One Synth Challenge #183: AudiblePlanets by Greg Recco (ZioMau Wins!)

[loubaker]

Ok. Understood.

This is the thing. I understand the concept of focusing on the synth. I think the confusion is this list of rules and the way they are presented. A simple bullet list would be easier to absorb and recall.
Going back to the list requires re-reading the entire page.
Simple is always best.

Example Rules:
No distortion, chorus, phaser or like effects that
No paid plugin during the competition duration.
No mastering
No outside samples. Free, or paid.
No reversing.
Yes your original vocals for this track.
Yes on corroboration (list sub rule)
Whatever. . . bla, bla bla. . .

Somewhere in this rules page about mastering. Mastering is the glue that enhances your track. So, bouncing my midi to tracks and processing it one my own with no outside help, paid, AI or otherwise. . . should be ok. Like the rest of the recording, composing, and mixing World are done via low db level, bounced and then processes for each end use media type/platform.

So that's vexing. Really needs clarification. If we can master this can we sum tracks to a mastering bus for export? What ever that rule is, it's odd. Who want s to hear a track not mastered?

Your feedback and direction is much obliged! Thanks!

[neverbeeninariot]

Ok. Understood.

This is the thing. I understand the concept of focusing on the synth. I think the confusion is this list of rules and the way they are presented. A simple bullet list would be easier to absorb and recall.
Going back to the list requires re-reading the entire page.
Simple is always best.

Example Rules:
No distortion, chorus, phaser or like effects that
No paid plugin during the competition duration.
No mastering
No outside samples. Free, or paid.
No reversing.
Yes your original vocals for this track.
Yes on corroboration (list sub rule)
Whatever. . . bla, bla bla. . .

Somewhere in this rules page about mastering. Mastering is the glue that enhances your track. So, bouncing my midi to tracks and processing it one my own with no outside help, paid, AI or otherwise. . . should be ok. Like the rest of the recording, composing, and mixing World are done via low db level, bounced and then processes for each end use media type/platform.

So that's vexing. Really needs clarification. If we can master this can we sum tracks to a mastering bus for export? What ever that rule is, it's odd. Who want s to hear a track not mastered?

Your feedback and direction is much obliged! Thanks!

Hi,

Is this the list of rules you are talking about? https://sites.google.com/site/kvrosc/rules

It might seem like a lot at first but there really aren't that many. They are categorised (mostly correctly, imo) and bulleted. You definitely get used to them after just a couple of rounds.

About mastering... You cannot export your mix to another program or service for mastering, however it is totally possible to master the track inside the original DAW project using free tools, or those provided by your DAW.

Why do they have to be free (or DAW native)? Because using paid effects or services could give someone an advantage over someone who cannot use them (for whatever reason).

If you're not 100% comfortable with mastering, you could look at at this as the perfect opportunity to learn something new

Welcome to OSC, btw !

[loubaker]

RE:

Hi,

Is this the list of rules you are talking about? https://sites.google.com/site/kvrosc/rules
YES

It might seem like a lot at first but there really aren't that many. They are categorised (mostly correctly, imo) and bulleted. You definitely get used to them after just a couple of rounds.
LONG WINDED. Could be simplified.

About mastering... You cannot export your mix to another program or service for mastering, however it is totally possible to master the track inside the original DAW project using free tools, or those provided by your DAW.
I can master. I generally bounce to a stereo premaster, then import into a mastering template.
In this case I'd make a new one which has Reaper plugins and free plugins for mastering only.
***Please confirm this cool. TIA

Why do they have to be free (or DAW native)? Because using paid effects or services could give someone an advantage over someone who cannot use them (for whatever reason).
I got that and agree. Somehow that was misinterpreted...

If you're not 100% comfortable with mastering, you could look at at this as the perfect opportunity to learn something new
Mastering is not a problem. This description in the rules mentioning midi, freezing and exporting made my brain freeze up. I just don't get it. Most producers will mix in midi, then bounce to audio on separate track. Sum the audio tracks. Made some vol/gain and other tweaks and export to a pre-master. Then import to master template for mastering. So, it's vexing to even mention this aspect. Maybe, it's me, and I don't understand. If you go a look at other competition rules. The best competitions are no rules. Use this synth for everything. No paid or free sample use. Self sample from synth, ok. Effects only in self-mastering track. Why handcuff artist and make confusing? Straight forward no questions. Ready set go.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Welcome to OSC, btw !
[/quote]

[Eauson]

If your computer is struggling & you need 300 different sounds to make your track, then you can bounce down the stems & use them
I'm assuming, that you can then work on those stems & master from there!?
It's not something I've done, but I'm assuming it's legal, as long as you don't alter the stem files outside of your daw & reimport them
TBA, I find that limiting yourself can help to be creative, but that's just me

[doctorbob]

When you bounce/freeze a track, you MUST freeze/bounce the whole complete track.

