In The Studio

In the studio with DisKatch

This week, we catch up with Preston, UK-Based producer Iskia!

Jaz from the RepostExchange Team

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

I've been writing and producing since the age of 11, so for 34 years now. Wow, that dates me!

I started playing on the family organ when I was five and picked up chords and melodies by ear pretty quickly. At the age of 11, I got my first synth and was into sequencing original songs with an 8-track. That was high-tech back then!

I started out creating new-age style music and, over the years, have gotten into EDM.

Also, at age 11, I had the pleasure of recording my first single at a well-known studio in Washington, USA. That was a dream come true. Now when I listen back to that song, it was pretty bad(!)

Several years later, in my teens, I got a 16-track sequencer and started growing my collection of hardware and writing lots of music. Over the years, I've done a number of projects and have had a few songs on a local radio station here in Seattle (C89.5 FM).

Every time I produce a new song, I learn something new about production, song formatting, and new techniques for streamlining the process.

I have always been a tinkerer. I like to dive in and press every button and turn every knob to see what happens. I would say, over the years, I've learned the most by experimentation and always challenging myself to learn new things. When I started, and for many years after, I didn't have YouTube and all the great resources, sounds and tools that are available today.

It's an amazing time for music with so many cool new gadgets and informational videos that can speed up production and learning.

What DAW(s) do you use and why?

I use Reaper. I've tried several different DAW's over the years and I keep coming back to Reaper for its flow and layout.

What are your favourite pieces of gear and why?

I love my SubPac S2. It adds so much depth and feeling while I'm working on a track. It also allows me to keep the beat pumping late at night without disturbing anyone and still being able to hear and feel what's going on in the low-end.

I also really like my new Dynaudio LYD-48 studio monitors as they have a nice balanced sound.

And lastly, I'm a fan of Beyerdynamic headphones, currently the DT 1990 PRO. I have been collecting them for many years—great sound and comfort for long sessions.

Excellent speakers and headphones are essential pieces of equipment in the chain as they provide so much information to you about your mix, sounds, effects, and details.

I also love my 55" display that allows me to have ample workspace, especially when I get up to higher track counts. I find this helps my flow versus using a smaller screen.

What are your favourite software plugins and why?

Omnisphere 2, Massive, Serum, Nexus, Sylenth, to name a few. I tend to tinker with lots of different synths and effects. I also really like many of the Izotope plugins like Ozone 9, RX7, and Neutron. I try to surround myself with as many options as possible so I can dial up the sound I'm looking for, but it's easy to get lost in parameters for hours!

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

My approach is a little different each time. I find inspiration from sounds. Sometimes it starts with a bass line, beat, or synth melody, and I keep building on top of those parts.

Other times my plan is not to have a plan and just go with the flow.

After layering many tracks together, I usually then begin spreading out those parts establishing the intro, verse, chorus, break, etc. I like to take my time and let the track develop.

I spend a lot of hours experimenting with different sounds, effects, and arrangements to see how it all works together. It's a lot of fun and like a giant puzzle with unlimited pieces.

I also do a lot of critical listening, feeling out the vibe and often while listening, I hear things in my head that are not in the mix, giving me ideas for things to add.

Lately, my approach has been a little different since working with the very talented Janie Kelley. She had already written some songs on guitar when we met, so we have been going through her collection and making electronic versions. For these, I start with the framework of her existing songs, then build the instrumental and effects around the vocal parts. At the same time, we kick around ideas on the arrangement. It's been an enjoyable collaboration and we are both learning so much in the process.

What resources do you use to improve your craft?

I reference YouTube now and then for how to do something in Reaper or when learning a new VST synth. With so many options and tools available these days, I don't think I'll ever fully figure out what everything does, but when I get stuck, Youtube has been an excellent resource. MasterClass also has some great videos. It's been fun to watch and see how others approach music.

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

While I don't have a specific one to refer to at this time, lately, I've been watching videos on music marketing and promotion trying to learn more about that side.

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

Being a musician is extremely challenging and involves continuous hours of playing and practicing. Therefore, it is essential that you love what you do and remind yourself of the reasons you do it.

The enemy of creativity is being interrupted by other people. Constant interruptions are the destruction of the imagination. For this reason, I tend to lock myself in the studio and turn off my phone. I get the most work done between the hours of 10 pm – 6 am when it's quiet and I can focus on the production.

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

I've always been very critical of myself and sometimes too hard, which can get in the way of being creative because nothing is good enough. While I still have that challenge today, I think it’s gotten better over time with practice.

There is always a delicate balance between life and music. While I would love to spend all my time working on music, I try to find the right balance between both, and it's good to take breaks.

Writer's block is also a challenge at times. I find that walking away from the project for a couple of days can help spark new ideas when I come back. If not, then sometimes I'll put that song on hold and start something else. Maybe that one is just too early and my mind needs some time to process it.

Can you share any killer tips or techniques?

I learned early in life from a music teacher that there is no wrong way to write music. I've heard from people who have been professionally trained, that they come out of school with guidelines, i.e., don't do this and you can't do that, musically.

My advice is, If it's your way, then it's the right way. Go with your heart and master yourself. There is no substitution for putting in the time and going through the grind.

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

I sometimes use Splice to get specific sounds or ideas as I'm working on a track. Having access to a massive library of sounds online is a fantastic resource that I didn't have earlier in life. I'm still getting lost in all these new resources.

SoundBetter has also been great to connect and network with other musicians, engineers, and producers. If you are looking for a vocalist, I recently discovered Vocalizr, an excellent service that connects singers and producers.

Do you try and get feedback or suggestions to improve your music?

I love feedback and I often share ideas with friends and family to get their opinion. After the track has been released, I enjoy reading the comments that people leave and learning from their reactions. RepostExchange has been very helpful in this regard as I can use my credits to encourage feedback.

Another resource that I recently discovered is Drooble song reviews. For a small fee, you can get direct feedback on your song. This can be a great way to get tips and ideas but always stay true to yourself. Not all feedback needs to define your vision.

Which track are you most proud of and why?

'Letting Go (feat. Janie Kelley)' is a current favorite that Janie and I collaborated on. I like how the flow came out for this track. It’s very melodic and has a lot of effects that blend well. It’s got a unique vibe to it!

I also really like the track I did with Tara Louise, 'You Say'. I spent a lot of time working on this track over three months and learned a ton in the process.

On the instrumental side, 'Coming Home'. It's got a neat overlap of synths that blend well and many different melodies intertwined.

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

RepostExchange has been awesome. It's a fantastic tool for promoting and sharing with others. That's always been a challenge for new artists, getting your music heard, and RepostExchange has been an invaluable tool for that.