MIX CHALLENGE - MC103 April 2025 - Submissions until 21-APR-2025 23:59 UTC+2/CEST

#1

Hello and welcome to the Mix Challenge 103 - April 2025

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Bonus Info

With this month's game, you have the chance to work on a German "Pop (Rock)" production by Mix Challenge community regular @Strange, who kindly provided these multi-tracks. The song is called "Weg zu Dir" (The way to you).

One of the bigger challenges will be finding a good balance between the percussive work and the vocals, creating an overall upbeat feeling. The vocals are another interesting aspect of this challenge, as they are not your typical "perfect on beat" type performance. It is highly recommended to consult the lyrics (incl. translation) to understand the overarching story this song is telling.

Interested to work on another non-English production?

Then please take special note of the attached TXT files in the Mix Pack. And please read about the details and special requirements for handling this mix further down below.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED:

Please consult the official "Rules and Guidelines" (TL;DR version) for the Mix Challenge regarding principles of the game, upload/submission guidelines, the concept of documenting your edits, and maximum allowed loudness. The Multi-Track Mix Pack also features a "TL;DR Rules.txt" file with the game specific filename template and distribution specs.
The focus of this game is "mixing". Try to create a mix in your own style that complements this production and can stand on it's own, no matter the playback medium. Edit/Mix in such a way, that barely any after-touches other than proper fade in/out and finalizing for distribution (incl. loudness adjustments e.g. for release on Streaming, Vinyl, Tape, CD) is needed for a possible follow-up mastering step.
The "Mix Pack" and additional information for this months production can 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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MIX(ING) CHALLENGE 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, License Sponsors
Post #003 -- One Time Reminder -- general task, filename template, distribution format, off-site license distribution agreement
Post #000 -- Mix Round 1 Statistics/Data Sheet: Overview of Submissions - is your entry within given parameters?
Post #000 -- Mix Round 2: Global Feedback and Round 2 Participant Announcement
Post #000 -- Mix Round 3: <optional>/<not happening this game>
Post #000 -- Results: Winner announcement

#2

CURRENT CHALLENGE - GENERAL INFORMATION

Time Frame: Tuesday, 01st April 2025 to Monday, 21th April 2025 (21 days)

Challenge submission will end on 21-APR-2025, 23:59 UTC+2/CEST (Germany) - until further notice.

Want to find out if you're still within the deadline, please either consult the Global Countdown (dedicated page), or the countdown on the landing site. There will also be short reminders on Social Media and on Discord.

Song Provider: Strange (represented forum user @Strange)
Song Name and Length: Weg zu Dir, 04:13 min
Song Information: 150 BPM / Signature: 4/4
File Format: WAV, 48kHz, 24bit (source)

GENRE: (Indie) Rock

Preview of the Song (Demo Mix):

INFORMATION: This version might sound different from the provided multi-tracks.

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SOURCE FILES:

Main Mix Package - full package (656,66 MB, regular ZIP)

IMPORTANT NOTE: download window might show a smaller file size, file unavailable after 21-APR-2025
File size extracted: 1830,14 MB, packed 656,66 MB (regular ZIP)

The provided files were packed using normal ZIP compression (Deflate, Ultra). This format should work on all operating systems and does not require any special tools to extract. If you have problems extracting the files, please make sure that your OS apps are up-to-date!

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A word from the song provider:

Strange wrote: This song is about a man traveling home by car/plane and thinking about his wonderful wife. After a "philosophical song bridge", other people sitting in their cars also start singing about their partners (maybe you can see this movie play out in your head).

This is what I would like to hear in the mix.

I hope you can enhance the feeling and the meaning of the song with your mixing decisions.

I don't care about little treatments that give me some ear candy that I haven't thought about. Try to see the big picture. Don't alter the arrangement or any basic ingredients.

I'd like to hear a bouncy and soulful feeling like "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. Not exactly the sounds, more about the vibe. Don't think too much about boring German mainstream Pop/Rock if possible, please.

I'd like to hear about your monitoring situation, like MellowBrowne did when he was providing his song "Trap House" (MC101).

I would also like to know about your associations, feelings and mixing aims or mixing intentions. Because I often hear good mixes which don't fit my feeling, or my intention or maybe my taste. I would like to take that into consideration for my ranking.

Thank you for everyone who is interested in my song and my thoughts.

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):
Acon Digital, Audified, Hornet Plugins, IK Multimedia, Kilohearts, Metric Halo, NUGEN Audio 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!

#3

The following is the absolute base-line you need to cover prior to joining the Mix(ing) Challenge.

Failing to adhere to the rules will result in disqualification. There will be no additional reminders given.
INFO: You can always find everything you need to know in post #002 and the Mix Pack bundled TXT files.

⚠	Moderation Message from Mister Fox
	Prior to joining this Mix(ing) Challenge You must consult and adhere to the official Rules and Guidelines (long version). Bar minimum, please consult the TL;DR Rules version (also available as "TL;DR Rules.txt" with each Mix Pack, which lists the game specific filename template and distribution specs as well) Add-on Rules / allowed mix techniques for this particular project are mentioned in the bundled "TL;DR Rules.txt" Please pay attention to details such as sampling rate, bit depth, maximum signal strength, file name template and documentation. Check this before you upload your entry. Your entry must be accessible and easy to download by the time the deadline has been reached (21th of the month, 23:59 UTC+2/CEST). Cross check with a different device and/or browser while being logged out of the file hosting service. No re-uploads - your submission is final. Important Stats to check prior to uploading Filename Template: MC103__Strange__WegZuDir__ForumUsername.wav Song Length: 04:13min (edit no shorter than 04:13.000min!) File Format: WAV, 48kHz, 24bit (export) Loudness (min/max): anything between -24,0 LUFS to -16,0 LUFS ILk, -1,00 dBTP max Off-site redistribution agreement ► Show Spoiler Our Song Provider for this month, @Strange, does allow the usage of this song as part of a personal mix portfolio. Please consult the Mix Pack bundled TXT files, and use proper crediting. Request by the Song Provider ► Show Spoiler Our Song Provider is interested in what you set to achieve with your mix. What was the mood you tried to create, and how did you get there. Please spend at least 1-2 paragraphs on this. Maybe even focus on certain instrument sections how you "shaped" that particular feeling. We (the Song Provider and I, the host) would also like to know on what on what devices you mixed his song. Please note down your used headphones and / or speakers, if they have been frequency corrected (e.g. traditional methods with 31-band EQs, or custom correction software), if you use room treatment, etc. Please keep it simple - you do not need to mention the full signal chain in this case. Answers like "mixed on Genelec 1031A, frequency corrected with Sonarworks SoundID, cross checked with Noname PC speakers, the room has been treated" or "mixed on AKG K240 Studio, no correction" will suffice. Thank you.

EDIT: Initial Post on 20-MAR-2025 08:05

elements · #4

@Strange Thank you for posting a lighter, happy song for this round. It’s all been so heavy for months. I am looking forward to exploring this track.

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