MIX CHALLENGE - MC102 February 2025 - Mix Round 1 in evaluation

[ThomC]

Hey everyone!

Here's my mix of "The Person That You See". I liked working on the drums of this track, I felt like adding a bit more punch to it by working a bit more on the close mics. I usually dial in different stages of parallel compression to the drums :

- One of the parallel compressors adds grit and sustain to certain elements of the drums (usually the snare, but I'll route different tracks to it and see if I like it)
- Another one is a 33609 type compressor that adds snap and transient information back in the mix. I've automated that one in different parts of the track to give it more or less bite. It really allows the drums to cut through the mix in certain sections.
- A third one is used as an insert, it's an Altec type compressor that both adds body, tone and punch to the whole kit. It rounds off the performance while making it larger than life.

I mix my tracks using an SSL controler and SSL channel strip across the whole mix.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19lwyrG ... drive_link

Equipment used :
Beyerdynamic DT770 250Ohm and Realphones (I use it to double check my mix accross different virtual devices, I didn't use it as much as usual this time for some reason)
M-Audio BX5 monitors with Ik Multimedia Arc 3

[Mister Fox]

It is the 22nd February 2025, 00:10 UTC+1/CET - the first Mix Round has officially ended

A very warm welcome to all new participants, glad you found this place, nice meeting you and I hope you'll enjoy your stay. I am also seeing a return of users that might have lost their account due to it "pinging out". Furthermore, an extended thank you to everyone that is spreading the word about the Mix Challenge.

Please also help get the Songwriting Competition as popular (SWC090 is still in full swing).


STATISTICS:

• If I didn't miscount, we have 114 submissions this month (114 prior to the deadline, plus 00 after the deadline, not counting possible re-submissions)
• the multi-tracks have been downloaded 194 times (regular compressed ZIP)
• We have 04 submissions after the deadline (as of 22-FEB-2025 00:05 UTC+1/CET, checked again 22-FEB-2025 04:45 UTC+1/CET)
• We have 02 submissions that could not be downloaded by the time of this post and are therefore disqualified (re-checked 22-FEB-2025 00:10 UTC+1/CET)
• We have 00 submissions not submitted properly or not submitted in public (e.g. submitted via SoundCloud or via PM - see Rule Book, post #6, Upload and Submission Guidelines)
• We have 00 submissions that has been withdrawn (entry counts as "submission within the deadline")

STATISTIC SHEETS:

• Overview of Submissions - is your entry within given parameters? (PDF - updated: 00-FEB-2025 00:00 UTC+1/CET)
• Overview of Submissions (disqualifications only) PDF - updated: 00-FEB-2025 00:00 UTC+1/CET)

INFORMATION:
The submitted entries will be checked again for accessibility and time stamps over the course of the next 48-72 hours (collection check)
Statistic Sheets are not available yet, please wait for the official announcement post -- sheets will arrive by end of 26-FEB-2025 latest
Statistic Sheets have been updated (on 00-FEB-2025 00:00 UTC+1/CET)
.

⚠	Moderation Message from Mister Fox
	Our Song Provider for this month, @Edling, decided to go the "(Feedback for) Top 15" route. There might be additional feedback, but this is not a guarantee. We will keep you updated.

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I now open the field for everyone to give each other feedback (highly encouraged). This will be independent to the client feedback however.


Please watch this spot for the Statistic Sheets, client feedback and Mix Round 2 participant announcement.

Good luck to all participants.





The Songwriting Competition 090 (SWC090) is still in full swing.
There are 04 entries -- this month's theme: "Uncertain Future" (Picture Theme), genre: free to select

Please spread the word, get involved, and just make music!




EDIT: 22-FEB-2025 00:10 UTC+1/CET - initial post

[White Punk OD]

Let me add about the equipment:
Gamer notebook with Waveform/Tracktion, internal soundchip, set to 48k/24bit, which is for all mixing work and rendering.
Conversion - EZ-CD v12 - downsampling to 44/24; attention they use a modern format (24bit packed Intel PCM, 2 byte offset), all my players can use it but not Adobe/Cool Edit.
headphones 1 : Austrian Audio Hi-X65
headphones 2 : JBL smartphone earplugs (those for ~ 20 bucks)

[knob_Houdini]

This has been a bit frustrating—there’s no clear guide on how to submit it, so I’m still figuring it out. But I decided to post it here in case some of you might see it.

**here is the Mix:**
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wd0asj ... sp=sharing

That said, this was a blast! The music is fantastic, and the performance is top-notch. Since this was recorded back in 2005—around the time I first got into mixing seriously—I approached it with that in mind. I aimed to blend a modern touch with some tasteful saturation and digital color while keeping the essence of the original sound.

The guitarists sound like true pros, so I assumed they’re very particular about their tone. Instead of altering it, I focused on polishing and enhancing what was already there. I mixed the entire track in the box, using Beyerdynamic headphones and my new Topping DX3 Pro+ DAC.

Funny enough, I just got the DX3 Pro+ and figured this would be my first real mix test. I knocked this out in under two hours last minute, but it was a fun challenge!

[atticusnow]

Hi all,

Attached is my mix submission for this month's mix challenge.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U3qBCg ... drive_link

Time is 23:38 London UK.

No additional samples were used and all instructions were followed as provided by the song provider and moderators.
The entire mix was done in the box using plugins.

