DSF Q&A Sessions : The Widdler : Closed For Questions

[nowaysj]

I'd like to think that I do that. But more often than not, I just let bygones be bygones. Mad props to you for following through.

[legend4ry]

One more question, what's the longest you spent on a tune that you eventually gave up on or have yet to finish?

Hmm... there was a Hip hop tune I started almost 2 years ago that is still in the works, I just cant seem to find the best way to give it some life, variety, and transition. The beat itself it tight though, hopefully It will be ready for the next album


A lot of my tunes though are like that, maybe not two years but some start as loops and don't get advanced for weeks or months, Then I work on them little by little

I don't know anyone who can do it any other way... I remember I once tried the "have one tune at a time on the go" technique, I ended up literally getting depressed, LITERALLY.

[paravrais]

I don't know anyone who can do it any other way... I remember I once tried the "have one tune at a time on the go" technique, I ended up literally getting depressed, LITERALLY.

Same here, It's a very upsetting time for any producer.

@Widdler, do you try to never leave a tune unfinished then? I abandon the ones I don't feel are working far too often :\

[nitz]

1. Indeed, it's shit to be honest. Yeah, i have seen the Record's mixer looks badboy, and probably sound tons beat. It was a emulation of a SSL mixer was it not? BTW, has the sound engine in Record been update, sounding better then Reason's? ( I just don't have the moniesss atm to buy it ... )

2. Channels running into the 14.2 mixer... then going into logic.. still sounds better...? Say if you st8 take each channel from Reason to Logic per say, instead of running the channels into the 14.2 mixer, will it not sound ever more better? Even more clarity. One because, its not going into Reason's mixer, two, Sound engine from Logic is far supreme compared to Reason's. About combating this problem in reason alone, i have found what you have said about the use of panning reverb ect to be a significant improvement. Out of many of different techniques i have tried in the pass to combat the problem, this seems to have allways been the most efficient one. Take notice Reason user...!

Sorry to cut this short, i have to run, i will be away for a day or so, but will continue this when i came back.

1. Records mixer is basically a mini SSL. With compression/sidechain/gate SSl style eq, 8 sends , low/high, insert fx pass all for each channel. I'm almost 100 percent sure the sound engine in Record has been updated, or maybe it was just not using the 14.2, but I could hear a jump in clarity and space. However it is still a few steps below the clarity of Logic. Tbh I have heard you tunes and they don't sound like they come from reason, nice wide warm sound, so I don't think you should worry too much for now Maybe look into "acquiring" Logic (sheesh I sound like a spokesperson now) since it doesn't need a dongle.


2. I'm pretty sure if you go direct to logic rather than through the 14.2 it will sound even better, logic somehow makes everything sound better regardless though. I remember exporting a drum loop from an old rreason 3 project. I exported through the 14.2 mixer and on it's own the export sounded just like you would expect reason 3-4 to sound like. Then however when i imported into logic it instanly sounded better. I don't know what it is but the actual algorithm for sound processing in Logic is miles ahead to the point it improves most anything you import into it.

Maybe macc or depone know more about that, I'm just a newbie at technology

Sorry for cutting that short. Anyway am back.

Cool track for the stereo imager, i might have to use that. cheers

I see, yeah when i first seen it i was petty sure propellerhead's were trying to emulate the SSL. So are you still using the build in EQ on the mixer (much much better i assume ) rather then the Mclass one? Yeah, they must have update the sound engine, hence the increase in clarity and depth. I really like Logic, it's layout it wicked, the sound it produces it top notch, and generally a good DAW. That elastic mode, flex time i think it's called ... bang! this shit is wicked. But i dont think am contemplating moving to logic. (yet ? ), although it will increase my sound abit.

Thanks man... Am not worried about my ability in achieving a fully polished mixdown and master from reason solely. I believe have REASONABLE skills and knowledge to achieve this, however, i have always been a believer that there is always room for improvement, no such thing is " i know it all " Thus, the reason why am question you these questions, to improve my knowledge, and gain a even more comprehensive understanding. (and am making you write alot, yes i know, by bad hehe )

no doogle... hmm interesting

Dam fliping logic !

