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

I started producing about eight years ago although I'd been playing the piano and doing band stuff years before that. I'm self-taught along with reaching out to the internet for knowledge about the mixing process, you can never know enough. 

What DAW(s) do you use and why?

I use a combination of DAWs such as Pro Tools and apps on the iPad Pro. As of right now, I'm saving to upgrade my system so I can make music without limitation. My hardware consists of a Korg Triton workstation keyboard and a Roland System-1 modular synth. I record into Pro Tools via optical SPDIF. My Roland is routed through my Korg’s sampler input then to a converter box/mbox 2 interface to my laptop. 

What are your favourite pieces of gear and why?

My favourite piece of gear like ever? Definitely my Korg Triton. It has 88 weighted keys for real piano feel, along with an onboard sampler, tube amp and sequencer. 

What are your favourite software plugins and why?

Korg Gadget is a versatile tool that can operate both as a DAW or plugin. For the most part as of right now I'm stuck with using more default Pro Tools plugins for mixing. Hopefully, with an upgrade, I get to have fun with FabFilter. 

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

My approach to writing a song can be using a melodica to write a melody on the go or playing the piano to find melodies and chord ideas. Once I have established an idea I take it to my Korg’s sequencer to be fine-tuned for recording into Pro Tools. 

What resources do you use to improve your craft?

I find ProductionAdvice.co.uk very useful. One of my favourites

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

 White Sea Studio on YouTube, lots of great advice and deep-dive info on the mixing/mastering process. Amazing content. 

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

I'd liked to have learned how to use a compressor a lot sooner, it would have saved me so much trouble. Also how to gain stage and keep things from suffering from a bad signal to noise ratio/clipping problem. I'd tell anyone not to mix so hot; keep faders down to reasonable levels. 

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

Right now my laptop is failing so I'm having to find other ways to record and mix full songs. Been using Korg Gadget a lot lately, it's been a big help. As for writer's block, getting away and eventually coming back with fresh ears helps for me. 

Can you share any killer tips or techniques?

Killer tips? For sure, use a frequency analyzer app for learning about waveforms and the timbre of different sounds. You'll develop an ear-eye connection that could really help your sound design process. 

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

I like Re-Ex and SoundCloud for the great feedback I've gotten from other musicians i.e mostly mix translation issues and how to fix them. 

Which track are you most proud of and why?

Repatriation is my favourite song I have uploaded due to being almost entirely a one-take improv, and half the sounds being created on my hardware synths. 

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

RepostExchange has helped me massively in reaching an audience. My SoundCloud activity has gone up a lot since I created my account. I've also collaborated with a few people I've met on the site. Nothing but positivity. 

Desert Island Gear

Top L-R: FabFilter, Korg Gadget software.

Bottom L-R: Korg Triton, Pro Tools, Roland System-1.

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This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.