Davide Carbone is the owner of BS1 Records and knows a thing or two about producing music and samples having been behind the Drum and Bass Masterclass sample CD in 2007. Davide has created five samples for you to use and abuse in your own tunes and you can download these at the bottom of the page but first of all read all about Davide's approach to making music, whether it's drum and bass, techno, house or dubstep!

What comes first in a tune? Drums? Melody?
It really depends on the tune. Generally with dance tracks it's all about the bass and beats. But you need to get a vibe going on top pretty quickly otherwise I'll find myself directionless. Whatever inspires me is what I'll start with...

Does your approach differ depending on which genre you are making?
Yes indeed. D&B is all about sound design for me. So fire up the synths and get some sounds into a sampler to start with something big and unique. Techno and house is all about a quick beat and some cool stabs to get a rhythm going.

What time of day do you work best?
Whenever the phones aren't ringing. I'm productive in the afternoons, but I can get very creative on Saturday and Sunday nights 'cause everyone is out or asleep!

Where do you get your inspiration / motivation from?
Life, love and beauty - in whatever form they come.

What do you do when you're not feeling inspired?
Don't stress! Play video games, or go for a bike ride or do something totally non-creative.

Where is your studio set up and what does is consist of?
Since I returned to Melbourne in April I've partnered up with my old cohort Josh Abrahams. Together we have a plethora of vintage gear, analogue synths and digital equipment. It's more like a cool museum around here.

What's the boring, workhorse plugin/piece of kit that you use all the time?
Logic's EQ, EXS 24 and the rest of the Logic gear. Boring, sterile but used correctly - efficient.

What's the best piece of equipment you've ever used?
Joe Meek SC3 with hand fitted digital soft clipper by Ted Fletcher himself. Irreplaceable.

Which sequencer do you use and why?
Logic. The workhorse for composition and production. Does everything.

Any new studio technology or gear you're liking at the moment?
My new Event Opal monitors. When the CEO of a company offers one million dollars to any other monitor manufacturer that can prove their speakers as being 'flatter' you know something must be right about them. Believe the reviews - they are outstanding.

Any advice you can give us regarding mixdowns?
Yes - dynamics first - loudness later. Attenuate frequencies you don't need. Provide your final compressor and limiter with a well balanced dynamic mix and they will have something to work with. Feed them a hot signal and it's all over. You'll just sound like every other wannabe out there.

What production technique do you think is really overused / annoying?
The same techniques I overuse! We are all guilty of being lazy. But if you are stuck on using the NI Massive preset 'Brutal Electro' for your dubstep tunes (yes - all of you are guilty) then take an hour to learn NI Massive and make your own 'Brutal Electro' patch !!!

What do you know now that you wish you had known when you started out?
Not to become personally attached to your own music - it's really not that good - or important.

Please list your top five plug-ins...
Kontakt 4, Massive, SPL Transient Designer, Space Designer and Access Virus.

Tell us more about the samples you're giving away...
I wanted to create some totally unique sounds for Knowledge. I've used my Virus, Korg MS-20, NI Massive, Kontakt and the best of my outboard gear to come up with some useable sounds.

What have you been working on recently?
Josh and I are producing Carl Cox's album. Firstly, he is a lovely guy. Secondly, it's the opportunity of a lifetime. We're loving it and want it to be a milestone in techno music.

What do you have coming out soon?
A bunch of techno, drum & Bass and various other electronic genres. Been very busy with the album and lots of more corporate production. Loving making music at the moment.

What tracks, producers and labels are you feeling at the moment?
Too many to mention. I still absolutely adore my D&B. Been going out to some great dubstep gigs and love some of the typically good acts (Joker, Nero, etc) but also been getting in to the modern organic techy-house sounds. Way too many good producers to single out a few.

Who would you like to co-produce with?
Carl Cox - which I am doing at the moment! But I'd love to work with some of the dubstep boys. They are like aliens from another planet.

What tune would you like to remix?
This Way - Nero or Take Me Away - Chase & Status, although I honestly doubt I could do a better job.

Anything else you'd like to tell us about?
If any producers are dropping in to Melbourne, get my email from Knowledge! Oh yeah, and Josh and I are off on tour with Carl Cox in Brazil in November. Can't wait!

 

Here are the five samples. The title of each file refers to the following: Artist Name / File Name / Type / BPM:

 

1. DC Virus Bass 170

 

2. DC Massive Bass 175

 

3. DC Vari Beats 175

 

4. DC Dubstep Beats 140

 

5. DC Chord Progression 170

 

• Free Samples
,
• Davide Carbone
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• Loopmasters

Related Links:

• Issue 59
• Issue 83
• Free Samples: Davide Carbone
• Issue 82
• 59 (Jan 2004)

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