ICOM has moved to Mastodon!

Now you can upload your remix as an MP3 or video in a reply to the latest toot. If you don't have a Mastodon account, create one on your favorite instance, or upload your remix via the online form

How to be an Iron Chef of Music:

1) Download the latest audio ingredients.

They consist of a single .WAV file. Example ingredients include the sound of bacon frying, a dial-up modem, or any odd sound that may pertain to technomusicology.

2) Slice, dice, chop and remix the ingredients into a new song.

When ICOM is hosted in-person, the time limit to compose and upload your remix is TWO HOURS!

3) Upload your remix.

Reply to the ingredients thread on Mastodon with your MP3 or video, or upload via the online form.

4) Listen to the other remixes and comment. Bonus points for not holding back!

No winners! Everyone loses!

KracFAQ classic rules

Q: What is Iron Chef of Music?
A: It's Kracfive's music making battle.

Q: How does it work?
A: At the start of each battle, the Master of Ceremonies unveils the secret sample ingredient(s). Each contestant is given 2 hours to build the best song from these special ingredients, trying to beat all of their opponents.

Q: If I want to participate, what do I do?
A: The battles either take place locally, meaning the majority of participants are there in person, or globally, meaning the majority are scattered across the globe and compete via internet. Local battles are a bit impromptu, but if you're near Chicago they are happening with some regularity - email ipagos. For global battles, visit IRC channel #ironchefofmusic on efnet, check www.ironchefofmusic.com & myspace for info, sign up for the Kracfive mailing list at kracfive.com!

Q: How is it different than the real Iron Chef involving Japanese cuisine?
A: Whereas the original Iron Chef is a battle between cooks in a food-based arena with a time limit, our's is a battle between musicians in a sample-based arena with a time limit. We may still have good food on location though.

Q: How is it different than a hip-hop producer battle with cash prizes?
A: {Musical} Iron Chef is not genre specific. Anyone who thinks that they can manipulate a given chunk of audio in an inventive way is invited to participate.

Q: What about the fabulous prizes?
A: There are no huge cash prizes yet, only the pride of being the reigning {Musical} Iron Chef champion. Remember, no matter which chef comes out on top it is you, the listener, who really wins. Contact us if you or your company would like to sponsor Iron Chef of Music by providing prizes for future battles.

Q: Why can't I use my guitar?
A: It would break the special ingredient concept. We must observe the limits of the sample. The only sounds allowed are those contained in the given audio-chunk. This chunk may or may not contain real instruments. It will be up to the competitors to create their own "instruments" from this chunk for their song.

Iron Chef (of music) Ipagos says - "The meaning of IRON CHEF OF MUSIC is to destroy the opponent by learning their weak strategies. Through IRON CHEF OF MUSIC, we have found our competitors' weaknesses and destroyed them accordingly, while enjoying ourselves. These techniques are applied daily to our IRON CHEF OF MUSIC regimen of battle strategies."