Remixing Fundamentals/Techniques

[LilWUB]

Some of my questions may be silly but I did try DSF google first.

I want to try my hand at remixing. I've done a few in the past, but now I'm a bit more skilled in my production (thank you DSF) and want to better my product.

Is it feasible to use mp3's for remixing? I know WAV or AIFF is preferred but due to heavy processing nature, will it still be kosher or

Any conversing of stems, remix philosophy, etc., I'd love to hear about.

[mthrfnk]

I use MP3's a lot for bootlegs, almost exclusively acapellas, because it's often hard to find studio quality copies. I mean tbh I often can't tell the difference, since you're going to be processing the sounds anyway and fitting them into a mix.

As for philosophy - mine's pretty simple: be as different from the original as possible. When I start a remix I usually find the "niche" it will fit in too pretty quickly so for example I'll create a new intro to the song or restructure the main chords etc., I normally like to avoid using the stems heavily, instead opting to use the melody/chords and rework them with my own synths. Ocasssionally I'll use the instrumental stems - normally only chopped between my sounds, I really dislike remixes where it just sounds as if the producer has rearranged the original.

Addionally stepping away from the original's tempo is good but I find on vocal tracks it can be tricky to get the vocal to sit well at the new BPM.

[fragments]

http://www.residentadvisor.net/feature.aspx?1987

Says a few interesting things about doing remixes in this article even though the focus is kind of on his hardware setup.

[LilWUB]

Thanks for the insight, gents!

[topmo3]

IMO if it's a famous song -> look for an acapella and if u want to have the instrument parts just chop up the original track

if it's a track by "no-one" just pm em on soundcloud or some shit for stems

[Dub_Fiend]

I've done a few remixes over the years and I find that, at least melodically, 'staying close to the original' and 'writing something completely new' can both work - however, it all depends on your execution and so just lazily layering the original track with a new set of drums and wobble bass isn't really the way to go.

There's always some leway in regards to the style of the remix you make but there are (at least for me) boundaries - so don't start making a tear-out Skrillex-esque remix of Massive Attack's Teardrop pls

Essentially, as long as it's not needlessly, excessively derivative then you should be good; not that a remix isn't derivative anyway, but there's a line you need to discern and then not cross

[wub]

Skrillex-esque remix of Massive Attack's Teardrop

Really wish I hadn't Googled for that;

Soundcloud

[Dub_Fiend]

Skrillex-esque remix of Massive Attack's Teardrop

Really wish I hadn't Googled for that;

Soundcloud