Def Classic Mix
Encyclopedia
Def Classic Mix is a style of House Music
remix
, usually applied to a pop recording post-production
. The style was invented by famed remixer Frankie Knuckles
and further developed by his business partner and fellow famous DJ David Morales
. The term is in fact a trademark
, but the style itself would be much-copied - almost to the point of being a subgenre itself. The style is noteworthy for honoring the intended arrangement of a recording, but carefully adding and substituting electronic elements, in particular deep bass, crisp and minimal use of the snare drum, synthesized strings, and rich piano parts which were alternately whimsical and profound (usually within the same mix) but always lyrical.
On many of the best examples of these mixes, Knuckles was working with engineer John Poppo, and his engineering alone provided a uniquely solid bass and tight, compressed
high-end percussion (see gated snare) that many aficionados can immediately identify. Others to engineer for Morales and Knuckles would include David Sussman and Mr. Morales himself.
The name was arrived at because Mr. Knuckles felt he was providing the def
initive mix for the dancefloor and one that would outlast fads in dance music culture. Knuckles would go on to name his company Def Mix Productions, thus trademarking his invention. A decade before Knuckles, Tom Moulton
would apply the same philosophy using organic (or classical
) instrumentation to invent the dance remix as we know it. Similar to Knuckles, Moulton invented a trademark for himself ("a Tom Moulton Mix"). It may surprise many to learn that both men ultimately took out more than they put in to the finished mix.
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
, usually applied to a pop recording post-production
Post-production
Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...
. The style was invented by famed remixer Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles is an American DJ, record producer and remix artist. He played an important role in developing house music as a Chicago DJ in the 1980s and he helped to popularize house music in the 1990s, with his work as a producer and remixer...
and further developed by his business partner and fellow famous DJ David Morales
David Morales
David Morales is an internationally acclaimed Grammy-winning house music DJ and producer. In addition to his production and DJ work, Morales is one of the most prolific remixers of all time, transforming many pop music songs into club-friendly dance tracks...
. The term is in fact a trademark
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
, but the style itself would be much-copied - almost to the point of being a subgenre itself. The style is noteworthy for honoring the intended arrangement of a recording, but carefully adding and substituting electronic elements, in particular deep bass, crisp and minimal use of the snare drum, synthesized strings, and rich piano parts which were alternately whimsical and profound (usually within the same mix) but always lyrical.
On many of the best examples of these mixes, Knuckles was working with engineer John Poppo, and his engineering alone provided a uniquely solid bass and tight, compressed
Gain compression
Gain compression is a reduction in 'differential' or 'slope' gain caused by nonlinearity of the transfer function of the amplifying device. This nonlinearity may be caused by heat due to power dissipation, or by overdriving the active device beyond its linear region...
high-end percussion (see gated snare) that many aficionados can immediately identify. Others to engineer for Morales and Knuckles would include David Sussman and Mr. Morales himself.
The name was arrived at because Mr. Knuckles felt he was providing the def
Def
-In medicine:*Deferoxamine*Diprivan, Esmeron and Fentanyl, a notable drug combination in anesthesia*Desaturation Event Frequency*Dose Effect Factor-Other:* Design Exchange Format* Diesel Exhaust Fluid* Disarmed Enemy Forces...
initive mix for the dancefloor and one that would outlast fads in dance music culture. Knuckles would go on to name his company Def Mix Productions, thus trademarking his invention. A decade before Knuckles, Tom Moulton
Tom Moulton
Tom Moulton is an American record producer, and originator of the remix, the breakdown section, and the 12-inch single vinyl format.-Life and career:Thomas Jerome Moulton was born in Schenectady, New York, United States....
would apply the same philosophy using organic (or classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
) instrumentation to invent the dance remix as we know it. Similar to Knuckles, Moulton invented a trademark for himself ("a Tom Moulton Mix"). It may surprise many to learn that both men ultimately took out more than they put in to the finished mix.
Examples
- "Ain't NobodyAin't Nobody"Ain't Nobody" is a 1983 hit single by Rufus & Chaka Khan. It was released as a studio bonus track on the band's live album Stompin' at the Savoy. It reached number one on the U.S. R&B chart and twenty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart...
" by Chaka KhanChaka KhanChaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
from the "Life is a Dance" album. (likely the very first fully formed example of the style) Remixed by Knuckles solo. - "Never Stop" by The Brand New Heavies
- "Change" by Lisa StansfieldLisa StansfieldLisa Stansfield is an English singer and songwriter.-Early years:Stansfield was born to Marion and Keith Stansfield in Heywood, Lancashire, in England, where she attended Redbrook School, Rochdale. Her first television appearance was on a talent programme in the Granada TV area in 1982...
- "The Whistle Song" (a Knuckles production rather than remix) by Frankie Knuckles
- "Tears" by Satoshie Tomie (also a Knuckles production)
- "Heaven" (physical mix) by The ChimesThe ChimesThe Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In, a short novel by Charles Dickens, was written and published in 1844, one year after A Christmas Carol and one year before The Cricket on the Hearth...