Mix Challenge

Hello and welcome to the Mix Challenge 094 - October 2023

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Bonus Info

This month, you have the chance to work on a "Punk-Pop" production by the band "Pray For Hayden", kindly provided to us by forum regular @BenjiRage (who is also the drummer of the band, and producer of this song). The song is called "Don't Panic!". This challenge is special because you have access to drum multi-tracks that feel overly cleanly processed. That is because they were recorded in sections to minimize microphone bleeding -- and to try something new (according to the song provider). Which is also the biggest twist with this "Pandemic Lockdown" production - working with stacked multi-tracks. Another example would be the bass DI in correlation with the amped bass. If you listen closely, these two tracks play something slightly different ever so often. But it is imperative to use both tracks - otherwise the groove and feel of the song will be altered. Would you like to take up this challenge? 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" for the Mix Challenge regarding principles of the game, upload/submission guidelines, the concept of documenting your edits, and maximum allowed loudness values (see Rule Book - post #6)
• 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
• Please consult the bundled TXTs for more info -- a sub-300 words TL;DR Rule Set is also part of the "Mix Pack"
• Filename Template: MC094__Pray_For_Hayden__Dont_Panic__ForumUsername.wav

Failing to adhere to the rules will result in disqualification. There will be no additional reminders given.
If you got any question, please also reach out on Discord

⚠	Moderation Message from Mister Fox
	IMPORTANT INFORMATION: As of 07-OCT-2023 23:50 UTC+2/CEST, the filename template has been changed to something that should work on any Operating System (no matter the language setting) and any DAW. Please use the following Filename Template: Filename Template: MC094__Pray_For_Hayden__Dont_Panic__ForumUsername.wav The Multitrack Mix Pack has been updated accordingly. Only the TXT files got adjusted. Those of you that already downloaded the pack, you can just re-download the updated TXT files instead.

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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 #132 -- Mix Round 1 Statistics/Data Sheet: Overview of Submissions - is your entry within given parameters?
Post #181 -- Mix Round 2: Global Feedback and Round 2 Participant Announcement
Post #000 -- Mix Round 3: <optional>/<not happening this game>
Post #218 -- Results: Winner announcement

CURRENT CHALLENGE - GENERAL INFORMATION

Time Frame: Sunday, 01st October 2023 to Saturday, 24th October 2023 (21+3 days, extended timeframe)

Challenge submission will end on 24-OCT-2023, 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: Pray For Hayden (represented by @BenjiRage)
Song Name and Length: Don't Panic!, 2:55 min
Song Information: 170 BPM / Signature: 4/4
File Format: WAV, 44kHz, 24bit

GENRE: Pop-Punk


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 (343,15 MB, LZMA compressed, zip) (updated: 07-OCT-2023 23:50 UTC+2/CEST, change in TXT files)
IMPORTANT NOTE: download window might show a smaller file size, file unavailable after 24-OCT-2023 (extended timeframe)


The provided files were packed as ZIP with LZMA compression (specs from 2015).
File size extracted: 917,47 MB, packed 343,15 MB (ZIP, LZMA)

To those that downloaded the Main Mix Package prior to 08-OCT-2023, you only need to download the updated TXT Pack:
Mix Package - TXT Files only (0,08 MB, regular zip)


In order to extract the files, we can recommend these programs / apps:

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A word from the song provider:

BenjiRage wrote:Pray For Hayden are a 5-piece pop-punk band with a sound consisting of rock guitars, poppy vocals and 80s style synths.

Band members are:

• Ash: guitars and lead vocals
• Tom: guitars
• Bryn: bass
• Jonny: vocals (also usually also guitar, but not performing on this recording)
• and Ben (myself): Drums, backing vocals and synth programming

"Don't Panic!" is a song about not wanting to follow a path that everyone else is seemingly going down, instead you can go your own way and doing something else, and that it's ok to do that and not feel bad about it. It was originally written and recorded by the band in the mid 2000's but this particular version was a re-recording done in April 2020 when the UK was under COVID-19 lockdown and everyone was stuck inside at home, not allowed to go out - the title seemed very apt at the time for the period of turmoil the world was going through!