Haha, am more of a musical person then a technology man as well

[xthewiddler]

I don't know anyone who can do it any other way... I remember I once tried the "have one tune at a time on the go" technique, I ended up literally getting depressed, LITERALLY.

Same here, It's a very upsetting time for any producer.

@Widdler, do you try to never leave a tune unfinished then? I abandon the ones I don't feel are working far too often :\

Ohhh yes. Very much so, I have tons of projects at the 40-50 percent done stage that either I can't find the right mood or direction for, or I just decided to move on. I don't delete them though because sometimes I go back and search old project files for inspiration or sounds to use.

[xthewiddler]

1. Indeed, it's shit to be honest. Yeah, i have seen the Record's mixer looks badboy, and probably sound tons beat. It was a emulation of a SSL mixer was it not? BTW, has the sound engine in Record been update, sounding better then Reason's? ( I just don't have the moniesss atm to buy it ... )

2. Channels running into the 14.2 mixer... then going into logic.. still sounds better...? Say if you st8 take each channel from Reason to Logic per say, instead of running the channels into the 14.2 mixer, will it not sound ever more better? Even more clarity. One because, its not going into Reason's mixer, two, Sound engine from Logic is far supreme compared to Reason's. About combating this problem in reason alone, i have found what you have said about the use of panning reverb ect to be a significant improvement. Out of many of different techniques i have tried in the pass to combat the problem, this seems to have allways been the most efficient one. Take notice Reason user...!

Sorry to cut this short, i have to run, i will be away for a day or so, but will continue this when i came back.

1. Records mixer is basically a mini SSL. With compression/sidechain/gate SSl style eq, 8 sends , low/high, insert fx pass all for each channel. I'm almost 100 percent sure the sound engine in Record has been updated, or maybe it was just not using the 14.2, but I could hear a jump in clarity and space. However it is still a few steps below the clarity of Logic. Tbh I have heard you tunes and they don't sound like they come from reason, nice wide warm sound, so I don't think you should worry too much for now Maybe look into "acquiring" Logic (sheesh I sound like a spokesperson now) since it doesn't need a dongle.


2. I'm pretty sure if you go direct to logic rather than through the 14.2 it will sound even better, logic somehow makes everything sound better regardless though. I remember exporting a drum loop from an old rreason 3 project. I exported through the 14.2 mixer and on it's own the export sounded just like you would expect reason 3-4 to sound like. Then however when i imported into logic it instanly sounded better. I don't know what it is but the actual algorithm for sound processing in Logic is miles ahead to the point it improves most anything you import into it.

Maybe macc or depone know more about that, I'm just a newbie at technology

Sorry for cutting that short. Anyway am back.

Cool track for the stereo imager, i might have to use that. cheers

I see, yeah when i first seen it i was petty sure propellerhead's were trying to emulate the SSL. So are you still using the build in EQ on the mixer (much much better i assume ) rather then the Mclass one? Yeah, they must have update the sound engine, hence the increase in clarity and depth. I really like Logic, it's layout it wicked, the sound it produces it top notch, and generally a good DAW. That elastic mode, flex time i think it's called ... bang! this shit is wicked. But i dont think am contemplating moving to logic. (yet ? ), although it will increase my sound abit.

Thanks man... Am not worried about my ability in achieving a fully polished mixdown and master from reason solely. I believe have REASONABLE skills and knowledge to achieve this, however, i have always been a believer that there is always room for improvement, no such thing is " i know it all " Thus, the reason why am question you these questions, to improve my knowledge, and gain a even more comprehensive understanding. (and am making you write alot, yes i know, by bad hehe )

no doogle... hmm interesting

Dam fliping logic !

Haha, am more of a musical person then a technology man as well

The only time I really use the mclass is within combinators. For example if I have a redrum in a combi and I want to eq one of the hits within the set of sounds I'll quickly through that in the chain. The rest has been the new mixers eq.

I am right there with you, "knowing it all" is a good way to know nothing. I am learning everyday and have many many many producers I look up to.

I have recently bought the book "Mixing Audio: Concept, Practice and Tools" by Roey Izhaki, which is amazingly informative and comes with a cd of audio examples for each chapter. http://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Audio-Conc ... 0240520688 It ha sbeen my right hand man these pastfew weeks as I learn logic and proper mixing.

