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Originally posted by Push2005 rofl @ mcprog being harder to mix than regular trance

again I only meant that in the sense that if you screw up with a mcprog song its far more obvious than it is with a pure trance song.

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Originally posted by RapidFire listen to the very first transition. none of it is un-beatmatched but its damn near close to it. it just sounds off. kinda like he just randomly picked a spot to transition into without any regard as to how it would move the mix forward or play off the other track. its amateurish. not to mention his complete lack of subtlety all throughout the mix. Ive seriously heard live sets that are twice as good as this in every aspect. and thats just sad.

I agree with most of what you've said, but take into account that 90% of Tiesto's audience know very little/nothing about DJing, mixing or track selection. He's become so popular, it doesn't matter if he pisses off his 'real' fans, he has hordes of people to buy his CD, make him rich and famous, and vote him into the top positions of popularity contests.

Quality doesn't seem to matter anymore. Frankly if my name was put on his recent mixes I'd be too embarrassed to show my face never mind dance around behind the decks like a god

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Originally posted by MagikMan_643 I agree with most of what you've said, but take into account that 90% of Tiesto's audience know very little/nothing about DJing, mixing or track selection. He's become so popular, it doesn't matter if he pisses off his 'real' fans, he has hordes of people to buy his CD, make him rich and famous, and vote him into the top positions of popularity contests. Quality doesn't seem to matter anymore. Frankly if my name was put on his recent mixes I'd be too embarrassed to show my face never mind dance around behind the decks like a god

which is the very thing that pisses me off about this. he thinks he can get away with shoddy mixing and crappy track selection (solid tracks, shitty placement) and the rest of the world wont care? well fuck no he cant. Im calling his ass out this time.

I was actually going into this one with an open mind. I wanted it to be good. because after ISOS 4 I didnt know what to think. Maybe the pressure got to him and he didnt know how to follow up something so big as the ISOS series that he stumbled a bit. no biggie, we all make mistakes. but not only did he carry over his shit mixing, he has actually gotten worse at it.

Okay, I listened to Magik 6 the other night whilst cleaning house. It was the first time I listened to it in a while, but to me (again, this is just me) the mixing was on. What are your thoughts on the mixing here? I'm still trying to recall when/if I've heard Tiesto pull off a genuine train wreck, but nothing comes to mind.

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Originally posted by RapidFire Maybe the pressure got to him and he didnt know how to follow up something so big as the ISOS series that he stumbled a bit.

The pressure comes from somewhere else (management, demand etc). He didn't HAVE to release a CD now. But he did. Now he's gonna pay the price! hehe

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Tiesto Tracklist Archive - Independently Online

dont recall that specific CD. although from what I can remember his mixing was always solid. except maybe on that innercity CD. but thats live and excusable. even the first ISOS had a few not-so-great transitions (the one leading into Mercury & Solace for one) but most of it was fine. and the tracks themselves were heaps better than what hes giving us here.

He was never known for amazing, ground breaking transitions or tracklists and its not like im having an e-stroke here but I just dont see how anyone with any knowledge of mixing could possibly proof-listen to that CD and actually let it get a release

I suppose what I need to do is take the time to acquire and listen to some trance mixes that are known for their good mixing and then compare those to the Tiesto mixes. I've listened to trance for years, but I just recently started mixing. I figure that as I get better at mixing, I will pay more attention to the mixing involved in mix CDs. When I first started, my focus was on getting the beat matched, obviously. As I have become quicker, I have begun to focus on my cues and transitions.

With that in mind, do you have any recommendations for a mix CD that is renowned for its quality?

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Originally posted by Zoso I suppose what I need to do is take the time to acquire and listen to some trance mixes that are known for their good mixing and then compare those to the Tiesto mixes. I've listened to trance for years, but I just recently started mixing. I figure that as I get better at mixing, I will pay more attention to the mixing involved in mix CDs. When I first started, my focus was on getting the beat matched, obviously. As I have become quicker, I have begun to focus on my cues and transitions. With that in mind, do you have any recommendations for a mix CD that is renowned for its quality?

I repeat - the CD's are beat matched

You need to look at other mixing errors (some examples):
track 2 > 3 - he starts Empty Streets about 5 seconds too late that the last cue point in Celine - Colour My Eyes. It also has a horrible clash here - where the two tunes, despite beatmatched are unable to sit with one another as one flowing beat/melody.

track 3 > 4 - similar story - the mix into Beside Me is too late, and despite the beats matching, the melodies are clashing all over the place.

Ideally the tunes should flow into one another without the listener being able to notice the change.

track 6 > 7 - 2 Dekay tracks.. and STILL the new track is just "appearing" bang just like that - and in the wrong cue point from the previous track. they are allowed to sit uncomfortably for a few seconds before Tijs gently fades out the first tune. Horrid mix.

Ideally with ISOS as the theme - you should have some progression or at the very least regression from the first to last track to mirror the concept.

The Cd's look like this /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\





For Tiesto & good mixing? Check out some livesets of his - 02-02-2002 or the essential mix from 2001 - he CAN do it... just not on live software

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Tiesto Tracklist Archive - Independently Online

Okay, now we're getting on the same page! I will know what to listen for when I finally get the CDs (ISOS 5). Can you recommend a CD (not Tiesto) that is a good example of a quality mix throughout the CD? I'd like to have a baseline for comparison. For example, is there a James Holden (or any other artist for that matter) CD out there that would make you say, "Damn, now that was tight, smooth mixing"?

as cliche as it is to suggest: Global Underground 013.

Disc 2 especially. not only is it a great example of great mixing and track selection but its done live with vinyl.

eat that tiesto.

Thanks for the comments, explanations, and recommendations. I will try the Global Underground set you recommended. Holy shiat. Someone on TA just had a calm and rational exchange regarding trance, Tiesto, beat matching, and mixing. See, I knew it could be done.

Wait, does the COR know about this?