Edit / Mix / Remix - An explanation of the terms

[discoginfo]

This info is intended both for music fans, to explain some terms that are often used incorrectly, but also an "open letter" to record copmanies who also use the terms incorrectly; by using correct terms they can avoid unintentional "false marketing" and disappointed buyers. Here we go:

An "edit" is technically when you change the duration of an existing song (usually to make it shorter, but sometimes longer).

If a song simply fades out before it comes to its end (like it does on the album) that's not an "edit", it's a "fade-out", at least in my universe.

A "mix" is when it *sounds* (more or less) different, meaning some sounds are made louder and/or some sounds are added, for example extra rhythm.

A "Remix" means the version sounds different AND is released AFTER the "original". Thus, a single that comes out before the album is not a "remix" but a "single mix" (unless the single mix was created after the album mix but released before).

However, when someone else creates a new version of the music (not the vocals though) from scratch (common these days) it's not technically a "Remix" but a "Re-Recording", since usually none of the original sounds are used.

A "Cover version" is same as "Re-recording" but the vocals are also re-recorded.

Thus, if a record company wants to play it safe, they should call it "Version". That covers anything and everything.

/JW
http://www.discog.info/

[Sean]

I agree with your comments but I find that they often do what you are calling as "fade-out", "edits". They never list it as a "fade-out". Then we have "radio versions" which are shorter more compact versions of the album tracks. The "radio versions" that sound cool are the ones where they layer the instrumentation over each other which creates a slighty different feel to the song.

[discoginfo]

Yes record companies don't label it "fade-out", because it sounds "incomplete" (which it really is too).

"Radio Edits" are usually shorter than "Single Edits", and are usually only available on promotional-only CDs. Radio Stations don't like long running times, so a 4-minute "radio version" may be only 3 minutes as a "radio edit". Mostly they sound the same though, only shorter. If a "radio edit" sounds different than the album version, it's usualluy because it's based on a "single edit" that also is different form the album version. /JW