I hope all enjoyed their time mixing and enjoy everyone's submissions.

Kind regards,
Atticus.

[knob_Houdini]

Can someone help me understand the proper way to submit my mix? Other than just posting it here, is there a specific process I should follow? I tried reaching out to the staff, but the contact option seems to be disabled. Any guidance would be appreciated—thanks!

[knob_Houdini]

That’s a great mix! It’s well-preserved, which is a smart approach.

Feel free to check out my mix as well—I’m not even sure if I submitted it correctly since I’m still new here.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wd0asj ... ErbAY/view

Hi all,

Wow, what a track we have the privilege of mixing this month! Thank you @Edling for giving us this opportunity. This is such an emotional track, it really resonates with me and regardless of the competition it's going to sit in my playlist for the foreseeable future.

Here's a broad overview of my thinking and some of the main mix decisions I made:

• The original mixes are fantastic so these were my reference
• The emotional content of the material made me want to preserve its truthfulness, so I refrained from using any pitch correction or making any timing edits as I might ordinarily have done. All the tracks are played exactly as provided
• I paid particular attention to the section changes between verse and chorus to ensure there's a big increase in energy. There are lots of little volume automations drawn in where the sections change, particularly on the drums tracks, which help emphasise first hits and give an emotive boost
• The mix was sub-grouped into Drums, Vocals, Guitars and Key with compressors on the guitar and keys masters side-chained to the kick drum, so they duck slightly to give the kick more space and apparent weight
• Tracks have been largely panned symmetrically, but I used an auto-pan plugin on the tremolo guitar track with an unusual "double-sine" pan shape so it seems to flow between left and right in a slightly unexpected pattern without being random
• I rolled off the low end on the vocals at 160Hz and the keys at 260Hz allowing the other instruments groups to fill the lower-end spectral area
• I usually always add reverb to drum tracks, however it just wasn't needed here as the provided drums sounded fantastic as is and really life-like with a great room sound already
• Reverb and Delay were added to the vocals in conservative amounts with automation used to increase levels for certain phrases such as "dig your own grave"
• I placed a "radio" effect on the breakdown vocals so it feels like the person singing is a shell of their former self, asking for a second chance. The effect then fades out as the final word "see" fades up back in its regular sound
• There's a little bit of saturation and compression on the master bus, which helps the impact of the drums in particular
• As usual, there's lots of compression and EQ used across the majority of the tracks with various different brands doing the work, but who wants to just read a list of plugins?!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fWW3q4 ... qBcaz/view

Edit: Some further notes regarding my setup for anyone interested - Mixed in Pro Tools using Genelec 8341 monitors and a JBL LSR310s sub (no GLM or correction) in a partially treated, non-square room. I also used Avantone Mixcubes and Beyer DT150 headphones for referencing.

Best regards,

Benji

[BenjiRage]

That’s a great mix! It’s well-preserved, which is a smart approach.

Feel free to check out my mix as well—I’m not even sure if I submitted it correctly since I’m still new here.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wd0asj ... ErbAY/view

Thanks for the comments! And welcome to the forum

I was actually just replying to you as you posted again! I believe your initial post would have counted as a submission to the challenge, all you need to do is a post a mix download link as you did. Unfortunately I think you were just after the deadline for this month's comp and you might also have fallen foul of a couple of rules - submissions should be in WAV format, and you had an extra "Forum_" in the filename. Points to watch out for on the next one

I haven't had a chance to properly check out your mix yet as I've shutdown the studio for the night but will have a listen in the morning if I can.

Best regards,

Benji

[knob_Houdini]

Great approach! You pushed back the bass, which gives more headroom for the kick to stick—sounds great overall! I personally prefer a thicker sound, but that’s just my taste.

Feel free to check out my mix too!

Link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wd0asj ... ErbAY/view

Helloooooo!!!

Another great song to mix. What a pleasure!
Thanks guys, we really appreciate.

This is my link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pEacZv ... sp=sharing

Nothing exotic for this style of music. My approach is always classic and simple.

Mixed ITB, my main channels setup is
- Softube SSL4000
- Fabilter Pro Q (just in case i need more eq bands)

Mixbus:
- Softube Harmonics
- Vertigo VSC2
- Leapwing Audio StageOne

How i mixed it:

Drums: Eq
Bass: 1176, Eq
Rooms are also used to drive the drums reverb.

Lead Vox: 1176, Eq
H910 + 20ms mono delay no feedback + Brigade stereo delay 1/8 + 1/8 dotted mono delay (only some sections) + 1/8 mono with 20ms stereo spread delay (only some sections).
Plate Reverb (driven by 1/16 mono delay).

Background vocals: 1176, Eq.
Plate Reverb (driven by 1/16 mono delay).

Guitars: 1176, Eq
Mono or stereo 1/4 delay on some of them.

All the rest: 1176, Eq

I did some volune automation but only a couple on moves.

Enjoy

[Tony Black]

Could both @Tony Black and @Christian M. please please check their filename?
There are white-spaces in them. Either use NameName or Name_Name.

This is a 1-time information.

Hello Mister Fox!

Sorry for my mistake.

I think i always sent files with that space in my username because it is actually how my username is written.
I still have the file i linked for the MC98 in my drive and the space between "Tony" and "Black" was there but i'm sure you didn't report it as wrong.