Dubspot The world's electronic music school

Sign In

Home
About
Facilities
Instructors
Open House
Gift Certificates
Partners
Press
Policies
Event Services
International Students
Dubspot International Network
NYC Housing Guide
Job Opportunities
FAQ
Contact
Courses
EMP Master Program
DJ / Producer Master Program
DJ / Producer
Music Foundations
DJ
Music Production w/ Ableton Live
Music Production w/ Logic Pro
Sound Design
Mixing and Mastering
Visual Performance
Maschine
Reason
Turntablism
Kids Programs
Weekend Workshops
Online School
Instructors
 FAQ
Contact

Tutorials Artists Events Tech Students

Dubspot Achieve: 10 Remixing Tips From Industry Veterans

by admin on Oct 10, 2016

1
Share
Empfehlen 835

Like
Share on Google+
Tweet
Comments

Ten music industry veterans drop some knowledge about how they approach remixing in this quick tips
guide.
Remixing has taken on a life of its own in recent years as music software becomes affordable and
methods of sharing digital content continue to evolve. For some, this new age of technology has allowed
otherwise unknown artists to build a career in music. On the other end of the spectrum, anyone with a
computer and some production software can try their hand at a remix to learn how it all works. The remix
has become a doorway to understanding music for many producers, so we asked industry veterans to give
some tips on how to approach working with someone elses music.

Professor Nalepa
Identify a key element from the original song that you can work with. As you develop it, remember to
make sure that your remix still fits in with the overall sound you have developed as an artist. When you
are working with other peoples material, it is easy to go down a path and create something that doesnt
sound anything like your own original music. This can be confusing for your fans. However it can also be
a positive thing if it leads to growth or a new direction for you as an artist. That is your call to make. At
the end of the day, it is best for your musical output to have some thread that ties it all together.
Remember, they asked you to do a remix because they like your sound and your style.

Thavius Beck
Keep in mind the energy and arrangement of the original song, but also dont lose sight of the purpose of
your remix. Do you intend to make the track more DJ friendly? Do you want to make a beautiful song
sound dark and menacing? Do you have an acapella at 90bpm that you want to make a dubstep remix
with? If so, are you gonna speed the vocals up or make them halftime and get creative with the
arrangement? Ultimately, those decisions (which should probably be made before you start) will give you
a solid direction to head in and allow you to focus on making what you envision instead of wondering
what you can contribute to the song.

Evan Sutton
Consider your audience. When Im doing a remix, I think about where its going to end up: A remix
competition, the original artists record, my live set, etc. Also, consider whos paying you. If youve been
hired by a pop artists manager or label, make sure to flatter the artist. If its a friend or colleague, do
something you think will get their attention, and add your own touch that will let them know you got
really intimate with their ideas.

Rx
Take all the stems and listen to them individually. Find the ones that you identify with the most, then
delete the others. Reduce it to the most unique stems, then build from there in your own style. If youre
making a club remix rather than home listening, make your remix a different energy level than the others
(i.e. if the original is high energy, make your mellow or medium energy, and vice versa.)

Heinrich Zwahlen
If you have to sync up live production parts such as an acapella in Ableton Live, use multi-clip warping
by lining up the acapella with the original vocal version first and then set the warp markers there to the
drums. Warping acapellas by themselves is much harder since you cant get any accurate timing
information and that will leave up much to your interpretation and decision making. Whereas in the
original vocal version, you can always warp to the drums, and then you wont have any problems with the
vocalist later regarding vocal phrases not sitting in the intended rhythmic pocket.

Matt Shadetek
Use a tuner plugin or pitch tracker to determine the key of the original song. Mixed in Key also works for
this. Make sure that you are writing in either the original key or a related key. For example, if the song is
in C Major then A minor would be a possible alternative. Also, consider who else is submitting remixes
and make sure that the direction you go in will complement the other people who are creating remixes.
However, if its a popular song, review the existing remixes to make sure that you have something unique
to offer and arent making a remix similar to something thats already out there.

Matt Cellitti
Remixing is probably one of my favorite things to do because it forces you to write and immediately takes
you out of your comfort zone. My only advice would be to listen to the original track as little as possible.
Barely get an idea of what the original track is all about and take as much creative freedom
to reinterpret it as you would have written it for yourself.

Pat Cupo
When doing a remix, and you are lucky enough to get all of the stems from the original artist, challenge
yourself and make a new piece of music using only the original stems. Go ahead and utilize all of the
slicing and sampling techniques you know, but stick to the original stems as your main source of material.
This limitation will show you where youre production and sound design skills are at. If you have one or
two signature sounds that you use on every track you write so the world knows its you, thats cool but
dont go overboard. We want to hear you re-imagining the original track, rather than just hearing, well,
you.