[nowaysj]

That book absolutely humbles me. I never put any where near that effort into mixing.

[yamaz]

What kind of stuff do you find yourself typically automating throughout the track, reverb, filter frequency, etc?

As far as your incidentals, blips and extra sounds, how do you go about adding them and previewing them in context of your song and speeding up the workflow of finding which ones you like and decide to use?

How do you go about getting those nice sounding offbeat dubby chord stabs?

I noticed in your screenshots that you use reverb on all your aux send/returns of your mixer? Is there a reason you prefer to do that over using a mix of effects like delay/chorus/flanger/scream? Do you find you like using these other effects as inserts instead?

When you say, "I usually have 4-5 tracks for drums (kick, snare, hats/rides, percussion, percussive fx)" - do you mean you use separate instances of redrum for kick and snare, etc? Or that you use one instance of redrum and just separate the channels out in sequencer?

Do you sidechain?

----Big upz for doing this man, you're definitely one of my favorite artists and I love to play your tunez at shows, especially for that dubby raggae kinda feel

-yamaz

[nitz]

1. Indeed, it's shit to be honest. Yeah, i have seen the Record's mixer looks badboy, and probably sound tons beat. It was a emulation of a SSL mixer was it not? BTW, has the sound engine in Record been update, sounding better then Reason's? ( I just don't have the moniesss atm to buy it ... )

2. Channels running into the 14.2 mixer... then going into logic.. still sounds better...? Say if you st8 take each channel from Reason to Logic per say, instead of running the channels into the 14.2 mixer, will it not sound ever more better? Even more clarity. One because, its not going into Reason's mixer, two, Sound engine from Logic is far supreme compared to Reason's. About combating this problem in reason alone, i have found what you have said about the use of panning reverb ect to be a significant improvement. Out of many of different techniques i have tried in the pass to combat the problem, this seems to have allways been the most efficient one. Take notice Reason user...!

Sorry to cut this short, i have to run, i will be away for a day or so, but will continue this when i came back.

1. Records mixer is basically a mini SSL. With compression/sidechain/gate SSl style eq, 8 sends , low/high, insert fx pass all for each channel. I'm almost 100 percent sure the sound engine in Record has been updated, or maybe it was just not using the 14.2, but I could hear a jump in clarity and space. However it is still a few steps below the clarity of Logic. Tbh I have heard you tunes and they don't sound like they come from reason, nice wide warm sound, so I don't think you should worry too much for now Maybe look into "acquiring" Logic (sheesh I sound like a spokesperson now) since it doesn't need a dongle.


2. I'm pretty sure if you go direct to logic rather than through the 14.2 it will sound even better, logic somehow makes everything sound better regardless though. I remember exporting a drum loop from an old rreason 3 project. I exported through the 14.2 mixer and on it's own the export sounded just like you would expect reason 3-4 to sound like. Then however when i imported into logic it instanly sounded better. I don't know what it is but the actual algorithm for sound processing in Logic is miles ahead to the point it improves most anything you import into it.

Maybe macc or depone know more about that, I'm just a newbie at technology

Sorry for cutting that short. Anyway am back.

Cool track for the stereo imager, i might have to use that. cheers

I see, yeah when i first seen it i was petty sure propellerhead's were trying to emulate the SSL. So are you still using the build in EQ on the mixer (much much better i assume ) rather then the Mclass one? Yeah, they must have update the sound engine, hence the increase in clarity and depth. I really like Logic, it's layout it wicked, the sound it produces it top notch, and generally a good DAW. That elastic mode, flex time i think it's called ... bang! this shit is wicked. But i dont think am contemplating moving to logic. (yet ? ), although it will increase my sound abit.

Thanks man... Am not worried about my ability in achieving a fully polished mixdown and master from reason solely. I believe have REASONABLE skills and knowledge to achieve this, however, i have always been a believer that there is always room for improvement, no such thing is " i know it all " Thus, the reason why am question you these questions, to improve my knowledge, and gain a even more comprehensive understanding. (and am making you write alot, yes i know, by bad hehe )

no doogle... hmm interesting

Dam fliping logic !

