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SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC027 November 2019 - Winners announced

Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2019 22:30 CET
by Mister Fox
Hello and welcome to the Songwriting Competition 27 - November 2019


This is the introduction post, where we directly link to the challenge corresponding files (theme, submission information, sponsors) and start of the voting process. There will be no Round 2



Please take note of the following
  • IMPORTANT: please use the following naming convention for your productions: SWC000_ArtistName_TrackName.wav/mp3 (artist name should be the same as the forum username)
  • If you only post a SoundCloud link, please name the file properly before uploading and make your song downloadable

Also please take note of the following
  • If you have an idea for future Songwriting Competition themes and/or genres, please post them here.
  • Social Media accounts can be found via the handles @MixChallenge (Twitter) and MixChallenge (Facebook). Please spread the word!
  • if you like what the Mix Challenge (community) has been doing in recent months, please consider supporting us.



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 and Sponsors
Cheat Sheet: A couple of examples / audio demos for this month's challenge (usually not available if genre is "Free to Select")
Voting: Summarized entries and start of voting process
Results of the Songwriting Competition: Results of the Songwriting Competition

Re: SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC027 November 2019 - Submissions until 24-11-2019 11:59pm GMT+1/CET

Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2019 23:03 CET
by Mister Fox
CURRENT CHALLENGE - GENERAL INFORMATION

Time Frame: Friday, 01st November 2019 to Sunday, 24th November 2019 (24 days)

Challenge submission will end on 24-11-2019, 11:59pm CET/GMT+1 (Germany) - until further notice.

Want to find out if you're still within the deadline, please consult the following options:
The 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 Twitter account and Facebook page.



SONGWRITING THEME: Symphony of Guitars

GENRE: Symphonic Metal

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Image Source: Pixabay, photo by StockSnap, released under Creative Commons CC0


A few word about this month's theme:
Staff (Mister Fox) wrote:It is #MetalNovember !

We've had "Heavy Metal" songwriting games before, but we've never really locked in a specific genre. So why not dip a toe into "Symphonic Metal"? Which, IMO, is a great blend of either Power or Speed Metal, but with Folk/Orchestra/Opera elements. Which route you go, is up to you.



Your task for this Songwriting Competition:
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This month, you can create a production in the "Symphonic Metal" genre.


What I'd like to see here, is a focus on the "Symphonic" side of metal. That means, more melody and harmony lines, strings (either real ones or from a synthesizer), maybe even powerful vocals on top of everything (yes, those vocals can be growls/screams, or regular singing).

What I do not want to see here, is going experimental. Like "Avant-garde Metal" or "Industrial" metal. Like with every musical genre, certain lines are super thin. Some "Symphonic" content could be interpreted as "Progressive", while Power Metal with Speed Metal elements could just be considered "Speed Metal". Find your own rhythm... either let it sound like a big opera, but with guitars, or more upbeat in general.


I highly suggest taking a closer look at the cheat sheet - like usual.

Please have fun - I'm looking forward to your entries. :phones:




IMPORTANT BONUS INFORMATION:

With this SWC, I'd like to introduce a new game mechanic - "additional bonus points". If you meet specific tasks at the end of the game, you get additional points to your overall score. These points can (in some cases) decide a certain position at the end of the global score sheet.

The main idea behind these bonus points, is to raise the quality of the game a bit, push the interaction. As of this moment, there are only two (number: 2) extra points to be made. One for proper documentation of your production (1 pts), meaning: listing what instruments you used, what your idea behind the production was and even vocals. And an additional one for giving more detailed feedback (1 pts), think: I like this section, however you could maybe try this/that or focus on this/that instrument, etc.

In the future, there might be more bonus points to collect - depending on how well this new mechanic is received. However, two points are already a good start, which can already drastically influence the final score.

Songwriting Add-On Rules:
  • Create a production in the "Symphonic Metal" genre
  • you can use any tool that is at your disposal (samples, virtual instruments and/or real instruments)
  • IMPORTANT: if you use non-licensed material (no material from sample CDs, etc), give full credit to the source material
  • It is recommended to not go higher than -14LUFS SLk (avg) or K-12v1 (avg) in terms of perceived loudness. Music doesn't have to be squashed to bits in order to be impactful
  • for newcomers: no cover versions or remixes

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Please take note of the official rules - they can be found at the following thread:
Songwriting Competition - Official Rules and Guidelines

Please address any OT question in the official Gossip thread:
Songwriting Competition - Gossip and Discussion

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SPONSORS (Prizes):

Prizes for Songwriting Challenge 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.


