zircon

Given MythrilNazgul's recent inactivity we have been limited to three mods now for months. This is not enough to handle the influx of bots on the forum, so we have decided to add two more mods to help out, Bahamut and Xelebes. So, you can contact either of them (via PM, IRC, or AIM; preferably the latter two methods) if you see a bot account with more than one post that needs attention. You can also contact the rest of the mod team, that being DarkeSword, Smoke, and myself.

Open source will be our final refuge. I feel that Microsoft has lost touch with its consumers in a huge way. Restricting the release of media via software controls? That's great. What's next? Are we going to have to burn CDs on a legacy system so that they work in anything besides the computer you burn them on? Also, for those of us here on OCR who are remixers and who do video over the web, where does that leave you? Out in the cold, that's where. It pretty much screws anyone not running Linux or using a Mac. So in response, if it comes to the point where MS decides to discontinue support of XP, I'll sell my PC and buy a MacBook or an iMac or something. Why keep pumping money into an organization that doesn't care about what you want to do with a computer? Their new slogan should be: "Where DON'T you want to go today?" I don't think people will stand for the restrictions imposed by Vista, if they're as severe as the article claims here. And if they ARE severe, I don't see the problem in just using XP for awhile. Plenty of people still use older versions of Windows.

HEY GUYS! I'm looking forward to hearing all the entries y'all have sent in - and hopefully, have yet to send in! This mix is gonna be the hotness. I predict an easy 4Y or direct post, based on some of the vocal talents I'm seeing post here. Gonna be a killer collab with one (or more) of ya... how's that for music to your ears?

My bad, I didn't realize he was ALSO using that as the preamp. That being said, why not an EMU 0404 (~$100 or less) plus a VTB-1 tube/ss mic preamp (~$110)? The VTB-1 (by studio projects) is one of the best sounding preamps around, and it can blend between solid state and tube circuity. A combo preamp and audio interface for $150, especially by M-Audio, is not gonna have high quality components. However, the VTB-1 is a really sound investment that won't go obsolete anytime soon.

Thoughts? If this crap is true, then audiophiles and videophiles won't buy Vista and will stick to XP, which is perfectly functional. Free market. This IS bs, but XP SP 2 works fine for me so I don't have any reason to buy Vista at all.

Hey guys. I'd like to write another ReMixing tutorial, but I'm not sure what topic to cover. I would appreciate some opinions. Here's what I'm thinking of: * Production (Part 2) - Additional topics related to general production approach and methodology. Eg. how to make a mix sound good. * Arrangement - Deals with creating an interesting and engaging arrangement. * Interpretation - Tips on how to take a source tune and vary it so it counts as an OC ReMix. Adding your own personal touch. * Other - You specify! (NOTE: I WILL NOT COUNT YOUR VOTE UNLESS YOU POST IN THE THREAD EXPLAINING WHAT YOU WANT) Feedback is greatly appreciated! ps. If any morons from unmod want to post again and stretch the screen, restrain your urge please.

This might be one of Mazedude's older tracks, but it's still cool. His signature drum and keyboard work is very much present, and his aptitude for arrangement is obvious. It might not be as polished as some of his modern remixes, but that's OK. For the time this was an outstanding mix with a groovy vibe. It has aged well.

Yeah, this is a really cool mix overall - even if the drums aren't the most realistic, I like the ideas a lot and it had a tone of potential to go places. Then it stopped. Boo mp! I'll be waiting for "Tristram Rock 2k7".

Ah, oldschool OCR... this was a pretty cool mix when I first started checking out the site around 4 years ago. Doesn't really cut it by today's standards, but the integration of the voice samples and some nifty synths did set it apart from total suckage - even if the samples are a little lame and the arrangement isn't exactly stellar.

As far as I am aware, the Layer volume knob does absolutely nothing. Don't rely on it for anything, ever. Better method: take those instruments that are within the layer and run them both through a mixer track (using sends). Name it "Layer Auto" or something. Then just automate the fader on that mixer track. This will achieve the exact same effect.

I dunno about M-Audio stuff. I rarely hear good things about it... try an EMU 1212M. Same price, and I haven't heard *bad* things about it. In terms of micing you have a few options; X/Y, spaced pair, etc. Do a google search on "mic techniques piano" and you'll come up with plenty of options.

User voting - also you can post your wips anywhere, just not the completed version.

