"Masters of the Underground" sponsored by Genelec

***Draft Competition - subject to change and update!***

"Masters of the Underground"

sponsored by

We've got something special for you guys, something that every recording artist will be interested in! Genelec, creators of critically acclaimed studio monitors have put a set of home studio speakers up for grabs.


The Competition
We’re calling this competition "Masters of the Underground" – the theme being simply... "underground". This is a very loose theme and can apply to the genre or sub genre, the lyrical content, track title or anything else you can connect with “underground”.

MP3unsigned has never been about commercial radio music; the site was originally created to provide an alternative for people who were sick of the over-played commercial mainstream. This competition is about REAL music created by REAL people. It’s about passion, creativity and originality. Wikipedia define Undergound Music as “a range of different musical genres, they can typically share common values, such as the valuing of sincerity and intimacy; an emphasis on freedom of creative expression; an appreciation of artistic creativity”.

This competition is open to ALL genres and styles (rock, metal, pop, rnb, pop, techno, trance, dnb, breakbeat, soundtrack, modern composers etc etc). There is only one exception… no Pop Idol wannabes or Eurovision knock-offs please!



The Prize:
The 6010A is a compact two way active loudspeaker specifically designed for computers and other close proximity music players - these are ideal for home studios and portable setups. Their small size and amazing sound quality make the 6010A an ideal sound system for both professional and home users. Not only are they ideal for home studio setups but they are the perfect choice for professionals working of laptops etc from various locations.

Check out this Review of the 6010A

Runners up will receive additional Genelec prizes such as laptop bags, t-shirts and caps etc. More info on these prizes to follow.


The Time Frame
Open for submissions from May through to June 30th


Judging
Winners will be chosen by Genelec based on a combination of enjoyment, interest, track composition, mix and production etc.


Promotion
All entrants are encouraged to actively promote their entry and the number of votes through the MP3unsigned forums and through Facebook ‘likes’. The more interest a track receives the more it is likely to catch the judges eyes… and ears!


How to Enter
We are currently putting together an upload facility for entries and will publish more information on this soon. In the mean time get recording!
To register for further information on this competition please subscribe to this forum thread or ‘like’ our Facebook page at facebook.com/mp3unsigned


The Rules

• One entry per artist only
• All entries much be original works
• Unauthorised samples are not allowed
• Covers are not allowed
• If you enter a collaborative effort you must have the permission of your co-writers to do so. The prize will be awarded to the person who enters so it is up to you to agree who gets the prize if your entry wins!
• You are encouraged to leave comments/feedback and constructive criticism on any of the tracks entered but be aware that hate campaigns will not be tolerated and will result in disqualification
• The judges decision will be final

[Darth Raver]

The organizers of this comp are well aware of the rules, probably because they wrote them.

The rule concerning original works is clearly in place to prevent people stealing samples without permission and later getting sued for copyright infringement or other legal problems.

None of the above happened in this case.

My heart sank when I read Mr Oakwood's accusation, as I feared the judges may have made a big mistake. But checking out the looperman site, our fears were somewhat allayed.

And now that the "offended party" Michael Stokes has shown up and personally stated he has no problem with any of this, what more is there to say? (For any paranoid types out there, we will try to ascertain that it was the real M Stokes by contacting looperman to confirm.)

There is no rule that states a song must be written and performed by one person. If that was the case, bands would be precluded, and they are not.

James said that if Neal had clearly credited Michael's input, the judges might have had a different opinion. I can't say for sure, but if a band credited their drummer, bassist, keyboardist, etc., would the judges think differently?*Should they?

I will request Amadeus to close this thread, as I recall another rule on the list: the judges decision is final.

[LIQUID]

Apparently the word `Ketchup` is subject to copyright by Heinz. I do hope that doesnt disqualify Andy from taking 3rd place if he didnt have prior permission to use the name in his title!

[James Oakwood]

Originally Posted by LIQUID

Apparently the word `Ketchup` is subject to copyright by Heinz. I do hope that doesnt disqualify Andy from taking 3rd place if he didnt have prior permission to use the name in his title!

Just to allay any possible accusations that I'm trying to get my song higher by "knocking" other artists efforts I officially withdraw my song (Ketchup Killer) from the competition (albeit a little late in the day). I'm sorry I have to do that but i feel my integrity has been called into question too much over this issue. I know some of it is done jokingly but it is difficult to determine who is being serious and who isn't.

Please try and amend the notices to reflect a new 3rd place runner-up and cancel the prizes being sent to my house.

BTW ketchup is a derivative from a chinese word and is not copyrighted by Heinz.

There, I feel much better for that and hope people realize that when there is a competition for real prizes folk need to be a little more open with their entries.

