10-02-'11 Desudo @ LSDB Tournament 2011 on Gearbox

As the competition was based on 4 different factors i decided to try and tick every box.

Progression - From the start i mix mostly the mid intros and progress the mix to more melodic tracks towards the end, sometimes mixing from one chorus to another and then increase the bpm to make for a schranz/industrial ending. As i ran out of time i unfortunately couldnt play the whole of Forgotten moments but instead ended up with the outro

Variation - varied the set by playing Hardstyle, Schranz and Industrial and also playing 16 different tracks in the 30 minutes spread over 9 or 10 different labels. I also varied the mixing as some transitions are very fast and some last over 2 minutes.

Mixing - I assumed that the mixing would be rated in direct correlation to how difficult you have made the mix, so that is what i done. fitting 15 tracks into 30 minutes was incredibly difficult, i had to use loads of different que points, used as much cutting as i could but only at the appropriate times and i also mixed over 3 different genres. Used a few edits which i pre made and also had a mash up in the middle of the mix. ALso, mixing from one chorus to another proved to be very difficult. Tried to make the mixing of the set original as possible in the hope that Judges could appreciate the what i was doing but i dont think they have picked up on it at all

Gear - I mixed this on pretty much the worst set of decks in the business. Numark Axis 9's and a Numark M4 mixer. Mine being the worst set of these decks in existence.


Would appreciate feedback on the mix as i feel the mix is probably the best i have ever made but it didnt agree with the judges, so your opinions and comments are welcome.

Gewijzigd door djdesudo op 11-02-2011 03:18

On 11-02-2011 03:10:59, djdesudo wrote:

As the competition was based on 4 different factors i decided to try and tick every box.

Progression - From the start i mix mostly the mid intros and progress the mix to more melodic track towards the end, sometimes mixing from one chorus to another and then increase the bpm to make for a schranz/industrial ending. As i ran out of time i unfortunately couldnt play the whole of Forgotten moments but instead ended up with the outro,

Variation - varied the set by playing Hardstyle, Schranz and Industrial and also playing 16 different tracks in the 30 minutes spread over 9 or 10 different labels. I also varied the mixing as some transitions are very fast and some last over 2 minutes.

Mixing - I assumed that the mixing would be in direct correlation to how difficult you have made the mix, fitting 15 tracks into 30 minutes was incredibly difficult, i had to use loads of different que points, used as much cutting as i could but only at the appropriate times and i also mixed over 3 different genres. Used a few edits which ipre made and also had a mash up in the middle of the mix. ALso, mixing from one chorus to another proved to be very difficult.

Gear - I mixed this on pretty much the worst set of decks in the business. Numark Axis 9's and a Numark M4 mixer. These are the worst set of decks in existence.


Would appreciate feedback on the mix as i feel the mix is probably the best i have ever made but it didnt agree with the judges, so your opinions and comments are welcome.

tnx for explaining

On 11-02-2011 03:16:26, boerenlater wrote:

[...]tnx for explaining

No problem, i felt as though it needed to be explained, think everything i tried to achieve was overlooked completely. The competition was to be based on these factors and i therefore dont think the judging has been executed well at all.

Too much to read

I'll give it a blast tomorrow mate.

Gewijzigd door A-BASS op 11-02-2011 04:18

On 11-02-2011 04:18:31, A-BASS wrote:

Too much to read

I'll give it a blast tomorrow mate.

You already have

On 11-02-2011 04:34:04, Star wrote:

[...]

You already have

I'll listen again. I was just listening to sets flat out and rating them as I go. Can't remember much from the mixing though. But I'll give it a Blast tomorrow ^^

Gewijzigd door A-BASS op 11-02-2011 04:42

What a sore loser!

Will listen. Dissapointed a bit.

On 11-02-2011 04:56:11, Opperhoofd wrote:

What a sore loser!

On 11-02-2011 04:18:31, A-BASS wrote:

Too much to read

I'll give it a blast tomorrow mate.

aye thats sound mate. Think your the only judge to have voted for my set which doesnt surprise since you are a dj yourself. 4 of judges aren't dj's at all....

On 11-02-2011 03:10:59, djdesudo wrote:

Variation - varied the set by playing Hardstyle, Schranz and Industrial and also playing 16 different tracks in the 30 minutes spread over 9 or 10 different labels. I also varied the mixing as some transitions are very fast and some last over 2 minutes.

