How to Run a Music Remix Project

I wanted to present this excellent article regarding setting up and running a remix collaboration or contest. This completely applies to Second Life.
---

How to run a Remix Project
A Remix Project is a Great Way to Promote Yourself and Your Music
If you are interested in running remix projects, the following should help you get started and get the most out of your remix project.

Full article by AritstServer.com

Remix Projects

Even if you aren't creating electronic music, running a remix project or simply allowing others to remix your music is a great way to promote your music and yourself as a band/artist. You may feel that your music isn't 'remixable,' but chances are, it is, remixing works across all genres.

There are many ways a remix project can function, but the most common is as follows. You write a song and record it, then you take the separate tracks from the recording and save them as WAV files, or convert them to high bit rate mp3 files. Be sure to not include effects, you'll want to make these files 'dry.' You now have a 'sample pack' which you can zip up w/ a 'ReadMe' file inside that contains copyright info and any rules about the project. Next, you upload the zipped up samples to a Web site, then get ready to do some promotion. After a period of time, you can select a winner, or just let the project play out for years. After the remix project is over, you should keep it online with all the songs. This way the project can continue to serve as a promotional tool for not only you, but also the artists who participate.

Preparing a Song for a Remix Project

While it is possible for people to take a completed/mixed song, lift their own samples from it, and create a remix, this isn't really remixing, it's sampling. In order to 're-mix,' an artist/producer needs access to the raw elements that were used to create the song (or anything else being remixed). The following is some information to help you prepare those raw elements so the remix artists have quality material to work with.

...Planning Your Remix Project:

Before you start, you should have a plan or reason for your remix project. Is this a new release you are promoting? Maybe the launch of a new collective? Possibly you are looking to get B-sides created for a 12in release? Or, maybe you just want to dive in to the whole remix, mashup and sample scene. Whatever the reason, your project may not go anywhere unless you actively promote it and have a plan. Web promotion ideas and methods is a whole different discussion, so we'll leave that out for now.

Before you do the promotion, setup your Remix project page or site. Artists with upgraded accounts at ArtistServer.com can create these in the My Account area of the site, under Music Projects.

This would be a good time to work out the 'terms and conditions' for our project. Be sure to define how the remix artist can use their remix, for example: can they post it online or on P2P networks, can they put it on their own CD, what will the copyright or Creative Commons license be for the remixes. Are there any rules as to how the remixes should be titled (some artists want their name in the song title). Don't try to dictate too much control though, you'll find that having these people promoting their own remixes creates another wave of promotion for you, possibly bigger than the one you created. At ArtistServer, we provide a general set of terms and conditions for you to start with, feel free to modify them how you like.

Once you have your promotion plan, the sample packs, and maybe even some banner ads created for your project, you'll be ready to announce the project on forums, blogs, your site, places that allow news releases posted about independent music, and fliers in your local clubs and appropriate stores. You'll want to include a link to your remix project Web page, so be sure to create your project before printing fliers.

read more | digg story

SpaceJunky on CNN & SLNN + the AcidPlanet Remix Contest

"Real Life/ Second Life band SpaceJunky's involvement [in SL] has resulted in Sony Creative Software's AcidPlanet hosting a remix contest for SpaceJunky's song Gravitational Pull. This is the same remix contest that they have hosted for artists [such as] Madonna, Lenny Kravitz, Nine Inch Nails and Black Eyed Peas."

In the band's unique tradition of involving fans as much as possible, SpaceJunky is asking SL residents to participate in the contest. The winner will have his/her name credited next to the song's remix title. AcidPlanet is offering other prizes as well.

Contestants need to create a remix of Space Junky's song, "Gravitational Pull." According to the AcidPlanet website, contestants don't need to have the Acid software to make the remix, but they suggest doing so because the software is easy to use. Additonally, contestants will need to download loops from the song, which are available on the AcidPlanet website once interest has been registered. After creating the remix, upload the song.

