Mix Analysis

First Track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHs99iVpnXU
Madeon - Icarus (Extended Mix)
BPM :126
Year: 2012

0:00 - 0:38 INTRO: My favorite part of the track.

Very dreamy and euphoric pads at least 4 different types some kinda
organic sounding. Lots of delay and reverb.
0:00-0:07 Reverse Vocal effect (side-chained?) along with filter sweep
0:08 "Ahh" same vocal sample with side-chained compression
0:11 Light Guitar chord comes in on 1/4 notes
0:23 "Ahh" Vocal sample not ducking.
0:30 Big Sweep
0:37 Chopped Vocal sample "ah, ah, ah" leads directly into:

0:38- 1:08 BREAKDOWN:

0:38 (LEAD) Huge Layered "80s style" Virbrato saw synth is
synchronized with Kick drum hits
-notes are sustained 4 seconds until next riff.
0:38 Arpeggiator in the high end playing 16th notes adds suspense.
0:56 One of my favorite parts is this drum fill which keeps the momentum
1:01 Final Build with claps on the 2 and 4, fast kick (16ths) and
snare hits and the end

1:08 CHORUS or "DROP"

Starts with a solo'ed downward Bass bend/slide. This is were things
get very interesting. Various clips of one bar layered riffs undergo
heavy limiting and compression to get that pumping effect.  The
instrumentation is various disco stabs, choir stabs such as the ones
heard at 1:11 1/8 note guitars and riffs etc.
1:21 1 bar fill at the end of the first 8 that is similar to intro synths.
Next 8 Bars include a hi-hat pattern and even more layered sounds.
1:37 1 bar fill makes the transition from Chorus to verse almost
seamless by utilizing a sound similar to that of the beginning. This
really keeps the energy of track flowing.

1:39 VERSE

8 bar with a dark bass stab  every bar on the first kick and plucky
lead from the 1 bar fill in chorus. Very ambient pads almost
overwhelming.
1:55 Kick Drops and you are left with original ambience from the intro
accompanied by strings.
2:13 Build Beginning  with similar snare hits at the end

2:30 SECOND CHORUS

Even more layered instruments as well as noticeable vocal samples such
as at 2:53 "yeah"
My favorite added synth is the bending riff at 2:50 actually composed
of an original guitar sounding pitched bending synth and then finished
with a standard saw synth riff.

3:00 OUTRO

Featuring original lead synth from the original drop layered a little
bit on the higher side at the end. Goes along with a simple 4 x 4
beat.

All production, mixing and mastering on this and his original
productions were done by Madeon in his basement using FL Studio. The
best part is Hugo Pierre Leclercq or Madeon just turned 18. He is now
signed to mau5trap records, deadmau5's label.
One could now assume that his upcoming tracks will be mixed and
mastered by mau5trap engineers of which I couldn't find any names
besides Joel Zimmerman, deadmau5, who is known to mix and master his
own tracks.

I think his mix is fabulous for the style and genre. First things
first kick and snare are heavily limited and can be heard pumping
through out. I'm not sure if the mixing or arrangement of all these
different clips is more challenging. Madeon insist that he mixes while
he goes so when it comes to a final mix, he isn't left with much to
do. The first time I heard this I was completely blown away. I know he
may be regarded as a clique or "mainstream" EDM artist but I believe
his style, especially at his young age, is truly uplifting and
inspiring.

Second Track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8u3hV3_yCQ
King Tubby - Conversation Dub
BPM: 134

0:00 - 0:20 INTRO:
0:00 4 bar vocal intro "Ah Reggae Music"
0:06 8 Bars of Simple powerful bass line enters
0:12 and 0:15 Layered snare hits with a heavy reverb, especially on
the second hit.
0:19 Congo sounding fill before kick and snare drop

0:20 - 0:55 Verse
Kick on the one and Big snare on the 3 in the first 4 bars.
High hat and bongo pattern.
0:27 Guitar strums come in one the 2 and 4
0:28 Organ Lead comes in and plays a little riff
0:37 Famous Dub Delay of one of the organ notes  fades out.

0:55 - 1:12 CHORUS
Kick and majority of high hats and congo cut out.
1:03 Guitar and Original Lead riff return

1:13 - 2:24 VERSE
Same as original verse.

2:24 - 2:51 CHORUS
Same sort of drop Chorus arrangement with no kick and minimal percussion.

2:51 - 3:07 OUTRO
Same as verse.

King Tubby composed, produced and mastered this song himself. What I
love about King Tubby's production are his simple yet engaging
melodies and the "dubby" sort of spacey feel which he coined. It is
great music to relax to on the beach or while reading because it's
very organic feel. I feel like it is mixed beautifully and all the
elements of the song can be heard in there own space. Though it is a
very small amount
of instruments used no one item stands out in front of another. The
most crucial part to me is the guitar "reggae chuck" which really
keeps the rhythm going and the large snare, as the kick is not nearly
as loud as in dance or hip-hop.

According to wikipedia Tubby was responsible for the concept of the
remix. His Echo and Reverb effects were a staple of the Dub world. He
has also remixed and engineered for Lee Perry, Bunny Lee, Augustus
Pablo and Vivian Jackson.

I picked these two tracks to contrast each other. They are basically
exact opposites in terms of genre, arrangement, instrumentation and
production. Tubby's has relaxed copious amounts of space and a
half-time rhythm whereas Madeon's jam packed four on the flour
funky-disco-electro is very in your face. I hope you enjoy both
tracks.

Respectfully,

Connor Smith

www.soundcloud.com/cashsmith