This is what i don't get. Why playing all those different genres in a Hardstyle genre.

Variation @ hardstyle has nothing to do with playing schranz or Industrial.

In my opinion it has a connection with the build up. Play tracks from different styles of hardstyle/labels/artist/ehs/nu

Gewijzigd door Odyssee op 11-02-2011 17:20

Totally get your point Pim, but there is only 3 tracks played and one I only really used the outro. I think the build up before those tracks was very purposely done anyway. The tracks at the play for longer and have a lot more melody to them with really wicked an epic synths used. Start of the mix was more concentrated on driving kicks and the tech side of hardstyle.

Obviously still feel really disappointed cause I went out to a set with 8 tracks in it, not to take anything away from Cryptic Fuse cause I'm sure it's a good set, just felt as though everything I tried to do with the set has been overlooked and I don't doubt that to be because people haven't really listened properly, looked at the tracklist or indeed are in the position to judge mixing skills without any experience as a dj.

On 11-02-2011 17:20:24, Odyssee wrote:

[...]

This is what i don't get. Why playing all those different genres in a Hardstyle genre.

Variation @ hardstyle has nothing to do with playing schranz or Industrial.

totally agreed

Is that why you didnt enjoy the set? Do you see my point though?

Very good set mate !
I like it !

On 11-02-2011 18:29:00, SchizeQ wrote:

[...]

totally agreed

I liked the tracklist, though i didn't see the point of the industrialish stuff at the end in a Hardstyle category, I also thought the mixing was (even though it was at the correct times ) a bit sudden (It's the same thing I don't like about the Jason S yearmixes), and i didn't really enjoy "06. Digital Abuse - Heavy Rain /Donkey Rollers - No-One Can Stop Us (Showtek Kwatjes Remix)" this, the melody didn't fit imo .

That being said, this is in no way a "bad" set, as i enjoyed listening to it.

but i don't like statements like these: "because people haven't really listened properly" ... Unless i missed something, how can you say that? just because you feel this is your best mix doesn't mean everyone does, everybody is entitled to their own opinion Some of my sets I like best, are the sets almost least appreciated Though I understand it must suck to not advance a round when lots of work has gone into a set.

Gear - I mixed this on pretty much the worst set of decks in the business. Numark Axis 9's and a Numark M4 mixer. These are the worst set of decks in existence.

I can't comment on how this should be judged as i am not a judge in the tournament.
But gear sucking, and therefor the mix being harder to make, does not make a mix sound better.

No offense meant btw, just wanted to let my opinion know

tbh i don't like hearing schranz/industrial at the end of a hardstyle set either because i don't think it matches, but i do get your point by showing variety using different genres, as for the hardstyle part it's a very nice tracklist, will have a listen later on and it's a shame this one lost with 6-1

A set which both contains hardstyle and schranz/industrial (those last two do fit together) is instant -1. It just doesnt fit together. You made an overkill on variety. And 16 transitions in 30 mins is just way too much. Overkill dude, overkill.

I totally appreciate what your saying maximum but to be honest, the 4 judging categories has nothing to do with what sounds good. Which is why I make the quite cheeky comment. Its not about what you prefer hearing but what is well mixed, varied and progresses. I know in Britain people would appreciate the quick mixing as it keeps the energy of the mix flowing instead of stopping for large breaks. But like I said, not the point.

I actually just wrote an essay in reply a minute ago but my phone died when I was about to post.

If I were to put it this way, in a scratch competition I would say that the end product sounds crap, I would never listen to a set of people scratching over 4 decks. The judging is based on the technicalities and the skill level. I believe the transitions are spot on, well executed, technically very difficult and original.

It was a cheeky comment to assume that people werent listening properly, but I do still stand by the statement as it's what I believe some judges have done. A-bass's comment above kind of proves that. And I would have him pegged as one of the most reliable judges.

I'm not really trying to have a go at the judges, there is really no hard feelings, but I am obviously a little dumbfounded by being out.

Cheers Legolas, I do mind you saying before you don't like crossover mixes, hope you will enjoy this one though

the 4 judging categories has nothing to do with what sounds good.

I actually didn't keep the categories in mind when making my mix . I just did what I found would sound good As that is the most important thing for me when i mix
But that's just personal preference I guess

I'm not really trying to have a go at the judges, there is really no hard feelings, but I am obviously a little dumbfounded by being out.

But I can very well see your point

Dlin right now.. Will give proper feedback later