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

I've been producing music for three years now. Before producing I was into collecting vinyl and turntablism. After while I wanted to make my own music and I watched a lot of tutorials on YouTube about sampling and making beats. I bought myself a Roland SP-404 to start sampling from vinyl and making beats. Then I realised I also wanted to make my own samples and get into synthesizers.

What DAW(s) do you use and why?

I use Ableton Live but I don't know why - probably cause some of my friends use it!

What are your favourite pieces of gear and why?

I like the Novation Launchpad Pro because it has a scale mode that locks all the pads into notes of a musical scale. It really helps me experiment. I also love the effects on Roland SP-404 which is my first gear. I'm super comfortable using it.

What are your favourite software plugins and why?

I like the sound of the 1980s, so I use Arturia V Collection. It puts realistic recreations of the legendary synths such as Yamaha DX7 which is perfect for me.

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

Mostly it starts on a funky breakbeat sample I find, then I start to sequence random notes or use arpeggiator till something comes up. Then I figure in some chords and start to design my sounds and make a loop.

What resources do you use to improve your craft?

I watch Julien Earle. He breaks down works by famous musicians on YouTube.

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?

Music theory and gain staging.

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

I usually get writer’s block when my day job gets busy. When that happens my free time becomes very precious and I want to create something quick which can be stressful. When that happens I listen to some music to stay motivated and that puts me back on track to create.

Can you share any killer tips or techniques?

As I mentioned before, gain staging for a better mix. Also, listen to your music on your phone or different headphones before putting it online.

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

I'm lucky that I have a few musician friends who give me real critique and suggestions about my music and I learn a lot from them. It really improves my music every time. I also read all the comments on SoundCloud!

Which track are you most proud of and why?

I guess I'm most proud of Dystopian Paradise. Before starting the track, I imagined that I was making a score for Æon Flux, one of my favourite science fiction animated television series that was on MTV in 1991, which always inspired me. It was fun to create though it wasn't real.

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

When I posted my first track on SoundCloud I didn't get any feedback at all. I was disappointed and thought what's the use if nobody is going to listen to my music? After searching on the web, I discovered RepostExchange and then boom!!! The feedback I received kept me motivated to put more tracks on the web. It's also a great way to discover new artists and innovative music. Sometimes I just spend time there for inspiration and that's what I really love about RepostExchange.

Desert Island Gear

Top L-R: Xfer LFO Tool, IK Multimedia Modo Bass.

Bottom L-R: Novation Launchpad Pro, Arturia V Collection, Roland SP-404SX.

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This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.