Ah, Radical Dreamers... the original lends itself to lots of cool arrangement stuff, given that it's just guitar + voice. Jill sent me a WIP of this awhile back and I was digging it then, so now that I have the source in my head, time to check it out. Like Jon said, the quality of the vocals here goes without saying. The recording, mixing, and performance are all spot-on. No problems there. Other production elements are pretty strong - there's a distinct improvement in mixing/mastering on this one vs. Prayer, in terms of maximizing volume and balancing all the different parts. I only half agree with Jon on the drum sequencing, for most of the song it's cool... very reminiscent of Thievery Corporation or Zero 7 and other downtempo groups. It's only towards the second half that I think it's kinda off and lacking a groove, but hey, this isn't supposed to be dance music, and it's not a deal-breaker either way. Yeah, the backing synths weren't hugely varied or complex in programming, some might see that as a minus; but at the same time, varying them up a lot might have detracted from the vocals which are the centerpiece of the mix. The arrangement here is solid. Added harmonies and riffs are there to build on the rather sparse source, and there are several sections with original melody over the source chord progression (a method of variation I typically recommend). Again, I can see Jon's complaint about the chord progression staying pretty static for most of the time, but that's somewhat minor. I'd compare the approach to "Snow Motion" or "Xenosphere" which have relatively static or even NO chord progressions, but still pull it off by building up percussive/synth and other elements on top. Jill worked in progressively more percussive parts, riffs, and harmonies as the mix went on which kept things fresh. My main complaint: where's the rap solo? Overall, this is a very cool mix in a style that we don't usually see here. There are a couple minor production complaints, but even if she still had access to the project, they're not worth a NO. Personally, I would like to see more people mixing in downtempo, new age, or chillout styles (where are you Gray!) It can be tough to pull off but this mix proves that Jill's got the style down. Great job! YES

Heh, you know I beta tested that? Well, the solo strings anyway. It's a cool product. Miroslav isn't the most cutting-edge sample library around, but it's very musical and usable. The sounds fit in a mix well, and the combinator patches that the refills come with are intelligently programmed to give you easy access to shape the sound. As a Reason user, I would say it is your best bet for an orchestral library, and it's not too expensive either. eSoundz is a reputable dealer. They also have a great customer support program... the more you buy, and the more products you own, the better deals you get.

I hope so. Also, a little something to tide you guys over... clip from one of the finished tracks, a take on "Red XIII" and "Cosmo Canyon" that Sixto and I did. http://www.zirconstudios.com/redxiii.mp3 Enjoy.

Yeah they have like 6 sales a year, at least. The reason is because they overprice everything, so when the sales roll around it seems like they're giving a discount, but they're really not. Their sale prices are usually average prices at other retailers for the same products.

http://www.zirconstudios.com/Snapul.mp3 I was pretty light on effects. Plus I don't listen to (or mix) rock songs usually, and I did this at my place in NY (eg. no mastering plugins, just default FL). All in all, I ate your mix.

No, you're free to remix them however you want in any ratio you want. If you want to try doing them all in a medley, even that is OK. But it'll be hard to do tastefully.

Any plans for a home base yet? Or at least some place where people can drop off their stuff.

Seconded what Hemo said.

Just as a general heads up, TONS of companies are running Christmas sales on software. You can easily find discounts of 25% or more, often times right from the developer or manufacturer. For example, Arts Acoustic produces one of the most amazing reverbs around and on Dec 24-26 they are selling it for $50 off ($190 -> $140). IK Multimedia/Sonic Reality are doing 10 different promotions, throwing in T-Racks (badass mastering plugin) for any order above $200+, special crossgrade prices on all their stuff, big bundle deals, etc. Wusikstation has been running a group buy (down to $99) for their ROMpler software... it'll beat out any free soundfonts you'll find, I can tell ya that. Soniccouture produces some specialized electronica libraries for less than $100 and is running a 30% off deal. If you're interested in this kind of thing I suggest hitting www.kvraudio.com and going to their forums - scroll down to the "Marketplace" forum or look at individual developer forums you are interested in. I guarantee you will find at least a few deals every day.

Janeway was as consistent as she could be about following the prime directive given the circumstances. Remember seasons 1 and 2, she repeatedly avoided giving tech to the Kazon even though it would have been much easier for everyone if she did.

Well, the difference is in how the chicken is prepared (on stovetop vs. baked) and how everything is mixed in a saucepan into one uniform blend.... but I can see the similarity.

That's not really true. If you're aiming to actually become a proficient pianist, your touch has a LOT to do with it. There is a ton of high level stuff that has to do with how much pressure you put on the keys and how they react.

Haha, well, theoretically it could be just an enormous sub. That would be badass. And like 1500 calories. And... yeah, you'd think unthaw would mean re-freeze, but it doesn't. I shouldn't say it, I suppose, but it happens sometimes. Same deal as like flammable and inflammable - technically, in the dictionary, they mean the same thing (just like thaw & unthaw).