CURRENT CHALLENGE - GENERAL INFORMATION
Time Frame: Tuesday, 01st August 2017 to Monday, 21st August 2017 (21 days)
Challenge submission will end on 21-08-2017, 11:59pm CEST/GMT+1 (Germany) - until further notice.
Want to find out if you're still within the deadline, please consult the following options:
The (new)
Global Countdown on it's dedicated page or the countdown on the
home page. You can also consult the World Clock at the top of the forum or alternatively the following tool - in this case please select "Berlin (Germany)" as location 1, and your location as location 2:
Time and Date - World Clock Meeting Planner. We do post reminders via our
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Song Provider: OctopusOnFire
Song Name and Length: Believe, 6:25min
Song Information: 92 bpm / Signature: 4/4, Key of C minor
File Format: WAV, 44kHz, 24bit
GENRE: Industrial Metal (or: Alternative Metal/Grunge)
Preview of the Song:
Old Version:
[mediares=560,50]
https://soundcloud.com/octopusonfire-1/believe[/mediares]
A word from the song provider:
OctopusOnFire wrote:This one is a personal project that I started while toying around with some new VSTI.
I wanted to combine synths and distorted guitars, make them work together in a song that sounds punchy and in your face, but spacious, big and wide, "larger than life" as they say. I think that'd be the main challenge for this mix, to fit all those elements in their right place, and use them throughout the song to keep it interesting.
The song has two parts, the main one and a final part with female vocals on it. The main one is meant to be heavier, more in your face and punchy, while the final part should be more open, kind of uplifting, and definitely synth driven. The guitars should still be present, but in a second plane.
Now, for the "feel" of the song, the theme is faith, so you can picture it like this: The verses/pre-chorus should sound gloomy like purgatory, the chorus should sound big and solemn like an old-fashion mass, and the final part should sound like heaven.
That's about the general mix, now some elements:
The main vocals are not tuned. Feel free to tune and even modulate them moderately. Make it blend with the supporting vocal tracks.
Bass and Guitar DI tracks are provided, along with amped tracks in the case of the guitars. Choose whatever fits your mix best, just keep the
rough mix in mind when going for an amp or a distortion pedal.
The original synth tracks had most of their reverb removed since it was adding up in the mix. It's up to you to use reverb, delay or otherwise to give them the right space.
Generally, be creative and have fun experimenting with it. I think the layout of the song allows for it. Just keep the arrangement as it is. You can press the mute button here and there, but I'd rather go for automation instead.
Good luck to all!
Simon
A few words by the Mix Challenge staff:
Staff (Mister Fox) wrote:This production is a very interesting one. Not only because of the song's message (which can be taken from various angles!), but also because of the vocal work and various voice snippets. The first time I listened to this track, I was instantly reminded of bands like
"Alice in Chains", with a heavy 90s Grunge/Alternative vibe. The synth additions, and how the vocals are produced, do have a heavy touch of "Nine Inch Nails" however (see album "The Fragile" from 1999)
Guitar wise, I do recommend to maybe toy around with modulation delays and perhaps doubling the already doubled tracks to create an even bigger "wall of sound". The bass could definitely see some crunch as well.
Vocal wise, don't be shy to use a compressor - this production screams for heavy use (IMO). On that behalf, maybe also toy around with the concept of being in a "purgatory" (hint: band passed vocals, added distortion!).
Maybe even use a slightly over-driven mix console and a tape machine in 15ips, which was used on purpose in the 90ies for Grunge (example - documentary: Classic Albums "Nirvana - Nevermind").
So many possibilities - the limit is your own creativity!
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 (and should) be used if you need more flexibility over a certain sound (if present in this production)
- No rearrangement of the song structure, with the exception of the following add-on rules
- PRODUCTION RELATED: currently no add-on rules
- summing bus processing is allowed, as long as the dynamic range (average signal strength to maximum signal strength) doesn't suffer - use of this method is artistically!
- try to not(!) pre-master the track (please no overuse of mix bus treatment, no loudness adjustments / limiting)
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Source Files:
Main Mix Package - Mirror on the Mix Challenge Homepage (1511,56 MB, LZMA compressed)
The provided files were packed as ZIP with LZMA compression.
File size extracted: 4975,76 MB, packed 1511,56 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.
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.com
Ghostwave Audio (Vincent Bastiat) 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/
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 / Graphic Designer, 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 Summer 2017)
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.
Please spread the word of the challenge on social media.
For example with our dedicated
Twitter Account or
Facebook Page
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Good luck to all participants.
And most importantly, have fun!
