Getting into Electro: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established & Upcoming Artists

Out of all the electronic music genres that the Roland TR-808 has had an influence on, it’s hard not to put Electro near the top of that list. With a genre that has been so heavily influenced by the use of gear, it’s a great opportunity to see how some up and coming producers are incorporating theirs 40 years later.

By Aron PeakContributing Author

Article photo - Getting into Electro: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established & Upcoming Artists


This article is part of Musicngear's "Getting into" series: Getting into Metal MusicGetting into Dub & ReggaeGetting into PsytranceGetting into Neo Soul/FunkGetting into House MusicGetting into DubstepGetting into SynthwaveGetting into Alternative/Indie Electronic, and Getting into Synth-Pop with gear, techniques and practical advice from established artists.


J WAX

Dundee native, Edinburgh-based J Wax only started to release music in 2018, but in a short space of time, this young DJ and producer has already released with Fade To Zaire, Unit Two Records, Clipp art and via his own imprint, Hilltown Disco. With his sets encompassing everything from acid, breakbeat, electro, house and more, J Wax is an artist gathering a serious amount of pace.

Article photo - Getting into Electro: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established & Upcoming Artists

I honestly believe that simple and some cheapish gear is all you need to start making great productions!

Musicngear: What gear do you use and recommend?

I currently use an Acorn Masterkey 61 midi keyboard, Akai MPD218 drum pad and a Native Instruments Komplete Audio 1.

I honestly believe that simple and some cheapish gear is all you need to start making great productions! For anyone starting out, I would strongly suggest just getting yourself a midi keyboard like the Akai MPK mini MK2 white, an interface like the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 1, or the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface. If you’re looking to get some classic 808 drums sounds I would say get the Behringer RD-8 Rhythm Designer but if you’re strapped for cash the virtual Roland cloud does the job.

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

Just try and make sure that you do a bit of research so you know the equipment will help you learn and achieve the sound that you wish to make, rather than sitting and gathering dust. Make sure you’re having fun and not afraid to experiment and try new sounds!

Learning how to craft songs and make cool sounds is one of the most fun and rewarding activities

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

Be patient. It does take a while to learn and get comfortable with production and performance; skills and sounds develop over time. Don’t let that put you off, however. Learning how to craft songs and make cool sounds is one of the most fun and rewarding activities to do. You’ll see yourself develop with each project gaining more experience and skill. Ask people to listen to your work and get feedback on what you’ve done well and how to improve. Read tutorials and books on production, there are so many great ones! Finally, I would say keep on listening to as much music as possible, stay inspired and try to support other new artists!

Connect With J WAX
Facebook / Soundcloud / Bandcamp


Phasmid

Leeds based Phasmid talks us through how he incorporates gear in creating his unique blend of electro, breakbeat, and jungle.

Article photo - Getting into Electro: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established & Upcoming Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

When it comes to hardware, you can’t beat an acid synth. I use the Behringer TD-3-SR bass synthesizer. It’s a lot cheaper than the originally Roland model that it imitates, but it sounds absolutely great and does the job just fine, churning out piercing acid basslines that can be both recorded into your track, or just used to jam with. I would definitely recommend getting your hands on one!

My other go-to piece of hardware is my Korg microKorg XL. This is an analogue modelling synthesizer that I use mainly for my atmospheric pads and more psychedelic sounds. With 128 sound pre-sets, you can never run out of ideas with this bit of kit. It has a brilliant warm vintage tone to it, so it’s especially good for getting those old skool sounds. There’s also an infinite number of ways to edit each preset, with full ADSR controls, filter, FX, and even a vocoder microphone setting to get some of those DaftPunk-esque vocal effects!

Both of these I run into Logic X with my M-Audio M-Track interface.

Make sure you are comfortable in your studio production before you try your hand at live production

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

Make sure you are comfortable in your studio production before you try your hand at live production. Thorough knowledge of both your software and your hardware in a studio setting will ensure that you’re completely comfortable in a live situation. Live production can be done in so many different ways, so the only universal advice I’d give is to know your hardware inside out so you know you’re getting the full potential out of it.

Understand that the more you come to know about production, the more you realize you don’t know

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

Understand that the more you come to know about production, the more you realize you don’t know! Production and performance is such a steep learning curve, so learning when to just decide that a track is finished, even though you know it could still be improved, is the key to progression.

Know your DAW inside out before you progress to invest in a load of hardware, as proper knowledge of sound design will give you a solid basis to work on. Then, once you have more of an idea about the direction of the sound you want to pursue as an artist, and what sort of sound you want to get that can't be achieved with software instruments, that’s the time to get your hands on some gear. Being able to jam over your own production using your hardware is hours of fun, and will allow you to eventually go into live production; if that’s the direction you want to go in.

