We recently sat down with burgeoning producer/DJ Craig Oram to chat about his studio set up, software, plug ins and his entrance into the electronic music world.
With a musical journey that began on festival dancefloors, where the dynamic interplay of rhythm and beats sparked his creative flame, the Producer and DJ Craig Oram has spent the past eight years honing his craft, drawing inspiration from genres like Indie Dance, Minimal, and Psychedelic, and incorporating elements from artists such as Lu4o, Shagy (IL), and Groove Delight. As he seeks to make himself known for his powerful basslines and energetic vibes, Craig Oram has stepped onto the Electronic Music scene, eager to share his sound with listeners and fulfil his creative potential.
Today, we’re sitting down with Craig Oram to delve deeper into his studio setup, creative process, and the journey that has shaped his music career so far.
Hi Craig Oram, how’s it going? Thanks for joining us!
Thanks for your time! It’s a pleasure to speak with you! Other than being back at work for a month, I am doing well, thank you. Looking forward to getting back into the studio and enjoying some more of the awful Scottish summer.
What does your current studio setup look like? Can you highlight some of the essential gear that you rely on?
My studio is pretty modest; it’s a wee room at the top of my flat. Simple setup with a decent-sized two-tier table: desktop underneath, curved screen and monitors on the top with some pads to angle them up at my ears. Of course, there are some typical strip lights to give just the right amount of light I need. I am looking forward to moving house so I can finally have the space I need to make use of the equipment I have bought. I need to get my monitors properly optimised and Sonarworks integrated. That being said, I love it. It’s like my little spaceship.
Do you remember the first piece of equipment you invested in? Is it still part of your studio today?
I initially bought a laptop and Ableton and Ableton Push. This was all I had for the first few years just to really take the time to learn my DAW rather than focus on the results of my productions. Nowadays, I barely use the Push; I feel that DAWs now are so intuitive, and I can get the results I desire with just the keyboard and mouse or trackpad.
What’s the latest piece of gear you’ve added to your studio and how has it influenced your production workflow?
I have recently had a systemic upgrade. I got a local computer shop in Aberdeen to build me a powerful desktop, and I upgraded from the Adams A7X to the Adams A8H monitors, which just sound unreal and really help highlight the midrange of my mixes. I bought an electric guitar recently, and the plan was to sample for some extra nuance into my basslines or maybe some little lead/pluck kinda sounds, but I’m yet to execute that.
Do you have a go-to DAW?
I have only ever used Ableton Live, and I love it. I cannot see myself switching at any point as Ableton continues to evolve. The workflow and the creative power it has I think is amazing. Max for Live is also another seriously cool aspect of Ableton.
Are there any plugins or instruments that you consider vital for your unique sound?
Definitely the Fabfilter Bundle, Serum, Diva – but who doesn’t? More recently, I have been using some more analog-emulated plugins like channel strips, Black Box, and some UAD plugins. I love Mstereospread and Spacecontrol for creating and controlling width. Soothe2 and Shaperbox for separation and sidechaining – Shaperbox is an absolute weapon…
What obstacles have you encountered while setting up your studio and how did you overcome them?
It took me a while to get my finger out and actually get a dedicated space for music production. After attending a mixdown and mastering course in Glasgow, I realised just how important one’s listening environment is for creating good-sounding music. Living in a flat, my main obstacles are limited space, the boiler being in the same room, and having neighbours – which means headphones only after midnight. But as said above, once I have moved house, my priority will be studio space.
How important is mobility in your studio setup? Do you have any portable gear that you use when you’re on the move?
For me, the main thing is just making sure my laptop has everything my desktop has VSTs and samples-wise. I currently work abroad on a monthly rotation, so I am very reliant on my laptop – which I am in the laborious process of getting a new one as my current one has had enough. My laptop and my Sennheiser HD660S2 headphones are all I really need. As for actual hardware/synths, I don’t really bring any of that out of the studio.
Are there any new pieces of equipment or software you’re excited to add to your studio soon?
The main thing for me now is to get the room properly treated and get the sub and speakers positioned correctly. (I mentioned before) Sonarworks SoundID – it’s already there, but I haven’t fully calibrated it yet. Most producers will relate here; I already have way more VSTs than I really need… But it is hard to say no to deals when they come around. I have just purchased Drum Leveller and Auto-Align 2 from Sound Radix, which I can tell are very effective.
Looking back on your creative journey, what has been the most fulfilling part of your path into music production?
So, it’s been around 8 years now and it is a gradual but constantly fulfilling journey. Each track I make I learn a lot, gain confidence, and know I’m just one more step to reaching my dreams. More recently, the reactions from my friends and other producers have been very positive and I think the realisation that I actually can make the music I want feels really good.
Ending our interview, we thank Craig Oram for his time and eagerly look forward to seeing where his path will lead him next. As he remains motivated to carve his way, committed to developing his craft through mastering new equipment, integrating fresh technologies and refining his workflow, Craig Oram is leading a promising journey, so be sure to follow him via social media to keep informed on his latest releases, news and projects.
You can follow Craig Oram on his Instagram here.
