Difference between Bootleg/Mashup and Remix?

This article was quite popular on our facebook page, I decided to make a post about it since the information is important.

Ok I saw some artists calling their track a “Bootleg Remix” or even worst a “Bootleg RMX”…wtf guys? Is it a bootleg OR a remix?

Here’s the definition of bootleg/mashup:
“A mashup or bootleg is a song or composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another.”

Remixing is the adoption, alteration, and recombination of pre-existing songs to create something new. A remixer uses audio mixing to compose an alternate master recording of a song, adding or subtracting elements, or simply changing the equalization, dynamics, pitch, tempo, playing time, or almost any other aspect of the various musical components.

So a remixer is also a bootlegger (bootlegs are so much easier to do) but a bootlegger is not a remixer by default, remixing requires a lot more skills.

…and about the RMX, let’s say you remixed “Justin Bieber – Boyfriend” …you call your track “Justin Bieber – Boyfriend (Superstar DJ RMX)” on soundcloud. While you can think it looks cool (RMX), people that will search for Justin Bieber remix, Justin Bieber – Boyfriend remix won’t see your track in the results or it will be near the end since the keywords doesn’t match.

I hope you found that information interesting and that you learned from it. If you have questions, comments or if you disagree with me I’ll be happy to discuss with you in the comment section.

Eric Robberts

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