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Noise Reinvented!

The Music Instinct: Science and Song, premiering Wednesday, June 24 at 9:00pm (check local listings), is a ground-breaking program that offers viewers a new understanding of the power of music. Music is found all over the natural world and in everyday life experiences. The documentary follows visionary researchers and accomplished musicians, such as Bobby McFerrin, Yo-Yo Ma, Jarvis Cocker, Evelyn Glennie, and Daniel Barenboim, to the crossroads of science and culture in search of answers to music’s deep and abiding mysteries.

This is a rare opportunity to interact with an exceptionally creative and well-produced program from a respected organization months before its launch. PBS, Thirteen, and the producers of The Music Instinct invite you to interact with this yet-to-be-released program and create your own dynamic musical language from sound effects found in different natural and urban environments around the world.

To help you explore this world of sound, PBS and Thirteen are providing you with 207 sounds from their own library, each recorded in pristine quality. To qualify for the contest, you must use a minimum of four of the sounds provided (although we encourage you to use more). While original recorded melodies or other material can be used in generating a composition for the contest, all compositions will be judged on the originality and expressiveness of the rhythmic and harmonic use of the sound clips provided.

Enter the contest and explore the world of sound!

Winners were announced on June 5, 2009 at 5:00 PM EDT

See the Contest Winners

This program is no longer accepting entries

Source Files (Preview Only, Enter to Download)

 Train Crossing Bell
 Bubble
 Coffee Grinder
 Telephone Rings
 Canary Singing
 Duck Quacks
 Thunder With Heavy Rain
 Dog Barks
 Elephant Trumpeting
 Wild Boar Grunts
 Horse Gallop
 Heart Beat
 Pig Squeals
 Cheerleaders
 Amazon Night Sounds
 Wolf Howls
 Rooster Crows
 Baseball Hat Hit
 Bowling Pins Knocked Down
 Cow Moos
 Ping Pong
 Ferry Boat Horns
 Car Start Up
 Slurp
 Ocean Waves
 Snore
 Police Car Siren
 Fire With Crackles
 Silly Laugh Male
 Laugh Female
 Fat Man Laugh
 Woman Scream
 Dentist Drill
 Electronic Beeps
 Heart Monitor
 Towel Snaps
 Coins in Pocket
 Keyboard Typing
 Match Strike
 Ice Creaks
 Jackhammer
 Yes and No

Prize

The Winner will be picked by the producers of the program from all of the entries and will receive an iPod loaded up with 200 additional sound effects to aid them in their future mixing projects. In addition, Berkleemusic.com, the online continuing education division of Berklee College of Music, is giving the Winner a free online music course, valued around $1,000!

The Top 5 Mixes, including the Winner's, will be featured on a Music Instinct album to be distributed on PBS.org and eMusic.com. The Top 5 will also receive a data DVD with 200 additional high-quality sound samples from the PBS library!

The Top Ten Popular Mixes, as determined by public voting, will receive a data DVD with 200 additional sound high-quality samples.

Good Luck!

Judges

The winners will be chosen by the producers of The Music Instinct: Science and Song.

Leader Board View More »
The Reverent One Noise Re-Invented(T... 1

Justin Nation (Jus Bus) ♪♫ The World Around Us... 2

david minnick Ignition 3

EJ Fry Forty 4

David Forlano Ballad for Taxi Driver 5
Random Submissions View More »
Shaun Sandor Labstract

Claire H. Man who wouldn't stop l...

Rath Campbell A Perspective on The Pe...

sasha h. NEW PROJECT

Ken Pendergrass Rondo for Steve Reich

Stape Mega Instinct

Steven S. Steven's mix

Ivanna R. ivanna's mix

Brenden Bytheway Paper Trains

Connor M. connor's mix
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many audio files do I have to use?
A: You have to use at least 4 sounds provided - but there are lots of cool sounds up there! We think you should use more.

Q: Can I SPAM the discussion board?!?!
A: No! It's meant for discussion. Posting about your entry is cool, but please be respectful of everyone who wants to talk about the contest and don't post the same thing repeatedly.

Q: Can I use samples in my submission?
A: No! Your submission must be made of the tracks provided and/or material for which you own the copyright.

Q: How many entries can I submit?
A: Just one! Make it count!

Q: How do I download the source files?
A: You must first enter the contest before you can download the files.

Q: What can I add to the source files?
A: You can add anything you want! You can re-record the audio, add your own melodies, only use the source files - the sky is the limit.

Q: I'm new to mixing/producing and need some help!
A: If you need help and are using our online session console, check out our help section and online tutorials.

Q: Can I sell my mix?
A: No! Submissions are licensed to you under a Creative Commons Attribution- Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 license. This means you can play your mix anywhere you like for non-commercial purposes. For more information on this license, go to http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

Q: I don't see my question here!
A: Please post a description of the problem on the discussion board and we’ll help you as best we can!

Justin Nation (Jus Bus) ♪♫ wrote on June 5, 2009:

Drum Roll...........we are all winners! - Jus Bus


The Ascension™ wrote on June 5, 2009:

Butterflys


Matt Palmer wrote on June 5, 2009:

Hey David & Sreyas,

Just to address the confusion over a winner in the Colbert contest -- all of you guys are winners in that one!

That "contest" was always more of a featured session. It was set up as a fun way for the Indaba community to work with audio, and everyone did such a fantastic job! Unlike the true contests on Indaba, there's not going to be an official announcement of a winner, but you can be proud that you were part of one of the biggest events ever on Indaba Music!

That said, everyone make sure to check back today at 5pm for the announcement of the winners of THIS contest! Good luck!


Sreyas "Hollidayrain" Krishnan wrote on June 2, 2009:

Oh yeah, we need to figure that one out too huh...lol, so much drama...hahaha


david minnick wrote on June 1, 2009:

Got it. I'll keep biting my nails.
I'm not sure if this has been asked yet, but is there any news on the Colbert remix contest. I thought that was to be announced yesterday. CLOSURE! I NEED CLOSURE!! ;)


Josh Robertson wrote on June 1, 2009:

Ascension - don't worry about going to get your eye's checked. The winner's were supposed to be announced today, but the producers of the show are still going through all of the submissions so we had to delay. Stay tuned, and go get started on the second contest if you haven't already: http://www.indabamusic.com/contests/show/pbs_mu...


The Ascension™ wrote on June 1, 2009:

Oh, well then- 3 hours and 4 days to go people (I need to get some eye glass's)


Sreyas "Hollidayrain" Krishnan wrote on June 1, 2009:

Sorry to be the bubble buster Ascension, but.....

"June 5, 2009"