Raz Mesinai

With remixes, the best case scenario is when the artist who approaches you to do the remix appreciates
your sound and expects you to give it your own unique voice. The worst case is when the artist initially
made something unfinished and are approaching you, without saying it, in hopes that you will finish it for
them. Dont expect any residuals after doing a remix. Its not about that. Either the money is good, or the
people are good. Either way, it comes down to you putting your own unique voice into the remix, and you
just cant do that until youve developed your own sound, which takes a long time and a lot of hard work.
Dont like it? Then find another line of work.

Martn Perna
Get your business straight: Make sure that there is some sort of written agreement with you and the client
so that delivery dates, format, payment (or other reciprocal payment) are all spelled out very clearly. Read
up on any additional legal issues involving remixes, rights given to producers, and other matters that are
relevant to the song and the remix agreement. Make sure to have all of your publishing and writing
together and be prepared to fight or negotiate for any songwriter or publishing that you may be owed.
Finally, make sure that you get multiple copies of the final remix (assuming it comes out) and physical
copies as well. Theres nothing lamer than having to spend your own money to buy a copy music that you
worked on.

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

At Dubspot our world-class instructors provide the most complete and cutting-edge Ableton Live learning
experience. The Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program is the flagship of our music training. After
completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active
contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producers Certificate in Ableton
Live.

About This Program

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by
developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins
and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps
involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to
offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of
approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama
in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound,
and levels 2 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

Whats Included
Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

Additional Information

Visit the Ableton Live course page for detailed information on this program here. If you have questions, please call
877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Tagged:

DJ Tips,
how to remix,
music production tips,
remixing

Dubspot Radio Podcast: GOTH-TRAD

 Ableton Live: Freeze and Flatten vs. Resampling

Best of Dubspot Blog 2012: Reader Favorites (DJ Tips, Production Advice) | Dubspot Blog
10/10/2016

[...] 10 Remixing Tips Dubspot Instructors Drop Some Knowledge [...]

follow us:

Youtube
Facebook
Twitter
Soundcloud
Instagram

Featured

Plugin Spotlight: Moog Multimode Filter Collection by Universal Audio

Plugin Spotlight: Analog Strings by Output

Plugin Spotlight: Boost by Sample Magic

Course Previews

Traktor Pro Video Tutorial: Digital DJing w/ Shiftee

Music Foundations Tutorial: Chord Progressions

Sound Design Komplete Program: Course Overview + Student Testimonials

Tutorials

DJ Tutorial: Trick Mixing w/ DJ Spictakular

MASCHINE Tutorial: Creative Production and Performance Techniques

Traktor Pro Video Tutorial: Digital DJing w/ Shiftee

Artists

Becoming a Music Producer Pt. 1: What Does It Mean?

Dubspot Sounds V6: Free Drum Samples by Sonic Scenarios

 The Legendary Synth Sounds of John Carpenter
Events

Mr. Bill & Black Market Armoire: Live Performance Techniques Workshop

DIRTYBIRD Campout 2016 at Oak Canyon Park in Silverado, CA

Open House and Guided Tour of Dubspot LA

Tech

Plugin Spotlight: Moog Multimode Filter Collection by Universal Audio

Plugin Spotlight: Analog Strings by Output

Plugin Spotlight: Boost by Sample Magic

News

Universal Audio Releases UAD v9.1 + New Plugins

Dubspot Winter Sale Extended: Enroll Today!

Loop Academy and Dubspot Asia Tour 2017

twitter updates
 Tweets by @Dubspot
DUBSPOT
@Dubspot

Check out the new Moog Multimode Filter XL by @UAudio, an authentic Moog filter emulation
with modern enhancements. ow.ly/gx2D30b1zGn

20 Apr

Embed View on Twitter

Lets Be Friends

Be the first of your friends to like this

About

Instructors
Facilities
Partners
Open House
 Gift Certificates
Press
Policies
Event Services
International Students
Job Opportunities
FAQ
Press
Contact

Courses

DJ / Producer Master
DJ / Producer
Music Foundations
DJ
Ableton Live
Logic Pro
Sound Design
Mixing and Mastering
Visual Performance
Maschine
Reason
Kids Programs
Weekend Workshops

More from Dubspot

Videos
Gift Certificates
Events & Rental Services

Interact With Us

Dubspot Youtube Dubspot Facebook Dubspot Twitter Dubspot Soundcloud Dubspot Soundcloud

Stay Updated

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest music courses, events and current school updates.

Dubspot

2016 DS14, Inc. - Dubspot | 138 5th Ave, New York, NY 10011 | 212.242.2100 | Contact Us
Equipment Policy | Privacy Policy | Student Code of Conduct | Student Enrollment Terms and Conditions |
Website Terms & Conditions