Remix service
This article possibly contains original research. (December 2007) |
A remix service is a company that provides remixed music to disc jockeys.
History
In the United States, the
Disconet, the first remix service, launched in 1977.
By 1994 there was a saturation of remix services, most of which typically remixed the same tracks as their competitors. The
Although some services ultimately ceased operations, mixes began to appear at most DJ record shops. One of the larger services[
Modern mixes
Over the years the remixes featured on DJ compilations have varied from simple edits (adding a mixable intro and outro to a song) to digital, multi-track remixes that differ substantially from the original track. Many remix services have focused on a specific style of music (such as
Most remix-services companies (including Disconet) have folded for financial or legal reasons; remix services are required to work with the original record label or artist to get permission to edit and release a track, although various bootleg services do not.
Distribution
Most remix-service companies required a DJ subscription agreement to buy the records or CDs, with each issue typically limited in quantity. As a result, many such compilations have become collector's items. While a remix-service version of a song might be released commercially by the artist's record label, the vast majority are limited to DJ subscribers.
Notable companies
The UK-based
Some remix-service companies helped launch the careers of subsequently successful remixers/producers.
Megamixes
Many remix services issue megamixes, containing multiple songs mixed together, sometimes in rapid succession. They can consist of songs by a single artist or multiple artists, and some may follow a theme as well (eg. Christmas). Megamixes are sometimes called medleys.
Megamixes are also commonly found on commercial releases, sometimes using the same mix previously released to DJs on a remix service. The earlier Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers series of '50s and '60s megamixes were originally released on the Music Factory Mastermix service.[5]
Among modern services, Ultimix is known for producing several megamixes each year based on popular songs of the year ("flashback medleys") as well as single-artist megamixes. Culture Shock has Hit "AC" Megamixes on their main series derived from their defunct radio show, as well as the satellite series Use Alternative Routes which contains modern rock megamixes. The UK-based DMC and Music Factory Mastermix remix services also frequently include megamixes on their issues.
References
- ^ "Disconet Story". DjsPortal.com.
- ^ "XMix.com".
- ^ "About Culture Shock". CultureShockRemix.com.
- ^ "MarkusSchulz.com".
- ^ "MasterMix.com". Archived from the original on 2008-06-17.