Haha, am more of a musical person then a technology man as well

The only time I really use the mclass is within combinators. For example if I have a redrum in a combi and I want to eq one of the hits within the set of sounds I'll quickly through that in the chain. The rest has been the new mixers eq.

I am right there with you, "knowing it all" is a good way to know nothing. I am learning everyday and have many many many producers I look up to.

I have recently bought the book "Mixing Audio: Concept, Practice and Tools" by Roey Izhaki, which is amazingly informative and comes with a cd of audio examples for each chapter. http://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Audio-Conc ... 0240520688 It ha sbeen my right hand man these pastfew weeks as I learn logic and proper mixing.

I see, i understand, only when you want an individual sound/audio to be EQ in a comb you will use the Mclass. Otherwise you are EQing the whole signal from the build in EQ found in the mixer. Unfortunately, people like me who was still on Reason, can not rely on that build in EQ.

That's the one man, not such thing as "am perfect, and i know it all" Mixing and mastering engineering who have been doing their job for 15 + years still learn new tricks... What can of musicals/producers do you look up too? (does not have to be dubstep, in fact leave them out)

Thanks for the info on the book, it looks good, especially with the audio as well. The book i read a few years ago that really got my going with the in depth understand of mixing was Bobby Owsinski, the mixing engineer's handbook! the book is brilliant. Most be the best book i have ever read, it also had alot of interview with well known engineers. Not more informational then Bob Katz legendary mastering audio book, but its quite up their. Best mixing book i have ever read, highly recommendable to anybody who takes mixing seriously. (very old book tho, 7/8 + years plus i think)
http://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Engineers- ... t_ep_dpi_1

Big up, much respect for answering my queries

[back2onett]

One more question, what's the longest you spent on a tune that you eventually gave up on or have yet to finish?

Hmm... there was a Hip hop tune I started almost 2 years ago that is still in the works, I just cant seem to find the best way to give it some life, variety, and transition. The beat itself it tight though, hopefully It will be ready for the next album


A lot of my tunes though are like that, maybe not two years but some start as loops and don't get advanced for weeks or months, Then I work on them little by little

this is one of the most reassuring things I've read on this forum, I've still got tracks from 6 months ago that constantly in the works and I thought I was a lost cause, good to know there's still hope.

[Basic A]

What all different genres has your work spanned then?

Assuming if your spreading into hiphop, your like me n looking around at other options outside of dubstep...

[aftee]

I don't know anyone who can do it any other way... I remember I once tried the "have one tune at a time on the go" technique, I ended up literally getting depressed, LITERALLY.

Same here, It's a very upsetting time for any producer.

@Widdler, do you try to never leave a tune unfinished then? I abandon the ones I don't feel are working far too often :\

Ohhh yes. Very much so, I have tons of projects at the 40-50 percent done stage that either I can't find the right mood or direction for, or I just decided to move on. I don't delete them though because sometimes I go back and search old project files for inspiration or sounds to use.

So it's fine for me to have hundreds of saved projects even if 70% of them are shit? Ahaha..Good general advice in here. Origin is huge and I don't think I've ever disliked a track from you. You make tunes in all sorts of different styles and encompass what I strive to be in a musician. Just saying I love the music. *end kiss-ass*

[xthewiddler]

What all different genres has your work spanned then?

Assuming if your spreading into hiphop, your like me n looking around at other options outside of dubstep...

I listen to and play all genres. I didn't even know what dubstep was until late 2007. Before that I was in a few bands (http://www.myspace.com/freedomfromzombies listen to fractals) ranging from hardcore to blues. Been making hip hop type beats for as long as I have had reason. I even had a few bouts of ambeince (http://www.myspace.com/itsyoni). So basically dubstep was just a part of the music making phases, that i guess I stuck with due to the awesome response and blossoming scene. It was in no way the first type of music I was making though. I would say the original music I was making was just me and my guitar.

In the future I hope to come full circle with all the genres I am familiar with and use the skills needed for each to create some more hybrids and try to push the scene forward.

[xthewiddler]

I don't know anyone who can do it any other way... I remember I once tried the "have one tune at a time on the go" technique, I ended up literally getting depressed, LITERALLY.

