Danny Kotz on SoundBetter

Danny Kotz, Berlin-based Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, and a Dj. Over the last 14 years, I have been touring the world as a Dj and a Live electronic act and was putting out dozens of releases and remixes in the genres of underground House and Techno who made it to the top dance charts of Beatport. My studio is located in the heart of Berlin.

Formerly DEKAY, Danny Kotz is a versatile Musician, Producer, and DJ/Live act. Originally from Jerusalem, now based in Berlin, he's spent 15 years diving into spacious minimal techno and deep house. His unique electronic style blends analog synths with digital sound design, rooted in his jazz keyboard background. He crafts diverse productions, from deep techno to experimental Avantgarde.

Danny's toured Europe's leading clubs, releasing music under various aliases. Notably, he collaborated with DJ Magit Cacoon on a Remixes EP for Steven Wilson's "Voyage 34" with Porcupine Tree. He's also gained attention for his ecstatic music videos, like "Reject" with Avi Caspi, supported by Kompakt records and praised on platforms like Groove magazine, XLR8R, and Beatport. His tracks found favor with major DJs, including Laurent Garnier and Richie Hawtin.

In recent years, Danny achieved two dreams: forming his band and launching De Wolt and Hypernatural Recordings with Bobby Starrr and Stefano Di Puma. Their debut album, "Lost and Found In Berlin," marked a significant milestone in his indie electronic career, allowing him to pursue his passions for club music, indie production, songwriting, and live performances.

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Avi Caspi
Danny Kotz

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Kaiser (14)
Various

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Interview with Danny Kotz

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I am very proud of the production of the debut concept album of my Indie Electronic band De Wolt, who I just released as well on Vinyl. I was the songwriter vocalist and producer of the album and I have been hosting many guest musicians on it. It was my humble attempt to create masterpiece in the form of a conceptual full length album.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am working on the second album of my indie electronic band De Wolt.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I am not familiar with nobody on the platform to be honest.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Hybrid setup is the answer. Get the most of both worlds.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That with persistence the will make their dream come true.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Being in the 'zone' in the studio and do my thing.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How many revisions do I give, I answer limitless, until your happy with the result.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That making music has a glam. Mainly its a very rough and not always a rewarding path.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What is the result that they are looking to achieve and what is their goal with the project.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Find someone who you have a good communication with and understands exactly what kind of a result your looking to achieve.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My mini keyboard on batteries. Laptop, small midi keyboard my DS desktop synth, Byerdinamic headphones. Don't really need more then this.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I am making music since childhood and started to follow my crier when I was 21. Today I am nearly 40 so you can do the math.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: In terms of club music I would describe my style as a minimalists deep and melodic techno. In indie music I think my sound is very New-Wave/Post Punkish
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I wish I could work the Grace Jones.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Divide you sessions into 3 types of work, Creativity, mixing and editing and focus on one of them. Make sessions of no longer then 3 hours at a time as our brain and ear loose efficiency when pushing those limits.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Mainly Electronic and indie music.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Creativity and thinking outside the box.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring my musical creativity and sounds
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: It really depends on the mission. For making music I like to divide my sessions to 3 functions. Creativity, Editing and Mixing. I like to take 3 hours sessions and focus mainly on one function at a time. I learned that this way my time in the studio is being used in a much more efficient way.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: The main D.A.W I am using is Ableto Live for its easy going and creative work flow. Occasionally I am also using Logic Pro for more chirurgical missions. For monitoring I got the Dyneaudio 5inch monitors and ADAM 8 inch for lower end monitoring. In term of microphone I am using mainly the Rhode NT1 and Sure SM58. I Have a Soundcraft Signature multi track mixer which I am using as well as a sound card for recordings. In terms of external synth I am using mainly my DS Tetra 4 for all analog synths needs, for FM I am using the volca FM, and for baselines and ACID sounds I am using often the Volca Bass. Recently I got the Roland TR-8s drum machines for creating beats and rhythms and I fell in love with it. On top of that I got tons of plugins on my computer to recreate sounds from almost every synth that was existing. In terms of mixing I am a big fan of Fabfilter and Izotop.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am really inspired by James Murphy, whom I share in my view a similar path in the music crier by transforming from a club Dj and producer into an indie artist producer and performer. I am also a big fan of Quincy Jones and prince in terms of music production.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mainly I do studio recordings of Vocals + Mixing and digital Mastering. Very often I produce as well Remixes and edits for other Djs and producers.