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JediChris embarks on another great mix journey with his latest installment of “Road to Glory”, and it does not disappoint.  This mix equally matches the amazement of part 1, but also stands up as a great mix. From clip selection, to song choice and audio editing, this mix excels at it all. With mixmaking developing so quickly over the past few years, many have forgotten the subtleties that make a mix great. It’s not about special effects, clips, audio, or story; what makes a mix truly great is the balanced combination of everything.

Chris starts off with a powerful introduction that captures the moments of the lakers past through voice over and commentary. It sets up the tone of the mix, this overwhelming feeling of retribution or pressure to succeed.  Then that beginning is contrasted with the Bynum injury, which complexes the entire story. There is this flashback to last years injury and eventual defeat in the finals. So at that point you wonder, how do they respond this year? Well, Chris shows how Kobe responds with 61 points vs the Knicks. As well as the back to back wins in Boston and Cleveland. While I feel the ending of the mix doesn’t accurately reflect the tone of the beginning of the mix, it is an effective ending. This is the Laker’s journey to the post season, and much to the tone of Hollywood, it has had its share of plot twists.

Road to Glory just shows what dedication can result in. Very well perfected and balanced mixes. The lone problem is we only get to see JediChris mix 2-3 times a year. I want triple that.

You know what makes Dinoman so good now? People would say of course his Adobe After Effects work. I would now say it’s because he’s become multidimensional. No longer does he rely on Adobe After Effects and composition, but lets the pure editing and story carry the mix. The Pursuit of Happiness is magical to say, in a sense. So go check it out. But if you want one of his classic high flier action packed mixes, there’s always Let it Burn.

MaxaMillion711 has a hard style to get used to. Mainly because his Finish to Remember series is always rushed to get out by the next day. In saying that, he’s such a good editor that he manages to make a rushed mix look organized. So while I find his mixes to be enjoyable now, there are times when I feel they need to be carried more. Still though, his mixes are great and there is no doubt about that. His other great finish to remember mix was the Nets vs Sixers

I think it’s competition that brings out the best in Paris. This probably is his best work. The way he incorporates atmosphere into his mixes is incredible. His editing has gotten better, as well as his composition work. All around a great mixer. Other of his to check out are It’s a Jungle Out There, and Out of This World.

While Domino was busy, and didn’t put out many mixes, he made up for it with quality. I had to include LD2K in with him simply because I have no idea how much either contributed to the project. He teamed up with LD2K to create a visually stunning mix to send anyone on a trip. The mix was so professionally made you couldn’t even tell where one mixer left out and the other began. It’s a testament to both mixers. To cap off the end of March, Domino also managed to produce a mix in a single day titled What Can You Compare. It is also another must see, kinda throw back style.

I don’t think there is any doubt that Renhigotrare has been the best simply because every single month he makes an incredible mix. This was one of the sickest mixes he’s ever made. He transformed a Jack White and Alicia Keys song into hard hitting action packed thrill ride.

Others to check out are his December Monthly Mix , and his January Monthly Mix.

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It’s becoming more and more rare to come across a mix that is an instant classic. Sure, anyone can make a mix, but there is an elite class of people who produce gold every time out. LD2K, with his latest mix We Get Boston, does not disappoint.

On the eve of Christmas a new classic begins, and LD2K hypes up the Boston/LA game beyond what words can describe. The mix is pure emotion and adrenaline for 2 minutes. He sets the tone perfectly by showing the past, the old rivalry, the grit of the NBA. The trailer VO fits the theme perfectly, it seems the script for written for his mix.

He transitions into the modern era showing the Laker’s camaraderie, their passion, and then of course the flashback to their collapse from the Finals. The pain of defeat is evident, and the “new” rivalry has begun. Then the transition into new hope, a new beginning, with Bynum.  It sets the game’s tone that this time, things will be different. “Somethings changed”, we have the enforcer.

LD2K’s editing is as fresh and as on point as much as, if not more, than he ever was before. Every impacting bass line, every cymbal crash, is represented visually.  Every VO word is matched by a boston or LA player, in a huddle, on the court, the sideline. The range of close ups, slow motion, and highlight clips show the mix is more than a mix. It’s passion.

Time’s have changed, no more rolling over, no more quitting.

Not tonight.

~Venom

Download Link: http://www.sendspace.com/file/d7z1cj
~Venom

To know Domino completed this mix in three hours is as disappointing as it is amazing. The concept of the mix is epic, as it spans Lebron’s career and his evolution from “Kid” to “King”. However, it is neatly downsized to just over two minutes. It transitions nicely from stage to stage with an impressive array of clips that hold the viewer’s attention. It is hard to imagine what could have been achieved had he put more time into an already visually stunning mix.

One can only hope Domino decides to revisit this mix somewhere down the line and release a “director’s cut”.

Renhigotrare has returned to mixmaking in a big way with his October/November Highlight Mix that utilizes the fast-paced/quick cut style popularized by TNT. This approach to mixmaking is not uncommon, but Gotrare does it in such an entertaining and skillful manner that some M2 members wondered if he actually does work for TNT.

Gotrare has been a fixture on M2 for quite some time, creating YouTube classics such as Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan: Moment of Truth and The Greatest Sport.

His explosive style can best be defined as a hybrid of old school values and new era techniques. Gotrare, unlike many mixers today, keeps viewers glued to the screen by expertly showing multiple camera angles for each action, while building the intensity with every clip. He resists the urge to saturate his videos with needless effects, but rather uses fx to enrich them with subtle color corrections, velocity control, and abstract texts that add just the right amount of flair to his mix.

Gotrare’s clip selection is something to marvel at as he manipulates the viewer’s emotions with thunderous dunks, while showcasing the raw intensity and fierceness from the players that every NBA fanatic thrives off of.

However, the most glaring and noteworthy achievement in the October/November mix is Gotrare’s sound editing/mixing. Whether it be enhancing sounds to convey the awe and simplistic beauty whenever Lebron thrusts the chalk into the air, or distorting the audio of a player’s yell into a primal roar, Gotrare’s skills in this area are unmatched in the world of mixmaking. He makes the viewer feel a part of the action by using in-game audio like sneaker-squeaks, grunts, groans, net-swishes, and whistle blows.

Viewers no longer have to wait till game time to experience the NBA, Gotrare has made it a click away.

And Gotrare only sweetened the deal for his legion of fans when he announced that these mixes would become a monthly endeavor for him. So if you want the ultimate recap of last month’s action in the NBA, Gotrare has you covered on his YouTube channel.