Mix Challenge

Ladies and Gentlemen, here are the results of Songwriting Competition 076

The winners podium consists of:

1. @colorado weeks (73 pts)
2. @VCA-089 (59 pts)
3. @becsei_gyorgy (54 pts)
4. @Mellow Browne (47 pts)
5. @Lady Incognita (38 pts)

Apologies for the waiting time, this is not an automated process.

<4 participant rule is not in use (staff comments and votes, my vote would count as bonus)
We have 3 disqualifications (due to lack of feedback / a final vote)
We have 0 withdrawn entries (but counts as submission within the deadline, yet couldn't be voted for)
We have several users still in the game that tied

• The following ties on the chart happened due to the offsets with the bonus point mechanic
  • msgsaltsweet acquired 14pts with the participation vote -- the tie results due to loosing 2pts bonus (resulting in 24pts, else it would have been 26pts)
  • 1ktone acquired 12pts with the participation vote -- the participant has otherwise all bonus points (resulting in 24pts)
  • EsteveCorbera acquired 6pts with the participation vote -- the participant has otherwise all bonus points (resulting in 18pts) - this tie could not be broken, so I (the host) took a listen to the tied entries and applied 1pt bonus to the mix that I considered to be a more enjoyable on initial listening (even if the mix isn't perfect)
  • JeroenZuiderwijk acquired 6pts with the participation vote -- the participant has otherwise all bonus points (resulting in 18pts) - this tie could not be broken
• no (more) users that tied

"Sole (License) Winner" rule does not apply - 5-position Winners Podium (>= 9 participants prior to the deadline -- extended podium!)


STATISTICS SHEET:
Overview of Submissions (PDF - updated: 08-JAN-2024, full sheet)

!

Bonus Info

Short info: I am using Wavelab 10 for batch analysis, then I manually port the CSV export to a Microsoft Excel/Open Office Calc sheet with custom layout (this is not an automated process). As pointed out in this post from SWC047 / July 2021, Wavelab has different tolerances for dBTP max analysis compared to tools like iZotope RX, Youlean Loudness Meter, NUGEN Audio VisLM, etc. To find a common ground, I've implemented "allowed tolerances" (just like with the Mix Challenge). These are based upon allowed offsets mentioned in the white papers for EBU R128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4. Since no measurement tool is the same, to be on the save side, please export at -14,1 LUFS ILk max, and -1,1 dBTP max. As usual, I did list/analyze alternative releases (MP3s and FLAC). If you've submitted your entry in multiple file formats, the statistic sheet will focus on the uncompressed material first (WAV), then FLAC, then MP3. The higher the quality, the less possible loss on bonus points for "Loudness Specs" due to offsets introduced by a used CODEC. In this case, FLAC and MP3 are merely for information purposes.

Here are the results as chart in image form:



Thank you so much for your participation.

⚠	Moderation Message from Mister Fox
	INFORMATION: As of January 2023, I am adapting the same voting mechanic as most other International Songwriting Competitions utilize. Nearly all of these games use(d) a 01 to 05 points system (top 5 entries) in some shape or form. The main difference to our game: these ones don't offer bonus points or penalty points, neither are they tiered (depending on the participant amount). I hope to get that properly sorted out in form of an extensive Rule Book update in the foreseeable future (serious apologies for the waiting time). Breaking up a tie: There was one unbreakable tie that needed to be addressed. This was between @JeroenZuiderwijk and @EsteveCorbera. I decided to not go super in-depth with feedback / explanation for my decision this time around, and rather went by "gut feeling" and "initial impression. Both entries have something going for them, although I think Jeroen's song could have seen different drums, while Esteve's song could have had a better mix and less "disharmony" with the chords. However, the latter entry instinctively felt more "fitting" to the overarching theme. So I awarded one extra point to this track to break up the tie. Lack of participation: It really pains me to once again see users not participating with the global feedback process. I assume that @Arelem once more ran into time constraints, We sadly did not see anything from @Brandon740 at all, and @merci ferdi stepped away (and also didn't respond to my PM's on Discord). While this is completely your prerogative to decide to not invest any more time, i consider it a bit unfair that you (the participant) get extensive feedback, yet give nothing back in return. Not even the bare minimum (see @A Future In Noise's decision to only go "the baseline route" due to a language barrier). Without feedback, the general concept for this game game doesn't really work out. Giving feedback to everyone is never mandatory - but it is encouraged. Please reconsider your stance on this topic for the next game. An explanation on the bonus points and penalty points: I've withdrawn 4pts from @Lady Incognita and @merci ferdi, but also 2pts from @APi_ZZ, @Arelem and @msgsaltsweet for exceeding the loudness specs. I've withdrawn 1pt each from @Arelem, @Brandon740 and @Lady Incognita for not using the filename template (see post #001). Main topics: double underscore, and forum username association. @A Future In Noise decided to only provide minimal feedback, I therefore could not award 2pts bonus I unfortunately had to address a -1pt penalty for @VCA-089 due to the fact, that there was no "personal experience/reflection" paragraph written this month. I've addressed a -1pt penalty for both @Lady Incognita and @Brandon740 due to the fact, that the entry was not downloadable (I still have means to do so for the statistic sheet - but this goes a bit against the well established Rules and Guidelines). You have all done an amazing job, please continue to spread the word. I would love to see a similar high participation, if not higher, throughout 2024. See you folks in the next game.

