QUICK HITS

Nov 1, 2006 12:00 PM

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH

Even the top producers in the world usually don't mix their own projects because mixing is a separate skill that takes years to master. New company The Mixingbox (www.themixingbox.com) sells professional mixes by experienced engineers, so now anyone's song can sound professional. You simply upload your DAW session for a full song, a set of vocals or a set of drum tracks (prices vary), fill out a questionnaire, and you'll receive the pro mix within two weeks. A round of revisions helps ensure satisfaction. The final mix is sent in 24-bit/44.1 kHz quality, 192 Kbps MP3 and as a Pro Tools session.

FAR-OFF LANDS

Known for its hilarious, if controversial magazine and supercool record label (Bloc Party, Chromeo), Vice also has film projects. If you've always wondered what it's like in places like Chernobyl, Beirut, Darra, Republic of the Congo and Sofia, then check out The Vice Guide to Travel DVD (Vice). Somewhat on the 60 Minutes tip (as suggested by Vice co-founder Shane Smith), the DVD's topics of war and corruption are no joke. Take a break from your music projects to enlighten (and depress) your mind with this one.

THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE

Sometimes you really should stop to smell the roses. But if you don't have any roses and are stuck at your computer working, play Takagi Masakatsu's World Is So Beautiful (Carpark, 2006) DVD instead. Masakatsu, a Japanese multimedia artist, has crafted video and images from his travels to Turkey, Guatemala, Cuba, Indonesia, Nepal, Germany, Japan and France; added his own design elements to them; and set the whole thing in motion to his experimental ambient techno compositions. This deep, dreamy DVD is a quirky reminder that even with all the crap going on, the world is, indeed, beautiful.

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