DEIGHTON J. V.1
Hi Deighton! thanks for your submission! Thanks for your submission!
Here is your bullet point critique.
• Your groove and track alone sound good. Nice rhythm. We like the use og synth guitar and pads on the verses.
• However, the music married to the lyrics is problematic because of the key you chose to put the track in. The vocals are in a different key.
• If you recorded on midi, this can be easily solved.
• From a mix perspective, I think the smooth pads that are in your track should have more movement to them, because they feel more suspenseful than exciting. Maybe try pulsing the chords instead of sustaining them for four beats. This way your track keeps the bounce.
• The major problem witth the track is that it is in the wrong key. We like your instrumentation and mood.
• It would have bben nice to hear you add some bass in your track as well at key moments other than in the pre-hook section.
• Overall, nice job.
DEIGHTON J. V.2
Hi Deighton, thanks for your submission! here is your bullet point critique for track 2
• I really like the rhythm and texture on this track. It sounds like you took more risks on this version and it shows!
• Nice choice of instrumentation for the bass!
• This track is in the right key and it really helps the mood of your track. Our favorite parts are the verses when you strip down to the bass and drums.
• During the pre-chorus, we would have liked to hear maybe something arppeggiating through the smooth pads just to keep the movement and progression of the track.
• The bass change up later in the track took us by surprise, but it worked.
• Overall, we thought the track needed to excite us a little more. Musically we needed to hear more of a hook to keep us pumped up.
• Nice job!
MICHAEL JOHNSON (audio video pro)
Hi Michael, thanks for your submission! here is your bullet point critique
*Love the energy in your track and the fact that you put it in a different genre right off the back.
*That’s the purpose of a remix: Take the track somewhere that opens up new EARS
*Your bass texture is tight.
*We can tell that your production skills are tight. Love all the snare rolls throughout! It shows the detail you put in to get the energy out of the vocals.
*We would have liked to hear some changeups in the track, maybe some sections where the drums drop out in strategic places like the beginning of verses or ends of choruses just to give us a break and provide structure.
*We also would have like to see you create a key change or new musical section all together for the bridge to make it stand out more.
*The only liability we felt the track had was its redundancy. Since you gave us the whole track in the first verse and chorus, we felt that the track could have had more surprises in it.
*Overall, the track is tight, especially for overseas marketing purposes.
*Great job Michael!
SHAUN BRAXTON
Hi Shaun, thanks for your submission! here is your bullet point critique
• Nice introduction. We like the sound of your drums. Hot!! The kick is tight. The energy it provides when your track comes in is tight.
• The fact that your vocals are off beat in multiple sections in the track makes it hard to feel the vibe as well as it could be felt.
• We think that it would have helped the track immensely if you had given the vocals more space and built the track as it progressed from verse to chorus.
• The fact that everything came in all at once made the track feel a bit congested and overproduced in sections.
• The immediate impact of your track however relally caught our attention.
• I think your track has a lot of potential..
• Overall, nice job instinctually. Your drum sounds were just about the hottest of everyone’s.
QUIXOTIC v.1
Hi Quixotic, thanks for your submission
*Nice energy on your track. We felt that this track was too dependent on synthesizer sounds. A mixture of instrumentation would have really helped.
*Nice arrangement from one section to the next.
Quixotic V.2
*Very similar to the instrumentation in version one.
*we were looking for remixers to tak more risks in this assignment. A bit of a Prince vibe. We thought it was cool but needed to be stronger overall.
Quixotic v.3
*Synth vibe may still be too similar to versions 1 and two.
*The approach to the first three versions seem a little too close to one another.
*Contrast between versions would help so that we feel renewed with each approach.
Quixotic 4
*The acoustic approach stands out instrument wise. but we feel like the music is in the wrong key. However, the effort and the instinct put it in a class by itself.
*Nice instincts on this one.
Quixotic 5
*We like this version best. it's not overproduced with too many synthesizers. it stands out a bit more but seems like we are still missing something here.
