... 1point5
So Dan welcome to the Hi Grade fam! tell us a bit about the release 'warp zone ep'...
First things first, what sequencer & software are you currently using?
- I use Logic Pro 9, mostly just stock plugins. Sometimes a little bit of NI Massive here and there but try not to use it much as it's really overused and you can usually hear when it's been used a mile off. Logic's stock synths can be really really good if you know how to use them.
Do you predominantly use midi, audio or a bit of both?
- I tend to create most of my synths and FX in midi and then convert them to audio to mess with them a bit more, so I'd say a bit of both. Most of my drums are usually just single audio samples dropped in to the project, I don't really like using drum sampler plugins.
What hardware do you use or are you purely a software man?
- Well as much as I'd love some real analogue synths to play with, most hardware sequencers and samplers etc. are pretty much obsolete now. I feel I pretty much have everything I need in my computer for what I'm doing. I'm interested in investing in a decent microphone sometime soon though for recording random sounds to put in my projects plus maybe a bit of guitar! I DJ using CDs. I hate having to stare at a screen the whole time when I'm meant to be mixing although I have nothing against people who use Traktor etc, some software based DJs can do some really impressive stuff nowadays.
How you feel the dubstep scene currently is in the uk and the direction you see it going in the future
- I think the only real problem with the dubstep scene is that the word 'dubstep' doesn't really mean anything any more. It seems ridiculous that Mala and Doctor P belong to the same genre but there's no reason to hate Doctor P for that, he's still a great producer. The way I can see it progressing is to develop clearly defined subgenres. It's a real shame that so many people think that they dislike dubstep when they haven't even heard anything remotely similar to the deep stuff of a few years ago, but that doesn't mean that the heavier stuff is bad music.
How would you describe your current sound and where do you take your inspiration from?
- My style is pretty heavy but I like to keep a bit of dub influence in there, offbeat reggae chords never got old! Warp Zone and Goblin are two tracks that also have an obvious breaks influence which I think can be a handy thing to break up the kick/snare monotony of an hour-long dubstep DJ set. I also take a lot of inspiration from drum and bass, which I probably listen to more than dubstep.
Tell us your top five dubstep producers of all time!
- Truth, Skream, Requake, Trolley Snatcha and Datsik. I'm not so keen on Datsik's recent style but darker stuff like Gizmo is great and was some of the first stuff that got me into heavier dubstep. Skream's self-titled debut album is one of the best electronic albums ever made, a real stripped-back pure blend of dub and garage.
And finally, what is the worst or most embarrassing record / cd you've ever purchased?
- I think it'd probably have to be The Best of Yngwie Malmsteen. Cheesy as fuck 80s shred power metal!