You must not bounce e.g. a single kick, and then cut and paste that audio clip to create your kick drum track to help with inconsistent kicks usually due to free running OSC's not re-triggering each note (kick)!.

You can of course, cut and paste MIDI, and also create your midi outside your DAW and import that.

No export of the final stereo master track outside the DAW for further processing of any kind.

Most, if not all DAW's can export the final mixdown to a new stereo track in the DAW project. This can then be mastered within the same DAW project.

The reason for free FX (and the above no export rule) is so the project can be re-created if requested by the folks who run the challenge. It does happen when they are unsure that all the rules have been followed. However, that said, it has rarely happened.

Hope this makes sense - and I concur, some restrictions make you concentrate on creativity, and you learn, adapt and acquire new musical skills.

dB

[loubaker]

When you bounce/freeze a track, you MUST freeze/bounce the whole complete track.
Got it!

You must not bounce e.g. a single kick, and then cut and paste that audio clip to create your kick drum track to help with inconsistent kicks usually due to free running OSC's not re-triggering each note (kick)!.
Noted!

You can of course, cut and paste MIDI, and also create your midi outside your DAW and import that.
10-4

No export of the final stereo master track outside the DAW for further processing of any kind.
See next comment reply. Thanks!

Most, if not all DAW's can export the final mixdown to a new stereo track in the DAW project. This can then be mastered within the same DAW project.
This makes no sense. What's the difference? Saving an audio file and creating a new file to master with free and daw included plugin. That's a normal standard, less the obvious rules.
Or bounce summed tracks to a stereo bus to then master in the same project file? No body does this in reality. It takes cpu overhead, confusing, and makes no difference. No one masters in the same mix file. I just don't get this. . .

The reason for free FX (and the above no export rule) is so the project can be re-created if requested by the folks who run the challenge. It does happen when they are unsure that all the rules have been followed. However, that said, it has rarely happened.
If the challenge folks running the challenge ask for the original daw mix w/presets and master, why not just make that a rule? In fact that would be a great rule. You can't cheat that!

Hope this makes sense - and I concur, some restrictions make you concentrate on creativity, and you learn, adapt and acquire new musical skills.
This is more like problem solving while having self-sex in the shower wearing socks with a condemn; to me. . . I'll try not to drop the soap and sneak up on me, myself or I . . .

Thanks for clarification!
dB

[neverbeeninariot]

Is this the list of rules you are talking about? https://sites.google.com/site/kvrosc/rules

YES

It might seem like a lot at first but there really aren't that many. They are categorised (mostly correctly, imo) and bulleted. You definitely get used to them after just a couple of rounds.

LONG WINDED. Could be simplified.

Maybe! Perhaps you could provide an example of a new, simpler version of the rules (a google doc or something) for folks to look at and think about? I've tried this before and it ended up looking very much like the old version

About mastering... You cannot export your mix to another program or service for mastering, however it is totally possible to master the track inside the original DAW project using free tools, or those provided by your DAW.

I can master. I generally bounce to a stereo premaster, then import into a mastering template.
In this case I'd make a new one which has Reaper plugins and free plugins for mastering only.
***Please confirm this cool. TIA

Not allowed under the current rules, sorry - it must stay in the DAW.

In Reaper (as with almost every other DAW), it is easy to send all tracks to a sub-master, then add your mastering FX to that track, in the same project.

Mastering is not a problem. This description in the rules mentioning midi, freezing and exporting made my brain freeze up. I just don't get it. Most producers will mix in midi, then bounce to audio on separate track. Sum the audio tracks. Made some vol/gain and other tweaks and export to a pre-master. Then import to master template for mastering. So, it's vexing to even mention this aspect. Maybe, it's me, and I don't understand. If you go a look at other competition rules. The best competitions are no rules. Use this synth for everything. No paid or free sample use. Self sample from synth, ok. Effects only in self-mastering track. Why handcuff artist and make confusing? Straight forward no questions. Ready set go.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Well... 'best competition' is a very subjective thing, other competitions can be different for sure but they are not all the same. I remember a Melda competition where all you were given to make the track was one kick sample.

This competition does it's own thing, the rules are what they are. I don't see them changing tbh, and most people seem to be ok with them as they are. (I don't make the rules btw, I just enter from time to time).

