Producer Special PART two
2011 is the year that YOU start making tunes. We’ve rounded up tips and secrets from eight of the hottest producers on the planet, and tracked down some of the best gear around Words Phil Dudman
o u r e x p e rt pr o d u c e r pa n e l Danny Byrd D’n’b don behind ‘Red Mist’ and ‘Ill Behaviour’. Second LP, ‘Rave Digger’, is out now
Grum The electro-disco-pophouse producer is also iTunes’ ‘Best New Dance Artist’
Robert James Check the inspired, groove-filled house of ‘Sleep Moods’ and ‘Malibu’
Glimpse Stunning jazz and soullaced techno from ‘If I Was Your Girl’ to ‘Train To Austria’
What’s the best way to learn to produce?
Sinden He’s behind huge tunes like ‘Beeper’, ‘Mega’ and 2010 anthem ‘After Dark’
Ste Mac Half of tech-trance duo Mac & Taylor, of ‘Dirty’, ‘Sub-Limit 2am’ renown
Nicolas Jaar Perhaps the most exciting breakthrough techno producer of the year
Mat Zo From trance to electro to d’n’b, Zo’s releases have excelled in every genre
[[1L]] february 2011
Danny Byrd: “A good music tech course can advance you a few years quite quickly, but choose wisely. You could also go on a forum like Dogs On Acid but take them with a pinch of salt or you may never finish a track for worrying about compression and EQ settings!”
Robert James: “Once you learn how to use the basics of the programme you will pick up stuff as you go along. You can go on YouTube – there are hundreds of tutorials, often where someone has done a live video and it’s all set out for you.”
Grum: “I think there are courses you can do which would definitely help. The SAE Institute (the School of Audio Engineering) do good ones. But if you really want to develop your own sound you have to put your own time into experimenting.”
Sinden: “I’ve done some good crash courses just to top my knowledge up; there’s a great place in north London called Alchemea (www. alchemea.com). The best way is to shadow someone; my first studio experience was with Switch. But remember, becoming a producer doesn’t happen overnight.” Ste Mac: “It’s definitely worth doing a course so you don’t go into it blind, not even knowing about sequencers or anything.” Nicolas Jaar: “The best way to learn is from a friend or by yourself. The more human the approach the better the result!” Glimpse: “Get to know your machines inside out. Program them, wipe them, reprogram them. Learn the drums, piano or bongos. You’ll get a more original sound.” Mat Zo: “The best way to learn is through trial and error. I wouldn’t waste money on a course unless it’s with someone like Danny Byrd teaching.”