Is Remixing Necessary?

innoverse · 19th July 2011

Hey guys,
I've noticed that a lot of the 'big' producers I look up to like Zedd, Skrillex, Madeon etc. did remixes to tracks before they started releasing originals. Was this to get people to get more into their music/gain fans? Or was it mainly for practicing production? I've done a ton of originals and barely any remixes over the two years I've been producing so I'm wondering if this would help to get my name out or just be fun to do.
Apologies if this question is obvious but thanks anyway

Junket · 19th July 2011

Its both. Madeon got a ton of people listening by using a deadmau5 track and basically doing it better than he did. (imo too)

But he was also practicing by doing it. Its just like using a pre-determined sample set or some shit. but how you flip it is how you get better. Its obvious, but nobody needs to make remixes.

I'm more than happy working on my own completely original tracks. but im also not trying to be a straight up dance dj either..

But yeah, a good thing to get in the habit of doing is not looking at musical endeavors and looking for immediate benefits. just do something cause you enjoy it and learn every aspect you can.

its all part of the journey.

nicolasmelo1 · 19th July 2011

deadmau5 gain fans doing only original stuff and then he started doing remixes

Schwarzwald · 19th July 2011

Skrillex does remixes.
Skrillex is famous.
You don't do remixes.
You're not famous.

Thats a "from point A to point B" explanation.
:P

famousbass · 19th July 2011

Remixes are an utterly out-of-fashion, dated artform.

Junket · 19th July 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schwarzwald

Skrillex does remixes.
Skrillex is famous.
You don't do remixes.
You're not famous.

Thats a "from point A to point B" explanation.
:P

I hope this is sarcasm lol... otherwise thats a terrible reference point

nms · 19th July 2011

I don't understand it. I mean clearly everyone on here has Internet right?

And yet.. Threads on remixing being dead or wondering if it's necessary.

msl · 19th July 2011

Yeah remixing is necessary if you need the extra exposure for your own tracks (ie paying someone well known to remix it) or as a way of getting your name out there by remixing someone more well known. Remixing is an easy way to start a relationship with smaller labels.

.

Whatupdoe? · 19th July 2011

Perhaps you should ask someone who actually has a career in electronic music rather than a bunch of people who haven't accomplished anything with their music. Most of the people around this board have no idea WTF they are talking about when it comes to managing a career.

The answer is that a few well placed, well executed remixes will allow you to expand your fanbase. It also shows that you are an established artist with a personal style when labels ask you to remix newer artists.

It is important to spread yourself around because different labels and artists have different fan bases, and a remix can allow you an opportunity to reach those audiences and expand your own.

It also doesn't hurt that you get your fee up front and never have to think about the project again.

Whatupdoe? · 19th July 2011

The downside is that you don't own the rights to the publishing or mechanicals. This means that you don't own your remix because it is considered a derivative work.

IOW it is a one time payday and the label owns it. You don't want to put too much original material into a remix unless it is for a high profile artist where the exposure will make your back catalog more valuable.

ReubenTobias · 19th July 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by famousbass

Remixes are an utterly out-of-fashion, dated artform.

Cant disagree more with this, In fact I actually feel as though we are having a bit of a revival when it comes to remixes.

Fifstar · 19th July 2011

It's not neccesary per se. Some acts gain their first public attention by releasing remixes, others by releasing their original tunes.

When it comes to remixes the question is how you get to officialy remix an established artist like deadmau5. You don't get to remix an act like him just out of the blue.

I think what is happening sometimes is that a newcomer does his own stuff (whether it's original music or bootleg remixes doesn't matter). One way or the other, a label/big artist gets to know his music (this is actually the difficult part), likes it and wants to work with the newcomer.
There are two options now, either get the newcomer to do a remix for the established artist, thereby getting the name of the newcomer out with the fame of the established guy. If the newcomer gets some hype, he gets to do more remixes until his name is big enough that he doesn't need the push by another artist anymore. Now his original stuff gets released.
Or, if the newcomer has really strong original material, do an ep with his stuff, possibly with a remix of a known producer to get the attention.
Obviously there are variations to this, like label samplers.

artech909 · 19th July 2011

You don't need remixes but than don't expect to hear your RnB or Rock track in the club within commecial house DJ set.

