Getting into House Music: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

We talked gear with some exciting upcoming House Music artists and how they incorporate it into their performances. 

This article is part of the "Getting into" series: Getting into Dubstep, Getting into SynthwaveGetting into Alternative/Indie Electronic and Getting into Synth Pop with gear, techniques and practical advice from EGOLESS, Jon1st & Shield, Von D, BREAKFAKE, Mexican Stepper, IMAJIKA, Vincenzo Salvia, Dana Jean Phoenix, Morgan Willis, ArvoParty, SYLK, Anna Mullarkey, Bantum, Xylo Aria, Double Screen, CYNEMA, True Tides, Flecks, Lunnah, Host and Peachface.

By Aron PeakContributing Author

Article photo - Getting into House Music: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists


What actually needs to be said to introduce a piece about House Music? As the most popular electronic music genre in the world that branches off into almost infinitely, equally popular sub-genres, it’s most likely something you're familiar with.

I sat down with some exciting upcoming artists to talk about gear and how they incorporate it into their performances.


REES

Article photo - Getting into House Music: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

Musicngear: What gear do you use and recommend?

I’m currently using a Roland Juno-106, Oberheim Matrix-1000, Behringer TD-3-SR and Boss RE-20 Space Echo Pedal. Until recently I had a Roland TR-08, and already regret selling it. Highly recommend to anyone grabbing one, it lets you create great drums almost instantly with having the 808, 909, and other classic drums at your fingertips. Also, Ableton Push 2 is a game-changer which I’ll be ordering next month, every time I’ve played around with it my workflow and creativity blossoms. As for a synth, a Korg Minilogue is a nice place to start.

Coming up with a unique and organic way to promote yourself can be invaluable in pushing your brand

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

Make sure with whatever gear you choose, it’s the right piece of equipment for you. No two people’s creative processes are the same so it’s important to take the time researching the strengths and limitations of what you’re investing in… something that should naturally slot into your performances rather than the popularity of the product.

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

Get to know your equipment instead of investing in a lot of different things; try to get to know one piece inside out. That way if there’s a problem you’re better equipped to deal with it, especially in a live situation. In terms of starting out, we all know music is a very saturated industry, so it’s quite easy to become lost in the noise. Coming up with a unique and organic way to promote yourself can be invaluable in pushing your brand. Involving your hardware in this can be a great start.

Connect with REES

Instagram / Soundcloud​​​​​​


DONNY ROTTEN

Article photo - Getting into House Music: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

At the moment I am experimenting more with instrumentation and different styles of playing. Attempting to learn the Cello throughout lockdown but recording with Guitar in all of my performances in the meantime. I use the DI (Direct input) on my "Behringer U-Phoria UM2" (£20) to record live with my Guitar "Fender Telecaster". I then trigger these samples and recordings on my Akai MPK 25 to create a performance.

For starting out I would definitely recommend learning an instrument or researching the type of live performance you wish to play. A sample triggering station or a mixer is always a great place to start. If you use Ableton get the Push 2 that I have enjoyed using a lot.

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

I would advise you to plan out a set and usually start with a kick or percussion for a building block, then layer and play in over the top. Live performance takes time and patience, it's not going to come straight away and I usually walk away with nothing in the bag, but it's about enjoying the process.

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

Try to use gear that you familiarise with yourself. If you are a drummer, get an MPC or sample pad based machine. If you are a pianist get a polyphonic synthesizer or a keyboard styled sampler. If you are a Guitarist or string-based instrumentalist, incorporate those into your live performance with Direct input and an interface.

