Loving all of the reviews gents. Cheers! So far, I have to say @Homegrove’s high-key passive aggressive critique done via up-votes has been my favorite. Still anxiously awaiting the Siskel and Ebert of the JC world, @-si- and @Mad_Cyril, to weigh in.

    zackster Vladimir Dubshkin - I Decided To Fly

    this is a record. good mix so far. 👍️

      zackster
      Threw me a bit on first listen Zack, didn’t expect a Melodic Techno workout.

      Reminded me a little of Adriatique in places.

      Solid work

        Homegrove iirc you are a fan of the book House of Leaves. Thought ur review style wonderfully echoed that text.

          Repost:

          You said it was a “studio” mix, do you mean it was just recorded on decks in your studio or it was done on a laptop? My main criticism would be that it sounded a bit like it was recorded underwater via a microphone in to a cassette deck. Okay, a slight exaggeration but somehow it seemed a bit fuzzy and lacking in weight, and I don’t think it was just because it was on soundcloud.

          That aside, it was well put together and had a good flow. If anything for my tastes it was almost a bit too smooth even; in general I like there to be a bit more oomph and perhaps variety.

          My favourite moment was actually the Sleeparchive track, which I know some others weren’t so keen on, as it kicked things up a gear and provided an element of surprise.

          Musically, as you suggested it was mostly classic/“proper” style techno tracks. It does seem slightly fewer techno DJs are pushing that direction in such a pure way at the moment. I also do like much of the “nu trance hardstyle gabber type stuff” which is quite popular currently. Your inclusion of the Vladimir Dubyshkin track, which is a goodun, was the closest thing to a nod in that direction. Even the Hector Oaks track you included was one I was surprised he had made given how minimal and loopy it is compared to most of his recent output.

          Anyway, in sum I’d say it was a pleasant listen of which you can be proud.

            I enjoyed this on first go, Z. I’ll give it another whirl over the weekend to see how its matured.

            hugopal by studio, I meant that I pieced it together in ablation’s arrangement view. Most of the tracts were chopped up to make them knit together neatly, and all of the filtering and levels were automated. Not sure what you are talking about with the recording quality. I have a compressor on my master channel, but it rarely engaged due to my leveling, so I doubt that was it. Might be due to the fact that I use filters as opposed to EQs for all of the transitions. Makes them a lot smoother but you do lose that fun bumping and phasing interaction between tracks. Could just also be the type of tunes I picked.

            I agree with you on the Sleeparchive. Also my pick of the bunch. I make a point to get everything he puts out on both vinyl and digital. He was thinking about giving up the game due to lack of bookings pre COVID. I really hope that isn’t the case.

            Thanks for the thoughtful review. Think you were very on point.

            And thanks for listening LT. Two play throughs is more than I could have hoped for.

                zackster the mix is good, but the sound quality is lacking for sure, which is odd given that you mixed it in ableton. it’s a bit quiet, could probably use compression, but it’s tough to apply a single compression setting over a long mix.

                i’m not sure i can help, but i’d be happy to take a crack at it just for the sake of the exercise if you want. it’ll probably end up sounding worse lol, but i don’t mind trying.

                    303abuser it’s a bit quiet

                    That is probably the issue. I tried to keep all of the tracks out of the red, i.e. all were played at or below -6 dbs. I played it on my weekly FM radio program, and for what ever reason the tracks end up being really bass heavy if they dip into the red AND go out over the airwaves. Some old studio tech explained it to me, but I didn’t really pay attention as it was all due to old and dying technology. The guy is like 6 foot 5, and carries a teddy bear named Booker T. Bear with him everywhere he goes. He speaks to the bear and the bear will often respond but only he can hear it. It’s super insane.

                        zackster carries a teddy bear named Booker T. Bear with him everywhere he goes. He speaks to the bear and the bear will often respond but only he can hear it. It’s super insane.

                        Could be several people off this board imo.

                          Mix sounds good to me, no quality issues.

                          bosstrabs

                          Not too far off, to be honest. Went a bit big last night.

                          But I’m not that ugly. Only half English.

                              zackster Zackster it’s not all about your mix you know?

                              Jonattan has important work to do: All the 2005 Essential Mix listening and associated thread. Remember?

                                Zacko, you are in danger of me listening to this tomorrow.

                                Is this going to be an absolute racket or will it make me want to hurt anyone?