RECURRING LICENSE SPONSORSHIP:

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IK Multimedia is kind enough give away one license of MODO BASS to the winner
License will turn into NFR
More info on IK Multimedia: https://www.ikmultimedia.com


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Tone2 is kind enough to donate a license of Saurus2 to the winner (until further notice)
License will turn into NFR
More info on Tone2: https://tone2.com


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kv331 audio is kind enough give away a bundle of either SynthMaster 1+2 Bundle, or a freely selectable set of 3 SynthMaster Expansions
License will not turn into NFR, you need to have a kv311 audio user account in order to pick up Expansions
More info on kv331 audio: https://www.kv331audio.com


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JRR Sounds is kind enough give away any-1 sound sets or sample set of winner's choice (exception: Bundles)
More info on JRR Sounds: https://www.jrrshop.com/jrr-sounds


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Luftrum is kind enough give away either a license of Lunaris, or any 2 sound sets of winner's choice (exception: Bundles and Nano Electronics)
License will turn into NFR
More info on Luftrum: http://www.luftrum.com


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Rekkerd Sounds is kind enough give away 1 sound set of winners choice (exception: Krezie EDM and Neurofunk Vol. 1)
License will turn into NFR
More info on Rekkerd Sounds: http://sounds.rekkerd.org/


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Ghostwave Audio (Vincent Bastiat) is kind enough to donate any 2 sound sets to the winner
License will turn into NFR
More info on Ghostwave Audio: http://ghostwaveaudio.com


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Hollow Sun is kind to donate one license of "Music Laboratory Machines - The Suite I" to the winner
License will turn into NFR
More info on Hollow Sun: http://www.hollowsun.com


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Hornet Plugins is kind enough give away one license from the depicted tools (see image) to the winner
License will turn into NFR
More info on Hornet Plugins: http://www.hornetplugins.com


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Sound / Graphic Designer, and honorary 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/





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 instruments, samples and sound sets), 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!

Re: SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC027 November 2019 - Submissions until 24-11-2019 11:59pm GMT+1/CET

Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2019 23:33 CET
by Mister Fox
AUDIO EXAMPLES:
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The infamous yet highly educational MAP OF METAL
https://mapofmetal.com/

Wikipedia entry on "Symphonic Metal"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphonic_metal



Random hand selected videos (Youtube)

X-Japan - Art of Life (1993)
Sonata Arctica - Respect the wilderness (2001)
Nightwish - Ghost Love Score (2004)
Katra - Beast Within
Epica - Design your Universe (2009)
XANDRIA - Valentine (2012)
Dethklok - Galaxy (2012, technically Death Metal, which turned more and more into Symphonic Death Metal)
Dethklok - Morte Lumina (2013, the Death Metal-turned-Opera answer to the 2012 album)
KAMELOT - My Confession ft. Eklipse (2013)
A Sound of Thunder - Elijah (2014, technically Power Metal)


More to come...



Don't have a specific instrument at your disposal?

Guitars:
Musiclab - the RealGuitar series. 30 day unrestricted demos

Re: SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC027 November 2019 - Submissions until 24-11-2019 11:59pm GMT+1/CET

Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2019 14:07 CET
by TrojakEW
For free guitar you can also check this post on KVR. I have not used but it sounds good.
Best FREE Multisampled EGuitar, Metal Guitar & EBass from Japanese Website

Re: SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC027 November 2019 - Submissions until 24-11-2019 11:59pm GMT+1/CET

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 23:28 CET
by becsei_gyorgy
Hi Folks!

I am an absolute beginner hobbyist and completely new to this forum, and I am very happy that I found this site.
This song is my second composition in my life, which is longer than 8 bars :-) (the first one I created last month for the "8dio Score this..." contest).

I hope fits in the genre and doesn't sound too bad.
I created this song this saturday, and I used only headphones, sorry for the potentially bad mix.

I have read the rules, but if I did something wrong, please message me or correct it.

My files:
SWC027_becsei_gyorgy_Fall of Themyscira.mp3
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CPwD96 ... QkI72/view

SWC027_becsei_gyorgy_Fall of Themyscira.wav
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e1NL36 ... UfBQ6/view


user: becsei_gyorgy

DAW:
Reaper

Instruments:
Addictive Drums 2
Kontakt -->
The Giant
Shreddage 3 Jupiter
Shreddage 3 Abyss
Albion One
Zero-G Ethera Evi 2.0
Metropolis Ark 1
Oceania
Tina Guo Cello

Effects:
TR5 White 2A
TR5 Black 76
Blackhole
Fabfilter Pro-Q3
bx_subsynth
R-vox
Valhalla Vintage Verb
Ozone 8 Standard

Re: SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC027 November 2019 - Submissions until 24-11-2019 11:59pm GMT+1/CET

Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2019 04:39 CET
by Mister Fox
A friendly reminder:
Including today, 14 days left to submit your production.


A very warm welcome to all new faces to the forum and especially the Songwriting Competition. Good luck, and please continue to spread the word. The more participants, the more fun!

Re: SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC027 November 2019 - Submissions until 24-11-2019 11:59pm GMT+1/CET

Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 02:11 CET
by Mister Fox
A friendly reminder:
Including today, 7 days left to submit your production.


So far, we have one entry. Would love to see more than 10 this month. :phones:

Re: SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC027 November 2019 - Submissions until 24-11-2019 11:59pm GMT+1/CET

Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 09:14 CET
by TrojakEW

This is my entry for this round. Intro is bit longer and guitar less but after that it is mostly guitar work. It is just my 6th track using el guitar so I still do not know what I'm doing :oops: .

