View Full Version : Question on the 2009 CONTEST
DanEckert
10-12-2009, 05:52 AM
Hey,
The rules for the 2009 EWQL Contest say that one is allowed to only use EWQL sounds in a music piece.
My question is if that means that I only can use the "clean" sound from the samples or if I can also put them through a software amp or some other filter to alter their sound. The resulting sound would be very different from the original sample so I was wondering if that would still count as the use of EWQL sounds only.
Thank you in advance for your answers. :)
toledoo1
10-12-2009, 12:40 PM
I was wondering the same thing.
mirrored
10-12-2009, 03:05 PM
You can alter the sounds as you wish, the only restriction is to use samples from EW/QL sources only.
Cheers,
Michal
Tyler Johnson
10-14-2009, 02:58 AM
On the subject, I've noticed people are going over the time limit of 2:00. Even if it's only a few seconds, this will be taken into account correct?
I would have loved to extend my piece another 10-15 seconds but I adhered to the time constraints, and for some reason, some people think they can get away with adding a few seconds here and there...like it's "around 2 minutes". I don't know, just came to my attention while browsing the contest entries.
I hope I don't sound rude, but it's pretty disrespectful don't you think?
Dannthr
10-14-2009, 07:39 AM
I agree, Tyler, we live in a spec industry and if you can't hit the time limit, then man, you don't deserve the moolah.
some people think they can get away with adding a few seconds here and there...
lol. I think a few minutes is more in line with some of the submissions. Me thinks some didn't read the rules. I'd imagine the time was put there for a reason. I can't imagine going over the time limit will be of any help.
boulifb
10-15-2009, 06:19 AM
It is said "It can be any genre or style up to 2 minutes in duration...."
So I understand, the piece has to be at maximum 2 minutes. So, by definition, it can be less than 2 minutes but no more than 2 minutes.
I suppose if the piece had to be 2 minutes exactly, it would have been written "black on white".
But maybe I'm wrong.
Tyler Johnson
10-15-2009, 12:31 PM
So I understand, the piece has to be at maximum 2 minutes. So, by definition, it can be less than 2 minutes but no more than 2 minutes.
Yes, you're absolutely correct.
I just don't see how people think they can get away with not reading the rules, and submit something that's 2:30 and I just hope this will be taken into consideration.
Sydor01
10-16-2009, 05:58 AM
I've had to make sacrifices in my piece to bring it under the two minute limit. Don't want to take any chances that it will be disqualified for being 2:01. I think Doug and the team would have a bit of a controversy on their hands if they selected an entry that went over, even for the top five.
Yes, I'm guessing that some of the participants skimmed the rules and missed the two minute restriction. Hopefully they'll be notified and can re-enter with a shorter version. Listening to some of the more distinctive submissions in particular, would be a shame if after all that work they were dropped for a few seconds of excess.
Side note, will there be a thread specifically to discuss the entries? I'm currently finishing up the mix on mine, would be very helpful to get some constructive feedback.
Pietro
10-16-2009, 06:13 AM
Side note, will there be a thread specifically to discuss the entries? I'm currently finishing up the mix on mine, would be very helpful to get some constructive feedback.
It will be completely fine, but only after your entry has been submissed and the contest closed. That's my understanding of writing a contest cue - let it be 100% your own.
As for the time restriction problem, that's a tough thing - if I were to judge, I wouldn't want to be the asshole who disqualifies entries for this reason, neither would I want to be a judge who ignores the rules he sets himself and qualifies the uncareful participants for further competition.
- Piotr
Yes, I'm guessing that some of the participants skimmed the rules and missed the two minute restriction. Hopefully they'll be notified and can re-enter with a shorter version. Listening to some of the more distinctive submissions in particular, would be a shame if after all that work they were dropped for a few seconds of excess.
Would be great to get an notify if I need to cut out the air on my cello. Right now it's 02:05, but the cello stops playing 02:02. Why did let it go over 2 minutes? because I wanted it to be a "finished piece" rather then "halfdone piece". The cello is just stroking the bow to its end.
