At 9/27/13 02:42 PM, SkyeWintrest wrote:

At 9/26/13 03:08 PM, johnfn wrote: The best would be a contest where judges would require the project files to ensure that no one worked longer than (say) 10 hours - I think that would be the most fair possibility.

I actually disagree with this. Some people are more talented than others and put in more hard work to match with the people who can make amazing music in a shorter period of time. I've been awe-inspired by music that took people 10 hours to make, while it takes me 40-60 hours to make something that good.

We've had discussions like this in the judge chat group a few times, talking about how time = quality. And yeah... Some people can pump out an amazing song in a few hours, while others need to take days or weeks to do something of similar quality. So adding a time restriction like that isn't really viable.

On top of that, not everyone has a lot of time to work on a song when they're on a deadline. You see people coming in here all the time talking about how they had to bum rush their submission on the day before the deadline cause RL got in the way.

Personal note, the vast majority of my own music is done in no more than 5-7 hours of working time. I have a few songs that I've pumped out in less than 2 hours.

At 9/27/13 02:42 PM, SkyeWintrest wrote: I actually disagree with this. Some people are more talented than others and put in more hard work to match with the people who can make amazing music in a shorter period of time. I've been awe-inspired by music that took people 10 hours to make, while it takes me 40-60 hours to make something that good.

Well, it just seems more fair to people like PeterSaetra to choose a time constraint that is actually equal among all participants, rather than giving the advantage to people with more free time, you know? 10 was just a random choice, it could be 20 or 40.

A deadline of say only 10 hours wouldn't work well I think. Neither would it be fairer than a longer giving more time. A fixed time frame never works for everyone at the same time. There are people all over the world who can partake in Newgrounds contests, and for all of them it's a different time of the day an in their lives. For some it's day, for others night. For some it's weekend, for others a busy Friday at work. Etc. If you give more time, people can be more flexible and make it work for them.

Most of my work takes more than 10 hours. I'm not good at making music in a short amount of time. I need time to waste so I can convince myself I can't do any better.

I finally got my shit together in a song and it crashed and is now corrupt.

Time to punch babys and start over. >:(

Granted, this is the first competition on here that I've taken part in. The best thing I can say about it is that theintensity of this competition has helped me drastically improve. An intense burn workout will do a lot more in a short space of time than jogging every day, which you'll see a gradual change. The same works with this competition and I think it's really a mix of this time constraint rule and the level of quality in the competition.

For example, Round 4... I'm against the marvelous Headphoamz. 2 weeks to produce a track worthy of going up against one of her compositions. There's such a huge subconscious pressure to really take it up a level which is the best form of motivation for me. This competition, if you choose to take from it as much as it gives you, can be of amazing benefit. I feel like I've only had the time to compose from the heart and using my instinct because I don't have months to dwell and doubt and go back to things in terms of the NGADM. I actually think I've discovered myself more as an artist through this. If you do bend the rules as somebody already has done that we know of, then you simply won't get much out of it at all. It's not only unfair on your competitors, but it's imo probably more unfair on yourself because there is so much potential improvement and amazing advice to be gotten from this process.

Rant over! How's everyone's entries coming along?! ^_^

Mine is finish just walking around with it and thinking of what can be improved, added or removed
And im just waiting for anyone to submit first

At 9/29/13 09:30 AM, etherealwinds wrote:

An intense burn workout will do a lot more in a short space of time than jogging every day, which you'll see a gradual change. The same works with this competition and I think it's really a mix of this time constraint rule and the level of quality in the competition.

Yeah, definitely agree here. I've been able to write some really cool stuff under such duress. I don't think I've ever made anything in two weeks before, but it forces me to sit down and compose!

For example, Round 4... I'm against the marvelous Headphoamz. 2 weeks to produce a track worthy of going up against one of her compositions. There's such a huge subconscious pressure to really take it up a level which is the best form of motivation for me. This competition, if you choose to take from it as much as it gives you, can be of amazing benefit. I feel like I've only had the time to compose from the heart and using my instinct because I don't have months to dwell and doubt and go back to things in terms of the NGADM.

Awww. Love you EW. You've got incredible talent and perseverance. That's the top two things you need to be a successful artist, I'm pretty sure! And you got dat in spades. I'm quite positive you're going to bring an amazing song to the table, and I'll be left running around like a chicken with my head cut off. :P

Am I the first to submit? Good luck everybody!

• 

  Mystic's Shore

  by etherealwinds

  My original song for Round 4 of NGADM 2013!

  Song

  World

  5,443 Views

  PLAY

She Was Picking Flowers

here is my fishin' track for NGADM hope you guys like it

Does anyone find themselves changing their styles to appease the judges?

I noticed we've never seen a purely (no vocals) electronic song score higher than 8.7, so I've decided to give up on writing electronic music.

:D

At 10/1/13 06:10 PM, johnfn wrote: Does anyone find themselves changing their styles to appease the judges?

I noticed we've never seen a purely (no vocals) electronic song score higher than 8.7, so I've decided to give up on writing electronic music.

D

Considering half of the judges write non-vocal electro stuff, I hardly see how that could be perceived as negative bias.

At 10/1/13 07:03 PM, camoshark wrote:
Considering half of the judges write non-vocal electro stuff, I hardly see how that could be perceived as negative bias.

Maybe that's why the judges know how easy it is to write it.

At 10/1/13 07:03 PM, camoshark wrote: Considering half of the judges write non-vocal electro stuff, I hardly see how that could be perceived as negative bias.