*The client wants to be wowed and the tracks should feel like they are on the same level or better than the original. Needs more urgency and sexiness to be a strong contender.
FUTURE MUSIC FROUP
Hi Future Music Group
thanks for your submission! Here is your bullet point critique
• I like your risk taking sensibility. Rock is difficult to pull off sometimes.
• Forgetting the fact that your vocals go off- beat in the second verse, the energy is tight on your track and we like the way your track had structure. It changed and built up from verse to pre-chorus to chorus.
• Nice energy overall. Love the texture type scratch you put in the verses coming off the choruses.
• We really wish you were able to get the vocals on beat throughout. It really makes a difference when things are in tempo.
• Your production overall is tight and well produced.
• The bridge you put in works well too. Gad you paid attention to structure. We can tell you put time and talent into this. Nice job!!!!!
• We can see the client liking this.
IAMWATER
Hi Iamwater, thanks for your submission! Here is your bullet point critique
• Nice rhythms on your track. We like the fact that you took a modern drum approach.
• Your arppeggiated textures during the chorus is cool too. We like the fact that your track had texture as well all the way through.
• We would have liked to hear you change up your snare reverb within the track. It’s a cool effect, but it would’ve more effective if you took the reverb off in certain sections. Very minor change however.
• We really like your descending bassline and tight drum patterns and the way it progresses into the pre-chorus.
• Nice job! You have a strong command of your programming equipment.
• We thought that overall as a remix that the chorus could have been tougher. The pre-chorus felt a bit like a commercial with the bells in it. The bells also gave it a bit of a melancholy vibe. However, we still thought it was hot!! The midnight SEXY mix!!!!!! Very visual. Overseas in the electronica dance club environment.
• You got SKILLZ!! We can see the client liking this as well.
MIKE CHAN
Hi Mike, thanks for your submission! here is your bullet point critique
• Your drum beat is hot!!! I like the muscle in your track. Very aggressive and confident.
• The sounds and ideas in your track are great, however the fact that the music and the lyrics do not stay in sync throughout throws us off. If you have Pro Tools, it is pretty easy to take time out to shift them.
• Nice energy overall. It’s a shame the vocals did not lock for you because it takes away from what is a cool track.
• Nice use of the synthesizer and the mention of th original melody in the track.
• I like the fact that your track puts the song in a new space and adds a tougher edge to the girls.
• I like the arpeggiated synth that comes in during your track but it seems to get off beat with your drums at times. Make sure your instrumentation is locked up at all times.
• Nice job Mike. Lock those drums up next time. You got skillz too! Clients don’t hear potential. They just hear what you give them.
BRIAN S TARR
Hi Brian, thanks for your submission! here is your bullet point critique
*We love the approach you took using the mellow acoustic guitar with the finger snaps. Very nice! Very risky and original. Nice job not being afraid to do what you feel.
*I think your track could have benefited from some drops in your track. Very simple drops like taking out the guitar for a half a measure and then bringing it back in to give us a break. I know you did it just before the bridge but even before that.
*Your rap is hot!!!!!!!!!!Your whole groove is hot, and that’s why I think that if you did more drops in it, and switched up the arrangement in places, it would be that much better!
*The bridge section is out of key with the vocals. I thought you could have come up with a different bridge direction. The fact that It is out of key takes away from the track. It would have been nice if you took the energy up a notch in the bridge so that when you got back to the chorus we fell back into your smooth guitar groove. Just something to consider.
*Your track surprised us the mostin terms of its original approach. Tight Job Brian!
*Your track will be in contention I can tell and we haven’t heard all the spots yet.
STEPHEN SKIPPER
Hi Stephen, thanks for your submission! here is your bullet point critique
*Nice rhythm switches throughout your track. It shows that you understand structure and progression.
*We thought your drums could have been mixed up higher and the kick could have punched through more.
*Be careful with synthesizers sometimes, they can get take over a track and feel too synthy and not allow any other textures to come through.