License selection:

We will now perform with the usual. Selecting of licenses is handled in public. Please select one license/company out of the pool (in order of the winners podium) and mention it in this thread, then (important) please get in touch with me (via PM) with your full name, email address and your license selection.

As usual - you're not forced to pick up anything. You can pass and therefore offer more to select for the next person in line (if there is a spot existing / not available for "sole winner" mechanic). Just let all participants/winners/the staff know in a timely manner (within 5 days). Once one company has been selected, it's out of the pool for the next person on the podium.




I re-open the field for talking some more about each others' productions. If things drift a bit too off-topic, please use the General Gossip thread, or Discord.



See you in in the next challenge!


Songwriting Competition 077 (January 2024 - "Community Scramble") is still in full swing.

There are currently two (number: 2) entries.

⚠	Moderation Message from Mister Fox
	Due to the high participation, and the holiday season, I decided to open up the Winners Podium to a 5-position one. As additional twist for SWC076 -- and to spread the holiday spirit -- should you (as podium holder) decide that you do not want not pick up anything, I offer you the option to give away your chance for a license selection to a anybody from the "last 5 places" (not counting disqualified entries). The idea behind this, is to maybe also help those that might need a little "push" with their production tool set. If you decide to go that route - please no multiple selection of the same user. Other than that - the same rules as with the license selection apply: once a company and one of the available products has been chosen, it can't be selected anymore by the next person on the podium. The choice is yours. Please decide in a timely manner (5 days) and let all participants/winners/the staff know which route decided to go.

Additionally:

As part of a new collaboration with Hornet Plugins, you are allowed to select either 2 plugins at a maximum value of 20 EUR MSRP for both, or one individual plugin of choice from the whole available plugin range (bundles are exempt). Due to time constraints, I could not make a bigger announcement about this yet.

uh, wow. thank you all so much for the love and for your feedback! you all made such amazing tracks; it was an absolute joy listening through all the entries!

i'm interested in the MusicLab RealGuitar.

hope to see you all in the next one!

Congratulations @colorado weeks for a well deserved win!
Well done to the other top 5 as well, all great tracks and overall a really enjoyable month
Thanks to everyone for providing such valuable feedback, and to @Mister Fox for organising

Mellow Browne wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 02, 2024 15:13 CET

Ho ho ho, H*e, this is part of my bizness
Cut 'em off and make you wristless on Christmas!

I shall steal that for this year's Xmas rap!

Hope to see you all in the next one

The license for "Podium Position #1" has been handled.

Next on the podium is @VCA-089...

Congratulations to @colorado weeks and the top 5!

Actually congratulations to everyone for putting together some excellent material.

Looking forward to hearing future creations.

Thanks for the valuable feedback.

Congratulations to the winners!!!
And congratulations to everyone for a job well done !!!

Esteve

Congrats to @colorado weeks and other participants. Great work everyone!

I'll pass...

Congratulations to @colorado weeks, all the podium-winners and everyone who participated in this year-end competition.

I do not wish to choose a prize, I will pass on.

Congratulations to the winners.