In The Studio

In the studio with iMVD

This week, we catch up with Poland-based producer, iMVD!

Jaz from the RepostExchange Team

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

I've been producing music since April 2015. I first started learning at my friend's home. He showed me all the important basics like EQ, sidechain etc. After I had learned more or less, I started learning by myself (trial and error method, constructive criticism or feedback and mostly by comparing my music to others).

What DAW(s) do you use and why?

I started using FL Studio. I know it is the most popular DAW, but a friend who used to teach me was using it. I liked it, so I continued with FL Studio.

What are your favourite pieces of gear and why?

Well, my studio is built with my laptop and a pair of studio headphones. For five years I was using simple in-ear headphones and I decided to buy myself studio ones (Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO) because it is important to keep your ears fresh and clean. Using in-ear ones really affected my hearing and made it muddy.

What are your favourite software plugins and why?

My favourite plugin ever is Serum (synthesizer plugin). I started using it for the first time in 2016 and I loved it. It has all the functions I need such as distortion, chorus etc., compressor, reverb, EQ, various wavetables, filters and many, many more. It is really simple to use.

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

Well, I cannot really describe this. When I started making music, I was producing a lot (track after track). Last time I lost my willingness and started having a less positive attitude, but I am trying to keep negative thoughts quiet and focus on producing. Travelling and being in new places really motivates me.

What resources do you use to improve your craft?

I am listening to lots of music and comparing it to my productions (mixing etc.) Usually, I am just creating a track and if I decide it is enough, I am sending it to labels or uploading by myself, but after some time I am realizing some small details. Learning from mistakes is what really improves my craft.

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

I never watched any YouTube tutorials. I am learning by myself, so I can not reply to this question.

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

I wish I'd learned mixing and sound design way earlier so it would really help me grow more.

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

Writer's block is the worst thing in a producer's life. You have a lot of ideas, but no willingness to make anything. As I said in the previously, I am trying to keep my mind positive and clean and focused on music, because it is the thing that makes me happy. Going back to the past and reading all the motivating and positive comments from people under my tracks/remixes actually bring me more power for future productions and kill writer's block.

Blocks and no motivation are usually caused by worse well-being, too much focus on different things instead of your own needs. A piece of advice to producers: you should stop being so sensitive and realize that everything is inside our head. You should be stronger and decide how you feel. You should focus on all the positive things that will help you in the future. You should focus on life. You have one chance and you can't give up in any way. Do music you love the most and do not be forced to change your style only to sign big labels because it actually destroys your creativity. With regards to time, I am actually managing my own label and having a full-time job, so I have less time for my music. I decided that from now I will use every break to complete my responsibilities, so I will have more time to produce at home.

Can you share any killer tips or techniques?

The most important tip is to make a lot of breaks and keep your ears clean. I can not tell any techniques as I am mixing everything through hearing. Every production is different and needs different mixing, arrangement. The only thing I can tell is to decrease the mud from 200 Hz to 300 Hz. It actually makes your track way too muddy.

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

Every time a friend of mine tells me what to improve, I am using it and trying to make my productions sound way better. Of course, I am listening to everyone and comparing their feedback in the end.

Which track are you most proud of and why?

I am proud of my track, Tengu. This is the very first release on a label I dreamed of, Mixmash Records. This one also started the new era of my future productions.