I started out DJ’ing in the late ’90s at Middlesex University & Bagleys Film Studios. I tried making music back then with Cubase and a keyboard but the stuff I made was awful! Later I started to experiment with GarageBand on the iPad - I found the touch screen to be the most effective tactile way to connect with the instruments and loops. I have spent years playing with it just for fun and would save the stuff I made. When I decided to finally make some music I already had 20-30 demos that I revisited to see what sound I could use.
I make all my music with GarageBand on an iPad and do some pre & post-production using Audacity on my PC.
Apple iPad, plus Audio Technica AG1 headphones because I can make music anywhere and at any time! My Bumblebee professional cardioid USB mic - works with both my iPad & PC so good for recording when out or at home! The NVIDIA RTX Voice has unbelievable noise cancelation using AI. Finally, Audacity, great for slicing up your tracks when building loops, and also has some nice effects.
So far I have not used software plugins - I prefer to make my music by layering and cutting up sounds.
Some tracks I start out with a very clear idea of what I want to make, other tracks I will just play with different sounds and uncover something special. I start out creating that sound (and variations of it) - then I take those loops and play around with them (just like a DJ mix set) - after that, I listen to what I have recorded and cut it up again - taking out the bits that I don’t like and looping the stuff that works. Then I’ll play it back and start adding layers of sound. Once the main part is done I try to leave it alone for a day and come back for a listen - then I will make adjustments.
I prefer to play around and experiment by myself. I generally avoid tutorials as I want to maintain my own unique sound and not be influenced by others - however, if I hear an effect that I like I try to recreate it on my own (and sometimes get a completely new sound).
This one!!! If you have an NVIDIA card this uses AI to provide perfect noise cancellation for your vocal recordings!
Believe in yourself and also that you don’t need to spend lots of money on a studio to make good music!
I am a single parent so my time is precious - I generally do my writing in the late evenings-night and early morning.
Play around with your sounds like a DJ set, experiment without fear, and record what you are doing... who knows, you may unearth something special.
I have used SoundCloud's Dolby mastering service for some tracks.
By connecting with fans and fellow artists through SoundCloud and RepostExchange!
That's a tough one. Two of my top three tracks are collaborations with Masayuki Sakasai, 'The Darkest Day of Disco featuring First Light', which was our first collaboration. I listened to his track and wanted to make an evil alternative - please have a listen and tell me if I succeeded!
It has inspired me to make more music - I have produced so much material over the past few months!
Connect with Nick Nicolaides on SoundCloud, Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube.
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This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.