I think its a tough thing to judge. What is right, and what's wrong, and what is way over the time limit.
Good luck everybody!
Ryan
mirrored
10-16-2009, 06:44 AM
I've had to make sacrifices in my piece to bring it under the two minute limit. Don't want to take any chances that it will be disqualified for being 2:01.
Just speed up the tempo...
Cheers,
Michal
Pietro
10-16-2009, 07:04 AM
I'm having mixed thoughts about people fixing their already entered cues too...
Someone will fix the tempo , someone will add a trombone, and someone will completely reorchestrate post factum ;). If we let all the people fixing their pieces this contest will have no sense at all. Everyone has the same chance - one entry per member. Could that be yesterday, last month or the very last day of October. People who enter on the last day won't have the time to fix things, which would be unfair for them too. You entered early, why does it make you privileged? (that's not directed to anyone in particular ;))
Before you enter, use the time to make it right.
- Piotr
Sydor01
10-16-2009, 11:51 AM
It will be completely fine, but only after your entry has been submissed and the contest closed. That's my understanding of writing a contest cue - let it be 100% your own.
- Piotr
Ah yes, I remember now with last year's contest the discussion thread didn't open until after the deadline. Good point, I can wait a couple more weeks.
Just speed up the tempo...
Cheers,
Michal
Already did :). My original tempo was 140. It's now at 155. Fortunately, the faster tempo was a better fit anyway.
I'm having mixed thoughts about people fixing their already entered cues too...
If we let all the people fixing their pieces this contest will have no sense at all.
- Piotr
True, but is there anything stopping somone from editing their own post to re-upload a new version?
Right now it's 02:05, but the cello stops playing 02:02. Why did let it go over 2 minutes? because I wanted it to be a "finished piece" rather then "halfdone piece". The cello is just stroking the bow to its end.
Ryan
I'm very mixed too. While an entry going well over two minutes is obviously disqualified, what if the last note hits just before two minutes, but the release resonates for another five seconds as with your entry Ryan? One of my earlier versions did just that with the last bell hit resonating for another 8 seconds. That's corrected with the tempo increase and it now finishes at 1:55 with the release included. But I would like to have an extra couple of seconds just to complete the fade to silence. Abruptly chopping the recording leaves a bit of a sour impression. Then again, would this not be part of the overall challenge, to compose a track exactly to spec?
AlCapps
10-16-2009, 12:36 PM
A question for Doug that I have is:
When you post your entry do you have to include a "download" option, or can it just be an MP3 file?
I've noticed that some entries have Download options, but some don't.
Al
A question for Doug that I have is:
When you post your entry do you have to include a "download" option, or can it just be an MP3 file?
I've noticed that some entries have Download options, but some don't.
Al
I figured that the judges may want to import the tracks into a certain player rather than whatever may be provided by the link. For that main reason I made my submission downloadable. Part of me prefers that they do download it, it seems to me that the soundcloud player slightly distorts the signal.
My entry is a little over 5 minutes. I had to decide which 3/5 to cut out--not an easy task. I chose to fade in the last 2 minutes which really compromises the feeling and structure of the piece but what else can one do. I'm sure the judges are anticipating an overwhelming amount of entries and multiplying by 2 can really add up the listening time.
Good Luck to all of you!
Russ
Tyler Johnson
10-17-2009, 01:43 PM
Ok, let's put it this way.
If you're writing cues for a movie and a director or producer asks for a 2:00 cue...EXACTLY 2:00 because there is a fade to black that happens exactly 2:00 after the cue starts, would you come back with a cue that's 2:05? Even 2:01? No, you wouldn't.
I see it as they're giving us a guideline, a set of rules just like a producer would and we're supposed to follow them. I just don't see how it's that hard to to.
Dean Krommydas
10-25-2009, 07:57 AM
Ok, let's put it this way.
If you're writing cues for a movie and a director or producer asks for a 2:00 cue...EXACTLY 2:00 because there is a fade to black that happens exactly 2:00 after the cue starts, would you come back with a cue that's 2:05? Even 2:01? No, you wouldn't.
