MindWanderer

Remixes are due in 11 hours. I have none yet.

I agree with Timaeus: a "Like" is moderately useful without any context. It can be applied without a great deal of thought, without any negative impact. I like the idea of this being the primary way remixes can be sorted by popularity, because this is the easiest way of getting "scores" for as many mixes as possible. A numerical score is just not helpful without an accompanying review. I don't believe it's a good idea for people to be able to give a mix 1/5 stars without justification, for all the reasons Timaeus said. Something like the Amazon method might be a good idea: If you want to leave a numerical rating, you have to leave the review. And reviews can themselves be "liked." (BTW, if anyone wants to get into an elaborate discussion with me regarding the merits of a 1/5, 1-7, or 1-10 scale, we can take that to PM or a separate thread. It's a complex psychometric topic.)

Ah, yep, usually Save As is the right thing to do if you won't want to play a media file in your browser. I thought even Dropbox used to work that way. Got it now.

Apparently that WAV uses a compression codec I don't have installed, or something. I can't play it in any media player I own, or import it into REAPER. Edit: Still not fixed. I got both versions, neither works. Edit 2: Oh, that's so not a compression codec. The file is 28KB. Slightly impossible for a 3-minute WAV.

I'm not crazy about XP per se (it encourages thoughtless responses), but there are alternatives. Something like Karma, or even the ability to upvote reviews or other non-music content. It would be cool if you could get recognition as a helpful/entertaining reviewer.

Just had some thoughts on how compos could be integrated into this system. In general, there should be a system for tagging mixes with various attributes, but with compos, you could do it like this: Participants upload their entries but mark them as private, and PM the compo organizer with the link. The organizer would have the ability to un-hide the mixes and flag them with the compo name, round, bracket, season, etc. Another use of tags would be that producers of official albums could tag remixes as belonging to an album. Or this privilege could be reserved for the OCR team and applied only when an album is released. Speaking of albums and compos, another consideration is versioning. Sometimes the album version or compo version of a mix aren't the ones that get posted. Having multiple versions is handy to see the progress of WIPs, too. This could be as complex as a full VCS-like system, or as simple as a tag saying "Other versions of this remix: A B C"

Lots of great ideas here. Regarding "mix status," I'm thinking along the following lines: WIP: Unfinished, actively soliciting feedback. Cannot be rated. What we currently call "finished" in the WIP forum, probably needs a new name ("complete?"): Is a complete song, but feedback is still actively solicited. Can be rated, however, it can also be updated! If updated, you could use an algorithm that would weight post-update ratings more highly than pre-update ones, to the point where after a few new ratings have been made, the old ones don't contribute at all. Mod Review: Same as #2 but flagged for a workshop mod's attention. Maybe needs a new name b/c of #5 below. Workshop mods can knock this back to #2. Submitted: Timestamped and queued into the "inbox." Can be updated, but doing so resets the timestamp. Under Review: At least one judge has placed a vote, but the votes are hidden. Once judging is complete, it gets knocked back to #2 or promoted to #6. I don't like "Featured," personally. Other websites use "featured" to represent a small, rotating list of items, and that's what they'll assume we mean it to mean. (And we could "feature" mixes as well: recent mixposts, hot discussions, recent updates to hot WIPs, etc.) I agree that "Passed" and "Approved" are problematic as well, though. You could just use an "OCR Seal of Recognition" logo, I suppose--sometimes actual words aren't necessary. Or the more tongue-in-cheek "OCR OK" or "Blessings of the Judges." Special bonus: OCRemoved would become unnecessary. Mixes could get demoted from #6 and remain on the site at #2. Edit: Just thought of another bonus to using a "seal": Mixes can be updated any time until they get the "seal." So the forums would be able to use the word "sealed" as an apt double entendre.

Submission format and quality? .wav, .flac, .mp3 w/ VBR, etc? Or just literally name the file "Artist Name - Track Name" with no file extension, and make you guess?

Hm... anyone know of a technique to pitch-shift yourself upwards without chipmunkification? Note: I reserve the right to submit chipmunk singing if it would be tasteful. Somehow.

I'm in. For better or worse, most likely worse. One more question: Can we add vocal accompaniment? I.e. can we harmonize, scat, beatbox, etc. with ourselves? Technically speaking, "vocal processing" could mean autotuning yourself on a 50% wet signal.

I'm interested in taking a stab at this. I can sing live decently well, but singing into a recording is something else entirely. And vocal production isn't a skill I've picked up at all. Also I'll be using the USB mic that came with Rock Band (although if someone can suggest a mic <= $10 that would be way better, I'm all ears). So, my apologies in advance. Some technical questions: Do these come with lyrics or do we have to write our own? If they come with them, will there be a full version with vocals that we can use to learn the part? Do we submit just the vocals, or the whole thing put together?

