[djpretzel]

Submission Standards Revision

After discussion and implementation of feedback from the community, OverClocked ReMix today released revised submission standards, available at:

http://www.ocremix.org/info/Submissi...d_Instructions

This revision doesn't significantly change the content of the previous standards, but instead revises them for clarity and conciseness. We intend to translate these standards into other languages, so this was an important step to complete first, but even without the translation, it is important that this document - which is at the heart of what OCR is all about - is as clear and direct as possible.

Updated & Improved Drop-Down Menus

OCR's drop-down DHTML navigation was updated to a more recent version, and icons were added to assist in differentiating the numerous options available. In addition, menu items were reorganized to more logically present the variety of data available on the site, while allowing for future expansion.

Quick Search Functionality Improved

The "quick search" functionality residing on the left sidebar throughout www.ocremix.org has been modified. Previously, searches for composer, game, remix, and remixer brought back a list of remixes that met each criteria. Now, if you perform a quick search on composers, you'll get a list of composers that match your criteria, for games a list of games, remixes will provide the traditional list of mixes, etc. - the results are specific to the type of search issued. Also, searching for composer searches both the composer name field and the known aliases field, and searching for remixer searches a remixer's pseudonym and their real name as well, when it is available.

All three of these improvements took a good deal of time and energy; more will follow.

[anosou]

Sweet, very sweet!
I'm so glad this happened: "Do not tag or name your file with "OC ReMix", "www.ocremix.org", etc.; we will do this ourselves if your submission is accepted."

keep up the good work, OCR is getting sweeter by the minute.

[big giant circles]

Super Dave Pretzel. He does what he must, because he can.

[anosou]

Originally Posted by big giant circles

Super Dave Pretzel. He does what he must, because he can.

-Also he's a Ninja!






sorry couldn't resist, been watching too much family guy

[Nineko]

Originally Posted by djpretzel

We intend to translate these standards into other languages

Count me in. I already informed both Zircon and Larry that I'm available for this task.

[Harmony]

Submissions will generally be evaluated relative to recently posted ReMixes; ReMixes posted over a year ago may not represent current standards for arrangement and production

Nice, it needed to be said.

[Liontamer]

As someone who likes organization, I appreciate the work put into the Standards and Instructions revision. Outside of clarification done through community input, myself and the judges panel, djp handled 95% of the rewriting.

From my experience both on the panel and maintaing the inbox, the old document wasn't bad, but these revisions provide an easier breakdown and a lot more focus. It's a lot clearer what we're looking for.

[herograw]

1. Submissions that do not meet format, ownership, and source material requirements will not be evaluated.

Shouldn't that "and" be an "or"? Just guessing. I'm assuming all three of those criteria don't have to be met for a mix to be barred from evaluation.

EDIT: Oh, and the new submission standards are clear, concise, and overall impressive. Good job djp and co.

[DarkeSword]

Originally Posted by herograw

Shouldn't that "and" be an "or"? Just guessing. I'm assuming all three of those criteria don't have to be met for a mix to be barred from evaluation.

EDIT: Oh, and the new submission standards are clear, concise, and overall impressive. Good job djp and co.

I believe 'and' is appropriate.

[ffmusic dj]

Submissions should be cleanly and clearly produced.

* Recordings should be reasonably free of distortion, hum, clicks, pops, or other unintentional audio artifacts.

What if my sounds are based around using distortions, hum, clicks and pops? Like somehting out of Björk albums. You know how in some of her old albums (and some new ones) she uses pops and clicks in her song (like this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJy873DMIXM). Can you maybe possibly supply us with an example of what you are talking about?

* Volume levels should be normal compared to the average recording.

What if it's an orchestral recording? Orchestral recordings need to be low in volume so that you can capture it's dynamic. (here is an article about it http://entertainment.timesonline.co....cle1878724.ece ) And what having the volume low was something a musician was trying to use as an effect? Once again, is there an example of what your referring to?

* Synthesized and sampled elements must be reasonably sophisticated.

* General MIDI sounds from low-budget soundcards are not sufficient when superior samples are available online for free.
* Overusing common presets, relying heavily on prerecorded loops, or employing nothing but basic tones or "chiptunes" is discouraged.

Isn't that an artist's choice? What if an artists wants to use a prerecorded loop or a common preset to get the sound he/she was looking for? I mean, there is a fine line between using loops and using loops to make the whole song (trust me, I would know...) but isn't that almost alienating some of the artists? What if the sound I was going for was a midi sound? So many people go with sampled sound and I want to be a little different and use MIDI samples instead, to give it a little edge, thats cool though right? I mean the way you make it sound, I'm guessing you guys sometimes get the most cheesiest songs all based off of midi. That totally understandable but I dont think generic MIDI sample should be discouraged.

* Instrumental and vocal performances should be recorded clearly. Performances should be well-executed with regard to tone, pitch and rhythm.

What if I'm creating a halloween mix that has to be off tone, pitch and rhythm to give it a chilly vibe? I can't do that? Isn't that my choice as an artist? It just feels really weird. it feels like you guys are going into the artists room and telling them how to create the song, well then it's not their song, its your song is it not? And what if I was looking to compress the vocals or instrument like crazy? (Like Justice- D.A.N.C.E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo_QVq2lGMs the vocals are over over compressed but it's being used as an effect!).

Ok, I can totally see some kid going and recording a song thats off key and off tone and rhythm and then submitting it to you... To which, I can totally understand why it wont be accepted... But, is it ok if I am using these things as a effect? Should I tell you guys that I am over compressing the song as an effect so you guys don't automatically assume anything? How would you guys know? Isn't this almost a little bit too nit picky?

I didn't have a problem with anything else you guys had to say because I totally agree with you.


I guess this conversation is mostly about effects and where to draw the line.