Producer Gal “Ladies First”

Name: Cara (aka Producer Gal)
Age: 26
Where from: Montreal, Canada
Contact:
Producer Gal on Myspace
Key Tracks: “Simply Thankful”

1)Ski Beats just tapped you as the winner of the Crate Kings beat battle. What was that competition like and how did it feel for him to pick you?
I love competing against other talented beatmakers. It’s always interesting to hear how someone else will come at you musically. I’ve won other beat competitions and the feeling is still the same. It’s rewarding to sit in front of my equipment, delve into a track, and make something within the hour that will affect people positively. I appreciate being held as the champion. But I think all the 60 beatmakers that took part in the contest are winners.

2) Are you more software or hardware based?
I love the hands on experience of playing equipment (keyboards, drum machines) as well as software flexibility.

3) What mistakes have you learned from in the studio?
Haha , I’ve learned that you cannot let everyone listen to what you’re creating. Next thing you know, that friend of a friend who came with your friend went home and now is trying to sound like a bad imitation of you.

4)What is the last piece of equipment you purchased?
I got me some EVENT 8 XL studio monitors

5) What is your favorite beat so far and how did you make it?
“Simply thankful” and “Staying away” because they have pretty and many elements. Cubase was the culprit.

6) How has being a woman effected your experience as a producer?
They say that men and women think differently. In many ways, this is true. Musically, I don’t know that there is a difference. If you love and respect music, it shouldn’t matter what your gender is. I don’t know, maybe the fact that I’m a woman makes me less brutal to critique someone’s work? (haha) And as far as work opportunities, it’s all about how consistent a person can be. And how efficient they are in a pressure situation. As someone once said “A real producer will be able to work on the spot. On demand.” This is a skill we all have to work on, no matter what field you work in.

Got some heat? Send an MP3 of your best beat to hydrosonics@nodfactor.com. Registered users will have priority in response!

Hydrosonics-JH “Home Bass”

Name: JH

Age: 22

Representing: Virginia

Side hustle until first placement:Network Administrator

Contact: http://www.myspace.com/jhaudio

Key Tracks: “Take Me Home,” “Father Forgive Me”

When did you first start producing and with what equipment?
I started when I was around 14 or 15 with this computer program called Hammerhead Rhythm Station. It was like an emulation of a Roland 909.

How would you describe your sound?
My sound has been described as organic soul. I would definitely say it’s organic. I usually build the drum tracks ‘inside the box’ and then my guitar player, Chris Conner, will typically lay down a live bass and guitar tack. If I add synths, I try to use things that are as realistic sounding as possible just to keep the raw vibe to it. I listen to a wide range of music so when I sit down to make a beat I don’t go in with the intention to make any certain genre. All I want to do is make music that I can enjoy myself and if other people happen to like it, that’s just an added bonus.

What was the last piece of equipment you acquired? Are you more software, hardware or instruments?The last thing I bought was an M-Audio Keystation, recommended by my friend QDIII back when I was trying to move away from using samples. The setup we use pretty much incorporates software, hardware, and live instruments. I do most of the drum programming with software. The live instruments are recorded through a hardware setup. I use several VSTi’s for strings, pianos, trumpets, etc. In the end, everything is sequenced using software. Nothing is really off limits as long as it sounds good.

What mistakes have you made in recording that you’ve learned from?
Trying to over process and clean live guitar and bass tracks. I’ve found its best to leave the little blemishes rather than to process the recording 500 times, because in the end you lose the feeling and soul of it all. I’ts best to be close to the sound you want before recording, rather than trying to achieve it after the fact.
What artist would you like to make a beat for the most and why?
I would love to do a track for Obie Trice. I think he is one of the most talented artists out there today. I don’t think he gets the respect he deserves though.

Who are you currently making beats for/current projects?
Currently, I’m working on some new music with Spot. After we did the song ‘Take Me Home’ it was obvious to both of us I think how well our sounds meshed. His song writing abilities are crazy. He’s definitely an artist to check up on if you haven’t already. I’ve also got something in the works with Rich Hil. He’s extremely talented and the style of music he’s doing really can’t be defined, it’s just great music. That’s what I love most about his stuff though.

Think you got heat? Email an MP3 of your best beat to hydrosonics@nodfactor.com

Note: Submission will automatically add you to Nodfactor.com’s mailing list.

King Me

In my former life as Editor of Scratch magazine I picked an up-and-coming producer out of a box of hundreds that I thought was illmatic. His name was King Karnov. It’s taken about three years and a lot of politics but my man has his first official joint for Freddie Foxx, “Dream Catcher,” being spun by DJ PRemier on Sirius Satellite radio. “You opened the door for me and I appreciate it, I definitely learned a lot, ” says Karnov. “If I had to do it again I would do it the same way. I learned a lot about the business. It’s a lot more than doing a beat and sending it out. You gotta track out everything, separate the drums…there’s a lot more to it.”

Karnov is also working on Aftermath Artist Bishop Lamont’s debut CD, a track called “You Ain’t Fresh.” “I have one version where I replayed all the instruments, but I think he’s gonna use the sample version. Once I get the paperwork done I’ll tell you which sample.”

Think you’ve got heat? Email an MP3 of your best beat to hydrosonics@nodfactor.com

« Previous Page