Flexstyle

I'll second the recommendation for EWQL. I have the Platinum Plus version, but the Silver or Gold version should be all you need. Really high quality samples, and pretty easy to make a very realistic sound.

I deliberately ignore genres, and just go with what I like. It's worked pretty well for me so far!

I'm always a fan of songs that go off the beaten path, and a down-home pluckin' song with heartfelt vocals like this is always going to catch my ear. I love it, low MP3 bitrate and all. Gives it some more lo-fi authenticity.

Selling my current laptop, cos I'll be upgrading to an ultrabook here shortly. Anyone want it? Yours for $850. SPECS: - 6GB RAM - Intel Mobile Core i5 (Sandy Bridge) processor - 750 GB hybrid SSD drive: acts like an SSD on bootup and when certain, oft-used programs are launched, but still has the storage of a standard hard drive. - Windows 7 Pro - 15" Full HD (1080p) screen - Blu-Ray reader/DVD+CD burner - Dedicated 1GB nVidia GT540M video card with Optimus (switches to integrated low-power graphics when not gaming) - Decent sound for a laptop - Battery is as good as when I first bought it--gets about 2 hours on high power, fully-everything-blasting, and a good 5-6 hours when in power-saving mode (with wi-fi on). It retailed new for about $950 when I got it last year, and I've added the $180 upgrade of the hybrid drive since then as well. Let me know!

Hey all, thought I'd go ahead and plug my latest release on my Soundcloud. It's called "Stand With Me," and it's rather near and dear to my heart. I hope you enjoy it!

Probably a toothed wave of some sort with a LOT of filtering. Sounds to me like the bandpass filter cutoff is following the keyboard (e.g. A2 has one cutoff, while E4 has a much higher cutoff). You could probably get the same effect by sampling a single note that sounds like that synth, and then pitching it up and down with some vibrato. Pretty simple to do in FL Studio, at least.

I do want to mention that there is nothing in the OCR guidelines that says someone must use a certain percentage of a source track. As long as the submitted track uses some sort of discernible source material for at least 50% of the remix, it's kosher. Plus, the song we picked was really more like 12 songs in one. Props to UDW for the arrangement, btw--all I did was write a new drum line, and replace some samples with my higher-quality stuff. Had a blast doing it!

Actually, as I'm re-reading the original post, I do see the phrase "all deadlines are at 12 PDT." So it was specified. However, it would be much more convenient to say "voting ends at 12 PDT on Tuesday, August 14," just because, personally, I don't want to have to read the entire post to get one small bit of information. So yeah, small details.

+1 for Gunnerkrigg Court. That's probably my single favorite webcomic right now.

Yikes--I'm glad it ended up not being an issue for my team, but when I read that "voting is until Tuesday, August 14," I assumed that it would be in the evening, not at the very beginning of the day. That absolutely needs to be clarified, since today is still, if I'm not mistaken, August 14. In my (and, I suspect, many other people's) experience, whenever "until XX day" is mentioned, it's assumed that the period ends when the day does. That said, congrats to all involved, and thanks to MW for moderating this pilot episode.

I haven't forgotten, and I plan to vote when I get home from work.

Just read through the entire archives. As someone who has frequented a TON of webcomics in the past, this is easily right up there with some of the best I've read. Good find!

FYI, there are some fan-freakin'-tastic entries this time around.

Just so there's no confusion. I should also mention that generally speaking, as long as a ReMix stays interesting and incorporates some kind of source for more than 50% of the song, it has a strong chance of passing the panel, from what I've observed (obvious factors like production and instrumentation notwithstanding).

What do you mean by "not too much?" As far as I'm aware, there's no such thing as "too much source." Now, being too similar (cover-ish) will get a mix frowned upon, but never will anyone decry a mix for incorporating too much of the good stuff.

I may have to join this one, assuming I can get home from work in time.

I don't think musical composition scares me at all--if I'm attempting a new genre or chord progression or melodic/textural idea, I look at it as a fun new challenge. That said, sometimes the sheer amount of work I need to put into translating the music I hear in my head into a working sequence is daunting. I'll start a project, have an awesome idea in my head, but then push my chair back a half hour later having only completed the one drum pattern I wanted, or something. I should probably put together a template of SOME sort, heh. Problem is, I don't like using templates because I see that as railroading myself into using the same sounds over and over, which I don't really like to do. MUST HAVE NEW SOUNDS.

I'm actually incredibly happy with how our track is turning out right now. Can't wait to share it with everyone!

This could well be my favorite WillRock track ever. Each one keeps getting better, mate!

So much of this.

I'm sure I'll take some flack for this, and I'm sorry if I'm the lone dissenting voice, but here's my two cents: I'm not a fan. The same lead synth permeates the track throughout (and it's a bit grating), and the bass work is pretty ADHD and unpolished. The mix sounds flat to me, and the drums are, I'd venture, way too simple and dry for this genre. Personally, I'm a bit confused as to the panel's decision on this one. I'm sure I'm missing something, but what is it?

Good grief this is amazing. I can't wait to hear the final version! EDIT: In lieu of PrototypeRaptor mixing and mastering, I'd be happy to volunteer for such a thing.

Looks decent, but I've had bad experiences with Acer laptops in the past. They tend to use shoddier parts than some manufacturers. It should be fine, but I'd almost recommend seeing if you can get a Core i3-based laptop instead of a Pentium. Also, my recommendation is to always get the extended warranty, since SOMETHING will most likely go wrong at some point. This particular laptop has a Core i3 processor, and similar other specs to the one you just posted: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834246489 Only reason I'd recommend this over the one you mentioned is the higher grade of processor, as well as the better brand name reputation. Should last a bit longer, theoretically.

I'd be quite interested in something like this, actually. Sounds like fun!

AVGN FTW. That is perfect. XD