Same here, It's a very upsetting time for any producer.

@Widdler, do you try to never leave a tune unfinished then? I abandon the ones I don't feel are working far too often :\

Ohhh yes. Very much so, I have tons of projects at the 40-50 percent done stage that either I can't find the right mood or direction for, or I just decided to move on. I don't delete them though because sometimes I go back and search old project files for inspiration or sounds to use.

So it's fine for me to have hundreds of saved projects even if 70% of them are shit? Ahaha..Good general advice in here. Origin is huge and I don't think I've ever disliked a track from you. You make tunes in all sorts of different styles and encompass what I strive to be in a musician. Just saying I love the music. *end kiss-ass*

Out of the 700 or so have started projects I have maybe 40 are any good lol. So ya don't worry about building up non finished tracks, they are good for future reference and such.

Glad ya like the beats

[xthewiddler]

One more question, what's the longest you spent on a tune that you eventually gave up on or have yet to finish?

Hmm... there was a Hip hop tune I started almost 2 years ago that is still in the works, I just cant seem to find the best way to give it some life, variety, and transition. The beat itself it tight though, hopefully It will be ready for the next album


A lot of my tunes though are like that, maybe not two years but some start as loops and don't get advanced for weeks or months, Then I work on them little by little

this is one of the most reassuring things I've read on this forum, I've still got tracks from 6 months ago that constantly in the works and I thought I was a lost cause, good to know there's still hope.

From an outsiders perspective the tune will be new, even though you have heard it for months, so keep that in mind too.

[aftee]

What's your average rate for finishing tunes? Or does it seem to fluctuate from month to month when you just get in a mood and finish up loads. I can start 50-100 new tracks in a 1-2 month period but actually only end up finishing one after 2-3 months.

[xthewiddler]

What's your average rate for finishing tunes? Or does it seem to fluctuate from month to month when you just get in a mood and finish up loads. I can start 50-100 new tracks in a 1-2 month period but actually only end up finishing one after 2-3 months.

When I first started dubstep it was summer after high school, so the rate of finishing tunes was like 1 every week or two. Nowadays it is more like your schedule which tbh is better. Rome wasn't built in a day, and as easy as it is to lay down an idea for a tune in an hour/day , it isn't nearly near it's full potential at that point.

Nowadays everything happens so fast.... we need to just slow down. EVERYTHING needs to slow down (except maybe my internet connection, FASTER PORN TORRENTS FASTER!)

[nowaysj]

(http://www.myspace.com/itsyoni).

hahaha, didn't know that was you. I've listened to this stuff before. And "ambient"! hahahah.

[jameshk]

Big up for doing this, mad respect to you. You're one of the artists that got me into dubstep, glad to see you make hip-hop too. I've been producing hip-hop for 6 years now, let me know if you ever wana collab or something.

My question to you is, how much time do you usually spend on making tunes every week? is it consistant, or flucuates much.

Also, how do you get over writers block? I'm plagued by it terribly at the moment.

Take it easy bro.

[xthewiddler]

Big up for doing this, mad respect to you. You're one of the artists that got me into dubstep, glad to see you make hip-hop too. I've been producing hip-hop for 6 years now, let me know if you ever wana collab or something.

My question to you is, how much time do you usually spend on making tunes every week? is it consistant, or flucuates much.

Also, how do you get over writers block? I'm plagued by it terribly at the moment.

Take it easy bro.

Hmm In the past it was a few hours a day, mostly learning and experimenting. Nowadays I'll probably get in at least 2-4 hours per session doing about 3-5 sessions per week. That being said tough lately I have been spending more time on learning about sound, mixing, etc. Doing loads of experiments and reading (mentioned a great book above). I feel as a producer I hit a wall and wanted to move forward so this is the start.

I am kind of in a writers block situation myself. The best things for it in my opinion are to spend time doing other things. Get your mind out of the production mode and do other things. Sports, painting, vacation, ANYTHING and don't make any music until you really can't hold out anymore , and then get back into it.

A more short term way to combat it i think is to do things you don't normally do. Open up a new project and start it in a way you have never started a tune, build a drum kit that isnt what you normally do etc.. Sometimes that works.