If your track had tougher kick drums and snares, I could see your track having more potential and standing out. I love the pulse like synth bass on the verses.
*Stronger drum sounds and eq’s would have changed the dynamic of your track tremendously.
*Nice job overall. Great drum programming! Let your drums punch through more.
MGORDON
*Hot track overall!! Your beats were right on time. We really like what you did and are very excited about the track.
*WE like how the music seemed to be in keeping with a billboard top ten hit. Many remixes take new approaches but take the single out of top ten contention.
*Nice use of rhythms and textures.
*Nuff said like Bernie Mac!
*Your mix could use some tweaking on the lows. Try not to blend your 808 sounds in with your basslines. it can get mushy at times.
*We'll see what the client says. There are a lot of strong submissions! Thanks for putting in the work!
DJ FRESH
Hi DJ Fresh thanks for your submission! here is your bullet point critique
*Nice rhythm shifts. Your precision shows. We like the way you paid attention to detail in your track. It never got redundant. Love the Destiny’s Child bounce in sections.
I think you needed a stronger kick to punch through as a record! The hand claps were cool. But since your rhythms were heavily dependent on the lick throughout, it needed to bang more there.
*The bridge chords are cool. I think it could have doubled as an intro. Nice chord progressions follow your bridge. Hot!
*Overall, I think your track was a true remix in the sense that it felt like a DJ mix because it had so many different sections in it that it sounded like a track for the hot mix show circuit or the clubs.
*Good potential. The client just may like this as well.
9TH ELEMENT
Hi 9h Element, thanks for your submission! here is your bullet point critique.
*Your track alone has good energy but the fact that the vocals are off beat throughout is problematic and takes away from your track.
*We like your rap a lot. Tight vocals! If you had figured out a way to get the vocals on beat, your track would be tighter.
*Your production has a Pete Rock style to us. And you know Pete is the man!!! I like the vibe you have going, but the vocal alignment takes it out of contention for presentation purposes.
*The rap is hot!
*Overall, nice track. Some drops in your track would have helped as well. We like the computer sounds in the background too.
JAMAR SANDERSON
Hi Jamar, thanks for your submission! here is your bullet point critique
*Sounds like you have a little Pharrell from the Neptunes in you.
*Your chord changes are tight. I like your musical instincts. Your chords go places I would never think of which makes for interesting colors and surprises.
*Snare sound is evident from classic JAY Z Neptunes joints, but if it ain’t broke don’t change it. It works.
*Overall, the track has a lot of potential as a remix that would play in lounges or those really eclectic new age clubs. I really like your ideas on this.
*In our opinion, if we were putting out a cd of five or six remixes, this version with a better mix and a couple changes here and there would definitely be on it!!!
*Nice track!!
DAVID CIRINO
Hi David, thanks for your submission! here is your bullet point critique
*Your remix is very dark and serious and almost haunting. It definitely puts the song in a different place. It almost reminds me of the KNIGHT RIDER theme from the tv show years ago.
*We think that the music doesn’t really fit the complexion of the vocals, however we love your effect on the instrumental section. VERY CREATIVE and mellow. LOVE IT!
* Your instincts are very good. Be careful of playing chords in the wrong key towards the end. Great sound for the chords.
PORTLIFE ACADEMIC
Hi Portlife,
thanks for your submission! Here is your bullet point critique
*Great intro. We love the setup. It makes the impact of your pizzicatos and drums come in with an instant head nod. Love the rhythm switches. The pizzicatos are hot.
*Nice musical arrangement and textures from verse to pre-chorus to chorus.
*We would have like to hear more bottom in your kick drums especially because of the rhythms pounding in the chorus. Your ideas are very innovative and detailed. Nice use of synth pads arpeggiating sounds.
* Try to keep your music on beat throughout the track.
* We like how you put your signature on the track and made the song your own. We would have like to hear a rap or something like that as an element of surprise.
*Your track has all the elements of a winner, it just needs to be mixed so it thumps more and so that the levels of all the sounds work together.
