Working in an empty room with just a laptop and Ableton’s built-in plugins, TRU challenge themselves to think differently. They talk us through their process…
This is not a studio
No, it’s not! But the setup you see is what we use for producing our music. Keeping things simple has become a motto not only for our sound but also for our workflow. That means we are almost entirely using Ableton Live’s instruments and effects now (both tracks of our upcoming release on Loot Recordings have been created like this). It allows us to work on different computers without lacking a certain plugin or hardware. The mixing of course is done in the studio and also includes re-recording a synth or drums (if the sound doesn’t fit already).
Taking notes
We noticed that we tend to do the same things if we are writing by feeling, and that results in tracks that may sound different, but are in fact the same. So we are always looking for possibilities to outwit ourselves. A good option for this is to start a track by writing a few rhythms and only then assign instruments, sounds and pitches to them. That often produces things we couldn’t even imagine.
Hands on
Another great tool is this handy nOb. It is a plug and play device, just like a mouse and simply perfect for creating sounds and mixing inside your DAW. To be exact, it basically is a mouse (with a turning wheel) and it’s just as helpful as it is beautiful.
Money listens
Our AKG K812 headphones are a pretty new tool to our arsenal. More or less we came across them out of curiosity. They were pricy, so we wanted to find out if the significant difference in price (compared to others), corresponds to a significant difference in listening. Well, it does and we think with a little practice it might be even possible to completely mix tracks with them.
Save USB ports
We are trying to record most of our automation live, because it sounds much more natural than drawing it. And even though the Jazzmutant Lemur is pretty much outdated (the production stopped in 2010) it still is our favorite MIDI controller. We like the fact that we can create custom controller surfaces exactly matching our needs. Furthermore it has a solid metal body and a stable ethernet connection, which also saves an USB port. Perfect!
Look how it sounds
Also quite new to our tool case is this HOFA Analyser plugin. Of course it is helpful for mixing a track, but in fact we use it even more during writing a track. Let’s say you have a lead and you’d like to create a texture supporting it. A look at the the lead spectrum tells a lot and simplifies the decision what type of sound to pick. The positive side effect is that mixing becomes easier and much quicker too.
Just another studio
Yes, that’s what it is!
TRU’s Porphyr EP is out now on Loot Recordings. Find them on Facebook and SoundCloud.
01.33 PM
The best section ever. Keep doing it Attack, but bring over more house/techno/electronic producers like Adriatique, Karmon, Kollektiv Turmnstrasse, Tale of us, Maceo Plex, Francesca Lombardo, Miyagi, Einmusik, etc
09.08 PM
To be honest the only reason I come to Attack is for the Studio Tours.