Mix Challenge

Posted: **Fri Jan 31, 2025 23:06 CET**

Hello and welcome to the Songwriting Competition 090 - February 2025

BEFORE WE GET STARTED:

Please consult the official and very simple "Rules and Guidelines" (TL;DR version) for the Songwriting Competition regarding principles of the game, it's engaging game mechanics (allowed editing/re-submission of your entry until the deadline has been reached) and upload/submission guidelines.
The general idea of this game is to "...just make music", to also challenge yourself by stepping a bit out of your comfort zone, and take a dip at realms you've never worked in before. Instrumentals are just as welcome as productions with vocals.
The Genre, "Premise" and Rules Summary for this months challenge can always be found in in post #002

Read more about this month's competition further down below. And if you got any question, please also reach out on Discord.

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SONGWRITING COMPETITION THREAD INDEX

Post #001 -- Introduction post and index for the various stages of the Songwriting Competition. Will be updated as we progress
Post #002 -- Submission Period: General Information, Source Material, Sponsors
Post #003 -- Cheat Sheet: A couple of examples / audio demos for this month's challenge (limited if genre is "free to select")
Post #000 -- Voting: Summarized entries and start of voting process
Post #000 -- Results: Results of the Songwriting Competition

Posted: **Fri Jan 31, 2025 23:10 CET**

CURRENT CHALLENGE - GENERAL INFORMATION

Time Frame: Saturday, 01st February 2025 to Monday, 24th February 2025 (24 days)

Challenge submission will end on 24-FEB-2025, 23:59 UTC+1/CET (Germany) - until further notice.

The current game deadlines can be found on the Global Countdown page and on the landing site. Short reminders will also be sent out via the newsletter, social media and Discord. Does the game time frame feel too long? Why not set yourself a personal shorter one of 5-7 days. Push yourself to focus on the essentials, then use the rest of the time to ask for feedback and possible refinements.

SONGWRITING THEME: "Uncertain Future" (Picture Theme)
GENRE: free to select

Image Source: Pexels, photo by Aleksandar Pasaricy, released under Creative Commons CC0

Bonus Images (for inspiration): image pack for additional inspiration (standard ZIP file, 564kb, 08 images)

A few word about this month's theme:

Staff (Mister Fox) wrote: We're having a "Picture Theme" this month.

There will be no extensive brief with twists and turns. Please have a look, get inspired by the image(s) and the theme. Let your mind wander for a bit. Then start writing.
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Your task for this Songwriting Competition:
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This month, you can create a production in any music genre you feel like.

A short explanation of the concept of this month's game: The general idea is to draw inspiration from the picture(s). However do not solely fixate on that particular photo or illustration and it's details alone. Rather focus on the "overarching concept". The picture and possible provided key words can have many different meanings. How you interpret it, is up to you.

You set your own parameters and limitations, e.g. style and genre, melodic questions and counter arguments. As long as you don't exceed 10 minutes of runtime, neither have endless padded out repetition. Please keep us listeners engaged. And as usual - vocals are optional. Don't feel pressured to provide any.

Just make music and have fun!

I'm curious about what you come up with!

Songwriting Rule Summary:

► Show Spoiler

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LICENSE SPONSORS (Bonus Prizes):

A huge thank you goes to our very generous License Sponsors for this month's game. Those being (in alphabetical order):

Cherry Audio, Ghostwave Audio, Hollow Sun, Hornet Plugins, IK Multimedia, JRR Sounds, kv331 audio, Luftrum, Musiclab, Rekkerd Sounds, satyatunes - Sound / Graphic Design, and Tone2.

A detailed list of offerings can be found in the following information block.

► Show Spoiler

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Good luck to all participants.
And most importantly, have fun!

Posted: **Fri Jan 31, 2025 23:13 CET**

AUDIO EXAMPLES:
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Articles and Info Pages:

A great starting point is the "Addendum"/Supplementary thread for the Songwriting Competition
Songwriting Competition - Addendum: Music Maps and BPM Charts

Since the genre this month is "free to select", there are no clear pointers

Music examples (selection for inspiration, 00 videos):

No music examples available this month. However, I can always recommend to enter random genre search words either on YouTube, Spotify or other music streaming services you prefer using.
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If you're new to songwriting, or you are in need for new helper tools, instruments, samples or presets -- please check out the following:

Songwriting Competition - Addendum: Tools to help with songwriting (outsourced megathread)

This mega thread also mentions companies that offer either free versions or demo versions of guitars, bass and drum instruments. Please have a closer look. The thread is updated at irregular intervals.

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UPDATED: 31-JAN-2025 23:10 UTC+1, updated 00-FEB-2025 00:00 UTC+1

Posted: **Sat Feb 01, 2025 08:03 CET**

A short update:
Added additional photos for inspiration to post #002.

(08:00 UTC+1/CET)

Posted: **Tue Feb 11, 2025 07:57 CET**

Hey Ya'll,

I have some time finally and I put this together for this month's challenge.

Details:

► Show Spoiler

Posted: **Tue Feb 11, 2025 08:04 CET**

A friendly reminder:
Including today, 14 days left to submit your production.

So far, we have 01 entry (thank you, and welcome back, @Arelem)

If you want to access the extended game mechanics of the Songwriting Competition (asking for feedback during production), please try to release your first edits within the next 7 days to have enough time to get possible feedback (if needed/wanted) and continue to work on your song.

To those sitting on the fence - please don't feel scared off and think "the bar is set too high, I will never make it" - set yourself a shorter private deadline. Just make music, submit your entry, join the conversation. See where this goes.

By joining, you're already a winner. The rest is bonus.

Mix Challenge

SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC090 February 2025 - Submissions until 24-FEB-2025 23:59 UTC+1/CET

SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC090 February 2025 - Submissions until 24-FEB-2025 23:59 UTC+1/CET

SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC090 February 2025 - Submissions until 24-FEB-2025 23:59 UTC+1/CET

SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC090 February 2025 - Submissions until 24-FEB-2025 23:59 UTC+1/CET

SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC090 February 2025 - Submissions until 24-FEB-2025 23:59 UTC+1/CET

Re: SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC090 February 2025 - Submissions until 24-FEB-2025 23:59 UTC+1/CET

SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC090 February 2025 - Submissions until 24-FEB-2025 23:59 UTC+1/CET