[neverbeeninariot]

No body does this in reality. It takes cpu overhead, confusing, and makes no difference. No one masters in the same mix file. I just don't get this

I do this all the time unless I'm compiling an album, only then will I import all the individual mixes to a new project and master them together. Having two projects for just one track is totally unnecessary imo, but maybe that's just me.

[loubaker]

I have no issue with rules. I believe these can be revised, simplified and improved.
I did a master competition few months a go. NO RULES. Here's the tracks. Save file as name or name-remix. Had +1500 entries. Easy, simple, popular. Cause it's what mixing/mastering artist want. The results were epic. Huge bad ass prizes to the top 3. And #1 selected went out as Master. Try telling Eminem to follow are rules and he'll make you famous for the wrong reason. Like fighting a war with half measures. Win a coffin. THANKS!

[loubaker]

No body does this in reality. It takes cpu overhead, confusing, and makes no difference. No one masters in the same mix file. I just don't get this

I do this all the time unless I'm compiling an album, only then will I import all the individual mixes to a new project and master them together. Having two projects for just one track is totally unnecessary imo, but maybe that's just me.

I'd only do this for scoring. I'd never put multiple tracks and master as a batch. Sure, we can. But, just cuz you can, does mean you should. . . Too each is own. You wouldn't master a studio album this way, especially from a console. Every song is different, sends, chains, gear, eq, plugins and more. Especially with today Atmos! I would never do all in one ever, except for 'per rules.'..

Good luck with that!

[neverbeeninariot]

I did a master competition few months a go. NO RULES. Here's the tracks. Save file as name or name-remix. Had +1500 entries. Easy, simple, popular. Cause it's what mixing/mastering artist want. The results were epic. Huge bad ass prizes to the top 3. And #1 selected went out as Master. Try telling Eminem to follow are rules and he'll make you famous for the wrong reason. Like fighting a war with half measures. Win a coffin. THANKS!

Except, this is meant to be a friendly competition for synth nerds, newbies and pros alike, not a heavily armed skirmish with Eminem. No one is here for the bad ass prizes, it's a bit of fun, a chance to learn a new synth, brush up on some skills, and get creative with what you're given. The results (the art) are still epic.

We all have to listen to, and score all the other tracks - can you imagine having to listen to 1500 tracks in 16 days? How many people were judging that mastering competition? Did they actually listen to all the entries? I mean, unless they had like 15 mastering engineers as judges, then at least that's only 100 tracks each to evaluate.

'who's this?'
'no idea'
<bin>
repeat.


I'm sure that never happened...

Anyways... As this comp is run by part-time volunteers, if you can put together a list of simplified rules that covers all the important stuff, and the edge cases, I'm sure plenty people would be interested to see it.

[loubaker]

Wasn't any real big firm. Just Mastering The MIx. Apparently they judged it.

[loubaker]

I did a master competition few months a go. NO RULES. Here's the tracks. Save file as name or name-remix. Had +1500 entries. Easy, simple, popular. Cause it's what mixing/mastering artist want. The results were epic. Huge bad ass prizes to the top 3. And #1 selected went out as Master. Try telling Eminem to follow are rules and he'll make you famous for the wrong reason. Like fighting a war with half measures. Win a coffin. THANKS!

Except, this is meant to be a friendly competition for synth nerds, newbies and pros alike, not a heavily armed skirmish with Eminem. No one is here for the bad ass prizes, it's a bit of fun, a chance to learn a new synth, brush up on some skills, and get creative with what you're given. The results (the art) are still epic.

We all have to listen to, and score all the other tracks - can you imagine having to listen to 1500 tracks in 16 days? How many people were judging that mastering competition? Did they actually listen to all the entries? I mean, unless they had like 15 mastering engineers as judges, then at least that's only 100 tracks each to evaluate.

'who's this?'
'no idea'
<bin>
repeat.


I'm sure that never happened...

Anyways... As this comp is run by part-time volunteers, if you can put together a list of simplified rules that covers all the important stuff, and the edge cases, I'm sure plenty people would be interested to see it.

[loubaker]

soundcloud.com/search?q=James%20Dupre%20-%20Another%20Love%20Song%20Contest%202024
Found 500+ tracks. The live final review on YouLube they said it was over 1400. . .
Took them over a month to announce the finalist. Crazy~

[MalToné]

My entry:

https://soundcloud.com/chavapoulos/malt ... ets-osc183

Here's a single instance ambient piece.

Audible Planets x 1 + Audible Planets built in effects

DAW: Ableton 10

Ableton Effects: EQ 8 x 1; Utility x 1

Third party plugins: Loudmax Free and Youlean Loudness Meter 2 Free