Maybe it's just hard to write good electronic music?

Or maybe good electro musicians don't hang around NG?

Dunno. It is an interesting pattern though.

At 10/1/13 06:10 PM, johnfn wrote: Does anyone find themselves changing their styles to appease the judges?

I noticed we've never seen a purely (no vocals) electronic song score higher than 8.7, so I've decided to give up on writing electronic music.

I've changed elements in my music to address what I expect to be stronger spots in my opponents music. I don't want to lose out on a stat by comparison simply by not having included something they likely focus on, but I've not cheesed out and gone 180 on my normal stuff. I'd rather glam up what I normally do rather than machinate something that's out of my territory.

At 10/1/13 07:21 PM, johnfn wrote: Or maybe good electro musicians don't hang around NG?

I've been getting kinda dancy lately but I suppose I havn't been holding that torch terribly high. :P I think the sea of electro/EDM/electronic primarily artists got beat out by more artists in other genre area's from the original 64 draft.

hey what are you guys talking about

i'm done i think!

• 

  Psychodynamo

  by Kor-Rune

  Progressive metal about drugs whats new

  Song

  Heavy Metal

  2,789 Views

  PLAY

NOTICE: Reviews and scores are now being slightly weighted and tailored to fit the individual artist. Stepping outside your own box is encouraged.

...probably should have said this before, but whatever. Doubt it'll affect too much considering there's less than a day left for submission and the scores won't be weighted by much at all. People who try thinking outside-the-box will be rewarded though, that's for sure.

At 10/2/13 12:47 AM, SkyeWintrest wrote: NOTICE: Reviews and scores are now being slightly weighted and tailored to fit the individual artist. Stepping outside your own box is encouraged.

Are these just your own scores, or everyone's? You already said you were doing this last time. >:D

At 10/2/13 01:22 AM, johnfn wrote:

At 10/2/13 12:47 AM, SkyeWintrest wrote: NOTICE: Reviews and scores are now being slightly weighted and tailored to fit the individual artist. Stepping outside your own box is encouraged.

Are these just your own scores, or everyone's? You already said you were doing this last time. >:D

Can't speak for everyone else, but I too give more points for originality and creative thinking as it shows versatility in the artist's ability, which is always a good thing. That being said, someone with a safe, non-experimental piece that's superbly composed can still beat someone with a more creative, yet sloppier, piece. So be sure to keep a healthy balance of both originality and composition to get the maximum points.

At 10/2/13 02:09 AM, Echo wrote:

Can't speak for everyone else, but I too give more points for originality and creative thinking as it shows versatility in the artist's ability, which is always a good thing. That being said, someone with a safe, non-experimental piece that's superbly composed can still beat someone with a more creative, yet sloppier, piece. So be sure to keep a healthy balance of both originality and composition to get the maximum points.

Good decision :) This will get anyone to freak out in a creative way which i find is really great!!!

Well, personally I don't take into consideration whether someone tries something new or not. If someone wants to stick with what they know, then so be it. Trying something new is a risk, and while doing so could broaden your mind and make you create something even more interesting, it won't automatically land you bonus points from me.

Just like versatility can be considered a good thing, specialising in one genre can also be considered a good thing, especially in the freelancing business where developers want to employ people with a consistent, honed style so that they know what to expect, rather than a jack of all trades and master of none. So yeah, I won't give people higher scores just for experimentation but I do encourage it since it'll allow you to grow as a musician and widen your perspective!

On that note, there's roughly 11 hours left for the people who haven't submitted yet! @SoundChris @johnfn @headphoamz @InvisibleObserver @InYourDreams

Good luck!

No problem - the piec ise already finished :)

At 10/2/13 01:22 AM, johnfn wrote:

At 10/2/13 12:47 AM, SkyeWintrest wrote: NOTICE: Reviews and scores are now being slightly weighted and tailored to fit the individual artist. Stepping outside your own box is encouraged.

Are these just your own scores, or everyone's? You already said you were doing this last time. >:D

I just said for originality period last time, this time I'm factoring in originality within each artist's style.

Sorry if I disappoint some of you with this. I had not enough time this 2 weeks :(

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/551687?updated=1

At 10/2/13 01:03 PM, Step wrote: On that note, there's roughly 11 hours left for the people who haven't submitted yet! @SoundChris @johnfn @headphoamz @InvisibleObserver @InYourDreams

Good luck!

Yeah I'm basically just sitting down for the first real session now... :*(

#tinyviolin

This is my favourite part of the contest, waiting for each highly anticipated song to roll in one after the other! :)

the tension of time!

• Unpublished Submission

Here is my new one. My very first guitar track. Hope you like spanish / flamenco music :p
Cheers!

Btw: I have choosen that smiley for the message because it just looks so hispanic - absolutely fitting to the submission :D

At 10/2/13 04:56 PM, SoundChris wrote: Btw: I have choosen that smiley for the message because it just looks so hispanic - absolutely fitting to the submission :D

Hispanic? That's the first time I've heard someone call the kitty face hispanic.

Purgy doesn't get it.

At 10/2/13 05:14 PM, Back-From-Purgatory wrote:

At 10/2/13 04:56 PM, SoundChris wrote: Btw: I have choosen that smiley for the message because it just looks so hispanic - absolutely fitting to the submission :D

Hispanic? That's the first time I've heard someone call the kitty face hispanic.

Purgy doesn't get it.

Hm - i thought this would be a mustache??? If i am wrong i appologize :)