Connect With Phasmid
Facebook / Instagram


Artemon

Artemon speaks to us directly from Cork, Ireland where he is a specialist in Electro and Atmospheric Club Music.

Article photo - Getting into Electro: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established & Upcoming Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

I use a combination of hardware and software in my performances. My go-to DAW is Reason by Propellerhead, it's fantastic for its creativity with its different variation of synths and drum machines. It really engages the user in creating original sounds. I like the display, as the user can have a tidy session by using three separate windows for the mixer, sequencer, and instrument racks.

Speaking of the instrument racks, it sort of emulates analogue studios in which users can connect certain effects or instrument channels with wires, which is a nice way to practice for the real world when using racks. I run Reason on my custom-built computer, which is good for high performance and ultimately less intense on CPU, so no lagging, distortion, or anything of that nature. I use two Yamaha HS 7's for my monitors alongside Audio-Technica ATH-M40 X headphones and alternate between the two when mixing as this can provide different perspectives and ultimately some clarity.

I also use is the Korg M1, a proper blast from the past. This sample-based synthesizer is gorgeous and has a household name among artists for a reason. I love using it as it is a proper throwback to the Oldschool Rave sound which is something that I typically go for when making music.

I would have to recommend getting Soundtoys EchoBoy as this is a fantastic effect plugin for spacious reverbs, delays, and echoes. It has a setting where people can adjust the reverb time and delays based on the BPM of the track making it quite user-friendly. If you can, get Izotope Ozone 9. This is such an easy way to master tracks at home if a mastering engineer is out of the budget range. It's quite clear-cut and the presets are surprisingly accurate. I've tried it with unmastered tracks of different genres and the sound is very refreshing. If somebody wants to just do it all and master his or her track from scratch then it's just as easy and pretty fun. The layout is user-friendly and the difference in sound is noticeable.

A MIDI keyboard is a must-have and I would recommend the Novation Nocturn 25. It's really nice as there are a few knobs to really play and experiment with automation features. It's very touch sensitive making it quite accurate with velocity control.

Network! That's so important if you want to get anywhere

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

When I play live, I’m typically using Pioneer XDJ-RX in combination with my Boss VB-2w Vibrato pedal, I’m thinking of purchasing their distortion pedal for a grittier Lo-fi set but that will have to wait due to this pandemic. I would recommend not getting too caught up on time based effects as this can make a really nice space sound very muddy and diminish the quality of your sound. It's best to examine the area in which you are performing in and gauge it from there, Also, please don't ignore the Sound Engineer, they typically know what they're doing!

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

Network! That's so important if you want to get anywhere. I would recommend befriending people who have the same interests in music taste/genres if you want to go anywhere. Do some collaborations, attend their gigs/shows and just be genuine. Don't give any empty promises and return any favours in some way possible. It could help in ways that you might not think. The only advice that I have to give about gear is do the research. If you're a producer looking for advice on your DAW, or a Sound Engineer who wants to go solo ask for advice online in forums, maybe take a course and just practice. It could take weeks or even years but research and practice is essential in this field. Perhaps start small and cheap then gradually save up to pay for that better piece of equipment or private course. It takes time.

Connect With Artemon
Bandcamp / Soundcloud /  Instagram


Matalo Funk

Starting out as a break-dancer and DJ in 1992, Matalo Funk has developed his passion for Electro Funk for the last 30 years. Here’s what he has pulled from his vast experience on the topic.

Article photo - Getting into Electro: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established & Upcoming Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Black Software/Hardware with a Novation Launchkey 49 Mk2 Keyboard, Behringer Vocoder VC340, Novation MiniNova + Rocktron Banshee 2 Talkbox. I recommend the Maschine MK3 for beginners its easy to use and you can adapt it to all genres of music and the quality is brilliant. I love the Mininova and all their Vocoders for live performance.

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

I started as a DJ before making my own music and I was always against tutorials, but I had to learn the hard way. Take all you can get from social media and make sure you practice as often as you can. If you get some new gear, go on Youtube and watch some tutorials - it will help you and make it such easier. Take everything step by step but don’t be close-minded to any new information or methods of obtaining it.

Don’t waste too much time worrying about a track. If its good it’s good

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their performances?

Before I make a new beat, I’m always listening to music to get inspired. Don’t waste too much time worrying about a track. If its good it’s good, if not let it be because you will never be satisfied. Connect with other musicians and exchange ideas and work. For live performances, try to find some harmony in your mixes. Using some software to match keys can be a great start (Mixed in Key for example). Send your tracks and mixes to your good friends and let them give you honest feedback.

