Music Production Mentorship

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

A: The project I'm featuring in my profile, for sure! It's a remake of one of my favourite songs of all time, Kavinsky - Nightcall. I remade all parts with no original samples used. It will be a free download soon as it's not an original piece of work. To interpret something so iconic to me was daunting but I'm ecstatic with the result and poured so much love into this. The feedback from some of the top DJs in my circle has been outstanding so far. I hope you enjoy it also, we can arrange a copy for you if you do :) The female vocalist I collaborated with is a new artist called Nina Flo and she is the best vocalist discovery I've made to date - one to watch out for! I'm so happy I could give someone else so talented and unheard a platform to showcase her ambitions in music. I want to do the same for the right people here on Soundbetter too.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Collaborations with Abstraal, Rafael Cerato, Melody Stranger and Frank Sonic. Releases for ICONYC Music, Systematic Recordings and Stil Vor Talent. Just to name a few.... Also, I've been developing a school called Aviary Academy where I'm teaching my production skills online to people who want to learn to do what I do! I love teaching :)

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

A: Bastian Heerhorst (Artist name - Heerhorst) for Techno Techno! The best in the business!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! Because both are awesome :) Analogue of course, goes without saying and trust me when I say that some of the plugins these days are incredible! The technology is fantastic, I'm totally up to date in the market so I know what's possible.

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

A: I won't send anything to you in the first place until it's label worthy. Even then, I'm not precious or egostistical about your fresh ears and feedback - it's teamwork and it helps. We can go back and forth on any minor details until your fully satisifed with the project. Once you are, then we can apply the business formalities and exchanges in turn :)

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That moment in the studio when I know that it clicks and I get goosebumps. That feeling never gets old! :)

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

A: That I am a party boy, because I used to be :)..... As I've matured, I have proudly become an alcohol-free artist who runs marathons now! Due to this lifestyle switch I made one year ago, I've become very switched on and focused in my profession. I love my craft too much to compromise it with the temptations as much any more. I'm much more focused on producing quality music than performing it as much these days. I'll leave that to the next generation of DJs. Don't get me wrong, I will perform again and maybe yes I'll DJ here and there but I'm not chasing this concept anymore. My next step is to perform a full Ableton Live show!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Expectations are important. I like hearing stylistic reference tracks, favourite artists of yours, your expected turnaround time for a complete product, your musical motivations and intentions for your career. This is all important. Oh... and anything else that we may feel in the moment. Hopefully it's easy going and conversational to build a solid foundation :)

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

A: Take your time to listen to the sound we make for oursleves, and ask yourself "does it touch, move and inspire you?" If mine connectes with you, then lets chat first and see if we connect personally so it feels right for both of us. I want to enjoy the journey and so should you, it can't feel forced. Do it once and do it right :)

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

A: 1) My amazing Beyerdynamic headphones that I'm so tuned in to. 2) My trusted Focusrite Audio Interface. 3) My powerful laptop with Ableton 10 and it's wide array of software plugins I use. 4) My AKAI APC40 MKII as a controller for automation and ideas. That's all I need. No need to be greedy ;)

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

A: Close to 8 years now! In electronic music at least. I started as a guitarist and vocalist when I was 18 year old and performed original music acoustically until the age of 32. Then on one fine day, disco changed my life and I've been taking that musical knowledge into an Electronic journey ever since without losing my passion for songwriting and singing. The two have now merged into a beautiful hybrid :)

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Melodic and Emotive.

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

A: I have been fortunate to have already learned from the likes of Heerhorst and Jamie Stevens - my teachers over the years. I even had a week long session with Citizen Kain to learn some tricks! Next I'd like to work with Robert Babicz and Hannes Bieger. I respect them as the best engineers around at the moment in my preferred style of music.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Yes, less sounds, more quality sound design. Give the sounds you have enough polish and space to shine in the mix.

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

A: Melodic Techno and Progressive House but not limited to this. Deep House, House Music, Chillout, Lo-Fi and Techno are all possibilities too. Even a pop song, TV advert, or movie soundtrack if you really wish ;)

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Matching complimentary melodies, progressive arrangements and emotional sound designs. If a superb instrumental is not quite enough for you, then I can write and/or perform vocals/lyrics to match that melody feeling too.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Love, harmony, emotion and melody. I won't be showing you a track demo unless I'm confident that a label would sign it (if I were to submit it personally).

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Over the years, I have saved my various project styles into different default project folders. So when I open Ableton, I can choose the default setting to suit the style of project I'm endeavouring to produce. Therefore, I can create very easily without searching for the right tools. My workflow is fast due to being very organised. If challenged, I can generally start and finish a track within a day but give me a week or 2 and we will have something made to a very high standard!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: In 2020, I have built my own personal studio in Frankfurt. I produce in Ableton and I mix and master my own music with Neumann KH120A speakers in a collaborated room. I also use Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 OHM headphones as a superb alternative reference, they're especially good for mixing down. I use an array of plug-in tools such as Fabfilter, Slate Digital everything bundle, Izotope Ozone 9 Elements with Tonal Balance and Sonarworks to finish projects the highest standard.

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

A: Nicolas Jaar, Einmusik, and anyone else who can perform their own music via an Ableton Live Show, I have respect for.

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

A: Historically, I've been very busy with vocal feature requests as you may see from my run of 2020 releases. I write a lot of lyrics and perform them for other artists on their electronic music creations. Now that I am experienced and well trained in electronic music production, mixing and mastering, I have begun making beats for DJ's and this has started very well, with 2 happy new clients on board so far. I have space and time to produce for a few more still :)