Call for entries: Mix Freshlyground's new song!

To enter, interested individuals can fill in the online application form. An entry fee of R100 must be paid using the below banking details:

Academy of Sound Engineering
Standard Bank (Northcliff)
Branch Code: 006305
Account Number: 002951800
Reference: ASEMM Surname

Requirements

• The competition is only eligible to South African residents.
• Applicants should be 18 years or older, with access to audio mixing equipment.

Competition benefits

• The overall winner will receive an ASE bursary valued at R100 000 and a selection of gear sponsored by Wild and Marr valued at R30 000.

The final competition mix must be submitted as:

• A Red Book standard 44.1kHz sample rate and 16-bit depth stereo interleaved .wav file.
• The mix must be un-mastered.
• No MP3s will be accepted.

What will be taken into consideration by the judges?

• Overall energy/vibe of the mix
• Tone
• Levels
• Panning and effects
• Gut feel

Judging process

• Preliminary judging will be completed by lecturers from the ASE and a top-eight shortlist will be announced on 11 July ahead of the Mediatech tade show, which runs from 17 to 19 July.
• A rubric will be used to ensure a fair process and the judges will be looking for a mix that’s professional enough for public release.
• The ultimate winner will be voted on by the public at Mediatech at the ASE stand (i32).
• Although the track is just under four minutes long, the public will only listen to and vote on a 30-second segment of each entry.
• The finalists will be anonymous at this stage and the winner will be announced at 4pm on 19 July – the final day of Mediatech.
• If the winner is not present to receive their award, they will forfeit the prize and it will be passed on to the sound engineer who was placed second.
• Competition updates will be posted on Mediatech Africa’s social media platforms, including the announcement of the top-eight shortlist.

“The first 100 to complete this initial step in the competition will be guaranteed a spot,” ASE marketing and communications director George Hattingh Jr said. “The separates will be made available to them and they will have until 5 July to enter their work.

“The purpose of the competition is not to remix the separate tracks into a new style or genre. It’s to produce as if you are mixing for an album release for the client. In this case the client is Freshlyground, one of the most acclaimed bands to emerge from South Africa. It will give them a glimpse into their future and a preview of what kind of content they could end up working on. The industry is brutal and this kind of exposure and experience will be invaluable to those who choose to enter.”

Mediatech trade show director Simon Robinson said: “As a highly respected band, we are really excited to be working with Freshlyground; it elevates the prestige of the competition. This initiative will support aspiring sound engineers and help develop up-and-coming industry talent. Being able to influence the growth of this industry is important to Mediatech and we are committed to collaborations that inspire, showcase and enhance the standing of those in sound engineering.”