It's OK - I'm chilled - now where are those prozac

[Darth Raver]

BTW ketchup is a derivative from a chinese word

I think he's right Ant, 'Ke-tsiap' or something?

Woah, James. Let's not blow this out of all proportion. The judges have been notified of recent concerns about the results, and are investigating it for themselves. The judges decision will be final (future tense). I don't think any prizes have been sent yet, but I don't think you need to go withdrawing your track. It was a good song with great lyrics, which probably swung it for the judges after a very difficult decision.

I'm sorry for taking a jocular tone and I know you are a well-respected VIP member on this fine site, but I felt I was hinting at what was on some users' minds at the time: when the 3rd place prizewinner in a competition makes a public accusation about the 1st place prizewinner (even if it is 100% true), what does he expect anybody to think, really?

If I had a time machine (death star ain't equipped with one - cheap ass Palpatine!), I'd go back and do this all by PM.

If you think I've been taking sides with Neal since the start, I assure you that is not the case. On the contrary, as a moderator I felt it my duty to give him the benefit of the doubt. *I checked out the MStokes soundfile and was shocked to find it almost identical to Neal's song. But I listened the whole way through, and realized that it is only the same at the beginning, with the basic intro riff. After that, it goes into experimental trippy stuff that, while good, bears little resemblance to Neal's finished song.

Also, you said liked the guitars in the song. Only the guitars in the intro to Neal's song are the same as the intro riff in Stokes. All the rest of the guitarwork in the finished song including the buildup is original.

If there is anything amiss or some major flaw in the admins argument above (pending the judges' own decision), please let us know clearly what it is.

The only reason this discussion has gone on as long as it has is because it is mainly VIPs who seem to have an interest.

The site has always been founded on the community, not a dictatorship of admins (despite my appearance in those pesky rebel propaganda movies!)

[James Oakwood]

My decision is final dude (even if ya do know a bit of chinese!!!!!). I think Neal should have been open about his sources and I think it is possible that the judges decision could have been different if he had. Can't turn back time. What's done is done darth. I'm moving on and looking forward to the next compo!!!

So in order to avoid any conflict of interest I request that my song be removed from the competition. I know it's late in the day and embarassing but that's how I feel.

Andy

[GreyB]

What saddens me most about this whole thread is that, on the one hand, you have a management team who are working hard to promote and market the site through competitions with really attractive prizes and, on the other, however genuine the concerns might have been, what should have been a private conversation designed to establish whether their were any issues with the winning entry, has become a public debate which looks (from my perspective at least) more about scoring points than anything else.

The overall impression for anyone looking in from outside is not particularly positive.

I think it is important that, if people do harbour doubts or concerns about the winners of competitions or people who top the charts, and they care enough about it, they should raise those doubts, but surely the manner in which they do so should have due regard to maintaining the image of this site in a positive and professional manner which, after all, ultimately benefits all of us and that manner is never likely to be through a public spat on the boards.

[Darth Raver]

I agree GreyB, and said as much in thread 151:

Just as a sidenote, when you discover something suspicious or potentially out of order, it might be nicer to PM me or Amadeus about it, than make it a public issue as you have chosen to do.

I felt it rather Draconian to freeze the thread at that point and cut people off from having their say, especially those who were being accused, but others just couldn't stop adding their two cents.

Now that I have your wise perspective on it, I think it is high time to freeze the thread. If anyone removes themselves from the Comp, the judges will be back at square one in the jury room - something I doubt they'll be pleased with.

Let's not make any rash decisions until we hear back from them.

This thread is now closed.

[LIQUID]

Originally Posted by GreyB

What saddens me most about this whole thread is that, on the one hand, you have a management team who are working hard to promote and market the site through competitions with really attractive prizes and, on the other, however genuine the concerns might have been, what should have been a private conversation designed to establish whether their were any issues with the winning entry, has become a public debate which looks (from my perspective at least) more about scoring points than anything else.

The overall impression for anyone looking in from outside is not particularly positive.

I think it is important that, if people do harbour doubts or concerns about the winners of competitions or people who top the charts, and they care enough about it, they should raise those doubts, but surely the manner in which they do so should have due regard to maintaining the image of this site in a positive and professional manner which, after all, ultimately benefits all of us and that manner is never likely to be through a public spat on the boards.

Its a difficult balance to maintain freedom of speech. On the one hand the image of the site is important but surely no more important than the members themselves, but equally the rights of the individual facing accusations of skullduggery need also to be respected.

I would favour a process whereby individuals should be given the opportunity privatley to answer concerns of other members but opinions about `The Management` should be in open forum as transparency is important in any community and they should have broad enough shoulders to face occasional challenges. That said I personally believe they do a pretty good job given that as far as I know its all on a voluntary basis.