Remix advice?

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by sureno

... it sound freaky deaky and dogs ran away with their tales between their legs.

and what happened with their tails?

[sureno]

Originally Posted by sphelan

and what happened with their tails?

unfortunately they've never been the same since

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by Wilty

The DMC thing is class news. Not that I'd submit whatever audio monstrosity I created but it's all good practice. It would be great if it was fun in a workshop style, even though it would technically still be a competiton it would be interesting to see what people were doing with the same parts and be able to get advice from people more experienced than me (which is basically everyone). Looking forward to hearing more about this.

I'm still trying to settle on a style myself, I really like harder stuff, especially hard house and hardstyle (I generally mix both 'in my bedroom') but since getting into production find I enjoy listening to basically anything and breaking it down in my head and thinking about it. I think I want to start with techno and techy trance. There is just something I like about the structure and flow. I guess the joy is in the experimentation.

That's the only mini reservation I would have...that it would be seen more as a competition than a workshop. Like it or not, if there is a prize to win, people might (subconsciously) be slow to reveal their secrets and constructively criticise or "tutor" us newbies.

[modz1]

Originally Posted by sphelan

..Like it or not, if there is a prize to win, people might (subconsciously) be slow to reveal their secrets and constructively criticise or "tutor" us newbies.

Fear not, you always have the impartial M1

...and I think all the members here are friendly enough to not resort to that way of thinking

[sureno]

Originally Posted by modz1

Fear not, you always have the impartial M1

...and I think all the members here are friendly enough to not resort to that way of thinking

yeah i think if members do feel that way they will just refrain from putting forward input and rather sit back, im sure that there wont be anything that high at stake that members will resort to sabotage (ooooh i feel a beastie boys remix coming on)

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by modz1

...and I think all the members here are friendly enough to not resort to that way of thinking

Nah, I am sure of that. Just I thought I had to voice the concern lest the not-so-pleasant side of human nature should rear its ugly head!

[Wilty]

Originally Posted by sphelan

Nah, I am sure of that. Just I thought I had to voice the concern lest the not-so-pleasant side of human nature should rear its ugly head!

And this is certainly a very friendly environment.

Especially as there seem to be lots of various styles and different approaches so poaching ideas (even if anyone felt that inclined) wouldn't always work.
I think it would be interesting to see everyone elses take on the same bits.
I know I try and approach things openmindedly (that probably isn't a word) but I think sometimes that trying to keep lots of options open to yourself you end up limiting yourself further and need a kick up the arse sometimes.

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by Wilty

And this is certainly a very friendly environment.

I certainly agree there...and that was never in doubt!

Originally Posted by Wilty

I think it would be interesting to see everyone elses take on the same bits.

And I think this is a great opportunity for us to learn how to approach the area. There is a huge talent base on these forums and I think we can all benefit from this venture. I'm really excited about it.

[EdRyan]

Sorry for my absence.

Probably the best thing I remember getting was a Full Intention Mix of Teena Marie ' I Need Your Lovin'...which quite frankly is still a great effort !

Labels tend to pick remixers because they have managed to polish prodution of a certain style of music to a suitable level. If that's the sound they want, then they generally look for someone that can take the song in that direction. It's a rarity these days that remixers are given absolute freedom to change a record how they want to. You have to conform to yourself, which is quite odd.

So basically, do all your cool interesting stuff now before EMI start handing you cheques for 3k to remix their latest monster pop sounds

[EdRyan]

Hmm. Good question Shane.

Without question, prominent style seems to change depending upon where you are in the world. For example, in America Hip Hop is where the money is at. But over in Europe, we only ever here the mega-mega-mega big tracks.

It goes both ways though. Only the big tracks and artists from here go and get released in the States.

Regardless of which style you pick, there is scope to do well if you get good at it....

The reason I'm posting though, is with some more advice.

Whilst listening to this track:



I realised the structure on the whole, in particular the arrangement with the chords sounded really, really familiar. By fluke, the next thing I did was listen to some remixes a mate had sent me, and I realised that it was his work that had gotten very close to that song.

He's a good mate though, So I'd never shame him by posting up his work that sounds like it. He was quite surprised and embarrassed when I rang him and pointed it out. At first he laughed at me, it wasn't until he started humming, that he realised it was true !

The moral of this story kids is to check your work, and make sure you're not accidentally copying something else you like...

[OJB]

When I remix a track I always make sure I'm sticking to my own 'sound' and I am not trying to make something someone else might want me to make.

Take the last 2 remixes I have done. Neither of them sound at all like the originals (which in my opinion is the whole point in a remix) which has put off the judges a bit but by sticking to my own style, whilst I may not win, I will be happy with what I have made...

The main 'tip' (if you can actually call it that) I can give is spend time getting the BPM right, and listen to the original over and over (if you have it) and make sure you are getting the acca to drop where it should, there is nothing more off putting about remixes than out of time acca's.. you might make the best beat the world has ever known but if you can't line up the vocals right then you won't win.... If i just have the accapella I use the metronome in cubase or reason... play the accapella, tap my feet, my fingers, my everything and anything along to the accapella and adjust the metronome until it fits... this can take time but its worth it... If I have the original track then I just slap a metronome against the drums/rhythm section... I have never used one of those BPM finder programs because I know they won't be as accurate as my hearing... they can give a good starting point but for me (being a drummer) I have good natural rhythm and can probably find a rough estimate of the BPM much faster than the program can.

Just do your thing... if others don't like your remix then so be it, not everyone will like everything so the best advice is make sure you are happy with what you make.

My chosen genre is hip hop so I don't know how much of this applies to other genres, but I'm pretty sure these are transferrable tips...

P.s. this DMC remix competition stuff sounds brilliant.

[sphelan]

+1 OBJ. Good advice there mate. My only remix is posted at My first remix - what's the opinion if you haven't heard it yet! And I followed the approach of making it different to the original and different to what other's might possibly do. As you say, I am happy with the effort even if it is not something that would win a competition!

[modz1]

Originally Posted by modz1

Edit:

So, to re-cap, the available 'parts' for a well known track will be provided (in good faith, not for any other distribution, and ONLY to DV247 Forum members). Said members will do their interpretation of a remix and submit by the deadline (t.b.a.). The remix considered the best work will be confirmed for a future release on DMC's schedule. The winning producer will have full remix credits published.

Just an update on the DMC/DV247 Forums remix initiative mentioned in this thread. A list of possible remix contender tracks has been prepared and is ready for submission to DMC, but their A&R head is unfortunately off sick for a while.. As soon as he returns to work, we'll get the track announced and move this forward for you guys to get your (audio) teeth into

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by modz1

Just an update on the DMC/DV247 Forums remix initiative mentioned in this thread. A list of possible remix contender tracks has been prepared and is ready for submission to DMC, but their A&R head is unfortunately off sick for a while.. As soon as he returns to work, we'll get the track announced and move this forward for you guys to get your (audio) teeth into

Good to know you are still on it Modz1

[sureno]

Originally Posted by modz1

Just an update on the DMC/DV247 Forums remix initiative mentioned in this thread. A list of possible remix contender tracks has been prepared and is ready for submission to DMC, but their A&R head is unfortunately off sick for a while.. As soon as he returns to work, we'll get the track announced and move this forward for you guys to get your (audio) teeth into

was wondering about that, cool is it still ok if some of us have our audio milk teeth