Sound On Sound have teamed up with Miktek Audio and Ultrasone to offer unique and priceless competition prize. It’s so special, in fact, that we want to award it to someone who can demonstrate their mixing skills, so we’re asking you to submit a track that you’ve mixed. The winner will be chosen by the SOS team, based on the quality of the track’s mixing and production.Dave Pensado
So what will the lucky winner get? Well, they’ll be flown out to LA, where they’ll be put up in a top hotel for two days. And while they’re there, they’ll get to spend time with world‑class mixing engineer Dave Pensado! The first day will see the winner receive a one‑to‑one mixing masterclass with Pensado at his room in Larrabee Studios, North Hollywood. There, Dave will explain and demonstrate the mixing secrets that are key to his success, while on the second day of the trip, the winner will get to sit in on one of Pensado’s professional mix sessions to witness the master at work.
For those who don’t already know, Dave Pensado is one of the most in‑demand mixers in pop music. His discography features some of the biggest artists in the industry, including Mary J Blige, Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake... The list goes on! He was also featured in the first of our popular Inside Track articles, where he explained his working methods, which involve a combination of Pro Tools, an SSL and racks of high‑end outboard.
But that’s not all! In addition to this unique experience, the winner will also receive a pair of Ultrasone Pro 750s (worth $429), plus a set of Pro 550 headphones ($269). Both of these closed‑back models can be worn all day without hurting your ears, and offer extremely good isolation. The former is very popular for mixing, and the latter for tracking — particularly with bassists and drummers. Both cans have S-Logic technology, which utilises a patented offset driver principle that provides a more natural sound, prevents fatigue, and is much safer for your hearing (for the same perceived volume the SPL is 40 percent less).
As if that wasn’t enough, however, the first prize in this competition also includes a Miktek Audio CV4: a large‑diaphragm, valve condenser microphone with a choice of nine polar patterns. Miktek are a relatively new manufacturer, but their mics are already in use by some high‑profile engineers, including Bill Vorndick, Ray Kennedy and Michael Wagener. The CV4 is the company’s top‑of‑the‑range model, and normally sells for over $1200!Ultrasone HFI 680
Naturally, we’re expecting a tremendous amount of interest in this competition, so we’re also giving away prizes for second and third place. The runner up will win a Miktek C7, a solid‑state mic with a one‑inch capsule and a choice of three pickup patterns, worth $1499.
Additionally, they’ll also receive two pairs of Ultrasone headphones: a set of HFI 580 tracking headphones and a pair of HFI 680 mixing phones, worth $219 and $249, respectively. The third prize comprises a pair of Ultrasone HFI 680s, plus a Miktek C5. A small‑diaphragm condenser, the C5 carries a price of $999, and is said to be ideally suited to strings, piano, woodwind and brass.
Miktek CV4Both of the Pro series Ultrasone headphones up for grabs this month come in a hard carrying case, and are supplied with two detachable cables and a spare pair of ear pads. The two HFI models are each supplied with a carrying bag, and all of the Ultrasone cans ship with a demo CD. All of these headphones feature Ultrasone’s patented S-Logic (or S-Logic Plus) technology as well as Ultra Low Emission Mu-Metal shielding to prevent EMF radiation. The Miktek microphones, meanwhile, include a shockmount, and come in a rugged aluminium carrying case. The CV4, being a valve mic, naturally ships with its own power supply.
To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, send an email to mixcompetition@soundonsound.com, including a link to a track that you’ve mixed. Be sure to specify the name of the track you’re submitting, and please also supply any relevant details about the track’s production (where it was recorded, what platform/hardware it was mixed on, and so on). You must also include your name, postal address, and a phone number that you can be contacted on in the event that you win.
The entries will be judged by the quality of the mixing and production, not necessarily the composition itself (though a decent composition is likely to help!).
The deadline for entries will be announced here a few days prior to the cut-off date, Before you enter, make sure you’re available to attend the mixing masterclass, which will take place during the week commencing June 13th. This competition is open to mainland USA residents only.
Thanks to Miktek (www.miktekaudio.com) and Ultrasone (www.ultrasone.com) for donating the prizes.
Terms & Conditions
- Only one entry per person is permitted.
- Employees of SOS Publications Ltd, Ultrasone, Miktek Audio, and their immediate families and business associates are ineligible for entry.
- No cash alternative is available in lieu of the stated prize.
- The competition organisers reserve the right to change the specification of the prize offered.
- The judges’ decision is final and legally binding, and no correspondence will be entered into.
- Please ensure that you include your name, email address, mailing address and phone number with your submission.
- Prize winners must be prepared to make themselves available to receive the prize.
