Making remixes has a lot in common with writing songs, but still requires a different set of skills and special knowledge. If you are new to the world of remixing, it must be very confusing since you probably have no understanding of where to start. Let’s establish from the very beginning it has nothing to do with mixing and mastering. Of course, your final result should be mixed and mastered by a professional, such as https://ekmixmaster.com. But remixing does not equal mixing.
This process puts certain limitations on you, but you can use them to your advantage. It also requires certain skills that are unique to this field, so we will give you a couple of tips to help you get over the obstacles when you are just starting. Let’s start with why you should make a remix. It is a great way to learn how the original track is made and study its structure. It is also a great way to launch your music production career. By making remixes for big artists, you increase your chances of being noticed and signed with a label. This is a golden opportunity to promote your music and gain larger publicity.
So how to start. A good remix, as a good dish, starts with high-quality ingredients. They determine half of the success of your song. So spend some time looking for the best quality stems. If you want to make a remix for a big artist, you can find opportunities on such websites, as Indaba Music, Meta Pop, where they post info about the upcoming contests. And check out the social media of your favorite band or artist if they are hosting a contest they are sure to make a post about it.
Next, find the bpm and key of the original song. Sometimes this information is provided with the stems, but there are cases when you will have to dig for it yourself. You may ask, why does it matter? It is important for your productivity and speed. Knowing the bpm and the key of the track, you can choose samples faster. It is also important for building harmonies. And if you are just starting and don’t have a lot of experience, you might have problems with hearing slight differences in pitch, and your track will end up sounding a little bit off-key. We don’t want that to happen, so the best thing to do is to look for the bpm and the key of the song on Google. It is usually quite easy to find. But if for some reason, you cannot find the key on the Internet, you can use different plug-ins that can tell you not only the key of the song but also the chords.
While listening to the song for the first time, take notes of the elements you like and would want to use in your track. It is very important to catch this initial reaction because it is the most honest emotion. And it is crucial to leave only the elements you truly like, and that reflect your style, get rid of the rest. Stay true to yourself and add instruments and samples that are part of your signature sound. It will make you stand out in the crowd. Take your time. We know that having a deadline can put pressure on you and cause anxiety, but you don’t have to be the first one to submit your work. So relax and give it your best shot.