Connect With Matalo Funk
YouTube


Ben Evans (The Droid)

Best known for his work as The Droid and releases on labels such as Bass Agenda, Crobot Muzik, Digital Distortions, Ben Evans spends some time with us discussing gear and how he sets up his performances.

Article photo - Getting into Electro: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established & Upcoming Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

I’m currently using Ableton Live, alongside an Akai APC. I believe that the less I have to work with, the more inspires my creativity. I personally don’t think you need any gear at all. However, I think a drum machine is a good way to learn the basics of creating drum patterns as you will have more ‘ hands-on” control. My first drum machine was an Arturia DrumBrute.

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

My advice would be experimentation, I can’t stress this enough. Experiment with different sounds and how you can process these to portray your idea through what you create. Find a good workflow for you, as there are so many options for performing live.

Try to produce different genres. Challenge yourself with this when starting out

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

Try to produce different genres. Challenge yourself with this when starting out to find what works best for you and not limit yourself in one direction.

The Droid's Latest Release

Connect With The Droid
Facebook / Soundcloud / Instagram


HEDCHEF

Oxford-born, Melbourne-based DJ and producer Hedchef sits in a musical niche somewhere between jagged electro, sparse UK bass, and moody techno. He sat down with us to share his thoughts

Article photo - Getting into Electro: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established & Upcoming Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

My main pieces of hardware are a Roland TB-3 and a Roland TR-8 and I use these in combination with Reason and a number of other synths - Europa is an absolute powerhouse for thick, underwater electro basslines. That's the one synth I couldn't do without. I also use Obsession - a soft clone of the Oberheim OB-XA - for pads and leads. It adds a real richness to tracks, and I find myself coming up with warm, satisfying sounds very quickly. I use Kong for all my drums - I tend to take 808-sampled preset patches then layer each hit with different sounds, either sampled or synthesized.

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

I wouldn't recommend it as practical advice, but I used to play hybrid live sets where I'd run a Roland TB-3 and Roland TR-8 into the mixer channel and just improvise sounds in between tracks on the CDJs - no midi clock or anything, just pressing play at the right moment and "mixing" the hardware like another deck. Great fun and definitely something I would suggest trying out if you are looking for new ideas.

There's no point worrying about parallel compression and corrective EQ’ing if you haven't learned to build a groove

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

In terms of general advice for producers, I'd say just keep finishing tracks and don't get too caught up in the details too early on - there's no point worrying about parallel compression and corrective EQ’ing if you haven't learned to build a groove. Gear-wise, hardware is great fun and can certainly help you be creative much quicker, but it's more of an indulgence than anything else - if you can become fluent in whatever equipment you're using, that's the main goal.

Connect With HEDCHEF
Soundcloud / Bandcamp


Lux 4 Attack

For more than 10 years in the São Paulo underground, the duo Lux 4 Attack, formed by the brothers Leandro Gore (composer and voice effects) and Rafael Isnik (producer and live effects) has had support from some of the biggest name in the scene, such as the Legendary DJ Stingray. Isnik sat down with us to talk about their setup.

Article photo - Getting into Electro: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established & Upcoming Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

We have Korg Volca Beats and Bass from the Volca line, Korg SQ-1 step sequencer, Korg Kaoss Pad 3 dynamic effect and the Roland VT-3 Voice Transformer for manipulating vocals. I also have the Akai LPD 8 Pad controller and Akai MPK mini Keyboard Control. I have always recommended my Korg Volca equipment line to my friends in Brazil - good and low-cost equipment!

Don’t only think of music as business, you are also here to enjoy it

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

Put a lot of importance on musical studies. Respect and listen to a lot of the pioneers of the music to gain inspiration. Finally, don’t only think of music as a business, you are also here to enjoy it!

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

My practical advice is to get streaming to get live experience! You can do this as simple as connecting your mixer to your interface and then the interface to either a cell phone or notebook. This is a great, low cost solution to starting out performing, especially in 2020. You don’t need clubs or shows or tons of equipment to practice, and practice is what will ultimately get you to your end goal…just get the ball rolling!

Connect With Lux 4 Attack
Facebook / Soundcloud

About Aron Peak

A passionate writer with diverse interests, an eclectic range of styles and over 5 years of experience writing for the likes of global music festivals, market leading technology companies and national arts and lifestyle outlets. Aron is also a professional music producer and runs his own record label Bare Bones. Over the past 7 years he has had multiple releases that have been supported both in the UK and Internationally (e.g. BBC Radio 1, EDC Las Vegas etc), and has toured across the world as a DJ.

Contact Aron Peak at aron.peak@musicngear.com

About Music Production

In this section of the blog you will find recording advice, tips and tricks from fellow artists and music producers.

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