Angel Alanis

Dance Music Producer

Angel Alanis on SoundBetter

Angel Alanis is a veteran of the underground dance music scene, having released dozens of EPs and spun at countless international clubs since the mid-'90s. His style has ranged from disco-influenced filter house to hard house to techno

Angel Alanis is a veteran of the underground dance music scene, having released dozens of EPs and spun at countless international clubs since the mid-'90s. His style has ranged from disco-influenced filter house to hard house to spacy, hypnotic techno, but his tracks are always direct, heavy, and pounding. Based in Chicago, Alanis began DJ'ing during the early '90s at the age of 14, and began releasing EPs in 1996. His early records appeared on small Midwestern labels like Contact and Underground Construction, and quickly built up a buzz for the young producer. Alanis soon became one of the biggest names of Chicago's hard house scene, along with Bad Boy Bill and DJ Irene. He released a few mix CDs around the turn of the century, including Nocturnal and Accelerated Motion, and founded A Squared Muzik in 2000. A few years into the new millennium, he released several records with fellow Chicago resident Rees Urban under the name Pair of Jacks, including releases on Tresor and Moonshine. Eventually he moved away from the hard house sound, and his later work incorporated styles such as electro, acid, and deep house. He also became associated with Chicago house originator DJ Pierre's Afro Acid label, and remixed Phuture's groundbreaking "Acid Trax" in 2011. He founded a few other labels, such as D-Form and Slap Jaxx, and continued releasing records and playing DJ gigs

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Interview with Angel Alanis

  1. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  2. A: And album with my partner in crime Maria Goetz

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

  4. A: None at the moment

  5. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  6. A: analog. It's unpredictable.

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

  8. A: If you don't like it. Send it back. I can work with you or help you find someone that can

  9. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  10. A: I can learn from other producers. I have fun doing this.

  11. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  12. A: How much? lol I Usually ask to listen to their rough mix down.

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

  14. A: That's it's easy.

  15. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  16. A: What is your favorite artist, in your style of music?

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

  18. A: My modular setup. Which is small. Around 5 modules lol

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

  20. A: 20 plus years

  21. Q: How would you describe your style?

  22. A: Edgy and old school.

  23. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  24. A: Use gain staging when mixing your work. Try to get the best sound without using plugins. The best sounds and recordings.

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

  26. A: House, Techno and some electronica.

  27. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  28. A: Mixing and mastering

  29. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  30. A: Usually I go for clarity and the best sound for the type of song I am working on. I also try to work with clients and their own tastes.

  31. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  32. A: I have a powerful Mac mini M1 with an RME 802 interface, Avalon mastering Eq, Dangerous Music compressor.

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

  34. A: John Brion, Ben Clock, Dave Clarke

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

  36. A: Mixing and mastering

Gear Highlights
  • Apple
  • Avalon
  • Dangerous Music
  • RME
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