Connect with Donny Rotten

Instagram / Facebook / Soundcloud


KARIM ATARI

Article photo - Getting into House Music: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

I use Eurorack modular synthesizers. For my bass duties, I really like to use the Pittsburgh Modular microvolt 3900. It has a really organic sounding low pass gate and can do everything from 303 style acid bass to legato lead lines, to crazy FM sounds. For my drums, I use a Noise Engineering BIA as a kick, WMD Chimera for metallic hat sounds, Tiptop Audio HATS909 for more standard hat sounds, and a Tiptop Audio SD808. For my other drum sounds, I like to use a Pittsburgh Modular modular primary oscillator and an instruo TS-l oscillator. I like to FM them together and use their wave-shaping capabilities to get different timbres. Recently I got an Erica Synths Sample Drum for any samples I might use. For sequencing pitch, I use a Industrial Music Electronics Stillson Hammer MKII, and for generating my gates, I use a noise engineering zularic repetitor in combination with an abstract data logic boss; in combination these two give you constantly varied, interesting rhythms. Recently I also got a Moog DFAM and Subharmonicon that I use for extra FM drums and chord stabs. Finally, I have a Korg Minilogue XD that use for everything from chords to arps. Everything is mixed into a WMD performance mixer.  

I really recommend the Pittsburgh Modular Microvolt 3900, Industrial Music Electronics Stillson Hammer MKII, and the Moog DFAM. With just these three alone you have a huge amount of possibilities and can play a whole live set. I’d also recommend having some effects because they give a more natural sound to the dry synths. I can recommend a Make Noise Mimeophon, and an Erica Synths Dual FX for all your needs.

Record everything! You never know when inspiration strikes

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

For live production, I’d recommend not holding yourself back with experimentation. When you explore new sounds constantly, there is always some inspiration for new tracks that come up. Also, I’d recommend getting a multi-tracking mixer. Personally, right now I’m using a Soundcraft signature 12 mtk. Using this, you can record both the stereo mix of your performance, as well as the pre-fader inputs of the mixer. It makes it easy for arrangements because you can easily cut things into place to follow your live performance, or create whole new arrangements if it’s needed. Generally though, I’d recommend thinking of recording your tracks as if you were playing live. It gives it an extra feeling of energy and makes arrangement easier.

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

For new artists, I’d say you should experiment with as many new sounds as possible. Try experimenting with different ways of recording and trying different kinds of tracks. Personally, when I feel stuck creatively, I find it helps to just have a calm ambient jam using things like tape loops and effect pedals, or creating noisy soundscapes. Something about doing these kinds of experiments clears the mind and regenerates your creativity. Finally, record everything! You never know when inspiration strikes.

 

Connect with Karim Atari

Spotify


MEHTA

Article photo - Getting into House Music: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

On a regular basis, the main piece of outboard gear I've been using in my strictly electronic stuff is the Novation Peak.

I also play guitar, especially bass guitar, and beside me, there is a wall of tube amps & cabinets. I would consider these to be electronic instruments as well, although they are fairly traditional at this point.

Microphones are pretty standard gear, but having some nice mics and preamps is important for every studio.

Every studio should have a computer with a hard drive for recording. Computers are gear too - not as specialized, but it's important to count it. Don't forget the audio interface either.

After that, the most important parts are the amplifier and speakers. If you can't hear the music you are making, you won't do a very good job. As a mastering engineer, my speakers are maybe a little better than what a mixing or tracking studio needs, but it's still a very important consideration. There are lots of good speaker options, but for new active monitors, Kali Audio IN-8’s are the best deal going currently.

Beyond that, I recommend getting whatever gear appeals to you, whatever is available, what you can afford (or finance). Don't get anything just because you think that you need it.

I made tons of music with just crappy DIY gear, recording tapes on 4-track with noisy electronics. It's all a process that we go through. Don't force it. Let it come naturally.

Jam every day. It takes work. Always record yourself. Expect delays.

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

Performing live should be spontaneous. Don't get up there and trigger events that you have perfectly planned out for the duration. You don't even need to be up there, in that case. It's important to have the haptic aspect, and to be manipulating things in a way that is felt.

I'd suggest working with another person, so that you can each focus on one or two things. Don't try to run 10 sequencers all on your own.

For live sets, it can really be much simpler and more repetitive than you think, so long as there is a sense of movement. This aspect is hard to explain.

When I played by myself at the club, I preferred to DJ and mix my own tracks frequently. In a more "sitting" or focused type space, we can deeply explore the sound, but in those cases I would often bring 1 synthesizer and 1 effects unit only.

