Our first interview of 2024 see’s New York producer byDJBLVD enter the hot seat to talk about his studio set-up, DAW’s and workflow.
byDJBLVD is a talent on the rise within Electronic Music today; having had a stellar past year, continually releasing unmissable tracks like ‘The Backrooms’ and ‘Life Without You’, the momentum he continues to build serves as an impressive credit to his passion and driven determination. As he blends elements across genres like House, Funk, Jazz, and Garage, byDJBLVD’s sound appears unparalleled by any other on the scene, and as such he remains one of the most fresh and exciting talents to look out for within the genre.
So, today, we’re looking forward to having byDJBLBD join us in conversation to talk through his studio set-up, approach towards music production and his go-to techniques and processes for creating his signature groovy music.
Hi byDJBLVD, how are you?
Hey, I’m doing great! I am happy to be here chopping it up with you on life from behind the decks and in the studio. I hope all is well with you as well. Let’s get into it!
Can you tell us about your studio, what’s your setup like?
Of course! My studio is relatively minimal, from setup to design and ambiance. One of the first things I began researching when I started producing was what pieces of equipment and plugins were needed to create specific sounds and rhythms. I quickly discovered that, in most cases, you really don’t need much to make good music. Even regarding my tracks, I focus on being as minimal as possible. I have two JBL 6.5-inch speakers for sound, which are my babies. They are bass-heavy at times, but I’ve listened to enough music through them to familiarize my ears and cut through that a bit. In terms of actual production equipment, I have a Novation Launchkey 49-key MIDI keyboard that I use for much of my sound design. Also, I just picked up an AKAI MPC workstation, so we’ll see how I put that to use. And the work is done all on a 2021 M1 Macbook Pro with dual 27-inch monitors for a seamless workflow.
The ambiance is the most significant part of my studio, as I alluded to a bit above. I have two dim-lit LED lights that tower over my screens, a couple of candles depending on the night’s vibe, and my favorite snacks and drinks are usually pretty close. I always like to produce something to nibble on since I can get locked in, and time flies by.
Can you remember the first piece of equipment that you bought?
The first piece of equipment I bought was my Novation Launckey MIDI keyboard, and that took weeks of research and debating back and forth on whether I actually needed it and if it would aid my music production. I believe at first, I thought it would end up being a tool that collected dust and never saw the light of day. Boy, was I wrong. To this day, I use that keyboard in every production session.
Do you have any go-to plugins and effects that you always use in your productions?
In terms of go-to plugins, the entire iZotope suite is a recurring set of plugins/effects that are always used in my productions. They help me clean up any samples, bring out hidden sounds, brighten instruments and create better music all-around. Overall, the suite helps me to continually increase my knowledge of and train my ears to mix my music better. Outside of the iZotope suite, not many other plugins make a significant reoccurrence — remember, my motto will always be to keep it simple. I’m open to must-have recommendations, though!
What equipment and gear are you hoping to add to your studio in the future?
I’ve never been one to spend an overzealous amount of money on equipment, but I recently came across the Korg Kronos 288LS Light Touch Keyboard and man, that’s something I’d love to get my hands on next year. It’s about USD 3,000, but it’s such a massive keyboard, synthesizer and workstation that blew my mind when I first heard it in action. We’ll see how the cards play out!
Which DAW is your favourite?
I am definitely in the minority of producers with this one, but my favorite DAW by far is Serato Studio. Many friends have urged me to get off Serato Studio because it is limiting, and Ableton is crazy intuitive. I’m learning Ableton more and more, and with each new song, I craft a particular part in Ableton alone. I learned how to produce in Serato Studio since it was created to have an easier learning curve for DJs entering the world of music production. Naturally, it’s where I feel most comfortable and can focus on the most essential parts of my songs. Also, since Serato Studio came out, it has had many updates that have made it a significant competitor against bigger DAWs.
Outside of Studio, Logic is my second favorite, primarily for mixing and mastering after completing the track structure.
What would you say is an essential piece of gear when first starting to build a studio?
When building your studio, the most essential first piece of gear, which many producers overlook, is having a computer capable of producing larger projects. As you increase your knowledge in music production and your tools to build tracks, your projects will require significant memory to run the different plugins and devices that help you create your masterpieces—having a computer incapable of running heavier-load projects that slow down the computer and cause it to lag or freeze can be highly annoying and daunting.
I always recommend to producers early on to invest in a good computer before anything else. You’ll appreciate yourself much more if you do this earlier before investing in MIDI gear, plugins and more.
What’s the studio’s most recent addition?
I mentioned it above, but my most recent studio addition is my Akai MPC One+. One of my friends and excellent Producer, JeSse, convinced me a couple of weeks ago to get my hands on it and said, “It will help take your production game to the next level.” I’m still learning my way around it but playing around with it thus far has definitely been a blast.
Do you have a stand-out memory of a time when you were working in the studio?
It’s funny — I feel like I always have standout memories when I’m working in the studio. The most recent one was when I was working on “The Genius is Me.” As I’m building a track, I usually have a moment where everything becomes clear, I hear the groove, and I get thrilled. The moment usually brings me to tears because I’m so excited about the final sound of the track and how folks will receive it. For “The Genius is Me,” it was particularly when I got the bass right, and it was mixed down within the larger track. Usually, when I find my kicks or bass, that’s the defining moment.
Can you tell us about your usual workflow when producing a track?
Great final question: My workflow is relatively uniform, and I try to keep it that way to minimize creating unnecessary stress. I begin by grabbing any snacks, drinks, or other items I’ll need before producing so I can focus on staying around my desk until I’m ready to call it a night. Of course, I take walks every once in a while, when a break is needed. Once I have everything, I open Serato Studio for building the structure and pre-mixing, Logic Pro X for mastering, and Ableton for the final mix-down, grab my Shure 315s and switch on my JBL speakers. Now, it’s time to work.
I begin by finding my kick or groove — sometimes, I’ll create it from scratch and other times, I will sample. Building it from scratch makes the process more enjoyable. I have friends who swear by sampling, but I avoid that if possible. Typically, I mix as I build the song so I can avoid going back to earlier parts of a track and reworking how the sound fits into the more significant piece. On average, a song I’m proud of takes me about 2-3 weeks after all revisions. Plus, throw in daily life, and that timeline gets extended. The concluding elements of my song are usually the instrumentation and strings — it feels like the icing on the cake. I’m working on a piece where I’m stuck on that exact part.
As time progresses, I’m trying to find ways to minimize my time between programs, whether through plugins or a more intelligent workflow. However, what I’ve been doing has been working great!
With a love and knowledge for his craft, byDJBLVD is surely set to continue experimenting with his sound, developing his style as he finds new, fresh ways to express his seemingly ever-evolving creativity. So, as we close out this interview, we thank him for taking the time to speak with us and look forward to hearing what’s next to come in his already thrilling musical journey.
Follow byDJBLVD Online
