In The Studio

In the studio with Hemlock

This week, we catch up with Denver, US-based rapper and producer Hemlock!

Jaz from the RepostExchange Team

How long have you been producing music and how did you learn?

I have been producing music for over twenty years. By no means am I an expert, but I feel I pieced together a base of knowledge that was instrumental in my sound. Back in the day before YouTube, I used Cool Edit Pro (now Adobe Audition) and ACID Pro before progressing to FL Studio and Ableton when I produced EDM for some time. I learned and progressed by truly pressing buttons and turning dials to figure out what does what trying to slowly train my ear.

Also in the rise of many online forums, I could ask questions or observe while including how-tos on stages of my learning. I crammed in everything I could, learned mainly from mistakes - but always knew I could do any and everything myself with enough patience coinciding with finding answers to all the questions I may have.

What DAW(s) do you use and why?

Currently, I am working on Studio One as my platform for recording, mixing, and mastering. Not only did I appreciate the layout, but I found it similar to DAWs I have used in the past that I felt most comfortable with. I use mainly all third party software to mix and master with the exception of some stock plug-ins.

What are your favourite pieces of gear and why?

My favorite gear is something quite simple, a vocal shield. I record in my house, thankfully its quiet around, and the shield truly deadens enough of my sound to be crisp for the space I’m in. I’m more of a software user and truly more bare to the bones with gear and setup.

What are your favourite software plugins and why?

Waves and Soundtoys are my ideal programs, from compressors, distortion, to mastering and anything in between; they both are integral components for my sound. RCompressor is my golden child, I found the right setup and it just works perfectly for my voice and sound.

How would you summarise your approach/workflow when creating a track?

Everything orbits around the beat, once I like what I hear I immerse myself writing and recording. I like to mix right after I record, keeps me zoned into the sound of that moment and in case I need to adjust anything. From there I’m so tedious on the slightest details, going through many variations of mixes and master to finally roll with one and tend not to harp for too long so I can come to a close.

What resources do you use to improve your craft?

My resources have always been internet-based. I’ve spent years of weeding through asking any and every question in that blank search box that I wanted to learn. Trial and error has been an amazing teacher by levelling up my capabilities through feedback on forums and YouTube, but also differentiating their opinions with what advice could be useful in my craft.

Also, my catalogue of personal music choices ranges from so many decades and styles where I have been immersed in different cultures. Finally, I listen to those who inspire me and try to grow simply from their mastery.

What is the last YouTube tutorial you watched that you would recommend to other Re-Ex Members?

What knowledge or advice do you wish you'd learned earlier?

Know who you are and what you are saying first and foremost.

In the beginning, I was writing so much out of pain, not focusing on honing my craft. It takes so much time to build character, confidence, and understand the voice of what you want to say. With that brings consistency, for some people this game is a shot in the dark, others its a marathon that never ends.

I understood I may not make it, that's all good, but create none the less - be so good at what you do it makes people envy they didn't discover you earlier.

What challenges related to making music do you face and how do you overcome them?

For a long time what stunted me was my age, then it was the change of sound and culture shift. I felt that my approach is reminiscent of the era I grew up in so I didn't think people would relate, but fortunately, I have been proven wrong. Aside from the hurdles most of us artists all face financial, spiritual, and external struggles, for so long my mental health along with depression and anxiety stunted my willingness to move forward.

Since then, with growth and healing, that has been a focal point of my music, to display my pain and story with the approach I do now. Also, it can be difficult to catch up to my recording and production, based on how fast I write. I write 99% of my music while at work, where I'm in a creative space already so I can pull away to write, while whereas at home I’m busy with other facets of my art.

When younger though, for too long I immersed myself in music, losing sight of a proper healthy balance of my art, work, and relationships I had. Now I’ve set goals to post at least two songs a month while working on a tape in the stash which keeps the workflow consistent.

Can you share any killer tips or techniques?

Keep your process organized in all facets, the ability to save time in a world where every second is of value - is key. I set up templates and chains for all my production, updating it regularly because I get a great jump on recording and production.

Do you use any online tools to assist with the production process?

I scour YouTube for certain sounds, effects, snippets, and sample packs to enhance the track. The internet is just a universe of sources, it's a rabbit hole sometimes so I try and create a lot of the extra pieces myself.

Do you try and get feedback or suggestions to improve your music? If so, how?

Hearing feedback from my audience is effective to know what people are vibing with in terms of my sound, but it's not crucial in my crafting. I always felt, say your truth and there will be people who relate or feel something through it.

Through the years I've had feedback which has made me shift perceptions of things I'm not hearing that others with a trained ear are, that feedback has been a great tool in moulding my identity and how to differentiate judgemental ego-driven feedback from the gems of information.

Which track are you most proud of and why?

"Carpe Noctem", I feel this song embodies me as an artist. The old school east coast vibe of the beat, driven off layered metaphors and bars, compacted with the energy I have on that track truly makes me listen going, they ain't ready.

Has RepostExchange affected the way you make music? If so, how?

RepostExchange has given my process a workflow I wouldn't otherwise have. I utilize the platform knowing that as I gain an audience, I can continue to spread my work through the ears of so many others on the platform so I tend to stay more consistent trying to release a minimum of two tracks a month.

Early on I realized I was going to spend my time and energy using the reach of Re-Ex to collectively grow my listeners and followers if I release dope music while consistently reaching out to others on the platform.