What makes a good compilation?

Glice · 11.22.2010, 10:23 AM

It's a question that's just come up in another thread; might as well branch it out rather than bog down the other thread with it.

I'll offer my opinions later (as I'm clearly a gobshite) so ... yeah - shoot.

hevusa · 11.22.2010, 10:37 AM

the artists/performers

shabbray2.0 · 11.22.2010, 10:38 AM

I always took compilations as a starting point to find something new and in the best case wanting to know more about it.

A good compilation for me isnt a place to find different artists who do the same music. its a place where i can find a wide range of music from likeminded artists.

Derek · 11.22.2010, 10:38 AM

The sequence and consistency.

shabbray2.0 · 11.22.2010, 10:39 AM

^^like in a good DJ set?
good point, never thought about it that way.

hevusa · 11.22.2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek

The sequence and consistency.

whaaaaaaa???
that is what mastering achieves!!!!

Rob Instigator · 11.22.2010, 10:42 AM

sequence is secondary. what makes a good compilation is the breadth of what is compiled, so the comp always stays fresh in the ears, unlike a compilation of the best live Pearl Jam moments, or Santana's horrible "greatest hits"

noisereductions · 11.22.2010, 10:43 AM

sequencing is very important. Like al said I kind of like a comp to be a history lesson on a certain subject.

Derek · 11.22.2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hevusa

whaaaaaaa???
that is what mastering achieves!!!!

Sequence, no. Consistency meaning quality of work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by al

^^like in a good DJ set?

Somewhat, yeah.

Genteel Death · 11.22.2010, 10:46 AM

It depends.

Sometimes I like variety sometimes I don't. Generally tracks that are not longer than 7/8 minutes. I don't mind the style of music too much for as long as the compiler has an ear for outstanding songs and a way to make them work together regardless of their initial incompatibility. A decent compilation has tracks that sit well side by side, or are mixed in such a way that it gives an overall cohesive flow. The flow itself might not necessarily make you instantly love the songs on it, but might stimulate your proneness to picking it up at a later stage and give it another go.

I also like compilations that serve as primers for a whole style of music, record label or scene. I have tons of these and they have been my main source for getting to know new music over the years before the internet took over.

hevusa · 11.22.2010, 10:53 AM

I don't think the songs should be longer than 5 minutes. The point is to highlight a bunch of artists right???

Otherwise it will be a compilation of 10 minute drone/noise farts (boring).

hevusa · 11.22.2010, 10:55 AM

I already have my submission ready for whomever is receiving them.

SONIC GAIL · 11.22.2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Genteel Death

It depends.

Sometimes I like variety sometimes I don't. Generally tracks that are not longer than 7/8 minutes. I don't mind the style of music too much for as long as the compiler has an ear for outstanding songs and a way to make them work together regardless of their initial incompatibility. A decent compilation has tracks that sit well side by side, or are mixed in such a way that it gives an overall cohesive flow. The flow itself might not necessarily make you instantly love the songs on it, but might stimulate your proneness to picking it up at a later stage and give it another go.

I also like compilations that serve as primers for a whole style of music, record label or scene. I have tons of these and they have been my main source of getting to know new music over the years before the internet took over.

This I can agree with. If someone can take pieces that initially are so different that from the surface it looks too scattered and mix them fluidly successfully into a beautifull collage they are genius.

It is like Interior design. Like having to fit the husbands deerhead into the wife's contemporary living room.

What will be the most interesting is the various musical styles that will break out of here. I have never seen so many ppl that love the same band have such a variance in musical tastes. It is diverse and wonderful.

knox · 11.22.2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hevusa

I don't think the songs should be longer than 5 minutes. The point is to highlight a bunch of artists right???

Otherwise it will be a compilation of 10 minute drone/noise farts (boring).

ffs.
stay out of it.

hevusa · 11.22.2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knox

ffs.
stay out of it.

kettle!
you still haven't shared your thoughts on mastering or what makes a good compilation. *winks*

Savage Clone · 11.22.2010, 11:36 AM

100% previously unreleased or otherwise unavailable material.
Gives fans of particular acts good motivation to pick up the comp and get exposed to something new they might like at the same time.

shabbray2.0 · 11.22.2010, 11:39 AM

^^100% agreement

SONIC GAIL · 11.22.2010, 11:40 AM

me too^^^^^

knox · 11.22.2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hevusa

kettle!
you still haven't shared your thoughts on mastering or what makes a good compilation. *winks*

my thoughts:
you shouldn't have a say on anything.

hevusa · 11.22.2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savage Clone

100% previously unreleased or otherwise unavailable material.
Gives fans of particular acts good motivation to pick up the comp and get exposed to something new they might like at the same time.

