SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC089 January 2025 - Winners announced

[EsteveCorbera]

Good night,

As always, thanks to everyone for participating and thanks to Mister Fox for organizing this competition.

Interesting things: This month is much more difficult than usual, but at the same time it is also more satisfying. It is difficult because you have to design most of the sounds and compose something decent with them. Satisfying when you have fought with the samples and you get what you had in mind.
This month I learned to manipulate the samples at a temporal level, extending them to achieve things very different from the original. I am especially satisfied with the pads I have achieved. They are cool, they have life and movement.

Congratulations on the good songs you have presented this month and the sound design work we have all done together.

Thank you.

I leave you comments on your works:

reaby – Test
Great discovery. Very good work. Very marching theme, while listening to it for the first time I couldn't stop moving. Good treatment of the samples to achieve an impeccable sound. Very good.
I also think it's a good job in terms of the mix.
As for something to improve or change, you could have developed the melodic part more, making more changes, not just raising the notes of the sequence that ends up becoming a bit repetitive. But the rest, like the variations you introduce into the structure of the song, are very good.
Very good idea to add an explanatory video. Too bad I don't speak English very well, because I find it very interesting.

Marius L – Hidden Grounds
Experimental song. Difficult at first listen. Good treatment of the samples. Some are easy to recognize (which doesn't mean it's bad) and others not so much.
The sound design stands out, quite well done.
I miss a more melodic part, but that doesn't take away from your song, which I think you wanted to make a less conventional one.
In short, a good job in terms of sound design.

JeroenZuiderwijk – A New Beginning
Also quite experimental entry. It's a bit hard for me to get into your song. I also miss a more melodic part.
The sounds are very hard, even aggressive. Maybe you also abuse the stereo too much, you've separated some sounds too much and with headphones they get a little tiring.

Mellow Browne – R&B Era
Very sound designs. It's good because I recognize some of the samples. I like the sound that seems like a small sweep and that accompanies three notes that are constantly repeated (I can't describe it better so you know the sound I'm referring to). But it's cool.
In terms of song it's also quite experimental. I like the sounds you've achieved and the sound design you've done. Combined with a very good mix that creates a lot of sound spaces. Bravo.

J.Ruegg – The Prism 2
Very cinematic sound design. I feel like I'm in a movie. I really like it.
I'm crazy that you achieved all the sounds with the white noise sample. Another contestant did it a few years ago. I wish I knew how to do it. Personally, I tried but I can't get it. Thanks for the explanations you give of how you worked on this sound.
I have nothing to say to improve your theme. For me it's perfect.

Vanilla Puff – Energizer
Good combination of sounds that form the different rhythms, both the bass, the percussion, and the sequence of notes. The change of rhythm you make in the final section is very original.
The sounds are also very well worked on. With a fairly limited amount of samples you have achieved a great variation. Thanks for the explanation of the sound treatment you have done. There are moments that I get lost in but it's very good.

ThomC_When Life Starts Fires
The only sung entry. Just a comment in this regard, the voice distracts from the real challenge of this one, which is the sound design. I tried to listen to the song in two ways, one in its entirety and another trying to listen to the sounds to discover the work of manipulating the samples. I like the pads and the final part where you add new, more original sounds.

i-dont-like-mixing – quiproquo
Another interesting experiment. Where some samples are recognized and other more worked sounds are enjoyed. At a listening level it becomes difficult because it is a very unconventional production.
In terms of improvement, I would tell you not to abuse the panorama, with headphones it sounds very forced.

Hincore – Fuxx
We have to listen to your song from a different perspective. In the other entries I tried to focus on the sounds used, in your case this does not apply.
Good track, perfect to present another month, where the rules allow for the use of 'real' sounds.
I like the rhythms of the drums and the bass.
In terms of mixing I would say that the wind section of the orchestra, from my point of view (or according to my taste) sounds too far away. It seems like the orchestra is in another space.