The contest closes on July 11. SpaceJunky will pick their favorite remix as the winner. Other favorite remixes will be broadcast during in-world performances; dates will be announced after the winner is picked.

According to the band's publicist, Bella Dutton, SpaceJunky chose to bring the contest to Second Life because of the band's own success here.

"It would be a good thing for all of Second Life to participate in," Dutton said. "There are a lot of talented people here."

Questions can be addressed via IM or notecard to Bella Dutton. Dutton is also the contact for requests to join the Alphacrew of Space Junky group for the latest news and updates about the band. For more information on Space Junky, visit the band's official web site, spacejunky.com.
The news clip that attracted Sony's attention can be found on cnn.com by clicking this link.
To enter into the remix contest, visit Sony's AcidPlanet Web Site.

---
From www.SLNN.com
Space Junky Shares Real Life Success with Second Life Residents
Delaynie Barbosa (June 11, 2008) writes an article on the group which is mostly promotional info.
----
Check out the latest news on the SpaceJunky HERE
---

On a sidenote, Second Life is becoming a great connection for collaborations and remixes of music. Remix contests are making their way into Second Life more and more.
The first ever music remix contest in SL happened to be the one I arranged, and we ended with an awesome listening party and approximately 10 very cool submissions. Although I like to claim that I created the first ever remix contest in Second Life, there were many many musicians collaborating looong before me.. and they met in Second Life. In fact... my "remix contest" dissolved from a contest when all the contestants agreed to just split the winnings and congratulate everyone. But that was just the simple beginnings. Since then, we've had very cool remix projects from musicians like Lovespirals, Herbie Hancock, and now SpaceJunky. Meanwhile others are doing the remixing, such as Moshang Zhao releasing his album Asian Variations.

Second Life is VERY VERY COOL! I cannot say this enough. Musicians, artistic people, creative people, are coming together in Second Life, and making music together...and in many variable methods. Some are jamming live across the world through ninjam technology, while others are passing compositions back and forth to create final polished works. All this, very cool stuff.

http://www.spacejunkyinsl.blogspot.com/

Pangaea Island & Herbie Hancock Remix Contest

Herbie Hancock Remix Contest

Your track - and He wants to hear it.

Remixing is just one possibility. Produce and record your own song inspired by Herbie Hancock's music. Take elements from any Hancock track - play or combine them in your own way and show Herbie what it means for you.

With this special remix contest hosted by the renowned Jazz musician Herbie Hancock, Universal Music Germany will launch the new brand Pangaea Island. Hancock's early engagement with new musical forms of expression made him a pioneer in the generation of electronic sound in music. Launched along with Ableton, this contest is intended as jump start of activities which focuses on the musical potential of virtual worlds like Second Life - including its advancement and promotion.

The winner of the contest can expect Abletons "Live 7" program, amounting to 599 USD, and the chance of a follow-up release by Universal Music Germany.

Participation

All you have to do is after you have listen to Herbie Hancock: Send an e-mail to contest@pangaea-island.de.

Afterwards we will send you a link to the piano track of the Song Solitude from Herbie Hancock`s New Album River: The Joni Letters.

Regardless if you use this track for your own creation, or not, there are two possibilities to bring your track into the contest.

A) The first is to upload it at Vudyo (http://www.yudyo.com/) in the "Herbie Hancock Remix Contest Group". This gives you and us the chance to get a first feedback from the audience and other participants.
B) The second opportunity is to send your finished track to contact@pangaea-island.de.
Deadline is the 15.11.2007 / in case of extension the 01.12. 2007.

http://www.pangaea-island.de/contest_en.html

http://slmc.myfastforum.org/about355.html

Doubledown's Second Life Remix Contest - April 2007

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO POTENTIALLY INTERESTED SECOND LIFE MUSICIANS, MUSIC PRODUCERS, & DJS

Doubledown’s Remix & Reedit Contest
A competition to showcase a re-interpretation of music inspired by exploring & interacting in the world of Second Life held at Menorca: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Menorca/117/127/23/
Deadline for Submissions: April 17th
Showcase & Voting: April 22nd. 12pm slt
===========================================
UPDATED UNFO:
1) You may register to enter the contest by paying the entry fee BEFORE your remix is finished. So you can enter now, and then submit your remix anytime before April 15th.

