RIFFRUMBLE VI SONG CONTEST
To celebrate the RiffWorks guitar recording software update to v2.1, Sonoma Wire Works hosted RiffRumble VI, a battle of songs created with RiffWorks recording software! This round was sponsored by Line 6, CD Baby, Disc Makers, Drummerheads, and Recording Magazine.
If you haven't tried RiffWorks fun recording software yet, there's a free RiffWorks Demo!
3 CATEGORIES TO WIN
One winner was chosen for each of the following three categories:
- Popularity - song that received the most cheers from the public
- Contestants' Choice - song that received the most cheers from RiffRumble VI contestants
- Drummerheads' Choice - their favorite song from the entire list of contestants
PRIZES
Each of the winning contestants of the 3 categories above receive the following prizes:
POPULAR CATEGORY WINNER: "DEZANALI" by JIM GOLDEN
Jim Golden got the most overall public votes for his song "Dezanali". This is his second win in a row for this category.
Jim had this to say: "I honestly didn't expect to win another RiffRumble! I guess I have a very good network of friends who rally the vote on my behalf. I can honestly say, after reading the comments which were posted about the tune, that I knew very few of the people casting votes. I hope it says something for the quality and strength of the song itself and for people's willingness to listen to something that is different from the norm. As was the case in RR V, my wife persuaded me to enter the song - I thought this tune was too different from the other entries might not have an audience. I was surprised at the variety of the entries this time and readily admit there were a number of very good tunes entered."
"The inspiration for "Dezanali" came from listening to the work of Lee Ritenour, particularly his "Overtime" DVD and from the body of work from Hungarian jazz great Gabor Szabo. I particularly admire Ritenour's cover of Szabo's legendary tune "Mizrab" on "Rit's House" and it was that essence I was attempting to capture in "Dezanali".
One of the comments posted about the song asked the meaning of Dezanali. Jim says, "Dezanali can be what you want it to be. I look at it as a place where we all go to explore our inner feelings and emotions."
"I used only my Hondo strat USF-3W, Samick 4 string bass, and Yamaha DGX 500 Portable Grand keyboard in the recording of Dezanali. The InstantDrummer session was Drums on Demand's Half Nelson that comes free with RiffWorks. However the intensity was rolled back and the actual snare drum came from a keyboard setting as the big rock snare sound in the Half Nelson session was too strong for the song. This is the first tune I've completed with the RiffWorks Standard package, which I upgraded to after winning RiffRumble V."
Since Jim won the Line 6 Model Pack he wanted last time, he has generously decided to give the Model Pack prize to another contestant of our choice. We're choosing "Surfing with the Alien Love Child" by Tim Nicholson. Someone voted for Tim's song with this comment. "Sounds alot like me dude!! JS". Who knows...
As far as Drummerheads InstantDrummer Sessions, Jim's chosen his prizes to be 6-9 Minus One, Electrobeat 24bit, Shufflufagus, Vintage Rock 24 bit, and Vintage Rock III.
CONTESTANTS' CHOICE CATEGORY: "DARKEST NIGHTS" by MICKEYMIX
Congratulations to MickeyMix! The RiffRumble VI contestants voted and chose Mickey's song, "Darkest Nights...", as the best overall song in RiffRumble VI. An honorable mention goes to Krister Karlson, who came in a close second in this category for his song, "On and On"!
Mickey is from "Warm & Sunny North Miami Beach, Florida" and has been playing guitar for about 30 years. His bands The GrindStones and The Swingin Johnsons used to play out quite a bit but now his responsibilities don't allow him the time except for sporadic gigs. Mickey can often be found on RiffLink jamming with other RiffWorks users online and coming up with some phenominal songs. More music by this talented guitar player (including some collabs) can be found on RiffCaster and on Mickey's MySpace page.
Michelle of Sonoma Wire Works asked where the inspiration came from for Darkest Nights. Mickey answered, "Going through a bad break up after a 5 year relationship and coming out the other side to resume "dating", then meeting that 1st special girl, and the things I had to go through to keep seeing her."
Michelle: What gear and InstantDrummer sessions did you use to create your winning song?
Mickey: My beloved Epiphone Les Paul, A modified OLP Wolfy, Lotus bass (Steinberg copy) through Bass Expansion, A B.L.U.E. Baby Bottle condenser mic, all through GearBox. Hayden will be proud to know that I used DrummerHeads Brand Nu Metal I & II exclusively - well with the exception of 1 REX2 file at the outro blended in with the InstantDrummer.
Michelle: How long have you been using RiffWorks?
