HOFA XMAS MIX CONTEST: The Winners Have Been Chosen
The jury listened to, analyzed and compared more than 1250 contest entries (anonymously, of course) until it was finally settled who would win this year’s prizes for the best mix and the best remix of the contest song “Christmas Blind”.
Once again, you didn’t make it easy for us – but in the end we managed to choose the different winners of the main and special prizes.
We would also like to thank all the other participants who spent a lot of time and used their creativity to make this year’s contest so exciting and interesting.
You can be sure – this was not the last XMAS MIX CONTEST!
Now that the jury has made its decision, the 100 raffled mix analyses will be heard and written. These feedbacks of the HOFA-College tutors will then go to the beneficiaries in a few days and can also be displayed on their accounts.
Main Prize in the Category Mix: 1000 €
This year’s winner in the Mix category is Paul Börner from Berlin/Germany.
His mix convinced the jury with a powerful overall sound: excellent levelling, EQing and good dynamic control make for a very professional result. Congratulations to Berlin!
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Main Prize in the Category Remix: 1000 €
This year the prize for the best remix goes to Christoph Kahse from Pfaffenhofen/Germany.
His remix convinced the jury with its creative and musical approach, the authentic sound and the funky feel – the intro alone is worth a prize 😉
Respect and congratulation!
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Special Prize: Neumann KH 120
The jury awards this prize to Alfredo Arold from Vigo/Spain. In our opinion, his second-ranking mix deserves a prize for its balanced and harmonious overall sound.
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Spezial Prize Steinberg AXR4U
The jury awards this prize to Philipp Klinger from Hall in Tirol/Austria for his unique new interpretation of the contest song with an outstanding vocal performance.
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Spezial Prize Steinberg Cubase
This prize goes to the winner of the combined online voting and jury evaluation in the category Mix: Engin Hızarcı from Bodrum/Turkey.
The online ranking and the jury’s evaluation are equally important for the result.
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Spezial Prize Native Instruments KOMPLETE 13
This prize goes to thewinner of the combined online voting and jury evaluation in the Remix category:Rick Planting from Drachten/Netherlands.
The online ranking and the jury’s evaluation are equally important for the result.
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More Spezial Prizes
Congratulations to all the other special prize winners:
| Category | Spezial Prize |
Awardee | Link |
| Mix | Steinberg UR22C Recording Pack | Alek Nolin | play |
| Mix | AKG P420 | Andreas Gallas | play |
| Mix | Sennheiser HD-300 | Dimitriy Pavlovskiy | play |
| Mix | Shure MV7 | Michel Wern | play |
| Mix | Sommer Cable Mix | Jochen Mayer | play |
| Mix | Sommer Cable Mix | Christian Krier | play |
| Mix | Sommer Cable Mix | Steve Lado | play |
| Mix | König & Meyer microphone stands (pair) | Miro Wolf | play |
| Remix | Toontrack Superior Drummer + Legacy of Rock SDX | Fabian Finaske | play |
| Remix | Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S49 MK2 | Nikolai Haug | play |
| Remix | Adam Audio T5V | Patrick Veigel | play |
| Remix | Reveal Sound Spire | Nicolas Stürmer | play |
| Remix | König & Meyer monitor stands (pair) | lastafara | play |
| Remix | Novation Launchpad | Claude Lambert | play |
| Remix | Sommer Cable Mix | Marco Herbert | play |
| Remix | Sommer Cable Mix | Scott Yahney | play |
The song “Christmas Blind”
As every year, the contest song was written by HOFA CEO Jochen Sachse. This year, though, he brought the platinum awarded hard rock specialist Dennis Ward on board as producer and mixing engineer – for a reason: the song is a pretty heavy rock track!
In the music video you can hear the mix by Dennis Ward in cooperation with Jochen Sachse – we are excited about your versions 🙂
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Mix Documentary
Find interesting excerpts from the one-hour mix documentary with Dennis Ward. The full version of the mix documentary will be available exclusively to HOFA-College students in the Online Campus in early February.
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Recording Documentary
Are you interested in a look behind the scenes? Learn in detail how Dennis Ward recorded the song “Christmas Blind”.
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Comments (56)
Can you tell if/when/how the winner for the mix analysis are announced or informed?
Thanks for the great contest!
~Wolfgang
You learn something from everywhere. I have learned from this contest that I need a D12 for my kick drums.
Congrats for the contest
Congratulations to the winners!
Hi! Around midnight I had trouble logging in and uploading. A few minutes after the course is closed. Is there a possibility that I am still uploading a remix?
Hello Darko,
we are very sorry that you had problems with the upload, although we could not detect any problems.
Unfortunately, for the sake of fairness, we cannot accept your mix after midnight. We hope you will understand.
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Hello
My name is Thomas i want to ask about the mixing contest ,i want to post and i dont know in whitch format mp3 or wav ,and if ther is somethin specific i must write in the title expept from my name of course.