(translated with google, sorry for the imperfections that the translation may contain)

► Show Spoiler

01 J.Ruegg – The Prism 2
02 reaby – Test
03 JeroenZuiderwijk – A New Beginning
04 Marius L – Hidden Grounds
05 Mellow Browne – R&B Era

[Marius L]

Many thanks everyone for participating and for the feedback and also many thanks to Mister Fox for everything he’s done around here. I enjoyed participating to this competition and learned a lot more than I expected. Not just by making my track for this competition but also listening to the other tracks here. Being a contest so open to any genre and hearing so many ways to put those samples in such good works makes it a bit difficult to cast a vote because I like the way each and everyone used those samples and what they created with them as compositions.
For my track I had more ideas but because it happened that I am working on some other projects right now I didn’t have enough time to develop my ideas. In the feedback it was said that it would have been nice to have a melody line in my track. The original idea was also with a melody in my track but I had to just let it how it is than not participating at all thinking that it’s not finished yet. Interesting thing is that I had to take out some elements from my track because of some technical issues and not enough time to solve them.
That being said here is my feedback.

reaby - Test
Nice use of samples to make a driving track. The production is nice done and sounds good to me. I like the melodic line but for my taste I would have made some changes here and there to tell more “words” so to speak - like having some verses and the main melody line as a chorus. Of course with limited samples hard to do whatever you’d like.
I also like the chord progressions and the atmospheric sounds.


Esteve Corbera - Sequencies Estirades
I like this unexpected use of samples with those rhythmic elements and the choiry pads. The fact that it tells a story is a plus for me. I enjoy the bassline and the playful melody. It’s interesting how many ideas can emerge from such a limited bunch of samples. Makes me also think to use the tools from Reason much more and not just those I use more regularly.


Jeroen Zuiderwijk - A New Beginning
I like this Electronic track with its experimental flavor. The rhythm is very moving and makes you dance to it. The stereo delayed melody is quite engaging. I like that. In generally I like some music in which you don’t know what to expect next, and this track although I listened to it a few times keeps the interest fresh when some little elements appear and makes the track move forward. I liked the pitched percussion part.


Mellow Browne - R&B Era
I was curious what kind of track this will be considering its title and because I like RnB music. I like the rhythm in this track and also the bassline and how it kicks in. The slide in the bass and its timing is hot too. And the crazy drums and percussion. Very creative use of the samples. I like the fact that although it uses a lot of elements it is not overwhelming to your ears. The more I listen to it I like it more.


J. Ruegg - The Prism 2
Very good cinematic track. I can imagine some scenes where it can fit. I like the rhythmic elements and their intricacies and how they appear and disappear. The melodic parts are contributing a lot to this very nice soundtrack. The sound design is very good. I like the composition the more I listen to it. Very interesting to know that all was made just from the white noise sample.


Vanilla Puff - Energizer
Very interesting space intro in this track. Then I like the crazy rhythm. The use of the given samples made it such an organic beat. I can imagine it like a live act because I watched some crazy techno made with all sort of domestic stuff. I can see this track in a club and people dance to it. Fun to listen to it. Did I mention that I like the use of reverb in this production? Interesting to know that the process of making the hats was so elaborate.


ThomC - When Life Starts Fires
I like the song as it reminds me a bit of Enigma. it creates a sweet atmosphere and I had to be attentive more to the instrumental than the voice to have an impression of the samples used for sound design. I like the fact that from those samples such a track could be made with melodic and harmonic elements. I like the pads like they are humming. The rhythm is also good and everything makes it a very good composition. I also like how the instruments sit in their own place in the stereo field.


Hard to make an objective rank of votes because I was more attentive to my preferences in music and what it transmits. So the production skills or the composition styles were a bit in the background for me when voting. So here it is:

► Show Spoiler

1. Mellow Browne
2. J. Ruegg
3. Esteve Corbera
4. Vanilla Puff
5. Jeroen Zuiderwijk

[J.Ruegg]

My feedback it was very interesting to hear so many different approaches with the provided samples.