*Nice job. I would have liked to hear you guys in the background throught the track. You gave it a lot of personality up front, but then we didn’t hear from you again. Your personality is what drew us in from the beginning. Nice pizzacatos once more!!!!!
HB PRODUKTIONZ
Hi Hb Prduktionz, thanks for your submission! here is your bullet point critique
*Nice instrumentation up front. First impression impact makes me wanna listen first and dance second. Then it picks up for the chorus. I think the music you use for the chorus could be used for the pre-chorus and then when the chorus comes in, the track could go to a different level. The music on the chorus is where the track feels danceable.
*We were looking for the verses to stay upbeat and keep us on the dance floor. The verses got very mellow to us and made us want more.
*The overall production is well-produced. But it feels a little safe! It could be hotter! And we know you could make it hotter! We wish you had taken more risks with this remix because we hear a lot of elements in your track that are dope if they had some other ideas to make it more IN YOUR FACE!!!!
*All in all, the client may like it. We shall see!
ANDRE DENNIS
*Hi Andre, thanks for your submission! here is your bullet point critique
*Andre, we really like your track. It’s got the right production value, and really does what we think a remix should do which is elevate the vocals and bring a new audience to the track.
*Nice job! Nuff said.
Great instrumentation. Very solid mix as well. Nice changeups from section to section. Nice arrangement.
*Your track will definitely be in contention! One of the best yet!
RASHAD v.1
Hi Rashad, thanks for your submission! Here is your bullet point critique
*No one took a bigger risk than you. Your drums are tight! Love the tightness of your track.
*The piano playing and production is tight, however, the music is out of key throughout. *We wonder what the effect would have been if it was in key, because the production of your track shows true musicianship and strong music sensibilities.
*The track is probably too dark and moody realistically for this project, but personally I like moody. However, for this project I am sure the client would be looking for something that stays in keeping with the age and marketing boundaries of the group.
*You’re a little too deep for these girls, but you are right on track from a music perspective. I would take the music off the vocals and definitely use it for something else!!!!
*I’m impressed!
RASHAD V.2
Hi Rashad, thanks for your submission! Here is your bullet point critique
*You took big risks here too, which is good. Your intro is cool too.
Once again though, we think that the music is in the wrong key from the vocals.
*That being said, your command of textures and tempo shifts is very impressive. Nice job there!!
*The track is probably too dark also. Smokey and loungey during the bridge,.
*I’m still impressed
*I’m impressed!
Byiton Anthony
Hi Byiton, thanks for your submission. Here is your bullet point critique
*Nice production overall and great use of synth arpeggiated textures.
*We like your arrangements from verse to cpre-chorus and chorus.
*Nice key shifts on t the chorus. I would have like to hear more drive on the chorus however. But your drum shifts are great
*Nice job. Nice use of drops as well.
*We like how you took time affecting the vocals.
*Your bridge is very nice and took us by surprise. Tight!!!
*We would have liked to hear a bit more edge in your track coming from the kick drums.
*It’s a little too nice in sections.
*The client may like this as well. Great job! Looking forward to seeing if the client gravitates to this one.
ALDO ARNALDO
Hi Aldo
thanks for your submission. Here is your bullet point critique
*One of our team members really likes your track a lot. They picked it out from all the other remixes.
*Nice use of synths and textures to give us a cool, ethereal feeling. You definitely put the track in a different space. We really like it over here.
*Your drum sounds are cool too. Great command of your programming tools. We like how all of your elements like even the hi hats build throughout your track. Nice drum programming.
*Nice arrangement musically. Your track never gets boring or redundant.
*We think overall the mix could be stronger. Kick drums turned up and thumping more just to off set the overall smoothness in the track.
*Texture from the drums would push through and keep your track from going into easy listening.
*Your track will definitely be in contention!
Teddy
Hi Teddy
thanks for your submission. Here is your bullet point critique
*Nice track overall Teddy. Your music genre puts us in a techno electronica house dance vibe which is cool.