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

Jam every day. It takes work. Always record yourself. Expect delays.

Connect with Mehta

Bandcamp


PARALLEL

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What gear do you use and recommend?

I mainly use the Roland TR-8S for sequencing drums and other samples, a Korg Minilogue synth (which is a great bit of kit for the price), a Behringer TD-3-SR that does a near-perfect job of emulating the 303 for half the price and an Arturia Beatstep Pro.

In terms of recommendation, it really depends on what your aim is. Having a sample sequencer like the TR-8S is a great start though; having a piece of kit that you can start building an ideal on quick and easily is essential for me. Otherwise look into the music you like and see what your favorite producers are using in the studio or during live sets. For quantised beat making and live sets, a kit like the MPC 100 might be a good investment.

Make as much music as you can, you’re going to be discarding a lot of it

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

Don’t go in blind. Have samples ready, know where your effects are, and know what key everything is in. If it’s a live performance an idea of what you’re going to improvise with is good. For live producing at home or in studios, my advice is to watch YouTube videos and read manuals. Each bit of kit can require a lot of learning. Knowing your kit will help utilize all of its potential too.

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

Make as much music as you can, you’re going to be discarding a lot of it. But in the process you’ll learn and your style will evolve and refine. Also, don’t be afraid to change something, whether it’s in a performance, a production, your social media, your first idea may not always be the best so it’s fine to change and work over it.

 

Connect with Parallel

Instagram / Soundcloud / Facebook


SHAMANSKEE

Article photo - Getting into House Music: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

At studio for jamming and starting with ideas I'm using Roland TR-8S, Elektron Analog Four MKII, Waldorf Pulse 2, X0xb0x, Allen & Heath Xone K2 controller and an old Akai Cassette Tape Deck for some heavy saturation.

Any gear you can't wait to play with. You can't know which one until you actually physically touch it. It's not about the gear, you can do everything with DAW and VST on your PC/MAC, it's about having fun while creating something and doing it the way you like it.

Do what ever you want, love and what makes you feel satisfied... It's not only about your music; it's about who you are

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

Make sure to spend a substantial amount of time learning your equipment inside out. Knowing every aspect of what it can do and being as comfortable with a piece of gear as you can is of upmost importance.

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

Do whatever you want, love and what makes you feel satisfied... It's not only about your music; it's about who you are. Gear and toys that make you happy and excited usually helps with creativity...

Connect with ShamanskEE 

Soundcloud


INWOOL

Article photo - Getting into House Music: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 3rd Gen sound card, Alesis Elevate 5 MKII active monitors, Allen & Heath Xone:92 and Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol X1 MkII.

My current setup revolves around Traktor, but I would definitely recommend going with no laptop, so my recommendation would be Allen & Heath Xone 92 and 2 players or turntables. I also think its good to find ways to add a synth or a filter pedal to kind of have more options to play with.

Try to meet as many people that you can connect with.

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

Spend time to get to know your equipment. Without full control and confidence, the rest doesn’t matter so much.

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

I would say just listen to as much music as possible. Play with your equipment. Teach yourself from the start to not use sync and to train your ears. From the beginning, try to have a framework of how you will organize your music because you can very quickly get lost in "all the good music you found". Be proactive, send your mixes to competitions, and try to meet as many people that you can connect with.

Connect with Inwool

Soundcloud


Also check out Getting into Dubstep, Getting into SynthwaveGetting into Alternative/Indie Electronic and Getting into Synth Pop for gear, techniques and practical advice from EGOLESS, Jon1st & Shield, Von D, BREAKFAKE, Mexican Stepper, IMAJIKA, Vincenzo Salvia, Dana Jean Phoenix, Morgan Willis, ArvoParty, SYLK, Anna Mullarkey, Bantum, Xylo Aria, Double Screen, CYNEMA, True Tides, Flecks, Lunnah, Host and Peachface.

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.

Interested in writing a story for this section as a guest or joining the Musicngear team as a Contributing Author? Contact us at info+newauthor@musicngear.com