2) If you would like to participate, but do not want to pay the contest entry fee or be in the competition, you may still submit a remix. Up to 2 non-registered songs may be played at the Menorca listening/voting party.
========================================================

Original Track – Doubledown Tandino: “Cruisin’ ‘Round Second Life”
Download the original track & samples here

The Contest: Donwload the Original Track & Remix Sample Pack. You will have until april 15th, 12am (slt) to remix, rework, & rewire. You may use the sounds provided, add your own sounds, add your own lyrics, electrify it out, or do an acoustic cover. Do anything you’d like; use your creativity and warp the original into a new piece.
(7) Seven Finalists will be selected to have their remixes heard publically. A Live Listening & Voting Party will take place in Menorca on Sunday April 22nd, 2007 @ 12pm. All attending audience members will be given a notecard to place votes for their favorite versions of “Cruisin Round Second Life.”

Prizes: 1st $6000L 2nd $3000L 3rd $2000L
All entrants may have a 4x6 promotional poster up at the event @ Menorca.

How to Enter: After you have made your version of the track, pay the avatar Doubledown Tandino $500L to enter. 100% of the entrance fees will be used to pay the winners and sponsor the contest & event. Send your finished remake in 128kbps MP3 format to DJDoubledown1@aol.com. In the email, please include your avatar name, and you have the option to include a website url, slurl, and real life city.
The MP3 must be titled in this format: Cruisin Round Second Life (your avatar name).MP3
Please only send the email after you have sent the $500L entrance fee.

TIMELINE:
Now until April 15th, 2007 – Download the Remix Pack & Enter Contest
April 15th through April 21st- Contest entrants get narrowed down to 7 finalists.
Sunday April 22nd – 12pm (slt) – 7 Finalists Listening Party, Voting, and Winner’s Prizes given at Menorca: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Menorca/117/127/23/

The Rules: By entering the contest you agree to the following: “Cruisin’ ‘Round Second Life is an original copyrighted music piece by Doubledown Tandino (under RL name Brad Reason). Any reworked track is considered a joint collaboration between Doubledown Tandino and the contest entrant/remixer. You may enter as many times as you'd like provided you pay for each track submission. After the contest, both Doubledown Tandino and the contest entrant/remixer may use the reworked track for any non-profit or promotional purposes. Any other use, along with the terms of use, must first be discussed and approved by both Doubledown Tandino & the remixer. Any distribution of the mp3s must maintain ID3 info to include original title, original artist, and remixer name and version:IE:
Doubledown Tandino – Crusin’ ‘Round Second Life (Joe’s Remix).MP3

If incorporating sounds and samples other than what is provided, you must own the rights to use those sounds or samples. Do not use copyrighted lyrics. All original stuff only.

You must be a Second Life resident to enter.

Any updates or revisions to the contest will be announced here: http://www.djdoubledown.blogspot.com/

Any questions at any time, please
IM in SecondLife: Doubledown Tandino
Email DJDoubledown1@aol.com
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/djdoubledown

Doubledown's Remix Contest - Update!!

A few quick updates on the contest:

1) Register into the remix contest:
--BEFORE April 7th and the entry fee is only $200L.
--From April 7th to April 15th the entry fee is $500L.

2) You may register to enter the contest by paying the entry fee BEFORE your remix is finished. So you can enter now, and then submit your remix anytime before April 15th.

3) If you would like to participate, but do not want to pay the contest entry fee or be in the competition, you may still submit a remix. Up to 2 non-registered songs may be played at the Menorca listening/voting party.

All original info/rules on the contest can be viewed HERE