VJ Contest To Aid Katrina Victims

October 20, 2005 - Experiments In Sound, Futuremusic's ultimate DJ and VJ mix competition, will donate a portion of the proceeds to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita, and to rebuild the vital, musical heritage that is New Orleans. In order to accomplish their goal, Futuremusic is extending the deadline for DJ and VJ mix entrees to October 31, 2005.


"Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating disasters to not only hit the shores of the United States, but also one of our most dynamic music cultures," Futuremusic President, Dan Brotman reflected. "I'm pleased Experiments In Sound can contribute to the renewal of New Orleans, so generations to come can experience this one-of-a-kind music city."


Experiments In Sound is a new, groundbreaking mix contest for talented DJs and VJs who are on the cutting edge of mixing. Grand Prize winners will be chosen in two categories, audio and video, and will receive an unprecedented prize package including an Alienware computer, Sony music and video production software, a Pioneer DVJ-X1 DVD turntable, and much more, as well as the opportunity to mix a DualDisc compilation for the Futuremusic label.


Experiments In Sound is about giving an artist the ultimate freedom to craft something extraordinary. The mixes can be achieved on turntables, CD players, DVD players, software, hardware, any mixing tool the artist desires. It can be comprised of any genre, from hip-hop to industrial and anything in between. The only rule for DJs is that the audio mix must be one hour long and for VJs the video mix has to be a minimum of 30 minutes long. In an industry first, we are also going to accept audio mixes in 5.1 surround sound.


"With the explosion in new hardware and software mixing tools, Futuremusic feels that Experiments In Sound is the quintessential opportunity for DJs and VJs to get the recognition they deserve," states Futuremusic's Dan Brotman. "Unlike our performance-based mix competition, The Next Big Thing, Experiments gives DJs who use Acid, ProTools, and other digital audio workstations the opportunity to show off their creativity." So what kind of mix will win the incredible arsenal of DJ and VJ gear?


The judges will be evaluating mixing talent, song choice, sequencing, and the ability to take the listener on a remarkable ride. Audio submissions with mash-ups, original compositions, segue ways, interludes, sound effects, voiceovers, raps, spoken word sequences, etc. will all be accepted. Like the name implies, Futuremusic is looking for outstanding creativity that rides the fine line between challenging the listener while still being accessible. Experiments In Sound is open to all mixologists aged 18 years old and up.


Completing their radical vision, Experiments in Sound has a separate mix category for music oriented video artists, another industry first. The VJ prize package consists of the groundbreaking Pioneer DVD Turntable, the DVJ-X1, Sony's top-of-the-line video production software, Vegas, Arkaos VJ performance software, a M-Audio Trigger Finger controller and much more!


The DJ package includes an Alienware computer workstation, Sony's renowned Acid Pro 5 and Sound Forge 8, Serato Scratch Live, Native Instruments Komplete2, and a great deal more. In addition, both winners will also qualify to mix a special DualDisc release, DVD on one side and CD on the other, for Futuremusic's new 3xperiments 1n 5ound compilation series.


The winner(s) of Experiments in Sound will be chosen by a panel of industry veterans and performers scoring in 4 main categories: Mixing, Creativity, Programming and Quality.


For more information or to submit: www.ExperimentsInSound.com