I have been thinking to open a "Mixing Challenge" here. Users interested would be mixing any X piece of music to learn and improve their skills by being evaluate by other users here.

I or someone would have to arrange and sequence the music first, so it can be given to others to mix it. The music would be given unprocessed. This mean 0 compression, 0 reverb or minimal, 0 effects, 0 EQ, etc.

The music probably would be between 1 to 2 mins long, and would be given to you as multiple .WAV files.

Any thoughts about this idea? Any problem you see? Any new idea to add?


The problems I see at the moment are:

- Multiple .WAV file = Big download
- Trouble with popular tunes due copyrights
- Synth/Samples to use


I have in mind that would be good to use anime, video game and classic music for this challenge. There must be a MIDI or sheet music somewhere in the internet because transcribing the music would consume more time.

If the songs are short, we could always have the composers here put something togther.

On the other hand if it's a known song, we would end up using the originals as mix references, which may or may not be what you're going after.

Interesting. I like.

I probably won't be able to participate, but I think this is a sweet idea!

This sounds pretty interesting... Might as well participate in it. :)

it might be interesting to mix the compositions already at hand... as in the old compositions that we already have in this forum.

^ It would be better if everybody is mixing the same music rather than each one mixing any of their original compositions in this case, so we can judge and compare the approach of each person. And whatever you learn from the experience, you would be able to apply it to your original compositions or arranges.


Yesterday I was looking what could be a good choice for this and I ended deciding to sequence a theme from The Legend of Zelda. I am sure not many people here hate Zelda's music, right? lol

The theme I sequenced probably would be around 200mbs to download and between 13-18 wav files to mix.

Please keep sharing your thoughts and suggestions about this!


Edit:


This is the one I sequenced (with a semi rough reverb and volume balance):

http://soundcloud.com/nyu001/the-great-bay-reverb/s-L4wQC


And this would be the one to mix (same track without volume balance and reverb):

http://soundcloud.com/nyu001/the-great-bay-raw/s-StIC6

I suddenly feel like kicking ass in Smash Bros

I need studio monitors... I only have headphones for monitoring purposes. Even if I have monitors, I have to treat the room. Haha maybe someday when I get a real private music studio.

Just to get an idea of the participants here, what do you guys mix out of? What is your setup?

I am sure most people here are not equipped with the best stuffs, but that can't stop someone from learn by using the free tools or demos. You have to start from somewhere, lol.

Zero: The same happened to me. Good video game memories, haha.

I need the thoughts of others users, so I can say this would be worth to do here. Anyone interested speak your thoughts!

Great idea !

We need to practise at each point of the audio production. And, as I have something to learn with this point, I would be glad to be a contestant :)

I think that the song must be fixed by the judges. It would be nice to have an arrangement from an existing song. So it will be more "neutral", as the arrangement is already "oriented", even if the song is known.

Of course more the arrangement is rich, more we have wave files... So, I think a short song is required, to preserve bandwidth ^.^

Of course people with a good "studio" take some advantages. If judges want an objective challenge, why don't challengers use the same (free!) software ? (I'm thinking to Kristal (http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/) - if you know it !?)

In that case, by defining allowed plug-ins, everyone would start with the same materials : samples (or the project files) and software. The challenge will then really focus on the mixing abilities.

Of course people with a good "studio" take some advantages. If judges want an objective challenge, why don't challengers use the same (free!) software ? (I'm thinking to Kristal (http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/) - if you know it !?)


I think we should do REAPER because you can use more than 2 vst plug-ins per track. I have never used Kristal, though.

I was thinking of Reaper too. Kristal seems ok, thanks for share it. The bad I see of Kristal is that it just support a maximum of 16 channels? It has a 3 band EQ and a reverb, that would cover the most important at least.


Of course people with a good "studio" take some advantages. If judges want an objective challenge, why don't challengers use the same (free!) software ? (I'm thinking to Kristal - if you know it !?)

It is not just the software. Not everybody will have the same speakers and headphones too. Someone with better monitors will detect flaws in a mix better than one with a cheap monitor. There are multiple choice of reverb also. Algorithmic reverb or convolution reverb. If you can pan, control volume, add multiple tracks, and any processor then all should be fine. xD

How long should be the deadline? Two weeks or One month? I am thinking of one month since people get busy. Or Maybe 3 weeks?

