Record Producer | Mixer

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: The 2 push baby albums. They were a passion project and we got to take amazing trips to incredible destinations and just write all day all night, with no aim but to just create instinctively and jam!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Working on a new OVRtone track featuring Kiara Nelson and a very very special guest I'm not allowed to disclose.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Blair. Awesome singer and writer.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. More flexibility and wayyyyyy cheaper and faster.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: Nothing leaves my studio unless I'm proud of it. So sonically, be assured that it will sound as good as it gets!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The places it takes me when on writing trips. Also, the fact I am 28 years old and still doing my hobby for a living. love it.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That production isn't song writing.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your vision for your project? If you could make a baby song from 3 artists who would they be?

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Take your time choosing the right one.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: An old macbook 2015(ish), because those things get that hot you can cook on them. An acoustic guitar A set of bongos An acoustic piano A ship horn, to signal bypassing ships.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I've doing this for 10 years. Here is an extract from my bio: Dae-Won (David Dae-Won Benkel) is a Paris-born composer and music producer whose work spans many genres. While touring the continent and playing close to 100 shows a year, Dae-Won became acquainted with Jake Roche, the frontman of chart topping UK pop group Rixton (now known as push baby). The viral and fast-rising success of Rixton inspired Benkel to explore the songwriting and production side of the industry. The Rixton boys immediately took him under their wing, helping set up sessions and inviting the aspiring producer along on writing trips. Meanwhile, creative music video projects invited contemporary scoring; this is where Benkel turned his ear to the film industry. Since then, he’s had the pleasure of working on an array of productions, scoring feature films and commercials. Currently, he is working as part of a 6 person production/song-writing team, spear headed by industry trusted A&R music producer Matt James from M22. They are working on many briefs for the likes of One Republic, David Guetta, Liam Payne, Anne Marie, Robin Shultz, DJ Snake, Tom Grennan and other chart topping artists. Benkel is expected to make a huge impact in 2023/24, backed to have a monstrous catalogue of contemporary hits and be amongst the first picks of producers and writers.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I like to mold my style to the client's needs. But having said that, if I had to box myself into a category... I'm not a 'throw everything at it' kind of guy. I like methodical thinking and adding what is actually needed instead of diluting.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Becky Hill probably. She has a really unique tone that has pretty much landmarked her as the queen of EDM topliners.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Again, speed. Get fast on your station. Give your clients' results that sound as good as it's going to get and FAST.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: EDM, House and Pop mostly.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Speed. I'm proud to have a very quick turnaround.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I guess I bring a fresh air of contemporary taste. I'm not old but I've had many years in this industry and right now I'm on a very promising path to becoming an industry trusted producer, writer and mixer. So, I bring the knowledge of what it actually takes to be at the forefront of the music industry.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in 3 studios. My home base being the main one. I converted my garage into the perfect home studio. Fully sound designed room packed with instruments and a selection of analogue gear including a couple of distressors, a 1073 and some very old but very cool amps. My box / mac m1 is full of the best plug ins for instruments and processing available right now.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Fred Again, Jack Antonoff, Nick Atkinson

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Production and mixing. You bring an idea in whatever shape and together we can turn it into whatever you dream it to be!