The "Overview of Submissions" PDFs have been uploaded.
You can check them through the
upper post (post #91).
The data sheet is used to give an overview of all entries, and whether or not they are within given parameters (loudness, sampling rate, bitrate). This is adding to the overall learning process of the "Mix(ing) Challenge". Please take note that creating this sheet is not a fully automated process. I am using Wavelab 10's "Batch Analysis" tool (EBU R-128 specs / equivalent to ITU-R BS.1770-4), but the overall layout and highlighting issues/mishaps, is time consuming. If you do not find yourself on this list, please let me know.
Please keep in mind, your mix being "tagged disqualified",
does not mean "you're out of the game" (exceptions do apply). For more information on the Statistic Sheet and the "Wild Card" Mechanic, please consult the following addendum thread:
Mix Challenge - Addendum: Statistic Sheet and Wild Card Mechanic
Statistics Addendum:
We have a disqualification rate of 25,00% for August 2022 (64 entries, 16 disqualifications, 2 "Out of Competition" submissions).
In comparison to previous months (detailed in spoiler tags):
► Show Spoiler
- June 2022 (13,95%, 43 entries, 6 disqualifications)
- April 2022 (25,42%, 59 entries, 15 disqualifications)
- February 2022 (22,37%, 76 entries, 17 disqualifications)
- December 2021 (15,71%, 70 entries, 11 disqualifications)
- November 2021 (27,14%, 70 entries, 19 disqualifications)
- October 2021 (15,91%, 44 entries, 7 disqualifications)
- September 2021 (24,00%, 75 entries, 18 disqualifications)
- August 2021 (20,45%, 44 entries, 9 disqualifications)
- July 2021 (20,34%, 59 entries, 12 disqualifications)
- June 2021 (26,09%, 46 entries, 12 disqualifications)
- May 2021 (21,21%, 66 entries, 14 disqualifications)
- April 2021 (24,59%, 61 entries, 15 disqualifications)
- March 2021 (25,64%, 39 entries, 10 disqualifications)
- February 2021 (35,06%, 77 entries, 27 disqualifications)
- December 2020 (21,33%, 75 entries, 16 disqualifications)
- November 2020 (31,15%, 61 entries, 19 disqualifications)
- October 2020 (33,70%, 92 entries, 31 disqualifications)
- September 2020 (31,91%, 47 entries, 15 disqualifications)
- August 2020 (28,57%, 35 entries, 10 disqualifications)
- July 2020 (40,37%, 109 entries, 44 disqualifications)
INFO: This list will be omitted by MC090 / February 2023
On average (21 months), we currently have a disqualification rate of 25,23% (compared to last month's 25,25% avg), the rate is on a slight decline. The disqualification rate over the course of the last 12 games (May 2021 to August 2022) is about 21,47%, and is on a slight increase.
A commentary on this month's entries:
It makes me happy to see new participants arriving every Mix(ing) Challenge. It is also great to see "old regulars" sticking their head in again ever so often. I hope you all had fun, and could learn something from this experience.
I'd like to address the elephant in the room however: paying attention to detail.
The most reasons to become "tagged disqualified" this month, were due to submitting a mix at the wrong sampling rate, closely followed by not adhering to the given loudness limits, and finally also a lack of technical documentation of at least one(!) sound you've enjoyed sculpting. The concept of this game is to learn from each other, interact. For newcomers even how to learn to properly document your edit in case of a needed session recall (yes, this is still a huge topic in the digital realm, especially since plugins are short-lived in comparison). So to those that got the information
"warning: insufficient technical documentation", please write more in a follow up game. To all others, I'm sorry, but a simple
"Thank you, I enjoyed working on the mix", and then move on, sadly doesn't cut it.
Unfortunately, we do have recurring entries that keep on ignoring given Rules and Guidelines for months. Maybe these participants should re-think their work ethics. Because even if you
are offered a "Wild Card" to get into the next Mix Round, and you do fix your entry as part of the mechanic... Will you change how you handle a mix in the future, or continue to gamble on another chance to advance?
And speaking of "paying attention to detail" - there is a filename template provided with every Mix(ing) Challenge. I saw plenty of participants either using the filename of the demo mix (which has been acceptable this month), or just straight up ignoring what has been written. In case for MC087, I only "tagged disqualified" one user regarding the filename template. because half of the filename was missing. I set one user to "tagged OUT", because the filename was literally just "MC087 Mix.wav" - nothing else used from the template, no forum username associated.
I have invested an extra day before posting, just to think about this recurring topic and how to address this. I have been very lenient so far. Up until this point, and for most of the last 1,5 years, I merely stated warnings to those that used a slightly altered version of the given template. But using this template
is important for two different reasons: first and foremost, finding the file on my HDD in case it was misplaced (which can happen - Windows is a bit of a diva sometimes), and using scripts while creating the Statistic Sheets to extract/remove certain data from CSV files. Second, and here I speak from real-world experience, a "wrongly named file" can result in some really angry communication after the fact.
I will post a follow-up to this as part of a
blog post (Q4/2022 Community Update). However, it is really imperative that you
use the provided filename template. Just copy and paste, add your username, done - it really is that simple. If you do not do that as of MC088 / October 2022, as in: the filenames do not match up until your username, your entry will be "tagged disqualified". Which in turn might result in your entry being outright ignored by a future Song Provider, who has more strict personal standards. So please don't put your entry at risk by ignoring this small detail.
Overall, the Song Provider (
@Los_ady) and I are very happy with the participation. We're also pleased to see some users stepping out of their shadows, and work on something that they usually do not work on. This is what the Mix(ing) Challenge is about - trying something new, and learn from the experience. We would have loved to see more than 70 entries (or even scratch the surface of 100 entries again). But this was quite the special challenge, and the Northern Hemisphere was also smitten by several heatwaves.
I hope you all had fun - and who knows what the next Mix(ing) Challenge will bring.
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Important to point out (a summary for all new participants):
► Show Spoiler
Unless your file couldn't be downloaded, has been re-uploaded/re-posted during the course of the main submission round, or can not be associated with your user account, having your entry being tagged as "disqualified"
does not mean that you're completely out of the game (yet). Should you be selected for Mix Round 2 by this month's "client" (Song Provider), you have the option to advance through the use of the
Wild Card Mechanic.
Please don't be frustrated but rather learn from the experience, find out what went wrong, and use your possible chance to fix this in a follow-up round. This is why the concept of the "Statistics Sheet" and "Wild Card mechanic" exists. It offers you an additional learning factor. Something you usually do not have the chance to outside of this community's monthly competition.
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I now (re-)open the field for everyone to give each other feedback (highly encouraged). This will be independent to the client feedback however. Though please note - criticism on the rule set and angry posts will be deleted without further notice.
Please watch this spot for the client feedback and Mix Round 2 participant announcement.
This will ideally happen sometime within the next 14 days (starting tomorrow).
