Music contest Round 2 on Freecords - sponsored by Novation

[Overtherainbow]

Hello once again, KVR lovers!

Quick update for those who missed Round 1.
Round 2 (out of 4) of the Freecords contest series is now live!

This one is a Music Contest, so it’s broader than the first round:
any genre, instrumental or vocal, as long as it’s an original work that hasn't been published before.
No AI generated content, no purchased beats. DAW stock sounds and your own recordings are fine.

Round 2 prize:
https://novationmusic.com/products/launchkey-49

Round 2.jpg

As with Round 1, a few things worth knowing:

- You keep 100 percent of your rights.
- Entries only appear on the contest leaderboard while the round is live.
- Community reactions matter, but also, everything is reviewed and validated.

The series is generously supported by Focusrite Group brands, but the idea is very much indie-first and community-driven - this is not a popularity contest.

If you’re up for a cookup or you’ve been meaning to finish a track anyway, you are very welcome to join!

Round 2 is open now: https://app.freecords.com/dashboard

Best of luck!

[Saffran]

"DAW stock sounds" ?
Does it mean 3'rd part instrument plugins isn't allowed. Maybe ok if they are free?
Does it mean 3'rd part effect plugins isn't allowed. Maybe ok if they are free?

[wagtunes]

I assume AI generated vocals (Because I can't sing since my accident) are not allowed either.

[Overtherainbow]

"DAW stock sounds" ?
Does it mean 3'rd part instrument plugins isn't allowed. Maybe ok if they are free?
Does it mean 3'rd part effect plugins isn't allowed. Maybe ok if they are free?

Hi! All 3rd-party plugins are allowed - effects or instruments.

[Overtherainbow]

I assume AI generated vocals (Because I can't sing since my accident) are not allowed either.

Unfortunately, nothing AI generated is allowed for the contest. However, Rounds 2 and 3 are MUSIC rounds in the very broadest terms. Vocals are not necessary.

[Opaque]

The series is generously supported by Focusrite Group brands, but the idea is very much indie-first and community-driven - this is not a popularity contest.

I don't know man, the contest page states that 90% of the judging criteria are community reactions - "Positive reactions on Freecords determine the bulk of the score" and the panel "ensures fairness and spotlights exceptional originality."
That does seem like the result will reflect the number of likes, with the panel stepping in if there's a draw basically.

[Overtherainbow]

I don't know man, the contest page states that 90% of the judging criteria are community reactions - "Positive reactions on Freecords determine the bulk of the score" and the panel "ensures fairness and spotlights exceptional originality."
That does seem like the result will reflect the number of likes, with the panel stepping in if there's a draw basically.

I am not going to explain the algorithm in too much detail to avoid abuse, but the rating is multi-factoral and we've arranged it in a way that, among many other nuances, each entry will be heard by roughly the same number of people on the platform. The algorithm is not perfect, if such a thing even exists, but we're improving it with each iteration.

For me personally, music contests were always a special treat as I got to finish some of my "forever shelved" works and also discovered some cool musical solutions under the pressure of a time limit. You don't have to join if you don't want to, of course, but it costs you nothing and you risk nothing. Also, "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take".

Cheers!

-Ed

[wagtunes]

Well, I'm trying to register but I can't. The register box at the bottom is disabled. I've filled in all the fields. The only thing I haven't done is uploaded a song because I haven't done it yet. So I don't know what to do at this point. Oh well, I tried. Good luck with the contest.

FYI. You need to make it fool proof for people to register. Obviously, it's not.

[Overtherainbow]

Well, I'm trying to register but I can't. The register box at the bottom is disabled. I've filled in all the fields. The only thing I haven't done is uploaded a song because I haven't done it yet. So I don't know what to do at this point. Oh well, I tried. Good luck with the contest.

FYI. You need to make it fool proof for people to register. Obviously, it's not.

Hi. Try uploading the song - that should help you join the contest!

- Ed

[wagtunes]

I uploaded the song. I'll see if I can join.

[wagtunes]

Okay, I registered and shared the post. Now what?

[wagtunes]

I used only the stock plugins that came with Cubase 14 for this. No 3rd party plugins of any kind. I wanted to challenge myself. I assume that stuff like Serum, Falcon, Zebra2, Falcon, etc. aren't allowed anyway.

[wagtunes]

Question: Do we have to listen to every single entry? There are dozens of them. There is no way I can possibly listen to all that music.

[Overtherainbow]

Question: Do we have to listen to every single entry? There are dozens of them. There is no way I can possibly listen to all that music.

You have to listen to just 3 random entries - that's it. Props on challenging yourself on the use of VSTs!

Thank you for joining and best of luck to you!

[wagtunes]

Question: Do we have to listen to every single entry? There are dozens of them. There is no way I can possibly listen to all that music.

You have to listen to just 3 random entries - that's it. Props on challenging yourself on the use of VSTs!

Thank you for joining and best of luck to you!

Okay, 3 tracks listened to and commented on. I am going to try to listen to a few more each day. There's some good stuff here. Some strange stuff too.