Mickey: I've been a loyal RiffWorks user since June or July 2005.... but would have been a "proud" user sooner, if I'd only known about it earlier. I have all the other big name DAW's but never use them any more due to the fact of how easy and quickly it is to get a song on "tape". RiffWorks should be in every musicians arsenal - that's how great RiffWorks is! If more people knew about it, more people would buy it! So I'm always spreading the word about RiffWorks."
Michelle:What are your favorite InstantDrummer sessionss?
Mickey: I really love Funky Country, Like 70's Funk, the organic ones and all the Drummerheads sessions.....aww who am I kidding? I love them all!
Michelle:Which 5 InstantDrummer Sessions from Drummerheads would you like and why?
Mickey:I have all the drummers so I would like to give them to my good friend and partner in musical crime Alex Sellars (Sellarsongs)." He decided to give his Model Pack prize to Rick Andrews, who chose the Line 6 Model Pack - Power Pack.
DRUMMERHEADS' CHOICE WINNER: "SUNRISE" by AJ OLSSON
Hayden Bursk, of Drummerheads drum content company, sponsored RiffRumble VI and choose the winner for this category:
"So many good entries. So hard to choose. I could not choose just one, so I've choosen one grand winner along with three honorable mentions. The grand winner gets the 5 InstantDrummer sessions, and the three honorable mentions will each receive their choice of one Drummerheads InstantDrummer session."
My first honorable mention is "Momma's Swtichblade" by Sandman (George). In my random shuffle listening, this was the first to really catch me with its straight ahead blues playing and quite humorous storyline lyrics.
My second honorable mention is "Cruzin'" by Guitarplayer. This track was so funky fresh and got my head abobbin'.
And of course, how could we not honor Krister Karlsson who has won the last two RiffRumbles. "On and On" had some undeniable musicianship, killer harmonies, and overall strong song structure.
Our grand winner, coming in second in the popular vote with over a 100 votes, is "Sunrise" by AJ Olsson. This was such a great display of using RiffWorks for full on song production. Great acoustic guitar playing, good melody, and really nice vocals. I do like the original spelling of the title a bit more, "Sonrise", since it is a christian rock song and I hope he goes back to the old spelling.
Congratulations all. Some really wonderful music was made using RiffWorks this year."
Michelle interviewed AJ about his win:
Michelle: Where do you live and how long have you been playing guitar??
AJ: I actually live on a farm in Goulburn, Australia and I've been playing guitar for about 7-8 years.
Michelle: Where did the inspiration come for Sunrise?
AJ: Actually from the Bible in Matthew 4:16
This song is dualy metaphoric of how Jesus is the "Son" of God and how God brought light and joy in place of the darkness and hoplessnes. So I suppose you could say the the inspiration came from an encounter with Jesus and a few weeks fiddling around on an acoustic guitar.
Michelle: What gear and InstantDrummer sessions did you use to create your winning song? He replied:
- The InstantDrummer - Matt Sorum (the one included with Riffworks)
- A Line 6 TonePort UX2
- Rode K2
- Taylor 310ce
- Fender Fat Strat
Michelle:How long have you been using RiffWorks?
AJ: I only purchased RiffWorks about a month or so before the competition. I think it's fantastic. Particularly for song writing and getting ideas down.
Michelle: Which model pack would you like and why?
AJ: I'd like the POWER PACK for my Toneport UX2 to upgrade to the power of a PODxt because I'd like to get some more studio effects and some more of the basic amp models. Though if it were possible, I'd love to get all of them!!
DRUMMERHEADS BACKUPS EFFECTS PRESETS
As a sponsor of RiffRumble VI, Drummerheads is offering RiffWorks users free backup effects presets. More Info
LISTEN TO ALL THE SONGS
Check out all the great RiffRumble VI entries.
THANKS TO THE SPONSORS
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Line 6 - Music products that inspire creativity in both recording and live environments. |
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Disc Makers - CD duplication and manufacturing made easy for independent musicians - and special freebies for Sonoma Wire Works users. |
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CD Baby - A little CD store with the best new independent music. |
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Recording Magazine - The magazine for the recording musician. |
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Drummerheads - Drummerheads sells their InstantDrummer Sessions exclusively to RiffWorks users here. |
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RIFFRUMBLE FORUM
Chat about RiffRumble VI.
RIFFCASTER
Share music created with RiffWorks using Sonoma Wire Works RiffCaster internet broadcast service. Get feedback from other RiffWorks users and the world in a non competitive atmosphere. File storage is free, RiffCaster is a breeze to use, and there's plenty of room for content.
In order to protect your music, songs submitted to RiffRumble are placed under the Creative Commons Music Sharing License.
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