Q: What is your favorite piece of hardware gear to work with and why?
A: I’m not really a hardware guy, since there are so many great plugins from which I can technically use an endless number of instances. But I really don’t know what I would do without my Komplete S88 keyboard, haha.
Q: Is there a specific VST plugin that radically changed your workflow?
A: I’m a huge fan of the Native Instruments libraries so Kontakt and Komplete Kontrol are probably my most used plugins regarding the instrument’s channels. In terms of FX I can only think of Fabfilter Pro Q 3 which is on most of my channels.
Check out the individual FabFilter plugins here.
More information on the FabFilter Total Bundle here.
Q: Do you have a specific process when it comes to creating tracks? For instance, do you start with a beat or with a melody?
A: It always depends. I’m asking this question myself every time I’m sitting in front of my laptop and don’t get any ideas. But most of the time a song starter can be anything that sounds special or gives me a feeling, these kind of things are what start the ball rolling. That can be samples, drum rhythms or anything else.
Q: How do you approach space in production as it relates to delays and reverbs?
A: Of course, delay and reverb effects do the most in terms of space, but I also like to play with stereo and frequency settings.
Q: Which aspect of music production do you feel you excel at?
A: I think “Excel“ is a strong word, especially when it comes to judging your own work. But I would say that I’m really independent when it comes to genres.
Q: Your best advice to get that kick drum pounding?
A: I don’t think there is that “one formula“ for everything. Every kick is different and sounds best on the genre or even sub-genre it’s made for. My advice: Before you lose your mind finding the right compressor or EQ settings for your kick. Try to find the best fitting kick for the specific track so you only need to turn the knobs as little as possible.
Q: Out of all the productions you have made, what would be your personal favorite?
A: Probably ‘Look Back“. That song took over a year to finish and working on it with Thandi was so much fun.
Q: What is the best advice you have for other producers in the game?
A: Experiment as much as you can. Doesn’t matter if you already know you are not going to release that song. If you always do the same you won’t earn experience and things will simply getting very boring, very quickly, haha.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?
A: Just some classic product placement, haha… Listen to my new song Look Back with Thandi!
