Look out, it’s a mash-up!
[Actually, it's two of them.]
For several months I’ve been obsessed with downloading mash-ups from folks like Party Ben, Matt Hite, DJ Earworm, and DJ John. This weekend, I finally decided to download the trial version of Acid Pro 6 and figure out how all teh kIdz these days are dissecting and combining their favorite tunes into delightful new tracks.
First I introduced the Beastie Boys to cheeseball synth pop. Then I decided Thom Yorke and Talib Kweli had some things to discuss.
I’m sure these are obviously first efforts, but I hope you’ll take a moment to give them a listen. And if you feel like passing on any feedback, I’d love to hear it.
I’m loving it! Well done you.
The beat is matched pretty well on both, but I definitely like the second better. Excellent first attempts though, as a general rule I hate mashups but liked both of these.
Thanks Aideen! I’m learning they (especially the Kweli/Yorke piece) sound really different depending on whether I listen to them through the browser, download them and add them to iTunes, burn them to CD, and so on. I think just clicking on them and letting quicktime play them directly in the browser sounds better than whatever iTunes does to them. Not sure why though.
Mixing the levels was definitely the hardest part. Still a lot to learn there, for sure.
Thanks, Tim! Acid 6 has a very helpful/accurate beatmapper, made all the difference.
the first one is technically good, but kind of blah. i LOVE the second one!
cool! the commenter at pandagon liked the axel f & beasties mix, but i can see the punkasses are leaning towards kweli/yorke.
ooo, maybe i could do a mash-up duel as a regular thing…
I linked over from Pandagon, but add me to the chorus that prefers the Kweli/Yorke mashup. btw, How long is the Acid 6 demo good for?
Thanks rrp! The Acid demo’s good for 30 days, and I was surprised to see that i could export as mp3 etc even in the demo. Definitely recommend.
Very cool! My first time at your blog. I like them both, but the Kweli/Yorke one is the best.
Thanks ariadne! Hope you enjoy your stay.
Nicely done… Nicely done. Thanx for sharing the skill, and the knowledge. This matches perfectly with something else I ran across moments ago…
http://swissmiss.typepad.com/weblog/2007/05/web_20_the_mach.html
Just from the perspective that the ability is at hand for folks to create, remix, etc. for themselves… is getting better/easier;
This is a perfect example… and it f*ckin rocks. Hadn’t heard either song and they’re perfect… or I should say what you make is.
‘course I think that’s what alot of us had in mind years/decades ago… if computing power, etc has increased at such an accelerated, exponential scale, how come it’s taken until recently for youtube, etc. to really start taking off?
Anyway, before I get off on some rambling corporate rant, Thanx!
Excellent work on both pieces! Please keep posting your work!
Way back in the comments to one of your posts, you asked me what programs to use, and I recommended ACID. (http://punkassblog.com/2006/09/06/ill-think-of-a-title-later/). I’m happy that you tried it. As for adjusting levels, compression and such, I use Mixmeister. The Studio 7 version comes with a plug-in (at no added cost) that gives you all kinds of freedom to get the levels right. I know, it’s yet another program to buy, but definitely worth it.
On Itunes, turn off the equalizer, or at least play with it until you get the sound you want.
Thanks DJDeedle! I did remember your recommendation and it was one of the things that led me to ACID. I will try Mixmeister for the levels; ACID didn’t seem to be ideal in that regard.
Mind if I work one or both of your new tunes into a show somewhere?
One last thing. I highly recommend DJEarworm’s mashup book:
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Mashup-Construction-Kit-ExtremeTech/dp/0471771953
1) HELL no, that would be awesome!
It helped a lot. While I like Party Ben’s full catalogue a little more overall, Earworm’s “What’s My name?” is my favorite mash-up of all time. Had no idea when I bought the book that it was the same guy.
2) Already have many fine creases in the spine of his book.
I should have known that you had already done the research and found Earworm’s book. Your two mashups definitely show you’ve done your homework.
Hey, sounding great.
If you’re into long form mixes, you should check out DJ Ayres, DJ Eleven, Caps & Jones, and DJ Catchdubs.
http://www.itstherub.com/
http://www.capsandjones.com/
http://www.catchdubs.com/
they do amazing things with funk, pop, soul, hip hop, etc.