The "Overview of Submissions" PDFs have been uploaded.
You can check them through the
upper post (post #87).
As officially announced here
earlier this month (September 2021), this data sheet is used to give an overview of all entries, and whether or not they are within given parameters (loudness, sampling rate, bitrate). This is adding to the overall learning process of the "Mix(ing) Challenge", and there will be a dedicated "
Mix Challenge Addendum thread" explaining the mechanic in even more detail in the foreseeable future (I need some time for that). Please take note that creating this sheet is not a fully automated process. I am using Wavelab 10's "Batch Analysis" tool (EBU R-128 specs / equivalent to ITU-R BS.1770-4), but the overall layout and highlighting issues/mishaps, is time consuming. If you do not find yourself on this list, please let me know.
We have a disqualification rate of 15,71% for December 2021 (70 entries, 11 disqualifications, 0 "Out of Competition" submissions).
In comparison to previous months (detailed in spoiler tags):
► Show Spoiler
- November 2021 (27,14%, 70 entries, 19 disqualifications)
- October 2021 (15,90%, 44 entries, 7 disqualifications)
- September 2021 (24,00%, 75 entries, 18 disqualifications)
- August 2021 (20,45%, 44 entries, 9 disqualifications)
- July 2021 (20,34%, 59 entries, 12 disqualifications)
- June 2021 (26,08%, 46 entries, 12 disqualifications)
- May 2021 (22,73%, 66 entries, 15 disqualifications)
- April 2021 (24,59%, 61 entries, 14 disqualifications)
- March 2021 (25,64%, 39 entries, 10 disqualifications)
- February 2021 (35,05%, 77 entries, 27 disqualifications)
- December 2020 (22,67%, 75 entries, 17 disqualifications)
- November 2020 (31,15%, 61 entries, 19 disqualifications)
- October 2020 (33,70%, 92 entries, 31 disqualifications)
- September 2020 (32,60%, 46 entries, 15 disqualifications)
- August 2020 (28,57%, 35 entries, 10 disqualifications)
- July 2020 (40,37%, 109 entries, 44 disqualifications)
On average (17 months), we currently have a disqualification rate of 26,28% (compared to last month's 26,94% avg), the rate is on a decline again.
Please keep in mind, your mix being tagged "disqualified", does not automatically mean "you're out of the game" (exceptions do apply, see
Wild Card Mechanic, read more about that below).
A commentary on this month's entries:
Once more welcome to all new participants that joined this December. I hope you enjoy your stay and you will learn something from this experience. And of course, a "welcome back" to our long-time users that haven't participated in a while.
This month is quite interesting in terms of statistics. While we only have 11 disqualifications for 70 entries, sadly 5 of them can not advance. That leaves us with 6 mixes that count to "mishaps". Nearly all of these mishaps are due to loudness specs, exceeding -16 LUFS ILk and/or -1,00 dBTP. There is entry in the wrong sampling rate this month, but one that is in the wrong bitrate. Easy fixes, if you are selected for Mix Round 2.
We do have a lot of "non accessible files" and "ignored filename templates" this month. For example...
@FromAtoZMix's entry went through the known "non-accessible Google Drive" link issue. Then it is clearly stated in the
Upload and Submission Guidelines, that not only need all entries be accessible for the duration of the game, you should also not use a service like WeTransfer as this only stores your content for 7 days max. I got the file early on (because of a myriad of reasons) - but you also need to give the Song Provider a change to catch up (
@georgwalt).
On the topic of the filename -- this is just as important. This is not just a random rule - it adds to the readability and file management (plus, it shows if you can stick to given parameters). You can't just write "sun returns <username mix 2444.wav", "Sun Returns <legal name, not username> Mix" or "Master John Henderson final(2).wav". Not only will your entry not be associated to your user account. Should there be a mishap on saving, your entry can not be found in the first place. I provide a template for a reason, please use it (
@Chokaprod,
@likemucas,
@georgwalt).
And I sadly also had to pull out a mix due to it being a re-submission, with higher loudness even (
@Chris M).
Overall, I am happy with the participation this month. We could still have more mixes, but an average of 50 entries (see
global statistics) is not bad in my opinion. Now let us please show the same love for the
Songwriting Competition
A topic for 2022:
I want to see more documentation for your entries. More details as to why you had to omit certain tracks, why you think that strong pitch correction and time-alignment was needed, why you opted for leaving DI tracks "as is" and not re-amp, what sound you really enjoyed sculpting and how you go there, etc.
I won't let arguments like the following count anymore:
"I don´t write any extensive information about individual tracks anymore as I don´t think anybody cares much and more important nobody will have a benefit from knowing which eq, which compressor or reverb someone used". If I read such comments in the future, your entry will be out without any option for a Wild Card. I really do not understand why this is a monthly recurring topic, as this particular rule has been established for several years. And by joining the game, you agreed to adhere to the
well established Rules and Guidelines.
Tell us more! Don't assume that nobody will read this.
The documentation is part of the learning aspect of our community. A lot of participants are still only mentioning
"I did the usual usual" or
"I just adjusted things here and there for warmth, what is there to tell?". While you might think this is unimportant, others join our community for this very reason. To gather knowledge, to experiment, to learn. Granted, learning can also be done through plain listening (if you know what to look for), but having an explanation "how sound ABC was created" (like a vocal chain, or a guitar setup) on top of that, is adding so much more to that.
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Important to point out (for all new participants): :
Unless your file couldn't be downloaded, has been re-uploaded/re-posted during the course of the main submission round, or can not be associated with your user account, having your entry being tagged as "disqualified"
does not mean that you're completely out of the game (yet). Should you be selected for Mix Round 2 by this month's "client" (Song Provider), you have the option to advance through the use of the
Wild Card Mechanic.
Please don't be frustrated but rather learn from the experience, find out what went wrong, and use your possible chance to fix this in a follow-up round. This is why the concept of the "Statistics Sheet" and "Wild Card mechanic" exists. It offers you an additional learning factor. Something you usually do not have the chance to outside of this community's monthly competition.
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I now (re-)open the field for everyone to give each other feedback (highly encouraged). This will be independent to the client feedback however. Though please note - criticism on the rule set and angry posts will be deleted without further notice (previously: moved to the
General Gossip Thread, thread is now closed due to ongoing negativity).
Please watch this spot for the client feedback and Mix Round 2 participant announcement.
Due to the Holiday Season, this will happen sometime early/mid January.