DJ Fresh

In the last 12 months, DJ Fresh has become a household name off the back of his album Kryptonite, and UK number 2 smash hits "Louder" - the first ever Dubstep track to top the charts and "Hot Right Now" the first ever Drum And Bass track to hit the number 1 spot. Fresh pushes the boundaries of the d&b/dubstep crossover sound and is currently showcasing this on his UK wide live tour, complete with a live band.

Fresh took some time of out of his busy rehearsal schedule to talk ‘production’…

1. Digital or Analogue? Which do you favour in your studio set up?

Digital

2. What gets your creative juices going when you start a track?

A specific idea usually, sometimes making a sound, but often a hook or riff I've woke up and sung into my phone in the middle of the night.

3. What is your favourite piece of kit or plug in?

Ableton Live, hands down.

4. What is your monitor preference? Passive or Active? Low level or loud & proud?

Active, just because it’s easier. My friends always joke about my monitor levels, so I guess you could say loud.

5. How do you feel about sampling and how it is used in much of today’s music?

I miss sampling, but I love sound design. I think the new sampling is sound design being used to copy and then manipulate an old sound. But I do miss acoustic samples; I definitely want to explore that more on the next album (the one after the next one!).

6. What is your secret weapon or a piece of kit or plug in that you just can’t live without in the studio?

Ableton again!

7. How long does it generally take you to produce a track and what is your procedure?

It can take months or a day. Vocal tracks particularly take longer as there are several processes involved from writing to demoing to recording, to backing track to final mix/master etc. Although, Louder in total, maybe took two/three weeks solid, it spanned several months.

8. How did you get involved in music production and what skills or information did you find useful on your journey to where you are today?

I got a set on pirate radio when I was at university and met most of the drum and bass scene through that, and people that helped me in the beginning like MC Moose, Kenny Ken, Mickey Finn, Ray Keith, Andy C, and Grooverider.

9. What tip would you give to new producers trying to break into the industry in today’s unsteady climate?

Stick to your guns, don't give up and follow your instinct.

10. And finally what’s your all time favourite record?

Riders on the Storm - The Doors