SAMPLE GENIE PRODUCTION INTERVIEW SERIES:

XTRAH: 20 QUESTIONS
On behalf of our members thanks very much for taking the time out to answer these questions, this
kind of information is invaluable to the new generation coming through, knowledge is something
D&B can be very guarded of at times, but were really grateful our genies are willing to share a some
of what they know...

1. Firstly, in terms of the sound of cutting edge d&b: How do you see the sound and
technology progressing and advancing over the coming 24 months? Is there anything youd
like to hear / see more of?
I think in the last 2 years DNB has changed so much in cleanliness and in terms of sonic
perfection so if that is anything to go by the music is going to keep getting better and better
in terms of technicality and overall vibe, i can feel a slight change moving toward the original
funk breaks again and i for one love that.
2. Whats your studio set-up these days? Have you been able to fully let go of hardware, or
do you still have a circuit-based mistress or two!?
I love my EMU sampler and running things through my Mackie desk too! I also have a
couple of little analogue synths i use quite a bit, so no Im not totally digital yet although
some of the plugins these days are ridiculously good and could probably go without but
wouldnt choose to.
3. Do you think software can rival hardware, or maybe even surpass it in some ways?
I think in terms of convenience it totally could, i also think when there is plugins such as
Omnisphere which is a plugin that is easily better than a hardware synth for making
atmospherics but only because its something that there is no hardware answer for and i
dont believe there ever will be. in terms of compressors etc. UAD are now pushing things
forward and its more convenient and cheaper than buying the hardware plus it'll save you
having to re-mortgage your house too and there really isnt much in it sound wise.
4. In terms of layering of beats, there is a lot of mixed (and often conflicting) information out
there. What would you say are some good tips for layering up kicks / snares to get a good
result that translates on a variety of systems? Any heads-up on some useful plugins?

I dont use too many layers make sure every sound is a good core sample!! And make sure
you EQ the sounds correctly. I find that some people EQ to such an extremity that it just
sounds like 2 separate sounds, you have one really low layer and an ear piercing top layer in
snares for example with no cross over in frequencies in the mids that almost tie them to
each other when left in. I hope this makes sense i understand this may not be the most
advance technical terms but its the only way i can explain it in words...
5. Another topic of some split opinion is that of subtractive / additive EQ. Some producers
insist its better to cut EQ curves (ideally shelves) and not to boost as this reduces phase
distortion issues. However some producers say they boost the living sh*t out of all their
hits. Where do you stand on this!?
Do whatever sounds good and dont give a shit about what anyone says including me. If it
sounds good it is good.
6. What key frequencies areas do you focus on for the top of your drums / percussion to give
a nice sheen or energy?
Again i would love to say that there is a miracle frequency but you have to listen for it each
hit is different, one tip when it comes to 'tops' is that our ears are tuned to the frequency
scale of human voices between 1k and 5k especially. These areas can sometimes cause
trouble in a mix especially hi hats etc. so watch out for spikes!

7. Do you find you group all your drums together in a bus and further process them there?
Yes most of the time ill buss my drums and add some light limiting and saturation to 'glue'
them together.
8. OK so once you have a decent beat together (assuming you start here) whats normally a
good way to get the track rolling? Do you find as its D&B the bass line is the next thing to
work on and get grooving, or would you say the musical parts are worked on here?
with me its 99% of the time getting atmospheres together i find you can really get creative if
you give the track a 'mood' using soundscapes and drones rather than pads or pianos or
anything thats going to limit you to working in a scale sometimes its about the mood not so
much the key in which a song is in this might mean making your own scale if you will and not
always abiding by the 'laws' of western musicality as i said before if it sounds good its good!
9. Obviously each track is different but how would you say you make your bass line? Is this
something thats starts in a synth and then gets resampled into a sampler, or would you

then render is to audio in a sequencer where you can cut it further whats you technique
of choice?
Make some sounds on synths resample distort and do this again.

10. How much does Mid/Side processing feature in your production of Bass? Some people
have amazing sounds but never touch it, others seems to say its essential to get the
fatness. Do you like something on the side, Sir?
When it comes to bass (sub) is always mono! Mids you can play around with mid/side but
for me i like to play with mid/side EQ when it comes to ambience of the track and the higher
frequencies in the track.

11. Fav Synth?

Fab Filter
12. Fav Sampler?
Emu (analogue) ESX24 (digital)
13. If somehow by the power of Raa, any plugin could be magically turned into a gorgeous
lady. Which one would be the sexiest?
Ohmicide (she'd be filthy too!)
14. For vocal processing, what tips can you give from your experience to get the vocal
sounding really full in the mix, do you find you cut boost much, and how much does
compression feature in this?
Compress and leave some lows in!! theres nothing worse than a high passed cheap
sounding vocal especially if youve put time and effort into recording it yourself.
15. In terms of mixing down, do you have a system you work to? Some people like the minus
10db method, others seem to mix by ear. Where do you stand on this?
All by ear for me, and I dont even know what the -10db thing is! haha. please let me know
via email!! :D

16. OK so: Mono compatibility. How much do you think about this when writing music? Some
producers actually like the sides to cancel through a mono rig, just leaving the henchness
of the Mid information. Some producers use mostly mono. It would be interesting to know
if you have noticed anything to watch out for with regards the stereo mono
conversion.
Anything in stereo when listening in stereo has to be LOUD in the mix you almost have to
force yourself to leave it louder than you think it needs to be otherwise when you play it out
all that information will disappear. Great question!
XTRAH Artist-specific questions (as asked by the members)
17. How to get sounds flowing for a dark and dramatic intro.?
Fill all the gaps with something dont leave silence use lots of reverb and delays to make
sounds overlap and choose a palette of samples that work together and go out and record
some field recording stuff its great fun and the results are wicked! i do that kind of thing
with my daughter and we now have a record coming out where we recorded the some of
the sounds together :)
18. Tips for using the access virus and EMU sampler?
Run them through each other the first time i ran the emu back through the virus using the
distortions and filters i made 'shock treatment' (SGN033) it was great fun!
19. Whats the weirdest source sound youve used in a track!?
My daughter riding her scooter up a metal drain/guttering thing on someones driveway as
she got closer to the Mic the sound got creepier you have to guess what tune its in (answers
on a postcard)
20. Can you give any advice on how to arrange bass lines and keep them interesting and any
tips on making riffs and pitching hits about for that minimal / maximal effect?
21. Resample whole bass lines and play them in different keys i love pitching bass lines up or
mad FX it really inspires me because you start to hear things that synths just cant do its
almost like controlled chaos i suppose and a great way to find that special sound people will
remember.
Thanks Yasin! Brilliant set of answers there. We hope the members picked up something!