HARDKNOCK

Songwriter, Producer, Engineer

HARDKNOCK on SoundBetter

🎶Your Next Hit Starts Here🎶 20+ years producing, mixing & mastering top urban genres. Worked with industry artists + TV & film placements. Industry sound. Pro gear. Easy to work with. 💥 Cet your track sounding radio-ready-fast. 📩 DM now to lock in your session!

With 20 years of experience in music production and songwriting, I specialize in mixing and mastering today's most popular urban genres. I bring industry-quality sound, a deep understanding of what makes a track hit, and a smooth, easygoing process from start to finish. I use top-tier equipment to deliver radio-ready results-and I'm known for being reliable, creative, and easy to work with. If you're looking to elevate your sound, l'm here to make it happen.

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Languages

  • English

Interview with HARDKNOCK

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

  2. A: I worked on a short song for a guy who's currently on a reality show as we speak. I'm proud because it was a totally different genre than I was use to but the artist doing the song and the network it will be on was so pleased with my work.

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

  4. A: Just producing beats and laying hooks on them and leaving the verses open for artist.

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

  6. A: I don't know anyone. I'm very new to this.... Do a new i feel crazy not knowing this existed.

  7. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  8. A: Analog. It's something about how that old records my dad played on that analog gear back in the day that sounded so good!

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

  10. A: To give them a physical manifestation of the idea that was in their head.

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

  12. A: I love music so they it's my song in creating for someone or collabing or polishing somebody else's song,I love hearing the end result and knowing I had something to do with a great song.

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

  14. A: How long have you been doing this? 20 years Did you go to school for this? No, I'm self taught

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

  16. A: The biggest misconception is people thinking that everyone can be a professional producer/engineer and that it can be done over night.

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

  18. A: How long have you been doing your craft? What are your expectations? How far are you looking to go in this industry? Is this something you're serious about? How much does your music mean to you?

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

  20. A: Look for a person who's not just trying to take your money but who's just as interested in your project as you are and who's willing to teach you parts of the business that you don't know. Also a person who doesn't mind referring you to someone else if you're looking for something they can't offer.

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

  22. A: Computer, mic, headphones, keyboard, interface

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

  24. A: I been involved in music since I was 8 years old. Then discovered i was good at producing and been doing it every since. Music didn't start as my career path because I didn't believe in myself at first. But it's definitely something I can't leave alone.

  25. Q: How would you describe your style?

  26. A: A combination of old and new school but so versatile that you wouldn't know of things I might of produced.

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

  28. A: Jamie Foxx. The reason is because I believe we're the same type of people and would click well. Or styles of music are similar.

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

  30. A: The tip I would share is do what feels right.

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

  32. A: RnB, hip hop, trap, drill and pop

  33. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  34. A: My strongest skill is RnB Records

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

  36. A: What I bring to the song is the foundation as well as the roof and walls. Them I furnish the song with enough but not too much and then all the finishing touches that makes it pop! That thing that's missing that a person can't put their finger on but know it needs it, is what I bring.

  37. Q: What's your typical work process?

  38. A: Great mood first of all. Then Generally Ina mix, accessing the issues and fixing that is any then grabbing the greatest parts of the song and making sure it drives the record. Usually first mix is static and I come back and mix in sections such as mixing the hook and back ground vocals... Then come back and mix the lead vocals... Then adding the wets and automation. After the last mix is done, I'll sit on it for a few days before mastering. Off it's for a client, after my last mix I'll see if they have any revisions they would like me to make (up to two) and when the client and myself are satisfied, I'll sit with it a few days then master the record if that's something they want as well as performance, radio, Acapella versions.

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: I have a control room and a Vocal booth. The rooms are adjacent to each other with sounds deadening material between the walls and sound deadening panels in both rooms. I have 8" 5" and 3" monitors and lastly a 12"subwoofer that I use fire mixing and mastering. I have two different Avalon preamps/voice channels for vocals that's paired with several different mic's depending on the vocalist that includes Sony, TLM, Rhode, Shure, and Audio Technica. SSL control surface and D-box with RME interface. Maschine mk2 and mk3 hardware,FL studio Pro tools. Waves,soundtoys etc. Plugins

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

  42. A: Micheal Jackson, Prince, R Kelly, Tank, Chris Brown, Rhiana, Whitney Houston, Timbaland, Dr Dre, Darkchild.

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

  44. A: The most common is bringing a RnB record to life! Polishing it and taking it to that next level! Also making beats and songwriting industry quality Records!

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GenresSounds Like
  • Tank
  • Jamie Foxx
  • R. Kelly
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