Byrd Tapes Recording Contest, Vol. 1

BYRD TAPES — FULL CONTEST RULES!

STEP 1: READ THIS PAGE IN FULL.

The Golden Rule:

NO COMPUTER USE — except for these three things:

1. Capturing your mixdown from your external recorder (tape machine, Portastudio, etc)
2. Bouncing your final mix to disk (DAW use only for exporting a stereo file — no plugins, unless lightly used to bring the mix to a nominal listening level)
3. Uploading your submission

Please keep a digital backup of your stereo mix in case something gets lost, corrupted, or needs to be re-uploaded.

ACCEPTABLE RECORDING METHODS:

  • Tascam Portastudios (cassette, digital, CD)
  • Analog tape machines
  • HDD Recorders
  • Field recorders
  • iPhone Voice Memos (no GarageBand)
  • Cassette recorders
  • Samplers and multi-track recorders, recording consoles
  • Reel-to-reels or other standalone analog/digital hardware
  • Any other standalone recorder that is not a computer

NON-ACCEPTABLE RECORDING METHODS:

  • Pro Tools
  • Ableton
  • Logic
  • Studio One
  • UA Luna
  • GarageBand
  • (Or any other computer-based DAW used for multi-tracking, editing, or processing, that is not a standalone recorder)

If you are unsure if your recording method meets the criteria for the contest, please reach out!

KEY DATES

Signups Open: April 11. 2025

Signups Close: May 10, 2025

Recording Window: June 1 – August 1, 2025

Judging Period: August – September 2025

Winners Announced: Fall 2025

JUDGING CRITERIA

Creativity

How unique is your submission? Did you take risks or approach things in a fresh way?

Execution

Did you try to make the most of your tools? Think: mic placement, analog tape edits, creative bouncing, preamp overloading, new techniques, old techniques — how did you work with the medium? 

Impact

How does it sound, and does it make a statement — both technically and emotionally? We’re not judging on hi-fi, but on feel. Does it hit, groove, make us feel something? Is it inspiring?

Composition

Is the musical idea strong, is the arrangement compelling? Even if it’s raw, does it keep us interested, express a theme, or take us on a journey?

"Realness"

Does it feel like a human being made it? Even if it involves synths, sequencing, drum machines etc — does it feel like someone put real work into it?

OPTIONAL EXTRAS (ENCOURAGED BUT NOT REQUIRED)

  • Track sheets, notes, pre-production materials, diagrams, routing setups, patch sheets
  • Photos or video
  • Collaboration!
  • Anything you can show us to help us visualize your process!

SUBMISSION DETAILS

  • Contest is limited to 50 contestants total
  • Each contestant may submit up to (2) entries
  • Entry Fee: $50 for (1) submission / $60 for (2) (if you decide to add another after the contest has started, the fee is $15 for the second song). Entry fees are non-refundable.
  • Group submissions are welcome — collectives, bands, groups, count as one contestant and should sign up together and submit entries together. Furthermore, you may submit songs solo and also as a part of a group - if you do, just submit a form for the group, and one for yourself.
  • We are assuming your submission is unmastered. You are welcome to master your song through analog gear, but just let us know if you do. Absolutely no plugin or computer mastering is allowed. If the piece of gear you are using has a mastering feature (such as the Tascam DP-008EX), you are free to use it, just let us know if you do.
  • Max runtime per song: 10 minutes
  • File Format: WAV
  • Filename Format: Lastname_Firstname_TrackTitle.wav or Groupname_TrackTitle.wav

NOTE: With very little exception, if any, we are looking for recordings made during the contest period (June-July) and not made prior. I.e. if you recorded a song last year, or January, or 5 years ago, it's not really what we're after. We're more-so focused in what can be made within the timeframe of the contest!

ALSO: You’re absolutely welcome and encouraged to start experimenting, writing, testing gear, and getting your signal flow dialed in now. That’s part of the fun! But for fairness and to keep things spontaneous, actual recording for your final submission(s) should begin no earlier than June 1!

REMEMBER:

This is a challenge — not just a contest. Let the music guide you, let the gear guide you, let inspiration be present. The whole point is to see how creative and compelling you can be without the use a computer!

Experiment. Try new gear. Try new routing. Get weird. Push limits. Learn rules and break them.

PRIZES AND JUDGES

Our prizes will include merchandise, credit at Byrdfinds.com, and more!

Some of our judges will begin to be announced in the coming weeks!

STEP 2: PAY THE ENTRY FEE

STEP 3: SUBMIT THE FORM