Suppose this is going to be an ongoing thing (perhaps we'll have composition or arrangement challenges somewhere down the line), the deadline should depend on how large or long the song is.

Another factor is time constraint. Having a limited amount of time for a challenge can be a challenge in itself.

That's assuming these challenges are mainly for fun, for experience, for giving each other feedback, and not for prize money or "winning."

Reaper or Kristal... I won't discuss about software / promote this one or the other one :lol: it's not the place ^_^

This was to agree about a "standard" configuration, and speakers, headphones are also on the line; i forgot them a little :sweat:


3 weeks seems to be a good time. But if there is no other challenges I think that only 2 should be fine.


these challenges are mainly for fun, for experience, for giving each other feedback, and not for prize money or "winning."

+1 !

(yes Kristal is limited to 16 channel)

Suppose this is going to be an ongoing thing (perhaps we'll have composition or arrangement challenges somewhere down the line), the deadline should depend on how large or long the song is.

If many people participate (More than 3 or 4) this may continue.


Another factor is time constraint. Having a limited amount of time for a challenge can be a challenge in itself.

That is true. Actually it is exiting to me. I like the feeling of rush, lol.


That's assuming these challenges are mainly for fun, for experience, for giving each other feedback, and not for prize money or "winning."

Yeah. Fun, experience and feedback. The prize is what you learn from it, lol. ^^

At alpiso: I will see how I keep all under 16 channels.

There are multiple choice of reverb also. Algorithmic reverb or convolution reverb.
Maybe to help with things like this, we could say that you are only allowed to use free (not pirated!!) plug-ins, samples, impulse response files, etc. That leaves options wide open, but puts everyone on basically an even playing field.

@ Nyu001 : You have already the song that will be used for the challenge ?

By suggesting Kristal I was also thinking about another point of this challenge : because the (chosen) software is limited, "how can I do the best with simple things".
Personally, I work with Cubase LE (bundled with my sound card) and working with another software doesn't bother me, this will give another some crisp to this challenge ^_^

Hmm, the mixing challenge is supposed to be more of a learning experience than a contest, is that correct? If there's no prize, then software standardization is probably not that big of a deal. Just my two cents/opinion.


If you guys try to make it too standardized, then it might be less appealing. Even something simple and free like Audacity can be used to make a decent mix. One thing I would recommend though, is put together a zip (or rar) bundle of the best free mixing VST plugins (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=free+mixing+VST+plugins), so that participants will at least be better equipped for the task of mixing, regardless of which program they use. Beyond some decent free VSTs, you probably don't need much to make a nice mix.

So in short, I recommend: (a) just let people use the software they're most used to using and (b) hand out license-free VSTs to help out the poor folks who aren't as well-equipped. It might not be fair, with the software imbalance, but amateurs going up against people with lots of mixing experience isn't exactly fair either, heheh. So, maybe worry less about fairness, and more about helping people get better at mixing. =)


And for the record, "no", I doubt I'll participate in this, but I won't rule-out my future participation if I change my mind, and "yes", I'll be carefully observing this challenge to scout for an audio-mixer for the ichi web symph in the future. =D


I look forward to seeing people improve their mixing skills here.

@ Nyu001 : You have already the song that will be used for the challenge ?

Yes, for the first challenge I already sequenced a track from The Legend of Zelda (SSB: Melee actually).

Look at the first page with the demos:

http://forums.ichigos.com/showthread.php?17674-Mixing-Challenge&p=474477&viewfull=1#post474477

Feel free to comment about it if you do not like that choice.


@ By suggesting Kristal I was also thinking about another point of this challenge : because the (chosen) software is limited, "how can I do the best with simple things".
Personally, I work with Cubase LE (bundled with my sound card) and working with another software doesn't bother me, this will give another some crisp to this challenge ^_^

Yes, you always have to try to do the best you can with the limitations you have. However, even having a lot it is a challenge too. The more choices you have the harder for you to pick the right one. The more controller the more the mess you may make, lol.




One thing I would recommend though, is put together a zip (or rar) bundle of the best free mixing VST plugins

I was thinking to add a document with links to free (and demo) software and plug-ins. I don't think it would be appropriate to re-distribute in Ichigo's the software out of the original domains.