Thank You
Hello Thomas,
we recommend you to upload your (re-)mix in a lossless audio format (such as WAV, AIFF, etc.) in 24-Bit and 44.1 Khz – but other sample rates are also possible.
The title should definitely contain your own name or artist name.
We’re already excited to hear your version!
Good luck & best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Hey! I have a suggestion/idea for the sorting of the re/mixes: “Sort by Vote/Play Ratio”.
So if you program a formula where the number of votes is divided by the number of plays, you get a percentage which shows which song is really the most popular regardless of how many plays it has received. And maybe you can add that percentage next to the thumbs up icon in the list view too! How cool would that be!
Hello Roy,
thanks a lot for sharing your ideas with us! That’s something I will definitely forward to our development team. 🙂
We hope you still enjoy the contest!
Good luck & best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Hello, great contest! 🙂
In what format should the (re-)mixed song be uploaded?
Hello Almos,
thanks a lot! Very happy to hear that you’re having fun with the contest 🙂
We recommend you to upload your (re-)mix in a lossless audio format (such as WAV, AIFF, etc.) in 24-Bit and 44.1 Khz – but other sample rates are also possible.
Hope that helps. We’re already excited to hear your version!
Good luck & best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
great contest! are we allowed to master the remix as well?
Hello,
thanks a lot! Of course you can do that if you want! Whatever you feel will improve the quality of your remix is fine. 🙂
However, our jury will listen to all (re-)mixes at an adjusted loudness level anyway.
Hope that helps.
Good luck with the contest & we’re already excited to hear your version!
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Looking forward to this! Just did in of the most challenging mixes of my career, a multitude of vocal tracks, done in studio and blended with live, 5 violins, Viola to Cello, a grand piano, recorder, chimes, timapani’s etc. in the rhythm section. Happy client. This will be less stress and fun. Are one allowed to add sampling of sections of the song?
Hello Frans,
that sounds awesome – congrats on this achievement!
In the mix contest, you are only allowed to use drum triggers and samples, but if you want to alter melodies, harmonies, arrangements, etc., please go for the remix part of the contest.
We’re already excited to hear your version 🙂
Good luck & best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Hi! What time and time zone is the deadline for the contest. Also is there a link for song that are already uploaded? Or do you post them after the contest if finished?
Hello Roy,
the deadline for the contest is January 31st 2021 at 23:59 (CET).
You can find all uploaded (re-)mixes here: https://hofa-contest.com/
Just click on the category in the header 🙂
Hope that helps.
Thanks a lot & have fun with the contest.
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Sorry if this has been covered but for the mix contest are you allowed to change arrangements, probably not, but can you add supporting instruments like percussion tambourine,shakers, etc? Or double vocals from other sections?thanks
And have a good holidays!!
Hello Joey,
for a remix you can use those tracks of the download you want and add whatever you like.
Nothing’s forbidden – but of course the song should still be recognisable and “radio-compatible” 🙂
For the mix you are allowed to master, reamp, trigger the drums, copy & paste and pitch or even remove individual elements.
For the sake of fairness it’s not allowed to add new tracks or to change tempo, pitch or structure of the song.
Hope that helps.
Have fun with the contest & Merry Christmas!
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Yea ok I’m thinking of doing the straight mix one.. I was going to do the remix only cause I add elements to a mix but I have a pretty banging rough going!!! In your mix did you use any room mics? Cause they are sweet!!
Hello Joseph,
very happy to hear that! 🙂
Please check the following video with the recording documentation to see which mics we’ve used:
https://youtu.be/YfcnrvOOejg
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Hello.
Mix volume, how much? Want to master later?
Best wishes
Hello,
our jury will listen to all mixes at an adjusted loudness level, so it’s totally up to you, how loud you want your mix to be.
But we recommend going for a mix with balanced volume levels. 🙂
Hope that helps & thanks already for participating!
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
How many LUFS will you adjust the mixes to? The standard -16 LUFS Integrated?
Hello Ramos,
the mixes will be adjusted to a medium listening level and all be listened to on the same loudness. We do not normalise to a fixed LUFS value, but will instead use a level suitable for the comparison of all submitted mixes. It is indeed likely that the listening level will be roughly in the range of -16 LUFS, but it will depend on the average loudness of all submissions.
Hope that helps. 🙂
Have fun with the contest & good luck!
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Question.. is there a mix and a remix contest? So 2 entries?
Hello Joey,
there are two categories: mix and remix. You can decide whether you would rather participate in one or the other, or even both 🙂
We would be very happy if you participate!
If you have more questions, please find more information here:
https://hofa-contest.com
Have fun with your (re-)mix & good luck!
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
I’m thinking remix.. i’s got some ideas!!
HI to all!
I will give it a try!
Good fun watching the recording process video. And man, those microphones are sweet!
Was very curious to hear the different room mics on drums. Sound big and awesome!