Marius L – Hidden Grounds

Strong start with the big sounds. And then the intricate rythm patterns sound really cool, I really enjoyed the sounds you crafted here, and it shows a careful attention to detail. Structure wise it feels like the track is building tension (with some sounds pitching up a bit) that never gets released, I was left in suspense.

reaby - Test

Woah, that was a nice start, great sounds overall and everything works nicely together, melodically I feel there was more potential and more interesting things to do with the main melody line melodically and soundwise. But for what it is it works well too and I enjoyed it very much.

Esteve Corbera - Sequencies Estirades

What standed the most to me from your piece were the FXs and little transition effects you made, that really helps to keep it flowing. Overall an interesting combination of sounds, mixwise I have some problems hearing all the elements. For example I feel there is a bass somewhere there but can't distinguish it completely specially in the main part, also feels like it jumps a bit too much between notes, maybe having it more steady on the notes would make it sound better with the other melodic sounds.

Jeroen Zuiderwijk - A New Beginning

At first listen all the sounds feel a bit too harsh, percussion also feels too robotic and plain (depending on the style of music you were aiming for this could be desirable...), just as an idea, the snare hitting exactly the same all the time becomes boring after a while, having the fast hits in between being less intense or maybe even low passed or shorter can add more life to it.
Something that it feels a bit weak too is in the melody aspect, the bass seems a bit out of tune for some parts.
Overall, using the samples in a creative way is interesting, but there is still space to improve and make it all work in a more coherent way.

Mellow Browne - R&B Era

You got a nice groove going on with the sounds you used. Still it left me expecting something more, like a big chorus coming soon. Also, having more contrast between parts would help the piece a lot imo, just a change in the drum pattern for example, or slowing down the hi-hats to halftime can add to it.

Vanilla Puff - Energizer

Fantastic job on the percussion and bass sounds!, mix wise I feel the drums could stand out a little bit more but generally it shows a lot of work on designing them, And the bass sounds also are superb. The slowdown into the second drop feels a bit rushed tho, but the change in groove was cool too. I think some improvements could be made mixwise, and also maybe adding some little ear candy here and there would make it even better.

ThomC - When Life Starts Fires

As a whole the song works on me, the singing is good and keeps the track together. Just the percussion seems a bit off specially the hi-hat kind of sound seems a bit too bright and static, adding little variations to the sounds can add a lot to it.

My votes

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1. Vanilla Puff
2. Marius L
3. reaby
4. ThomC
5. Mellow Browne

Self-Reflection

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It was a while since I finished/published some music, so I am really happy I got a submission.
I was running out of time as I had other projects to do this month, and what I ended up submiting was a bit rushed regarding the arrangement as I spent most of the time designing sounds and polishing them. There are parts that I wanted to explore more as I feel they had more potential.
I always felt like my strong point was sound design, but harmony/melody and arrangement I still struggle, and with this I felt the same, but slowly I'm becoming more confident with the results I get.
Something really interesting that I will probably keep using are the XY effect container, which I explored for the first time this month. I would load 4 different effect sequences and then with the XY pad navigate between them to find interesting little accidents. It's a great way to try easily many combinations of effects, specially if its effects that produce a "pattern".

Good luck everyone!.

[JeroenZuiderwijk]

Hi all,

Again, this was fun. i almost didn't make it for the deadline to upload something I was happy with but I am glad I did. I don't regret discarding my first draft. It may have sounded more smooth, more 'easy listnening' but it just did not gave me a prober smile to my face. It was... 'acceptable' but not totaly my thing. The upload I finaly made is raw, unpolished, with not much structure and the sounds are gritty and even sometimes harsh. But I still liked it better because it was a moment of creativity....not thinking too hard about how it should sound....just letting it happen.

With the community scramble it is possible to manipulate the samples in such a way that you can't even tell it was generated with a sample and could have easily been just another preset on a synth. That is impressive and I have not enough experience to create sounds like that. On the other hand I think it is actually interesting to hear some of the samples in the arrangement....because that could also be challenging to make a song with just the samples the way they are provided. Maybe something for another challenge in the future?

Anyway, thanks again Mr Fox for organizing this challenge / competition. I know it is a competition but I mainly see it as a challenge...to challenge myself to make music.

Here is my feedback:

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Reaby:
The sounds are amazing...don't know how you did his. Also the little details...the vibrato at the end of the organ chords to name something. The dynamics between the uptempo and downtempo part gives lots of energy. The production and the mix are great. My compliments

Marius:
Very cool atmosphere, with the sound effects you have created. The build up with the percussion works very good. I like this because somehow the soundscapefeel is what i expect when using samples in a creative way....I can hear the experimentation with the samples.

EsteveCorbera:
The pluck synth sound reminds me of one of my favorite synths: Triple Cheese. Great job! There is not much happening in terms of chord variation, that would have kept me more focussed on the song. But the mix sounds very good so that helps a lot to keep it interesting.

Mellow Browne:
Sounds a bit weird...exactly why i like this song. it has got groove and the repitive sounds are kinda hypnotic. it souncs really experimental and you did a great job of molding it into something listenable.

J. Ruegg:
This would fit in one of the synthesizer greates albums form the eighties. With some experimental twist hier and there. The rythm section could be a bit louder in my opinion for some extra energy in the song. i really like the sounds you have created

Vanilla Puff:
One of my favorites this month. The vibe and groove is very cool. It sounds original and would do great on the dancefloor.

ThomC:
I like the basic structure of the song with well chosen sounds. i do think the vocals are a bit too loud in the mix and the beat could use more impact.

I don't like mixing:
This is a great soundscape composition. it feels like it is building up to something but never gets there. Overall, very cool sounds and creative way of using the samples. I enjoyed listening to this track.

Hincore:
Nice funky song. Very relaxing vibe. The mix also sounds good. And what a great energy when the brass comes in. Feels a bit like an 70's disco record.

And for my top 5:

► Show Spoiler

1. Vanilla Puff
2. Reaby
3. Mellow Browne
4. Marius
5. J. Ruegg

Cheers,

Jeroen

[Vanilla Puff]

Feedback:

► Show Spoiler

reaby - test_v5
Love the intro. Wasn't expecting where it was going. I actually thought it was going to open up more in terms of more modern day sound by first verse at 0:29. At first listening session I was very let down at that point, not because it wasn't sounding modern, but that you created a very unique moment and opportunity with the listener (me in this case), and it somehow got blurred out, washed. Everything changed again at 0:58 where I was convinced, at this point, it is going to be a psytrance. I was so hyped when I heard it. Of course you would want more beef in that bass line, but could have worked out great I think. At 1:05 the bells come back on and now it is just too repetitive. After second listen, and more thoughts I think I understand where you were going with this track. I love to hear that you somewhat fixed the mix comparing to v3, since it was too harsh in general, but still, the bells are too repetitive. Since they are harsh and repeat many times it quickly introduces fatigue while listening. I think you did great in this months challenge and improved in many areas. My advice would be not to be afraid to just play like in a sandbox and get fixated on things. You might find that one idea removed, leads to many more created.

Marius L - Hidden Grounds

Sound design is very modern. Instantly reminded me of some Omnisphere libraries. Job well done. However, I felt that more work have could have been done to placement of sounds. Some traveling through space. Some parts, like 2:32 felt that need more emphasis (maybe adding more low end). Don't have much more to say, than was really impressed in general.

EsteveCorbera - Sequencies Estirades
I think you have many ideas, but don't know how to realize them that satisfies completely. I will say it shortly and simply, hoping this would help you on your journey.
Minecraft music. Listen to it. Beethoven. What they have in common? I think it is what you're looking for. The sentence, idea and fulfillment of them.
Might sound like schizophrenia, I swear it isn't. I'd rather give you space to think in rather giving straight answer in this matter.
Hope that lightbulb clicks in mind.

J.Ruegg - The Prism 2
Bravissimo. I would love to hear 1:45 part a bit longer. There is nothing to say more. Reminded me playing Far Cry as a little kid. Great vibes, great sound design. The cherry on top would be superb mix.

ThomC - When Life Starts Fires
Better sound design on drums and better mix and you got top vote from me. My personal opinion of vocals being recorded close and then placed far is that is completely not convincing. You could explore that.

