DeVan "D1" Hooker on SoundBetter

Currently serving as the Chief Engineer at Atlantic Records I produce, mix, record & vocal produce. My upbringing in church has given me a natural ear and instrument musicality. I recently recorded/mixed/produced Coast Contra's Apt 505 album. Hip-hop, r&b, neo-soul, afrobeat and just dope music is what I wanna create with you.

I like easy symbiotic relationships. A mutual trust and understanding that we're both dope at what we do and together we'll produce something crazy good! I wanna help you bring your project to life. My experience as an engineer, producer and vocal coach all lend a hand to each other. I see a song different, hear it different and play with notes, melodies and rhymes in patterns that just work. I'm fast, thorough, direct and creative. Not a man of many words (my wife helped me write this) but a man with a love for music.

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for DeVan Hooker

600Breezy
600Breezy

16 Reviews - 3 Repeat Clients

Endorse DeVan "D1" Hooker

by Ike A.
Verified
Worked with D1 on a Hip Hop / Afrobeat mash-up, which can be difficult to pull off and he delivered and delivered well! Professional from the get-go and open to ideas and input. Obviously knows he stuff and his musicality and years of experience shines through the record. Can't wait for the next one!!
by Francis G.
Verified
DeVan was a real pleasure to work with! He really help us bring our song to the next level by adding his production and mixing magic. Always quick to respond, he was also very patient with us, taking the time to adjust the sound until it was perfectly up to our expectations and more. Highly recommended!
by Daniel R.
Verified
D1 was a joy to work with, and his work is excellent: colorful, powerful, layered, and melodic. He was very focused, empathic, responsive, and patient. Would happily collaborate with him again, and highly recommend him as a collaborator. Thank you D1!
by Nico S.
Verified
Very talented and can work in any unique circumstance.
by Y. K.
Verified
I love Devan so much! Even when you say that the job is done, if he thinks that the song needs more work, he'll offer to do more work . It has been so inspiring and humbling to work with such a wonderful musician and beautiful person! Also, he can compose a wonderful melody with almost any instrument for your song, be it a single cello or a trumpet and make it sound real!!
by Y. K.
Verified
An extremely gifted musician and a very warm hearted person, which is so important!Because when you send your music to someone,you are sharing something about your deepest, most fragile self.If they see it just as business and handle it as such,you won't have the satisfaction of creating something together and the beautiful memory of sharing that process.But Devan is the kind of producer who gives you the feeling that your songs are " at home" in his hands and will be handled with love and care!
by DL C.
Verified
Super Dope Producer with great energy! Listens to what you're looking for in a track and executes above and beyond. Definitely will be working with D1 again.
by Y. K.
Verified
What makes me a loyal client is that it is a joy to work with someone whose native language is music! You can send Devan any type of song and he will translate it into the kind of music that everyone can feel and enjoy! But at the same time, he is remarkably modest and always encourages you to say more and experiment more, to help you find your own voice. Devan is the kind of producer who will help you to grow as a musician and as a human being!
by Y. K.
Verified
Absolutely wonderful producer! Extremely talented, with a profound sensitivity for detail, hundred percent reliable, incredibly fast and more importantly, very kind too. When we finished the song I told DeVan that I felt like I had sent him a piece of wood and he turned it into gold. I feel very fortunate and grateful!
by Shannon C.
Verified
One of a kind! Truly Kind and Truly talented !
by Shannon C.
Verified
Wonderful person, super talented and kind. Took a real interest in the project and took the time needed to make it perfect. Highly recommend!
by Kevin Cho
Verified
DeVan is the real DEAL! Talk about triple threat. I went in to record one of my tracks and he was by far the fastest tracking engineer I have worked with. He is also a crazy talented Producer too, we definitely are going to work on more future projects now. Couldn't be more happy with the service he provided and his production/mixing/engineering skills are TOP-NOTCH. 10 STARS*************!
by fRE$H
Been working with Dev for the last 2yrs he has yet to disappoint. More than just a hard worker he’s gifted and dedicated to making your ideas sound close to perfect as earthly possible. Very appreciative of the opportunity to work with such an individual! His beats lit too!!
by Larry
I have worked with DeVan on numerous projects from pre production all the through final mix. His attention to detail is nuts and he also has the ability to vocal arrange and Vocal produce a record. He is super fast and the quality of his work sets a bar! Cool dude and passionate about the music game we play in. A goto referral for anyone that is serious about working.
by Stanley Springer III
I've used D1 a few times for my artist mixes, and he never disappoints. Fast turnaround, few revisions, his mixes are dope! Thanks brotha!
by Trus
The beats are fire, the production is high quality, and he's really great to work with. He made the session go by smooth without an issue. VERY fast on the boards and really efficient in his mixes! I definitely would recommend him to my friends.

Interview with DeVan "D1" Hooker

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Working with ILL Camille was a dream. When I first moved to California I was introduced to her music. I was blown away. Months later I was able to meet her and been working ever since. Her latest project Heirloom was amazing and I was glad to be able to produce a song for her. Also working with Coast Contra. Those guys really know how to bring hiphop back in the light. They are masters at their craft.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Working with a new artist named Kajad. He's originally from Congo but lives in Los Angeles now. We just recently got a placement in the Black Lightning TV show.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Rapsody, Nas, Big Krit. I've been a huge fan for years and love their rhyme schemes. They have a great ear for music.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I can make vocals sound smooth, clean, and crispy along with solid drums. Production wise, I just have that sauce!!!!! I make you rock your head and pat your feet for sure.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I will bring all of my knowledge and techniques to the table. But I like to make you feel a song rather than hear it. I also address any technical issues in there records. Such as masking or unwanted frequencies.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I monitor through Dyn Audio BMX 2 with a Yamaha 10 inch sub. I also have use PlugIn Alliance plugins, which I think are the best!
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: 9th Wonder, Blaire Taylor, Timbaland,
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: K Chozen, Davey Nate, Shane Faccinello, Ashley Alisha, Prince Chapelle
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I love both but digital is cool because you can recall everything so quickly.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That I'll get the job done
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: It's like playing Chess, no 2 days are ever the same.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Customer: How long will it take? Me: Send the files!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I'm just an engineer or a producer. Music is bonding and we create great friends with people we collaborate with.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What exactly are they looking for and some examples of something similar.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Go in with a positive mind and have a collaborative attitude. Don't think that the other person can read your mind. Communication is key.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: 1. MacBook Pro (with all my DAW's and plugins of course) 2. Bass Guitar 3. My Fantom X6 4. Microphone 5. Headphones
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been a musician for many years. I started playing drums and piano in church when I was about 10. Then I started producing in Fruity Loops when I was about 19. From there started producing in Logic in about 2010 and mixing in ProTools around the same time. Music has literally been my life.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I'm a go with the flow. Music is like painting a picture. We are creating a moment in time. Bask in it!
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Be careful of compression. To get a good feel, some sounds need to breathe and not be so crushed.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I usually create hip-hop music, but I enjoy crossing into all genres. You can learn from all types of music.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: With production I try not to allow the moment dictate what is happening. With my mixes, I like to just listen to the music and get the same feeling that the creators where in when they made the music.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I currently work for Atlantic Records as a tracking/mixing engineer.