Mixtape

Under a mixtape (also mix tape or mixed tape written ) or a Mixkassette refers to a self-produced compilation of songs (mostly copyrighted pop and / or rock music, the other sources was removed ), which in a certain order on a compact cassette ( audio cassette) were recorded. In general, therefore, the intention is connected, to use them for personal use, as a soundtrack to social events or as a gift. The latest developments of new technologies also enable the creation and distribution of such compositions in the form of a compact disc (CD ), or MP3 playlist. This article used for generalizing the notion Mixtape.

Mixtapes reflect the musical tastes of the creator usually. Possibility of a more casually selected list of favorite songs, a conceptual mix of thematic and atmospheric bound musical pieces, to highly personal, tailored to the recipient of the cassette statements rich.

Many mixtape enthusiasts believe that by carefully selecting and determining the order of the pieces within a compilation of an artistic statement can be created which can be quite meaningful than the sum of the individual songs.

History

Probably the first mixtapes emerged soon after the introduction of the compact cassette by Philips at the Berlin Radio Exhibition 1963. Previously, one had still needed a tape recorder for recording a compilation put together by personal choice usually. The advent of the CrO2 tape recording that allowed in good quality, the audio cassette for music recordings made ​​attractive.

As a compact cassettes and cassette recorder were spread, and even were portable, also decreased the technical hurdles for recording mixtapes. Finally, one needed only a cassette player, a handful of audio cassettes, which offered every supermarket at an affordable price, and the male music, for example, from a record or from the radio - most cassette recorder possessed at that time already a built-in radio receiver. The spread of the mixtapes accelerated by the new possibilities of music consumption that offered car radio with cassette and from the late 1970s, the Walkman.

During the 1980s, mixtapes were an omnipresent element of youth culture, especially among young males. Mixtapes have been compiled as a gift for friends either, or as a compilation of broadcast on the radio personal favorite hits. The individual pieces are placed by using the winding and pause function in the proper sequence on the tape. In addition to the compilation of the songs the label of the cartridge shell was an important design element.

As the music industry while feared life-threatening drop in sales, they started at the beginning of the 1980s the campaign Home Taping Is Killing Music.

In addition to these recorded for a single person or a private occasion Mixtape were " party tapes" spread, were held on the performances of DJ's and were sold to the public. In the U.S., sold in the 1970s artists such as Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash and DJ Hollywood club their shots were also available for the buyer who completed recordings in this way to a corresponding price.

Only the increased availability of CD burners and MP3 players as well as the disappearance of the audio cassette players from cars and households have led to a decrease in the popularity of the "classic" compact cassette as a medium for mixtapes. Mix CDs and MP3 playlists have since been largely replaced the cartridge. The purely physical creation of a mix on these media now takes minutes to complete, while the selection and compilation but still can take hours. Due to the new technologies mix exchange clubs were revived, replace the mix CDs by mail.

Terminology

In the hip- hop scene, the term mixtape compilations of DJs. Usually the goal is to notice unknown artist or the spread of new songs by established artists. Some DJs use here also like topics on which they build their mix, eg Beefs or freestyles and beats of known tracks is rapped on the new. The songs are often distorted, overlaid with samples or changed by additional noise. Also possible is the change in velocity, remixes or so-called mashups.

CDs are referred to herein as tape. These sets are sometimes commercially marketed, but also given away. In addition, mixtapes in the U.S. seem to be a larger market. The purpose of these mixtapes is often to give a taste of a comeback or an upcoming album and to test the prospects of success.