Vote:

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1. J.Ruegg
2. ThomC
3. Marius L
4. EsteveCorbera
5. reaby

Personal growth:

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There is such a thing - relentlessness in determination or known as bias. I'm glad that I've zoned it out and recognized it early in my works. Sometimes it is hard to let go of things you have done and delete them, blast them in to the abyss. However, I haven't found a single more convincing way of generating better Ideas and move forward. We might get stuck on things and getting unstuck can be the hardest part. I wish luck to all and me as well, to get unstuck and be able to move forward with a light heart and spirit.

[Mellow Browne]

Hello everybody,

This community scramble was very challenging but you all did a very good job and created some really cool sounds. I could easily pick any of your sounds as a vst-preset and come up with an idea on how to use them in a production. Kudos to you all for this!

I’m happy that so many of you used some of the kick sounds I provided for this community scramble and I really like how you implemented/tweaked them in your entries.

It was very interesting to hear the contrast in your productions, some were very atmospheric/cinematic, others were very uptempo. And every entry is interesting in its own unique way. You all did a very good job, I had lot of fun listening to your productions.

So, here is my feedback:

► Show Spoiler

Jeroenzuiderwijk_a new beginning:

It doesn’t really sound like a WIP to me. Yes, it is a bit „naked“ and has a minimalistic approach, but this could also be a short interlude passage or something. The sound design is interesting. This reminds of some old school retro arcade game and gives me good memories, it takes me back to a time when I was kid. Everything is a bit „unorthodox“ but this is exactly your style. From the fuzzy sound blips, the drum pattern and the bass to the chaotic break, everything seems in line. The way you managed the rhythm and layout of the fuzzy sound tricked my ear at first listening, I had to count if is a 4/4 time signature because if you don’t know the structure it sounds like odd-meter. The sound that stands out the most to me is that weird „vocal“ effect, sounds like a certain russian swear word. I had to laugh the first time I was listening to your entry because it is very funny all in all and has high paced energy.

Marius L_hidden grounds:

Very cinematic. That door sound works really good as a trumpet. I don’t know why, but I have something like „Assassin’s Creed“ in mind, maybe because of the slight oriental drum groove and triangle sound you chose. It takes a little to fully evolve but the scenery is interesting, the sounds you created work well together and the reverb gives the whole production a nice sense of depth. All in all, it’s not bad but I find it a bit repetive, or I should say it like this. Imo you missed the chance to bring it to the next level by creating a bombastic finish @ 02:39. I imagine some string or pad sounds coming in after this little break and changing the key/adding more chords/harmonies or switching at least the bass note from F to G to bring in a little twist in the production. Still, you did a good job.

reaby_test:

I like the organ sound and the chord progression in your production. The energy in your production is really cool, from slow / halftime drums to a more harder drum groove with an almost electronic style and the swoosh sound in the background. The bell sounds are a cool element, the bass line gives me a 90’s vibe. Also, the musical side of your production is interesting, from a very dreamy vibe to a more club oriented style.
All in all, your production is good, there are just some minor details that could be improved imo, like some bell parts being louder than others. I don’t know if this is a velocity thing in your midi region or just some duplicates of midi events playing at the same time/on top of each other.

ThomC_when life starts fires:

Another entry that reminds of the 90’s/early 2000’s. Your entry is very calm but at the same time has a strong energy, especially your vocal performance. You have an interesting singing voice. The sounds you created are very interesting, the lush pad and string chords are well designed, the piano/keyboard sounds gives it a nice texture for the chorus. But the most interesting sound for me is that arpeggiated „blip“ sound at the end, this adds a lot of character. The only thing I have to criticise is the mix. It’s not bad, but I think the gain staging is not optimal. I find this „slurpy sip“ sound which acts in a way like an open hihat in the drum groove a bit too loud compared to the rest, this has great influence on how the bass is felt. Your song is very emotional, this makes your production, as it is right now, a bit cold. I would love to hear a bit more of that bass. Still, all in all, you did a very good job.