I'll be carefully observing this challenge to scout for an audio-mixer for the ichi web symph in the future. =D

Nice! Maybe that can motivate some people here. :D

Oh -_- ... sorry -_-

Yes, this theme would be nice ^_^ (where are the files :lol: ? )



Hmm, the mixing challenge is supposed to be more of a learning experience than a contest, is that correct? If there's no prize, then software standardization is probably not that big of a deal


About the standardisation, I don't really want it. I should have some troubles to write my thoughts in English :heh: or maybe I'm thinking about another kind of challenge - forget it, you're right : giving the basis to everyone is good enough. Then the best mixers should share their tips and useful tools ^.^

The files will be up when the challenge start. I am hoping to start this soon.

who will be the judge... in fact are we even going to have a judge for this, or are we just going to vote...

From what I see... we will be using Reaper as our surf board and ride the waves. Thank you... thank you... awesome analogy... I know. haha.

Anyways... I'm not saying that using Reaper is finalized, but it should be a good start. We can all know how to use Reaper and move onto the next thing.

I'm somewhat interested in this competition. I do feel the need to get better at mixing audio.

Is it still going to be the team competition?

who will be the judge... in fact are we even going to have a judge for this, or are we just going to vote...

Judging will be between each other giving constructive criticism in whatever you are able to comment. I will think if maybe is possible to bring someone with better experience in mixing that would be fine sharing his/her thoughts. Though, I doubt that happening at the moment. But I will see.


From what I see... we will be using Reaper as our surf board and ride the waves. Thank you... thank you... awesome analogy... I know. haha.

I won't restrict it to Reaper. You can use whatever sequencer/audio editor you have. But from the free stuffs, Reaper is the best choice at least for the 30 days you have of trial.


Anyways... I'm not saying that using Reaper is finalized, but it should be a good start. We can all know how to use Reaper and move onto the next thing.

Yes, Reaper it is good to start to familiarize with sequencers since it give you a nice long unrestricted trial.



Is it still going to be the team competition?

Team competition? o_0

I won't restrict it to Reaper. You can use whatever sequencer/audio editor you have. But from the free stuffs, Reaper is the best choice at least for the 30 days you have of trial.


The 30 days is more of a suggestion, really...

No, they says you must get a license. They are just not blocking it, lol.


If after 30 days you decide that REAPER is not for you, simply delete it.

If you decide that REAPER is for you, you must purchase a license.

I stand by what I said. ;) Haha, just kidding.

I want to let you all know that this still is going. I just have got busier and I have not concentrated on this.

No worry, the end of the "school year" is near, so everybody should be well occupied !
Thanks to you to drive this project ;)

Yeah, once the spring semester is over, I'll have plenty of time to devote to this :)

For those of you who are thinking about taking part in the mixing challenge (once it starts), I saw something similar (http://ocremix.org/forums/showthread.php?t=34958) over at OCRemix and I thought it might be interesting and relevant. Y'all might consider checking it out and seeing what some of those folks did when they tried mixing stuff.

I've already learned a couple new things just by reading through that thread and listening to various mixes.

Nice, I wish I could supply live recordings!

It has been a while now and there are just 7 votes so far... lol. I guess people soon will get free to participate in this for the summer since it is May now. ～o(^▽^)o

I many not be so active lately since I will be traveling and I won't have a computer with me. However I will try to push this forward whenever I get the chance!

Any update on this, Nyu? Will there be a challenge? I know it's been a while, but I'd be up for it :D

I have not forgotten about this! The thing is that I went to U.S.A. and I did not have my PC nor any of the files with me. Three months ago I came back to my country having one month without internet and the other two months (Nov-Dec) with an ill PC that was not able to launch my projects. I got everything finally backed-up a few hours ago and I just revive my PC with Win7 64-bit (Finally! Woo~). I may look into this someday of January or maybe March, because I will be out of my country again in February.

Now I must say #$(&#$ almost one year!

Hah, I think this sounds like a pretty fun thing to try. I've never remixed anything before, so I think I'd like to give this a shot! :D

Great !!
I'm waiting patiently for the starting signal ^.^