19th July 2011	#1
innoverse Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 159 Thread Starter	Is Remixing Necessary? Hey guys, I've noticed that a lot of the 'big' producers I look up to like Zedd, Skrillex, Madeon etc. did remixes to tracks before they started releasing originals. Was this to get people to get more into their music/gain fans? Or was it mainly for practicing production? I've done a ton of originals and barely any remixes over the two years I've been producing so I'm wondering if this would help to get my name out or just be fun to do. Apologies if this question is obvious but thanks anyway __________________ http://soundcloud.com/rymebox/rymebox-homework-is-stupid-2 http://www.facebook.com/rymebox/ http://www.soundcloud.com/rymebox http://www.youtube.com/rymebox/

19th July 2011	#7
nms Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,511	I don't understand it. I mean clearly everyone on here has Internet right? And yet.. Threads on remixing being dead or wondering if it's necessary. __________________ Minimoog Voyager \| Virus Ti2 Polar \| Juno 60 \| EL8X Distressor \| UA 6176 \| Mytek 192 ADC \| Lavry DA10 \| Motu 828mk2 \| Focal Twins \| KRK Ergo \| Ableton Live 8 \| Windows 7

19th July 2011	#8
msl Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Dublin Posts: 3,659 1 Review written	Yeah remixing is necessary if you need the extra exposure for your own tracks (ie paying someone well known to remix it) or as a way of getting your name out there by remixing someone more well known. Remixing is an easy way to start a relationship with smaller labels. . __________________ "It's like a throbbing jellyfish of low end" Joseph Micolo New remixes out now Erik Tronik & Secret Groovers - Test Model (Michael Lovatt Remix) Ricky Sinz - Oh You (Michael Lovatt's More Wood Remix) Latest releases here & here

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19th July 2011	#2
Junket Registered User Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 74	Its both. Madeon got a ton of people listening by using a deadmau5 track and basically doing it better than he did. (imo too) But he was also practicing by doing it. Its just like using a pre-determined sample set or some shit. but how you flip it is how you get better. Its obvious, but nobody needs to make remixes. I'm more than happy working on my own completely original tracks. but im also not trying to be a straight up dance dj either.. But yeah, a good thing to get in the habit of doing is not looking at musical endeavors and looking for immediate benefits. just do something cause you enjoy it and learn every aspect you can. its all part of the journey.

19th July 2011	#3
nicolasmelo1 Gear Head Joined: Jun 2011 Location: 4th Dimension Posts: 38	deadmau5 gain fans doing only original stuff and then he started doing remixes

19th July 2011	#5
famousbass Lives for gear Joined: May 2011 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,131	Remixes are an utterly out-of-fashion, dated artform.

19th July 2011	#9
Whatupdoe? Gear maniac Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 176	Perhaps you should ask someone who actually has a career in electronic music rather than a bunch of people who haven't accomplished anything with their music. Most of the people around this board have no idea WTF they are talking about when it comes to managing a career. The answer is that a few well placed, well executed remixes will allow you to expand your fanbase. It also shows that you are an established artist with a personal style when labels ask you to remix newer artists. It is important to spread yourself around because different labels and artists have different fan bases, and a remix can allow you an opportunity to reach those audiences and expand your own. It also doesn't hurt that you get your fee up front and never have to think about the project again.

19th July 2011	#12
Fifstar Gear nut Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 109	It's not neccesary per se. Some acts gain their first public attention by releasing remixes, others by releasing their original tunes. When it comes to remixes the question is how you get to officialy remix an established artist like deadmau5. You don't get to remix an act like him just out of the blue. I think what is happening sometimes is that a newcomer does his own stuff (whether it's original music or bootleg remixes doesn't matter). One way or the other, a label/big artist gets to know his music (this is actually the difficult part), likes it and wants to work with the newcomer. There are two options now, either get the newcomer to do a remix for the established artist, thereby getting the name of the newcomer out with the fame of the established guy. If the newcomer gets some hype, he gets to do more remixes until his name is big enough that he doesn't need the push by another artist anymore. Now his original stuff gets released. Or, if the newcomer has really strong original material, do an ep with his stuff, possibly with a remix of a known producer to get the attention. Obviously there are variations to this, like label samplers.

19th July 2011	#13
artech909 Gear addict Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 311	You don't need remixes but than don't expect to hear your RnB or Rock track in the club within commecial house DJ set.