Made using FL Studio 20.0.5
Instruments used:
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1x TBT Heavier7Strings
1x NI Scarbee Rickenbacker Bass
layered for rhythm guitar chugs

1x OTS Evolution Infinity - used for lead guitar

1x Projectsam Symphobia 1 - Staccato String, Staccato Trombones
1x 8Dio Lacrimosa - Staccato
another layered instrument

1x Projectsam Symphobia 3 - Sordino Strings
1x OT Metropolis Ark 2 - Women Choir Sustains
and again another leayer used in intro

1x Projectsam Symphobia 3 - Soprano Voice
1x OT Metropolis Ark 2 - Women Choir Legato
additional layer also used in intro

1x NI Studio Drummer
1x OT Metropolis Ark 1 - Spiccato Strings Octaved
1x Heavyocity Damage - Studio Toms Mallet
1x Heavyocity Damage - Studio Roto Toms
1x NI Rise&Hit - just small riser at the end of intro
1x 8Dio Hybrid Tools 2 - Defcon Hit - hit at the end of the track
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Used Effects:
1x Izotope Ozone 9 Advanced
5x Izotope Neutron 3 Advanced
1x Izotope Neutron 3 Equalizer
1x Izotope Neutron 3 Compressor
1x Izotope Neutron 3 Equalizer
1x Noveltech Vocal Enhancer
1x Fruity parametric EQ 2
1x Fruity peak controller
1x Imageline Maximus
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics:
Max momentary loudness -9,89 LUFS
Max short-tem loudness -11,73 LUFS
Integrated loudness -14,03 LUFS
Loudnes range 9,78 LU
True peak L -1.01dB
True peak R -1.01dB
DC offset L 0 (-124.9dB)
DC offset R 0 (-122.1dB)

Re: SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC027 November 2019 - Submissions until 24-11-2019 11:59pm GMT+1/CET

Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 04:56 CET
by Mister Fox
A friendly reminder:
We're in the final 24 hours to submit your production.


So far, we have 2 entries. If you've been sitting on the fence up until this point, please submit your production now.
(...and please show me that my monthly work for premises and promo hasn't been in vain)

Re: SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC027 November 2019 - Submissions until 24-11-2019 11:59pm GMT+1/CET

Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 06:05 CET
by gruskada
Here's my submission, "Transclusion". The term is a rarely-used computer science term that just means to take content from some place and move it to another with code (most of my songs are named after computer-related terms). The song is roughly inspired by the tough time I had after my parents and I moved to a different state when i was younger. I chose this as a subject after reading the Wikipedia article on how some symphonic metal has a very cinematic feel. The move brought out a lot of emotions in me (anxiety, dread, anticipation, anger, etc.), and I figured it would lend itself well to a cinematic feel.

I also listened to all the example tracks, and a Spotify symphonic metal playlist for inspiration.



Details:
Structure: Intro - A - Bridge(?) - B - Guitar Solo - C - Guitar Solo - A/B combined - Quick Outro

42 CPU/RAM-melting tracks :-)
- Lead Guitars:
OTS Dracus (recorded w/ MIDI pickup on my guitar) (A sections and guitar solos)
Shreddage II IBZ (recorded w/ MIDI keyboard) (B section)
Softube Acoustic Feedback (after 2nd guitar solo)
NI Guitar Rig 5 (for some Dracus and Shreddage "DI" tracks)

- Ryth. Guitars:
UJAM Iron (intro uses reversed audio from this plugin as well)
UJAM Carbon (free trial)
Shreddage II IBZ (recorded w/ MIDI keyboard)
NI Strummed Acoustic (1st Bridge section)

- Choirs / Vocal samples:
Soundiron Requiem Light Choir (throughout)
Fluffy Audio Haunted Choir (free) (1st A section)
Mimi Page Light and Shadow (1st A section)

- Bass:
Ample Bass P Lite II (free)
NI Guitar Rig 5 (Ample Bass "DI" run through a heavy Bass Amp setting on B section)

- Orchestral
EastWest Symphonic Orchestra
Trumpets (1st A section)
Trombones (1st A section)
Wagner Tuben (after 2nd guitar solo)
Violins (throughout, Penderecki-style FX on 2nd guitar solo)
Violas (1st Bridge ostinato and middle section)
Double Bass (throughout)

- Percussion
EastWest Storm Drum 2 (intro hit, big hits throughout, epic-style percussion, and Black Kit for rock drums)
EastWest Hollywood Percussion Cymbals (throughout)

- Effects
epicVerb Reverb (free)
Valhalla Room Reverb (choirs after 1st guitar solo - should have probably just used this everywhere...)
Eventide SP2016 Reverb
NI Supercharger Compressor (Drums and automated on Violins)
Izotope Neutron 2 (some tracks - mostly for tracks w/ colliding frequencies)

- Mix Bus:
Softube Saturation (free)
Izotope Ozone 8 (Exciter, Maximizer, Limiter)
Voxengo SPAN (free) (for spectrum analysis and LUFS monitoring)

- Post:
Izotope RX7 (audio quality checks, some click removal (Definitely maxing out my RAM, though I'm not sure this is the reason why. The EastWest Play engine eats up RAM like crazy...))