*These style tracks are most effective when they are mixed really well. Drums pounding. Synth pads in stereo and panned left to right in a surround sound style.
Since it has a lot of traditional elements, the mix has to be the number one priority.
*Nice intro and nice chord structure.
*Love the finger snaps. Good use of synth sounds building and leading into the chorus.
*This is straight for the club and would definitely be on our meter. Also. These style tracks need longer choruses. We would have taken the liberty to extend the chorus so we stay in that trance dance vibe longer before going into the verse.
*Let’s see what they say. We like it.
*Tight track. Just make the mix STRONGER in the future.. It should be thumping bumping and pounding! Nice bridge sections! Skillz you got!!!!!
SLEEPLESS PRODUCIONZ
Hi Sleepless productionz
*Very well mixed track. Instant impact off the top. This is a club banger.
*The Ciara jazzy fizzle style mixed with the industrial accents and sleepless drum patterns are a nice blend.
*We like how the track grows and has a lot of intensity in the chorus
*Nice job!!! The music after the break is tight too! Nice effects!
*Definitely a contender. I think this is in the top remixes!
GFLOW
Hi G Flow thanks for your submission. Here is your bullet point critique
*Nice production overall. We thought that the music was played in the wrong key than the vocals.
*Your arrangement was cool though, but the fact that it was in the wrong key detracted from your music.
*We would have liked to have the chance to analyze your track in the right ket.
*Your drum programming is incredible, and we like your use of choir vocals and synth bass textures. Your drum sounds are TIGHT. Your mix is very good too. It’s a shame it’s in the wrong key. It would have been a contender.
Bennie Stoudemire
Hi Bennie thanks for your submission. Here is your bullet point critique
*Good pacing and energy in your track.
*Nice textures and arpeggiating sounds.
*We thought that since your track has a lot of musical accents that you could have made those moments stand out more. Stronger kicks! Your three note bassline and synth melody that you bring in on the chorus needed to be more impactful and really smack us with energy.
*We like your drum fills. But the overall mix of your track was not in your face enough. The synth arpeggiating noise should be more outfront and have less reverb on it so that it is smack in our face!!
*Overall, you have good music ideas and it shows you are on your way production wise. We just needed you to tie together some stronger mixing techniques to really make your track stand out for the radio and the clubs!
*Nice job!
Delphi Productions
Hi Delphi thanks for your submission. Here is your bullet point critique
*Nice MIX!!! Your drums and bass sounds and textures are mixed just right.
*This sounds very trance like. Nice chord changes on the chorus. Maybe a little too much compression overall on the track. Nice build during the bridge.
*WE LIKE HOW YOUR TRACK EXPLODES AFTER THAT MOMENT
*This reminds us of a more intense, faster “Justify My Love” by Madonna
* Nice job.
*We thought overall that your track is a contender. Love the sound effects behind the kick leading in as transitions. Nice!!!!! You got the right instincts. Your track stands out!
*We would have liked to hear some drops ion the music just to take away some of the redundancy between chorus and verses.
*Tight idea and production!
*Let’s see what they say!
DELPHI PRODUCTIONS v.2
Hi Delphi thanks for your submission. Here is your bullet point critique
*Right off the bat. Your drums are hot!!!!!
*Instant club banger or party starter.
*I like your use of the synth that gradually changes texture in the verse and goes from smooth to edgy in resonance. Nice skills there!! We love the verse and pre-chorus.
* Your chords on the chorus however throw us off a bit. The second and third chords don’t seem to agree with us. And we are deep dudes! ☺ Aside from that part, we think your remix is tight.
*The bridge is cool and we love how the beats interrupt the end of the smooth bridge and bounce back into the groove!
*Definitely a banger and contender!
PRODUCED BY DUPES SHERWIN BRICE
Hi Sherwin thanks for your submission. Here is your bullet point critique
*Nice job on this one Sherwin.
*Production is cool, but the music goes off beat early on which takes it out of contention!
