this time I am listening and learning, thanks to everyone!
this is really about the art of putting a puzzle together, of orchestral fragments and percussion sounds, to melt with piano, guitars and drums.
mixes became better during these weeks, by inspiring each other. the beginning was a bit humble. then, ideas about how to streamline and enhance groove and song, became more prominent.
I think, there were some choices and defining trends.
there is a "German" school with a very perfect sound, and creates pop with a little vintage feel (e.g. "Munich Sound") and very classy and fine piano and orchestral parts, and a modern vocal sound with high perfection.
then, there is a compressed, old-school pop sound, that fits also vinyl, I dare say it might be inspired by Frank Farian. this means, it is great for to dance, very strong groove and energy.
and then, there is also a more "Latin" sound, with strong guitars, and vocals sound different, very thick, and very intellegibly.
I comment on 10 mixes that I ramdomly like, but others sure are good too.
Kirurg did very great in my ears, he dared to change the piano sound, which I love, and he created a wonderful dancing groove, that is a good bed for the intense vocals. for me, perhaps best vocal mix (in this case it's not a technical statment but an emotional), but also beautiful and intense dynamics. caution: git solo is loud compared to some vocal parts.
with most mixes, I did not like the intro piano at all. it has no profile. like I look at a score sheet of paper. I want to hear intense life, or eclectic style.
some gave the piano more life, including the updated original mix.
also, the higher notes in the git solo sound a bit metallic, only a few mixes did address that.
Tom Immon is also great, with a somewhat cleaner sound, or a bit more "standard". vocals are strong, and I love the guitars during the outro. solo is also very nice.
i like SDB-12, very rich and full sound. I hope the low end from the orchestral drums and timpani is not too much. groove is good.
good outro with brilliant string concert.
VasDim - created a good piano sound, and very beautiful melody guitar in the intro.
big and pristine vocal sound. good blending with the second voice.
strings sound a bit classic but good.
vocals and melody rightfully carry the listener through the song. good flow.
git solo sounds nice and organic, like a combo is playing. that's good for the type of song.
I like it, when drums and combo (club band) sound dominate, and the orchestra gives that a bigger size as an addition, but does not overwhelm.
so, together it fits the voice.
Outro is great, at that point the orchestra is legit to show a bit of power.
RJR - very full sound. good groove, snare is a bit on the rock side, might be smaller.
vocals are brilliant, voices sound beautiful, but the air band makes the sibilance a bit sharp also.
the outro has a vivid and energetic piano sound, better than some other mixes.
Echoread - I love that mix, though the spectrum is a bit narrower and "70ies vinyl".
everything has a glue and is tight. this compression and complex sidechaining works well.
we hear a song, a voice, and a sound, not a thousand distinct and distracting instruments.
the bass is a little bit boomy, but so were those old Bose speakers hanging from the ceiling.
kick sounds a bit clicky here. but not a big problem.
but also, in spite of some vintage and patina, it still sounds fresh and time-less.
I can imagine cruising with the car and the radio blows it loud, and passengers happy and singing along.
great groove that holds the thing together.
Mork - pristine hitech sound, good european pop.
great dynamics, violin section with its melodies fits great.
vocals are perfect, but a little bit smaller than with the "latin" mixes.
modern and punchy drum sound. good guitars in the outro.
I love the organic and energetic guitar solo, it is the right sound for this type of mix.
good build-up for the finale chorus, good flow through the whole song.
Wizzo - I think articulation of the lyrics is very intellegible. stands out to some other mixes.
Huella Fonica - I hope it is ok to call it one of the Latin mixes.
to me, sounds just right. I like the short echo on the vocals, sometimes there is a long echo I could do without.
this mix puts a "combo" sound in the foreground, and uses the strings just as another keyboard. I love this also, it is just a very different approach.
in the outro, the orchestra comes out very well.
I'm stting now in a live music bodega for young people, singing along.
Green-Dog - vocals sound very intimate and clear, that's great too.
very fine orchestra and string melody sound. very beautiful guitar solo. good bass.
good work with the piano sound. energetic drums, without being too dominant.
let's be careful with the subsonics.
this is just my 2 cents and a humble opinion,
I am not the client.
(I was active in MC059)
The Songwriting Competition 27 (