VanillaPuff_energizer:

Cool intro and a nice drum and bass entry with the typicall distorted sounds. You inserted some cool fx in your production, especially those tape transitions are nice. This is really an energizer and it’s nice to listen to. I like that you changed the drum groove from a drum and bass feeling to a more techno/electronic feeling. The sound design is really good in your production and stands out the most to me this month, mainly because I personally got a fan of drum and bass in the last two years. To be honest, your entry sounds almost like a banger to me. There is just one detail which I find a bit distracting and this is the gritty bass line. There is something about it which doesn't sound in tune to my ears with the rest of the production. I’m not sure if it has to do with the tuning of this specific sound or if you played some „foul“ notes. Your main melody is D flat, E flat, F and G flat, while E flat being the main/root note of the melody, or the III in the scale of D flat/C sharp. But the bass is playing G flat and B flat which are the IV and VI in the scale but there is no chord/melody change to guide the listener in this direction. This confuses me and it doesn’t make sense from my musical point of view, or this is the thing where I’m scratching my head a bit because it sounds "off" to my ears. At the end after the short drop the bass is much better integrated into the musical context. Anyways, it was a pleasure to listen to your entry.

EsteveCorbera: Sequencies Estirades

Nice „blip“ sounds an interesting flangy/phasy swoosh sound at the beginning. The guitar/harpsichord-like sound is good and gives it a very friendly and calm atmosphere, this is just your style, exactly what I expected from your entry. The filter on the rhythm section is very interesting. The sounds you created work well together, the highlight is the stringlike pad which accompanies the main melody of the „guitar“ sound, I find this really interesting. You also added some nice little details like cymbal swells and other stuff. My only concern is that very electronic sounding drum kick and the bass line, which I have the impression is not always following the main chord/meldocial structure and therefore sounds off-key to my ears in some sections. You took almost all kick sounds I provided for this community scramble, I didn’t expected them to be heard in such a calm production tbh. I personally find them not appropriate for this style of music, your entry needs a softer kick with a warmer tone with not so much punch imo. But, I understand your intention. I would use the kick you created for a hard trap beat or some drum and bass style music. But, all in all, you did a good job with your entry.

J.Ruegg_The Prism 2:

Very interesting intro with lots of atmosphere and character. Very cinematic. Another entry which reminds of some gaming music, someting like „Command & Conquer“ maybe. The trumpet and the bass sounds are my personal highlights in your entry. All sounds work very well together, one can hear the effort you put into this. So much details to find in your entry. Bravo. I really like the musical journey of your entry. I’m honest, there is nothing to complain about, maybe only the length, I don’t know why but I think it could be a bit longer. The mix is also sounds good. Nice job!

i-dont-like-mixing: quiproquo

Very hypnotic, sounds like some modern „voodoo“ to my ears. The cool thing about your entry is this weird time signature, it almost feels like a 6/8 rhythm but in the fourth bar there is this short delayed moment which throws me off track. I find this very interesting from a „drummer’s“ perspective and I have to try this out in my next practice session. Honestly, the sounds work well together and they create a specific atmosphere which is hard to describe. The cool thing is the musical context, even though you created a very spacey and rising wobbling bass line it’s the chord progression which makes your entry „more friendly“ and relaxing tbh. The nice thing is the weird off-key tuning which is not in 440 Hz. You also added some interesting stutter fx. Really, I don’t know why you behave like this on this plattform. Have more confidence and show us your stuff !

hincore: Fuxx

Yay, very funky music! This is a very nice production with a super cool atmosphere. You seem to know your stuff very well. The guitar playing is really cool and that bass line is very tasty, especially those sliding chord notes you played. Your entry gives me a very relaxed feeling, I enjoyed listening to it. Overall, it is a very powerful production with a super musical approach and great „solo“ sections. I only have two things to pick out which I don’t like so much, or which make your production a little less professional to my ears. Those are the fake and flat sounding horns/trumpets, they sound a bit lifeless with not so much articulation in context, because your entry sounds like a whole live band would play performing a „studio“ recording session. The other thing are the drums, I think my ears just got more sensitive to drum sounds and samples in genereal since I started playing the drums myself a while ago, especially drum vsts are something that annoy me really quick these days. In your production it sounds like almost every hit has more or less the same velocity and is also the exact same sample with no difference in tone and missing some dynamics/quieter sections. Especially at the end, I find the ride in the left channel „very“ boring and the mix gets a bit gritty overall because of this. Other than that, you have a great musical sense and I would love to hear some more stuff from you in the future. Very good job overall!

