The Art of the Remix (page 2)

Apply Some Acid

Sony's Acid software changed the face of custom music creation. Now Adobe, Apple, Cakewalk and many others offer loop-based production tools. If you're new to loops, the concept is simple: you combine individual repeating audio segments - or loops - to create a completely new audio piece. You can cut loops from your music library and blend, process and otherwise mutilate them until you hear something you like. Using techniques from the simple remix above, mark up your target piece, but concentrate on shorter segments that can repeat or loop. When you're finished, drop them in your looping software, and apply a tempo or beat map to keep them in sync. Looping software allows for changes in tempo and pitch, so your beat-mapped segments lock up with other loops.

Now the fun begins. Start by mixing and matching your custom loops. Experiment to find ways to combine them, creating new music beds. Next, try adding a new drum loop, for a completely different feel. Use some filters to EQ a loop or two, removing the bass and highs for a lo-fi feel. Go wild, and add some percussion or synth tracks to thicken things up. Change things up throughout the piece, and just play until you're happy. It sounds like a lot of work, but it's actually quite fun and a great way to get your head going in a new direction. Ultimately, you may even change the composition of the video, based on your new musical options.

Robot Remixing

If all this audio manipulation sounds too intimidating, there are alternatives. Digital Juice offers its unique series of Stack Traxxs music. And don't forget the original robot remixer: SmartSound. SmartSound remains unique in its ability to craft a piece of buyout music into a specific length and still offer several options for musical feel.

TV Remixed

Earlier this year, the Discovery Channel ran a promo piece that featured an enigmatic song called Wonder Years Cease. Slightly obsessed, I did some research and found it was from a band called Morcheeba. I found the CD, but the song on the disc was a pale shadow of the one I'd heard - the TV version was a remix. It was wonderfully sweeping, with huge strings, brass and other synth sounds. The audio editing was perfectly suited to the video. Creative remixing can make a little musical piece quite different and entertaining.

Lock It Down

Remixing audio provides several opportunities. First, you get to recycle your music library. Second, you create something unique, which sets the client (and your productions) apart. Finally, there's a new outlet for your creativity. It's easy to get in a production rut but with remixing in your bag of production tricks, any project can have something fresh.

Contributing Editor Hal Robertson is a digital media producer who claims that broadband Internet changed his life.

Side Bar: Lawful Remix

A remix is a good way to spice up a tired song. However, be cautious when altering copyrighted content, as a remix of an original song without the proper licensing is a copyright infringement. Please note that Videomaker does not endorse or advocate using copyrighted material at any time without permission from the copyright holder. Please check with your attorney if you have questions.