I agree too... which brings us to the next question. What format is it going to be released? CD?

If so that limits us to 70 minutes (I believe). Which brings me back to my other point; 5-6 minute cap on songs to allow for room?

song length to # of artists

8 minutes = 08 artists
7 minutes = 10 artists
6 minutes = 11 artists
5 minutes = 14 artists

11.22.2010, 10:37 AM	#2
hevusa expwy. to yr skull Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: rain hell Posts: 1,535	the artists/performers
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11.22.2010, 10:38 AM	#3
shabbray2.0 expwy. to yr skull Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,409	I always took compilations as a starting point to find something new and in the best case wanting to know more about it. A good compilation for me isnt a place to find different artists who do the same music. its a place where i can find a wide range of music from likeminded artists. __________________ PLEASE WAIT...BUILDING RAGE DEM DAYS, WHEN EVERYTHING IS HIP HOP "Beat the stage for an extra ending with monkeys"
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11.22.2010, 10:38 AM	#4
Derek invito al cielo Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8,095	The sequence and consistency.
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11.22.2010, 10:39 AM	#5
shabbray2.0 expwy. to yr skull Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,409	^^like in a good DJ set? good point, never thought about it that way. __________________ PLEASE WAIT...BUILDING RAGE DEM DAYS, WHEN EVERYTHING IS HIP HOP "Beat the stage for an extra ending with monkeys"
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11.22.2010, 10:42 AM	#7
Rob Instigator invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: In the land of the Instigator Posts: 27,975	sequence is secondary. what makes a good compilation is the breadth of what is compiled, so the comp always stays fresh in the ears, unlike a compilation of the best live Pearl Jam moments, or Santana's horrible "greatest hits" __________________ RXTT's Intellectual Journey - my new blog where I talk about all the books I read.
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11.22.2010, 10:43 AM	#8
noisereductions invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New England, USA Posts: 16,210	sequencing is very important. Like al said I kind of like a comp to be a history lesson on a certain subject. __________________ noisereduxinstalled.weebly.com
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11.22.2010, 10:46 AM	#10
Genteel Death invito al cielo Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 8,744	It depends. Sometimes I like variety sometimes I don't. Generally tracks that are not longer than 7/8 minutes. I don't mind the style of music too much for as long as the compiler has an ear for outstanding songs and a way to make them work together regardless of their initial incompatibility. A decent compilation has tracks that sit well side by side, or are mixed in such a way that it gives an overall cohesive flow. The flow itself might not necessarily make you instantly love the songs on it, but might stimulate your proneness to picking it up at a later stage and give it another go. I also like compilations that serve as primers for a whole style of music, record label or scene. I have tons of these and they have been my main source for getting to know new music over the years before the internet took over.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

11.22.2010, 10:53 AM	#11
hevusa expwy. to yr skull Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: rain hell Posts: 1,535	I don't think the songs should be longer than 5 minutes. The point is to highlight a bunch of artists right??? Otherwise it will be a compilation of 10 minute drone/noise farts (boring).
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

11.22.2010, 10:55 AM	#12
hevusa expwy. to yr skull Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: rain hell Posts: 1,535	I already have my submission ready for whomever is receiving them.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

11.22.2010, 11:36 AM	#16
Savage Clone invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 11,290	100% previously unreleased or otherwise unavailable material. Gives fans of particular acts good motivation to pick up the comp and get exposed to something new they might like at the same time.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

11.22.2010, 11:39 AM	#17
shabbray2.0 expwy. to yr skull Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,409	^^100% agreement __________________ PLEASE WAIT...BUILDING RAGE DEM DAYS, WHEN EVERYTHING IS HIP HOP "Beat the stage for an extra ending with monkeys"
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

11.22.2010, 11:40 AM	#18
SONIC GAIL invito al cielo Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: I moved from hillbilly Florida to hillbilly Alabama Posts: 3,723	me too^^^^^ __________________
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