Remixing

[dks49]

Ok I am really going to flaunt my ignorance here...How do you remix somebody else's track?

Is it just a case of cutting up the original song in a wave editor and then using those samples in your own composition? When I listen to some remixes it sounds like the remixer has actually had access to all the original artist's tracks. I just don't get it.

Is it a more common practise to actually transcribe the original song's melody and bassline etc and go from there?

help appreciated

[Sean]

most of the time the remixers have the out tags for the original. out tags are the individual tracks that are then mixed together to get the song. you have one track with bassline, anotther with vocal, lead, etc....... so yeah they get the basic components and then roll with it. some of the time tho artists only have a master mx to work from, this is most often the case with older recordings. then remixing is a bit more of a challenge and their studio engineering skills come into play right now. for example elvis vs junkie xl, that was done from a single mono recording. junkie had to slice the track up into hundred of little pieces and put it back together again. sounds good dunnit? this guy knows what he's doing in the studio :D

[dks49]

Thanks 4 that Sean. What you said makes sense. Now does a would-be remixer approach band or label for this...I guess you can't just rock up on the doorstep and say, "i wanna remix your track"??

[Sean]

most of the time remixes are commissioned. as in the label who does the original track will aproach artists to do it. some of the time people just grab the stuff and run with it and the labels like it down the track and it gets put out.

if you want to remix a track though. i dont know ive never gone out and asked for the out tags, coz as u can imagine labels are fairly relunctant to hand them out. id guess just go and ask, can't hurt, tell them you want to remix their track, tell them about your ideas, say they dont have to commit anything ask for the out tags and then hand them the mix later and then let the negotiating begin. perhaps someone with a bit more knowledge and experience can set the record straight on this one.

one thing tho if you cant get the out tags, have a look for the midi files. yes they are the cheezy piano stuff u hear on so many poor websites, but ive found them invaluable in getting a head start. im currently bootlegging a punk rock/pop band, and whilst ive been able to sample a lot (ahh nice clean samples :)), the midi files have also helped me a lot in getting the different elements on their own and playing immediately in ur synths :)

[djneo]

midi files are the bomb for remixing... it's piss easy to load up a midi file and change the sounds to your own... of course this isn't THE most imaginative way of doing it, it's a good way to start and then of course you work your own magic from there... you could possibly approach the label with this mix and say "well imagine what I can do with the out tags!"

[meandarkdirty]

This is from Matthew Herbert's PCCOM (his rules for how he makes his music)

"12. Remixes must be completed using only the sounds provided by the original artist including any packaging the media was provided in."

No need to follow his rules but I think his remixes are particularly quality and he forbids himself to ask the original artist for the seperated samples or MIDI or any of that. You need little but creativity.

[phunkdust]

yeah its a challenge, altho fun to remix from scratch... of course things like acapellas and various samples come in handy...

[EnglishBob]

Look out for accapella versions on cd singles. I just did a breaks remix of Without Me by Eminem, purely as there is a version on the cd with just vocals and one with just music.

Its the first time I've done a remix and I'm pretty chuffed with it. I didn't sample any of the music - just made my own bits that sounded similar.

Whacked all the vocals into recycle - and bobs your uncle!

[dks49]

lets hear it Bob!!

[driload]

OUT TAGS!

wow, theres an oldskool industry term i didnt realise was still in use :P

comes from the way they stored audio tape from the session reels if anyone wants to know... "tags out" was a way of winding to prevent adjoining layers of tape cross-printing on each other.....



anyway, the BEST way to make a name for yourself as a remixer is to get on the net and scour for accapellas, as someone mentioned. make remixes..... lots of them. make them good.

send demos to artists youde like to remix and generally network your little ass off.

DO NOT waste your time contacting the labels.... they will ignore you and most times wont even be polite in doing so.


to give you an example, in my band we only get producers we know or really respect to remix our stuff if the label thinks they need one or we need one for a B-Side or something

or take the USA hiphop/rnb scene for example... the likes of The Neptunes and Timberland are in demand because theyve built reputations and SOLD THEMSELVES.... as in sold the idea that they are GREAT remixers

its an industry.... you and i are enemies.... theres money at stake!


also, one last example, Hybrid in the UK. they come out of nowhere with a groundbreaking (amazing) nuskool breaks album Wide Angle

they blow people away with their sound and them bam, they are in demand. you can PICK their sound from a few bars of any remix theyve done... "oh, thats Hybrid"

in their case its their stutter edits and, i hate to give this one away, a certain RESET patch on a synth called the Supernova2 (which we happen to own, imagine my surprise when i play it the first time... "oh thats Hybrid" hahah)


so where does this leave you? heres my top ten list of what to do (things im still doing too... we're all in same boat)

1. work your ass off remixing anything

2. be prepared to work for free until the busniness comes to YOU

3. take heed of any INSTRUCTIONS from the artist or label, and dont dismiss them... or they may dismiss you

4. bring something UNIQUE to YOU to your remix (even as simple as hybrid did... using a certain synth sound)

5. practice remixing popular tracks in the genre you want to work in... if its hiphop then remix something old by De La Soul AND something new by Eminem, show the scope of your appreciation for the genre

6. sexual favours can go a long way

7. 90 to 100% of the work you will get is through your network of friends and acquaintances... this is a REAL LIFE fact and dont be fooled into thinking theres many situations like Timberland's career too commonly

8. in the future, be prepared to haggle for album points as much as for a fee... this can be more lucrative but $$$ are good

9. youre only as good as your last B-Side (im quoting someone on this one... good advice though)

10. <insert your own rules here>.... take advice as advice but make your own reputation however you want.

:)

11. dont think i know what im talking about

hahaha....

but you get the drift. keep those things in mind and get cracking!

[Dj Logik]

Conisdering that re-mixing dance music is fairly easy - compared to mixing 2 track DAT (better than HDR) onto a AW 4416 and reducing the basoon level - damn hard if you ask me.....

Most decent record labels will give you access to the multi-track tapes or CD's - beware, this might cost you an arm and two legs (maybe an eye).... also, if you have 5 minutes of 16-24 track audio @ 48khz (wave format) you are using 10 megs per minute per track !


Happy Mixing people