggest you try to get deeper into the overall feel of the song rather then concentrating on the elements seperately.
One other advice: Please try to not overuse m/s processing. You need to have one or two elements that builds the base atmosphere and then mix the other elements around it.

Keep it up!!

[thiagoam88]

You need to have one or two elements that builds the base atmosphere and then mix the other elements around it.

Hey, Bjulin!

Which elements would you like to hear as the base? I feel like the keys and arp play a big role, but would like your input on that!

[Bjulin]

Well, I´m open to your ideas and interpretations.

Nevertheless, imo you´re right with the keys and the arp.
I think they play a bigger role then the percussions.
On the other hand, percussion give the emotions some kind of energy - which is really important.
Otherwise the song would be a bit boring/dull, i think.

Can´t wait to hear more!

[Compyfox]

A little reminder for you people:
11 days left to submit your mix for Mix Round 1

[3ee]

Cool song, I'm in!

from the 1st glance + init levels I can tell this would be a challenge getting all those instruments to fit perfectly since there are many, stereo and detailed especially in the mids and mid highs.

Probably a good idea to start mixing in mono?!

[Compyfox]

Offering the tracks already premixed wouldn't be that much of a challenge, no?

[3ee]

Offering the tracks already premixed wouldn't be that much of a challenge, no?

Well, although I like the song, I find the original mix to be crowded as well... so, challenge still on!

[Bjulin]

Well, that's the point. There's lots oft things going on. Even if the song isn't long, it's not so easy to mix because oft the complexity.

C'mon guys, i want to see/hear your skills!

[M.O.R.K.]

Hi all,
this was different! Check it out:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id= ... sp=sharing

Greets,
Mork

[photonic]

Hi all,

Here comes my version. The main issue have been:
- Putting all drums and percussion into the same acoustic inviroment, by adding some reverb the more dry tracks.
- Seperating the instrument tracks in frequency and panorama concern.
- And the most important issue - bringing dynamic into the track by volume automation!!!

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