Sound Design

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: In an ideal world I would simply improvise everything I create or play. Where I aim to go somewhere and I either end up there or go somewhere uncharted. However, depending on the project, I foresee the application. - Where the sound is used; Medium (film, documentary, art installation, Podcast, dialogue). Mainly the environment that the sound is going to be perceived by the audience, - The emotion that needs to be inspired, - The duration of the track, clip or scene - If the application is for a movie, documentary or an art installation it is common that the production comprises a series of drone sounds accompanied by other instruments (strings, cello, bass, etc.) - If it is a commercial or production for an artist, the project would usually start with a chord progression then a drum track followed by a bassline to form the hook or a skeleton. But this always depends on requirements (the level of detail provided by the client). In most cases the client does not have a written arrangement and may need assistance to work with. For this I first interview the client posing a series of questions as to where exactly they want to go. It is important to determine if I can execute the project or not. The quality of the end product is very important to KSS therefore will not take up any project that It cannot be well executed.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I own a minimal hybrid set up where analogue meets digital. I own a number of modular and semi-modular synthesizers. I believe that the only way to have an authenticity and character is by designing a sound from scratch and then blending or processing them on the DAW or sending the signals back into one of my modules or synths. For this reason, 95% of my gear is analogue. The only digital gear that I possess is the Elektron Model:Cycles (Digital Fm Synthesizer) , the Polyend Tracker (Sampler), Ableton Live Suit 11 and the Push 2. All of my other gear is purely analogue.

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

A: I think in my opinion the most influential artists would be Boards of Canada, Autechre, Square Pusher, Bobby Krlic (AKA Hexan Cloak) and Tim Hecker. A lot of the music I make are inspired by their work.

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

A: The most common type of work I do for clients would be film composing (Documentaries, Movies, short films, etc.), composing drone sounds or music for art installations depending on what the nature of it is, Sound Design, Music production, Dialogue editing, Podcast Editing and Mastering. I am also able to convert any tracks recorded digitally into tape and back into digital. In my opinion processing any signal in this way makes your sound a lot more warmer.