Fade
The Beat Strangler
Administrator
illest o.g.
KDVS has been a solid member here for a while now and his beats never disappoint. With a pretty impressive studio setup, he still relies on one of the most classic pieces of Hip Hop production gear, his beloved MPC. He recently took a time out from making beats to let us know what he's up to.
Name: KDVS - 1/3 of The JANs Location: Ise, NORWAY
1. What is your studio setup like?
MPC2500/Renaissance, Maschine, Korg R3 synth, Yamaha P95 EL-Piano, microphones, guitars, perc, drums, vinyl, Allen & Heath mixing desk, Apogee Converter, Logic, Event speakers.
2. What is the one software or hardware that you can't live without?
I have to say my MPC2500. I sometimes make music without, still the feeling I get when I'm down with it is amazing. My first MPC was the 500, I went from a PC to the 500 and I just loved the feel of making music on that little box, now the 2500 is in almost every song I create.
3. What is a typical day for you?
I wake up to my son singing in bed, then getting him ready for kindergarten. I go in the studio after and listen to what happened the other day. If I'm starting something new this day, I like to take a good hour to relax before I'm getting down. Important for me to be in the right "place" when creating. I love the dream feel in songs, the one sound that connects with the other, the "talking" between them. "Music is the feel you get between the sounds/notes" many good men/women have said. Sometimes I take walks in the forest or just a little meditation is perfect in this hour. I always want to learn something new, so for every new project I like to go a direction I normally wouldn't. There is always something new to learn.
I work in the studio from 10 - 16 every day. After my studio time, it's playing with my son and we are counting to 3, totally clear now. Love.
I'm also a huge Juventus fan, so I'm watching every football game they play.
4. What is the best advice that you've ever received?
Be you. Be the best version of you that you can possible manage to be.
5. Do you have any tips for other producers?
Enjoy life, every moment, every pad you hit, every sound you hear, everything you see/feel, you, anything. Haha. I think this is very important in general, but especially when working on something creative. Enjoy the moment, focus on your moment. Allow yourself to be expressed, enjoy it, whatever it is, accept it, this is you.
6. How long does it take to make a full beat?
I like to take my time, I guess I can put together a whole song in a week. It all depends, but normally I have no time limits so I like to use my time. If I'm working on a song for an album this could take months.
7. Do you have any studio tricks that help you work better and faster?
There is something magical with the "first takes"! The nerve, the feel, the timing. I do like to record many takes, but I almost every time go back to my original first take. When I'm doing a lot of takes, I tend to start to think too much. Thinking/ego has no place here, just feel. So keeping and accepting your first take will get you going faster.
8. What's in your near future?
I'm in the moment trying to put together some songs for an "Skranglebein - Musikkskole" EP. Also I'm in the making of a concept for a mixtape I hope to get out.
More Information
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