Self reflection:

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Like always, I was very late with my entry because I like working fast with short time left on the clock, just spending a few hours in total for the whole production and mixing etc.
This challenge was a bit different and maybe I should have taken more time for the initial sound design, like 2-3 days before even composing the music, because this community scramble I didn’t find the provided samples very inspiring to begin with.
Comparing to other entries, I should’ve also include a bridge section to have a bit more alternation overall in my production, so I understand that some of you may find it bit repetitive. I really tried my best and I had hopes that the half time drum groove I implemented at the end of the 2nd verse would bring a little variety. Overall, it was a funny experience.

Votes:

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1st: J.Ruegg
2nd: ThomC
3rd: Vanilla Puff
4th: reaby
5th: EsteveCorbera

[Mister Fox]

A friendly reminder:
We're in the final 24 hours to submit your feedback and cast your vote.

As of this moment, 1 participant is missing (@reaby). Please get that sorted out today.


And just for understanding purposes...

@J.Ruegg gave feedback to 6 entries (missing is feedback for Marius L) and there is also no self-reflection/comment on personal growth attached to the feedback post (this would not result in disqualification, penalty points will be awarded) - is that maybe an oversight?

@Vanilla Puff decided on "bar minimum feedback" (5 participants, no additional bonus will be awarded).

I'm just letting you two know that you can still edit your post until the deadline of the voting time frame, should you choose to get more involved.



Please check post #035 regarding the feedback and voting mechanic. Giving feedback is mandatory (the only criteria to become disqualified). Please don't let yourself be put at a disadvantage by not participating (fully). The Songwriting Competition lives from the given feedback towards each other. Don't just "collect" and then move on - this is unfair to all other participants.

Outside feedback is welcome, of course.

[J.Ruegg]

Hey Mister Fox!

I had my feedback in a local file, I missed to copy the one for Marius L.
Also, I didn't knew about the self-reflection, it's been a long time since I was around here .

I updated my post with the feedback & self-reflection, thanks for the heads up!

[Mister Fox]

It's the 02nd February 2025, 02:35 (UTC+1/CET) - the Voting Period has officially ended.

Sadly, not all participants have submitted final feedback, we would therefore have 1 disqualification.



This would mean @reaby - who got a lot of feedback and votes, but didn't return the favor so far.

There is also still no further response from @i-dont-like-mixing - which is a pity.

!

Bonus Info

I will send out another newsletter/message to the participants in question, give you until the end of Sunday, 02-FEB-2025 (23:59 UTC+1/CET to be precise) as per the rule book on the voting process ("overtime mechanic"). If there is a feedback and a vote by the one missing participant in question, only -5 points will be deducted from the scoresheet. Else, sadly a disqualification. The other feedback posts will be handled via the known bonus point mechanic. Once I have this feedback as well, I will post the results within 2-3 days and take "late feedback" into consideration. (this is not an automated process) The only disqualification criteria is by "not participating" with feedback at the end of the game. Time constraints can happen -- but I do not consider entries to be "withdrawn" at this point. You unfortunately just didn't have the time.

Everyone else, please no more changes to your vote. Thank you.

Please don't just gather feedback, and don't give anything back. This is not what the Songwriting Competition is about. To those that kept their feedback brief, please consider at least adding just "a tad more".


Please have an eye on this thread

[Mister Fox]

It's the 03rd February 2025, 04:30 (UTC+1/CET) - the Voting Period extension has officially ended.

Unfortunately, not everyone has sent in feedback and / or cast a vote (still). We therefore have 1 disqualification.


Please no more changes to your feedback from this point forward.
I will post the results within 2-3 workdays. (this is not an automated process)


Please have an eye on this thread