I’ve already dowloaded the files and started mixing.
Nice!
Good work and good luck to everyone at the contest.
Cheers!
Hello Rui,
very happy to hear that you liked the mix 🙂 Please keep in mind that our mix is for inspiration only.
We’re quite sure there are also some other great ways to do it.
Already excited to hear your version!
Good luck & best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Hi! 🙂 I want to partecipate, but I have a question: is it possible to trigger the drums with samples?
Hi Francesco!
Sure, it is allowed to trigger the drums – have fun and good luck!
Hello!! I’m Albert Rossell from Barcelona. Thank you for this HOFA X-Mas contest. I am going to participate on it. There is a good song and a good mix.
Hello Albert,
thanks for the kind words & great to hear you’re going to participate from Barcelona 🙂
We’re already excited to hear your version!
Good luck & best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
love it guys i think i will play with it for something to do. when i get my new song done cheers all the best Nash
Hi Nash,
thanks a lot! Very happy to hear that 🙂
Good luck with your (re-)mix!
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Hello,
is it allowed to use own VST’s or have we to use only your files? The prices are nice but next time why not a HOFA College Course?
Hello G,
thanks for your message. For a remix it’s totally fine if you add your own sounds. You can also decide on how many of the tracks from the download you want to use, but please make sure that the original song is still recognizable somehow. Just let your creativity flow 🙂
Also thanks for your suggestion with the HOFA-College course as a price – might think about it next year! 🙂
Good luck & best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Hey, cool song, and a remix contest is motivating, but the goal is not very clear; what is expected for a “remix”, what are we allowed to do? Can we add instruments, change speed / pitch, for instance, to totally transform the song ?
Thanks!
Hello,
thanks for your message. For a remix you can be totally creative with adding your own sounds or using as many tracks of the download you like.
Basically there are no limits, but please be aware of the quality of sounds you are using and that they are placed well in the mix.
Also, the original song should still be recognizable 🙂
Very excited to hear your version & good luck!
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
I’m interested about the contest
BUT
How many winners will be recognized?
I see all the prizes but you guys have not been clear how the prizes will be split.
I guess you would recognize 3 winners.
I want you to specify what will be for each one
Hello Celigny,
thanks a lot for your interest in our contest!
I’ve already sent you a reply to your questions on our YouTube channel.
Hope that helps & we’re already looking forward to hear your (re-)mix version 🙂
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Great sounds and mix !!! Gonna be fun
Hello Joey,
thanks a lot for the feedback – very happy to hear that!
We’re already excited to hear your (re-)mix version 🙂
Good luck & best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Yea I went thru the tracks and tracks that sound good like these are easy to mix!!! I love all the room mics!!
I won Komplete! Awesome, massive thanks to everyone at HOFA! (and NI) It will definitely help me in my future productions ☺️. Congratulations to all the other winners!
What are the prizes for this contest?
Hello Celi,
thanks for your comment! You can view a list of all prizes here:
https://hofa-contest.com/prizes/
This year there will be prize money of €1,000 twice, so there will be €1,000 for the winner of each category (mix and remix).
It’s worth taking part in the contest anyways, as we’re also giving away a lot of special prizes in the form of audio gear.
We would be very happy to see you on the contest 🙂
Good luck & best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Hi, Bo from Sweden here.
Is it free to join?
What kind of equipment must it be for beeing in the mixing contest?
I have Logic Pro in my homestudio.
And how do i sign up?
Hello Bo,
great to hear that you’re interested participating in the contest!
All individual tracks/stems of our HOFA XMAS SONG for you to download, as well as all further information regarding the contest will be published on this website on December 1st.
Basically there are no technical prerequisites to enter the contest, we do only recommend some good speakers/headphones and an audio interface.
Logic Pro as a DAW is fine as well. Very successful songs have already been mixed & produced in the homestudio 😉
Hope that helps. Stay tuned for more info about the contest!
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
I’m from Haïti I want to be there. How can I do???
Hello Jean,
thanks a lot for your comment. It’s great to hear from somebody like you very far away from Germany!
If you want to participate in the HOFA XMAS MIX CONTEST you have to be patient until the 1st of December. 🙂
That’s when we will upload the individual tracks/stems for our HOFA XMAS SONG to this website.
You can either mix or remix them to enter the contest. All further information will also be published then – so stay tuned.
Take care & best wishes from Karlsdorf
how do i enter the contest
Hello Oliver,
all individual tracks of the XMAS Song will become available for download on December 1st via this website – so stay tuned.
We would be very happy if you would participate in the contest. See you then 🙂
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Super excited for this years HOFA X-Mas contest! Can’t wait to hear the track in its entirety and dig into the sounds.
Hello Jacob! Very happy to hear that! Will you be participating? 🙂
BTW: We’ve just uploaded the music video with the entire song on our YouTube channel.
You can also find it in the blog post above.
Let us know what you think about it & take care.
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany