I started producing last summer (2018), when I realized that if I ever want the songs I've written to be studio-ready, I need to learn producing myself.
Most of it I learned via YouTube tutorials and blog entries, and after I knew the basics of how to use my DAW I just listened a lot to different songs and dismantled them in my head to learn the structure and basic elements.
I actually started with very alternative music and in February I started electronic music and practised a lot ever since.
I use Logic Pro X. It's very intuitive and I like how organic the sound library is.
I also tried different DAWs, but none of them was as intuitive as Logic. So I asked my mother-in-law if I could use her Mac and she was fine with it.
Well, I don't use much. I only have my headphones, the Mac (and recently a Macbook too), a MIDI keyboard and a mic.
The headphones (Beyerdynamics DT770 PRO) are great, they were a bit of advice from a producer friend and I think it's the best you can get for that price.
The keyboard was from eBay, it's just a simple 20 euro keyboard that can do the basics.
I had the RØDE NT1-A, but I sold it, since my boyfriend has the RØDE NT-USB and I use it all the time.
I truly love Serum. Massive is nice as well, but Serum is just the allrounder talent. There are great presents, and if they are not enough there are great tutorials on how to create specific sounds.
For example the deep house bass I used in 'Clouds Over Your Oceans'.
I tried Arcade as well. It's a nice concept, but I don't really like working with samples, so Serum is still my number one.
I usually create a track in 2-3 days. Once you're in the flow, nothing can stop you. But getting into that flow can take weeks.
'Cause you can barely influence it, at least in my case.
I work mainly intuitively and based on sudden inspirations.
Right now I spent the last two weeks just trying to get something done, started four tracks, and I'm happy with none of them.
So once I'm back in the flow it'll probably just a question of a couple of days.
I guess, like most of home producers I'm mainly using YouTube tutorials.
A great channel for vocal-mixing, for example, is CrabLord.
I also like Alex Rome's channel. It was a great help, especially at the beginning.
Well, it's depending on genre.
One of the last ones I've watched was a vocal mixing tutorial by Joel Blackmon and it was a really good help, since I always struggled mixing my vocals.
That's easy. Paying attention to technique. Like for real. If I'm looking at my projects from last year, this time, they are just so messy.
Nothing quantized, nothing mixed ... I underestimated how much quality some simple techniques can bring to your tracks.
Getting exposure. It's so freaking hard, I guess it's the hardest.
I mean I have like a million songs in my head. And if you practice really hard you can learn to produce really quickly.
But reaching those people who are actually into your music - that's not rocket science, but it's getting close.
So what I'm doing at the moment is: Creating tracks good enough, they gonna end up in Spotify Editorial Playlist.
My last song did, and it had a lot of traction.
I'd say Spotify Editorial Playlist and YouTube Channels like Mr Suicide Sheep etc. are the easiest way for an independent artist to get some exposure.
Well, my advantage is that I'm a vocalist, so I don't need one. I guess I'm even more of a vocalist than a producer.
But it's never wrong to extend your artist network.
There are great vocalist around every corner. Or guitarist. Or saxophonists. Or whatever. Musicians are everywhere,
I guess even in your acquaintance circle.
Just don't spam other artists with your music immediately.
Try to get into a casual convo first, and maybe you match and someday and up on a project together.
Networking is never wrong, cause there's always someone who knows someone, that knows someone...
And secondly: If you want to have some dry and clean vocals but can't effort a studio - simply build a tent out of blankets.
The fabric will swallow the sound. It works out perfectly!
Yes. For mastering I use eMastered. It's expensive but very good.
I mean you gotta mix your track properly first, but it does the finishing touch, and it enhances the quality of your work.
Sure. I always ask my family first, then some friends, and as soon as the track is ready, I sometimes send it to SubmitHub.
It's nice to get some feedback there, but most of the time your tracks get declined, due to the high request-demand. And because it simply doesn't fit.
But I don't use it too often, cause every submission has to be paid, and after all I'm still a student and basically broke.
At the moment 'Clouds Over Your Oceans'.
But basically, because it was the first track of me ever to make it into a Spotify Editorial Playlist.
I was very proud comparing it to the tracks I created a year ago when I started, and seeing the huge difference of one single year.
Especially in quality and technique.
But if you ask for my personal favorite it's 'Elegy'. It's not so well-produced, but it's a very personal song and I'm really into chillstep myself.
Yes. Thanks to RepostExchange there was way more resonance on my tracks from other producers, and you could directly see what people primarily like about you and your music.
Especially people who produce themselves.
I also collected a couple of contacts and followers, who came through RepostExchange, and it's always the greatest thing to see when people appreciate your work.
I swear, there's nothing better.
Follow Annalena Lansen on SoundCloud @annalenalansen and Facebook @annalenalansenmusic.
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This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