*Could you have slid the vocals over a bit/
*I like the fact that you can hear a bit of the old melody in it too.
*Music is tight overall. We love your transitions from chorus to verse and vice versa.
*Overall, it comes down to the vocal sync. But nice job on the music independently.
*Your subliminal synth textures are cool. We hear everything and you got production chops most definitely.
MICHAEL JOHNSON sounds lonely V.2
Hi Michael thanks for your submission. Here is your bullet point critique
*Nice job on the vibe Mike.
*We think your track has good energy but it seems to be in the wrong key as well.
*We like the low synth bass quality, but it doesn’t seem to coincide melodically with the vocals as we would have hoped.
*Nice snare! Good overall strong mix.
*We think your track could use a few more melodic ideas in it in order to make a distinction between the verse and the chorus.
*The right key would turn your track into a much stronger vibe.
*The bridge was cool but also needed to be in the right key.
*Overall, you could use stronger kick drums and a more memorable melody and infectious grove.
*Nice direction Keep it poppin Michael.
MIKE DAVIS
Hi Mike thanks for your submission. Here is your bullet point critique
*Your track starts off burning from the beginning! We love the energy and we love the fact that you sped the vocals up to add personality and color to the track. Nice instincts on that.
*This is a definite club stomper! Good strength. It definitely puts the group in a different space.
* You got skillz. Just the idea of speeding up the vocal was a catchy way to make your track stand out.
*definite contender!
IMPACT
Hi IMPACT thanks for your submission. Here is your bullet point critique
*Your track seems to be in the wrong key. I hear your intentions however. You have good instincts on arrangement and energy.
*Your track would benefit if you stripped out some of the sounds.
*It’s a bit overproduced in sections.
* I like how you pulled the drums out on the later verse.. That worked very well.
*The fact that it is out of key takes it out of contention, but we hear where you were going. That EURYTHMICS trance electronica dance vbe which is tight.
*Nice
DIONE PEETE
Hi Dionne thanks for your submission. Here is your bullet point critique
*Nice beginning intro. Your style has a retro vibe. I think it could have been stronger on impsct. Maybe this style would work overseas, but we think that it’s a bit too retro for this project.
*However we like your chord changes and musical accents. You definitely show strong music chops and production style.
*There are aspects of your chords that are nice and perhaps if your instrumentation was more updated, it would be closer.
*However, maybe the retro quality is the charm. Very subjective
*Our instincts think that we needed something more contemporary, but that being said we really like th risk you took and the chords on the chorus are tght!!! NICE deep chords on the chorus. I would have like to hear them repeated.
GREAT JOB TO ALL TH REMIXERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Thanks I really appreciate the feedback. This was my first attempt at doing remix and yes, getting the vocals to match were a beast but now I have a new skill to master, and working on this placement has given me a new source creative energy I didn't know I had. I look forward to making more submissions in the future.
-9th Element
myspace.com/9thelement
Thank you so much for the positive points! It means a lot. And I really appreciate your honesty on the negative points :) I don't get this kind of "real" feedback a lot and I truely and honestly appreciate it. I just wished I had more time to work on the track because I agree with everything you said and I felt all of that before I submitted it. Unfortunately (for music) and fortunately for me I was in the middle of having my first child and I honestly did that with my little girl in one arm about half the time.. so I am really honored and truely suprised that my mix even made it on the books and on the website. I can only say one thing :) "BRING ON THE NEXT CHALLENGE!" :) I love music and I love this competition.
Thank you soo much,
Michael Johnson (MadTracker)
Congratulations to Madtracker on your baby girl!! Myself and my wifey are having a baby girl ... Due December 22nd : ) God Bless you and best of luck with everything! Its a beautiful thing ~
Thanks so much for the positive feedback. Working with the vocal aspect was very new to me but the end result was satisfying. Challenge us again with something similar and we all will gain greater knowledge. Incidently, can we get some feedback on the 30 second spot. That was challenging also. Thanks so much for giving us this opportunity. Peace and hairgrease!!!
Post a Comment