As we were all stuck apart though, each instrument had to be recorded separately by each band member at their respective homes playing to a backing track. Tracks were then sent to me, I added in my parts and mixed it all. Consequently there is quite a difference in recording quality, levels etc between the different instruments as we all had different gear and various levels of recording experience between us.

With the mixing of the song, I think it's important to convey a lot of energy and power since our live performances are like this and we want the recordings to try and mimic it. We also have a very thick and full sound with a lot going on in terms of melodic/harmonic content. The frequency spectrum is pretty stacked so I often find it hard to get each individual element to stand out in the mix. As you'll hear in the demo, it's all very squashed in and everything seems to jostle for attention. A mix that is able to maintain the power and fullness, yet give each element space and presence I think would nail it.

Some reference tracks for the kind of style/sound are:
Jimmy Eat World - Big Casino
All Time Low - Do You Want Me (Dead?)
Small Pools - Killer Whales
Green Day - Know Your Enemy

I hope it provides an enjoyable challenge and I'm really looking forward to hearing your mixes.

Good luck to all!

A few words by the Mix Challenge staff:

As of MC092 / June 2023, and for easier thread readability of the game thread, the "Words by the Mix Challenge staff" are now only part of the bundled TXTs of the Mix Pack. Please check out this text section as well for additional explanation and possible hints for this month's game.



Rule Summary:

More technical details are in the Mix Pack bundled TXTs. In there you can find the lyrics of the song (incl. a translation to English), more information about the individual files, possible changes to the time signature, and maybe even additional tips and tricks relevant to this production. Additionally a TL;DR Rule Set and, depending on the song provider's approval, an available "Off-site redistribution agreement" for a possible portfolio presentation.

Please consult the official Rules and Guidelines for a more detailed set of rules, including how to document your edits, maximum loudness values and delivery formats (see Rule Book - Post #6). Failing to adhere to the rules will result in disqualification. There will be no additional reminders given.


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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, NOS Audio, NUGEN Audio and Tone2


A detailed list of offerings can be found in the following information block.
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Good luck to all participants.
And most importantly, have fun!

What a nice song.
I wasn’t sure what to expect. The multitracks are very workable and clean. Cleanest drum tracks I think I’ve ever heard. Enjoying the sound and the vibe.
Thanks for putting this up for a mix @BenjiRage and @Mister Fox

There is a reason why the drum recordings are so clean...

Please do check the TXT files provided with Mix Pack.

Cool. Yes, I have gained that info from this post. I haven’t been able to open the txt file with the providers write up. I don’t know if that’s specific to my operating system. I’ll check it on a different machine today.
Loving the track.

Can anybody else confirm that the TXT files can not be opened?

I currently count 42 downloads compared to 275 thread views. I always check that the files work before uploading. I just downloaded the file from the link above, just to check once more (although: test rig is Windows 7 based).

If there is an issue that can not be resolved, not even on MacOS with Keka/The Unarchiver (explanations are also available in post #002), then I need to get something sorted out.


So please... a quick check in from those that already downloaded/extracted/loaded the files would be nice.

Thank you.

Mister Fox wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 03, 2023 05:10 CEST

So please... a quick check in from those that already downloaded/extracted/loaded the files would be nice.

I downloaded the package to check everything. Unzipped and opened with Keka on macOS 10.13.6 and it all seems good, text files were all readable, WAVs play fine, no corruption with anything from what I could see.

As a side note to everyone, if you have any questions about the song or you need clarity on anything please feel free to reach out to me, I'll be keeping a close eye on the forum and PMs. Hope you enjoy this month's challenge

Same here, files open fine (Win and Linux).

Good song, Ben!!
Thanks for keeping the challenge going!

Mister Fox wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 03, 2023 05:10 CEST

Can anybody else confirm that the TXT files can not be opened?

Everything worked fine here

It opened fine when I opened it on the iPad. All good.
I was trying to open it on the phone using the Documents app and for some reason it just kept giving me a blank page. On the iPad with the same app it opened without a hitch. Oh well - technology….

@BenjiRage Loving the track. Would you say the essence of the Green Day track you like is the guitar and energy level and the Smallpools track is more the synth and vocals side? Or is it the productions in these tracks in general?

It’s an interesting balance of sounds and the vocal harmonies are great.

Thanks for putting it up here.