Yeah, there's that evil black marble you can try to destroy, but there's nothing to suggest that the marbles are supposed to be sentient.Puyo Puyo is cutting it a little close--you are making little blobs with eyeballs vanish, but it's unclear what's happening to them, and you're doing it by adding more little blobs. I'd say no to Dr. Mario, though: the viruses are clearly depicted as little creatures, and you're basically poisoning them.

Does the remixer have any say in it? I have a few mixes in my to-attempt list that would be based partially on games not represented in OCR at all, and my preference would be for them to be listed under such a game instead (especially if it has a soundtrack I love overall).

History Repeating: Red comes out in 5 minutes! It should cover the rest of the Mega Man 3 soundtrack. Very excited. Edit: Poo, it's just a pre-order. They aren't even done recording yet. What have they even been doing for the last two years?

I haven't played very much F-Zero. I know you can blow yourself up; is it a viable strategy to run other racers off the course to try to make them blow up? If so, it's not a legal choice. For examples I do know, Excitebike would be off-limits, but Rad Racer would be fine.

Theme This month's episode is dedicated to Lux, the 22-pound Himalayan cat who held his owners hostage until they could be rescued by the police. Cat we all just get along? To prove that we can, all of this month's remixes should either: Be based on a video game wherein none of your problems are solved with violence: no killing, squashing, punching, shooting, blowing up, etc. of any creatures (or robots, in settings with sentient robots), OR Be based on any source, and be peaceful and calming. Pairings The Eluryahn with wildfire. Cash with Esperado. Hollow with timaeus222. BrothaDom with Jean of mArc.

Yeah, sorry about the delay, life happened. I'll get the pairings and themes up in the next couple of hours, and deadlines will be extended by a day to compensate.

I got a stealth volunteer by PM from Jean Of mArc, so ATM only Hollow would have to sit out. Another Star would be much appreciated! This is not the time to feel insecure about your skills!

You're right, I must have updated that and then used an old template. The intention was the same in either case. I've updated the post.

