Advice for Remix Competitions?

[classicaldubstep]

I am entering an instrumental remix competition from findremix.com (genre: Progressive House). Just wondering if any of you guys have experience with remix competitions, because I really don't know what a good remix consists of since I have only made original music. Just want to know some answers to a few questions; should i keep the same key and tempo? should I keep the same melody as the original track? should I incorporate a new drum beat? Stuff like that, just hoping some people with experience in these contests could tell me what makes a good instrumental remix. I appreciate your help Also, I am provided with midi for all instrumental parts of the track, and a preview of the original track.

[ehbes]

take the hook of the original and base your remix around that

[3za]

take the hook of the original and base your remix around that

Why I love electronic music

[MassAphekt]

take the hook of the original and base your remix around that

this,
introduce extra colorful synthesis and perhaps the same melodies with advanced automated leads of your own,
if you like chaotic type music then go nuts with chopping and glitching the original chords and melodies of the tune,
dont be afraid to play with the effects on the vocals too,
introducing new hook melodies to the track could distinguish yourself from the rest better as well

[wormcode]

Yeah take 1 or 2 main elements from it and make a tune around those. If you're limited to the same genre, I'd change tempo and key if you can. If there's no genre limitation then I'd make the polar opposite.

[Attila]

I keep the same key as I usually do remixes with vocals, but otherwise nothing else is used. Treat it as an original. Nothing more boring than hearing a remix with an entire stem intact.

[classicaldubstep]

Thanks for the tips guys, I was totally lost before you guys gave me this advice.