Imprinted, MixTwo Strictly House Music

Published: July 31, 2009, 4:02 p.m.

b"dattrax: Just love the 1st instrumental track by Silicone Soul. The feel reminds me of Fingers Inc.'s Mystery of Love Instrumental. Just stomp your feet SICK! I found it in the 'electronica top 100 downloads' at Beatport.com. You have to look everywhere, don't let other people's labeling limit or confuse you. When you hear house, you'll recognise it.

The first track is the most important in the mix. It sets the mood. There are few house tracks with nice intros and even if there are, you mix through them, so beginning of mixes are fun to highlight a favourite. You don't want to pick one with a 3min or more intro because this will turn people off from relistening to the mix.

Next you EQ it the way that you like tracks to generally sound. Too bad there is no EQ, Volume or Compression Standard. Every song is made so differently, which is a good thing to have such a variety of house music to choose from. I prefer less bass and more hi's. When the bass is farting/ distorting and not a tight punchy kick, then it needs to be lowered. Jim's the opposite, he loves bass! The track sounds flat (not vibrant) if there is too much bass and not enough hi's.

Some tracks have too much compression so the hi's stab your ear in a bad way, so you have to lower it. Some tracks with vocals, congos, guitars, or washes that may have the mid's too high and that produces a result as annoying as nails on a chalkboard, so you have to lower the mid's.

Jim: Some tracks are produced and mastered too well relative to most house tracks and the volume is much greater and you have to know/ remember to compensate so that you have even levels.

Next you pick the speed. We prefer mixes at 126bpms, not more than 128 (sometimes you get out of control when not paying attention). Can't believe that we grew up listening and dancing to house at 123bpms or less. Everything in electronic music keeps going faster and more aggressive over the years. Most of the 'deep house' that is coming out (and for the last year 2009) has elements of electro, tech & minimal house. A lot less organic sounding.

BTW... if you enjoy this mix, then why don't you buy us a beer? There's a PayPal DONATE button on the top right side of this website. For Toronto or Global bookings: dattrax@gmail.com

This was an all CD house mix."