Season 2, Episode 5: Pacifism Results! First Place: "Stop the Doc" by BrothaDom feat. Jean of mArc, with 17 points. Second Place: "Genesis" by Hollow feat. timaeus222, with 15 points. Third Place: "Practice Makes Madness" by Cash feat. Esperado, with 14 points. Download Season 2 Now! Theme This month's episode is dedicated to Lux, the 22-pound Himalayan cat who held his owners hostage until they could be rescued by the police. Cat we all just get along? To prove that we can, all of this month's remixes should either: Be based on a video game wherein none of your problems are solved with violence: no killing, squashing, punching, shooting, blowing up, etc. of any creatures (or robots, in settings with sentient robots), OR Be based on any source, and be peaceful and calming. Pairings The Eluryahn with wildfire. Cash with Esperado. Source: http://youtu.be/3jPcj569POc Hollow with timaeus222. Source: http://youtu.be/TLfj3pAlrs4 BrothaDom with Jean of mArc. Source: http://youtu.be/QAcM6JP8DtA About ReMixing With the Stars ReMixing With the Stars is intended to give beginning remixers some support, encouragement, and mentoring in their quest to become great, and as a sidenote, to become posted remixers. Beginners are mentored by experienced remixers to push their abilities to new heights and submit collaborative works according to the theme of the month. Who's a "Star" and who's a "Novice?" Any posted or accepted-to-be-posted remixer, as the only artist or as the lead arranger on a piece, is automatically considered a "Star." This isn't meant to be a statement on who's a "good" or "expert" artist, but it's a somewhat meaningful threshhold which doesn't require any subjective judgment on my part (however subjective the OCR judging process may be). Additionally, anyone who wants to sign up as a Star can also be put into that category. This is because a lot more "Novices" (who is everyone else) sign up than stars, and it's better to receive some mentoring from someone who's good but not posted than from no one at all. If you've done any of the following things, as examples, I strongly recommend you sign up as a Star: Contributed to an OCR album Had a submitted remix rejected but with one or more "Yes" votes Beat a posted remixer in direct competition (not counting forfeit) Sold your compositions (remixes or not) for money If you want to sign up conditionally (e.g. "I'd prefer to be a Novice, but if you need me to be a Star so more people can participate, that's fine too"), then go ahead, and bless you. Rules Enrollment/Pairings: Since this is a new season, pairing priority (should it be an issue) is flipped: newcomers get the first slots, while returning Novices will be dropped, by order of signup, if there aren't enough Stars to go around. As before, once the list of Novices is reduced to the same size as the list of Stars, novices will be randomly paired with Stars. Since this is a new season, Novices may be paired with a Star they worked with last season. Mixes: The Novice must be the primary remixer. Stars can contribute by giving advice, playing a live instrument or vocals, and with production, including sample quality, balance, and minor adjustments to fix timing or dissonance issues. They may also contribute a short solo segment. No one other than the Novice and Star may help in any way. Submissions: All entries must be sent to me by the 10PM PDT deadline via PM on the forums, with a link to a reliable host for me to download your mix from. Please don't use Tindeck, as it doesn't give you control over what the filename will be when downloaded. I also recommend you post in this thread that you've submitted your mix, since I know there have been issues in other compos with PM's not being received. Please submit your file as an mp3, preferably encoded at a high-quality VBR or 320kbps. Filenames must be in the following format: Novice feat. Star - Title (Game).mp3 Example: MindWanderer feat. djpretzel - The World's Worst ReMix (Pong).mp3 Proper file names and formats mean I can do my job of getting the compliation done and posted faster, which means you get to hear the great music produced by this sooner. Incorrect file names annoy me, and an annoyed host is an unhelpful host. Schedule All deadlines are 10 PM Pacific time (PDT). Signups until Tuesday, March 11, 10:00pm PDT. If you're signing up as a Novice, and didn't sign up for a previous episode, you must post links to at least two samples of your previous work! They don't have to be good, they don't even have to be game remixes, you just have to prove you're not brand-spanking-new to this music production thing. Things you've posted to the WIP forum are preferable but not required. If you're signing up as a Star, say a little bit about your strengths, and maybe post a link or three to remixes you feel best represent them. You can mention anything else you think would be helpful in working with you (software preferences, instruments you play, etc). Announcement of the pairings and theme on March 12. The theme will be broad enough to allow many, many options, serving mainly as a unifying factor. It's announced later so that no one gets a head start. ReMixing from March 12 to Wednesday, March 26, 10:00pm PDT (2 weeks). Rules and guidelines above. Voting from whenever I get the compilation posted (should be no more than a few hours after the deadline) until Wednesday, April 2, 10:00pm PDT. Votes should be based on, in roughly descending order, use of source (i.e. interpreted but recognizable), arrangement, production, and enjoyability. How appropriate the submission was for the theme shouldn't be considered (since this is easier for option A than option . You'll pick your three favorites, in order. Your first-place vote will get 3 points, your second-place 2 points, and your third-place 1 point. Participants (both Novices and Stars) may not vote for their own mixes, but participants who vote will get a free first-place vote added to their score. Please send me a PM with your votes, like this: 1. First-place ReMix 2. Second-place ReMix 3. Third-place ReMix Thanks for your interest, and lets get this show on the road! Previous Episodes Season 1 Compilation [thread=40611]Pilot Episode: "Beginnings"[/thread] [thread=41556]Season 1, Episode 1: "Spooky!"[/thread] [thread=41864]Season 1, Episode 2: "Origins of Home Gaming"[/thread] [thread=42143]Season 1, Episode 3: Special "You Can Never Have Too Much Mega Man" edition[/thread] [thread=42485]Season 1, Episode 4: "Yesteryear"[/thread] [thread=42797]Season 1, Episode 5: "Ultra-Modern"[/thread] [thread=43124]Season 1 Finale: "Touched by a Star"[/thread] [thread=43437]Season 2, Episode 1: "Country Road"[/thread] [thread=43702]Season 2, Episode 2: "Tropical Vacation!"[/thread] [thread=45320]Season 2, Episode 3: Special "Wish on This!" edition[/thread] [thread=45909]Season 2, Episode 4: "The Need for Speed!"[/thread]

I ran across this juxtaposition earlier this week. I thought it was appropriate to mention here. http://kotaku.com/5825489/nintendos-hardware-sales-arent-looking-so-hot http://kotaku.com/nintendo-3ds-was-top-selling-system-of-2013-because-it-1503082139

Oh, I'd love to do Phantasy Star 2, but I'm still working on my Dr. Mario RPG mix. If someone wants to take it, that's great (especially since I don't have an audition-worthy remix to my name yet), but if it's still on the table by the time I'm ready, I'm all over that sucker.

I was until a couple months ago. Last time I had upgraded it was to play Fable, and that was just the video card.I think one restriction per round is enough, I.e. one vst or soundfont. Restricting the theme or source in addition seems unnecessary, and too similar to existing compos. A super-broad theme might be OK, but DoD ranges from broad (Japan) to narrow (TMNT). Although their re-remix theme would be pretty cool for this. I also think the winner should choose the next round's instrument, and I don't think it necessarily has to be a super-obscure one. It probably shouldn't be Synth1 or FluidR3, but choosing 'Bleep or setzerspc seems reasonable enough.

Well, TLs sounds good to my ear, and I know nothing about premium plugins, but better ears than mine have recommended Limiter No.6 (One of the six is a clipper with a knee parameter), and Melda's MLimiter looks like it has strong potential in that area as well.

I'm amused by this, as white noise with fast attack and slow decay is what 8- and 16-bit music use for crash cymbals anyway.Used sparingly, dead air for a beat before the new measure can serve just as well as a crash. Occasionally another instrument with similar properties, like a tubular bell or triangle, can do the job, but that doesn't seem to suit many types of music. I suppose the cannons in the 1812 Overture accomplish the same thing.