I see it as they're giving us a guideline, a set of rules just like a producer would and we're supposed to follow them. I just don't see how it's that hard to to.
Well said.
Jim Curits
10-25-2009, 09:17 AM
Yep in the eyes of the contest rules and mathematics; up to 2 minutes in duration, means 2 minutes limit. ;)
You might get away with 120 seconds...:D
Good luck to everyone that has time to compose and enter.
DanEckert
10-28-2009, 06:36 PM
The rules state: "It can be any genre or style up to 2 minutes in duration. We will allow an extra 30 seconds if necessary, but no more."
So I guess 2:30 would be the ultimate maximum then, right?
Pietro
10-28-2009, 06:55 PM
The maximum is 2:00, so if you want to write more than 2:30, be sure it's not 3:00.
- Piotr
Jim Curits
10-29-2009, 04:11 AM
Initially the rules read up to 2 minutes.
If view of people tailing over 2 minutes,
Now they read; up to 2 minutes in duration. We will allow an extra 30 seconds if necessary, but no more.
2.30 (150 seconds is maximum)...;) 151 seconds and your out!:D
ChemicalReaper
10-29-2009, 05:36 AM
I find it amusing that people do not understand what "NO OTHER COMMENTS" means, hahaha. Especially when you get not just fragments or sentences, but entire paragraphs telling the EW staff how you were once a poor Cuban lad until you found an old EastWest library which got you enough money to buy a house in Florida, but alas, due to the U.S. embargo you can't visit your house, and how now through your music you're hoping to reestablish U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations.
Jim Curits
10-29-2009, 05:44 AM
I find it amusing that people do not understand what "NO OTHER COMMENTS" means, hahaha. Especially when you get not just fragments or sentences, but entire paragraphs telling the EW staff how you were once a poor Cuban lad until you found an old EastWest library which got you enough money to buy a house in Florida, but alas, due to the U.S. embargo you can't visit your house, and how now through your music you're hoping to reestablish U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations.
Either lost in translation...or keep off the drugs!:D:D:D
boulifb
10-29-2009, 11:25 AM
Up to 2 minutes means 120 seconds at max.
1 minute is 60 seconds.
Read the rules... They are clear.
So, I guess, If EastWest is strict and apply the rules, all people above 120s are out.
Jim Curits
10-29-2009, 12:10 PM
Up to 2 minutes means 120 seconds at max.
1 minute is 60 seconds.
Read the rules... They are clear.
So, I guess, If EastWest is strict and apply the rules, all people above 120s are out.
Read the rules first boulifb...it is now 2 minutes with an extra 30 seconds max thrown in...;) (150 whole seconds)
Now somebody lock this thread it's making me weary...:(
boulifb
10-29-2009, 01:06 PM
My bad.
This is a recent addition then.
mirrored
10-29-2009, 01:06 PM
Read the rules first boulifb...it is now 2 minutes with an extra 30 seconds max thrown in...;) (150 whole seconds)
Cool, so I'll make a tune of length 2:32 and see what happens... ;) :D
Cheers,
Michal
silencefreedom
11-05-2009, 09:15 AM
On the subject, I've noticed people are going over the time limit of 2:00. Even if it's only a few seconds, this will be taken into account correct?
I would have loved to extend my piece another 10-15 seconds but I adhered to the time constraints, and for some reason, some people think they can get away with adding a few seconds here and there...like it's "around 2 minutes". I don't know, just came to my attention while browsing the contest entries.
I hope I don't sound rude, but it's pretty disrespectful don't you think?
They allowed you 30 sec extra. "Up to 2 min", crap, I thought it was minimum 2 min. I'm already out of this contest 'cause mine is over 3 min.
silencefreedom
11-05-2009, 09:18 AM
Up to 2 minutes means 120 seconds at max.
1 minute is 60 seconds.
Read the rules... They are clear.
So, I guess, If EastWest is strict and apply the rules, all people above 120s are out.
Well there is many exceptions though. If your stuff is good enough to blast their ears, you are lucky!
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