In our Breakdown video series, we visit artists and producers in the studio to explain how their music is composed, and gain a deeper understanding of the equipment, technique and creative process behind their best tracks.
We're in the studio this month with British producer Mandydextrous, known for his powerful tracks that fuse many fast and hard club genres.
After a successful start in the world of hard tech (or techno, as they say at illegal parties), Mandy's career took a turn after the forced restart of the Covid pandemic.
Thanks to consulting DnB powerhouse RAM Software, Mandy rediscovered his drum, bass and jungle roots and set out to create a new sound that combines broken DnB rhythms with strong techno beats.
We sat down in Mandy's recently completed studio to talk about anesthesia, jamming, and the production process behind Mandydextress' high-energy sound.
Tell us your production method. Are we right in thinking that you got to the party stage for free?
“I started DJing when I was maybe 15, I don't know, I don't know, 15 or something. In the late 90s, I was doing it for a long time in the illegal ref scene, and then I stopped partying in my 20s. I stopped going crazy all the time.” I wanted to make time and music.
"I had friends who were already doing it and I found it great. I got a copy of Reason 3.0, that's where I started, even though I found it very confusing. Then a friend who works at Ableton showed me and I went. I've been following that path ever since." right now.
"In the beginning, I had no interest in writing music for anyone except to have tracks to play on DJ sets. He wanted to play what he wanted to hear but he couldn't find it. And you know the challenge of playing that music. People I've created are great. Yeah, that's how it all started. All this. It happened because I stopped my life in the heavy scene, I started going out a lot and not wanting to go out and write music [laughs] .
You're known for playing heavy tracks at high BPM, is that where you started?
"Yeah, I don't really have any feelings about the music I want to play! I started with DnB and jungle in the late 90s and discovered techno when I was 17 and went down the rabbit hole of free parties. Drugs and everything.
"I found techno to be really good. I liked that it was easy to get away from DnB. I was really impressed. I was a techno DJ for a few years. Then the music I make now is because I want to find my favorite DnB tracks. But in a techno style. That was what was in it." my head
"I started writing a lot of intros for popular DnB tracks and now it's taboo to work in the drum and bass industry. I hope no one gets mad at me when they come across something from the old catalog. I'm writing it as music. You know?
"I'd take something like Chopper, a shy FX version, Renegade Terrorist or something and put it four by four and make it a techno track. The BPM is really high, you know, and that's it. I spent time in the techno world, the DnB world, and then I wanted to combine them. Yeah, But save the energy. Really, really, not cool, Mandy!
How has your production style evolved over the years? Is Ableton Live still at the center of it all?
"Yeah, I'm really into Ableton. I've tried many times to get out of that box and go to another DAW like Logic or Cubase, but yeah, in the end I'm stuck with Ableton. I'm really obsessed. With workflow. When I have an idea, it lets you put it on the page quickly. Don't worry. It's like my warm and welcoming home away from home.
Do you use a lot of samples or plugins?
"I use a lot of stuff that comes with Ableton because their inventory is amazing. I'm a big fan of the Amp plug-in. I use external VSTs. I bought it because I didn't want to waste my money. I'm thinking about what I want. I bought myself an Oxford Wind the other day. , for example, because I really want to work on self-control.
But yes, most of them are Appleton stock. Technically, they provide everything I need. In production, I'm always learning, and learning these standard plugins has been very productive.
Would you say your style balances elements of techno and DNB?
"Five years ago, when things started to change in my music career, I was writing a lot in the genre called hardtech.
"When I was a major player in the UK hard tech scene, I wasn't interested in hard tech and I couldn't tell you a bit about the story. And if you asked me about the history of DNB, I could talk for days. Same goes for techno-acid, which I used to love.
How have you found the DnB scene to change since the outbreak?
"It feels a bit different. There's a lot of energy from the young team. Before Covid, young people who weren't old enough to play in a club game, but they've been going crazy with all of us doing live streams online." I'm so excited to be playing at the club, the energy of youth is so beautiful.
I think with intensity and everything that's been going on for a while, people want to hang out and hang out, you know, and the fact that we can do it again now is pretty crazy. I've had so many gigs in my life that it stands out because it has good designs and is powered by RAM etc.
"For me, as a gay artist, it's amazing to see such a queer presence in the DNB scene. Yes. And you know, in hardtech countries, I was really one of the few gay artists. Mostly men. But now there are. A big change in equality and gender in DNB.
For the past few years, EQ50 has been part of the leading program...
“Yes, a big increase in EQ50. If it wasn't for EQ50, I don't think I would be where I am now after Vivid because before Vivid I started to lose confidence in my music career. Lucky me and a Scottish girl called Aniconic, who is a great producer and DJ, met Ram through this mentoring program. We chatted online during the lockdown, which was really helpful.
"I had to get a job as a delivery person at Amazon because it was full of work. But it was so much fun to come home and surf the Internet with them. I felt like I could do whatever I wanted outside of my job. Luckily, the RAM team really supported me."
"Being under their wing gave me confidence, especially as a trans person playing drums and bass, which is very rare. I was really scared of that. But they really helped me open doors and make me realize who I really am. Music is my passion, my life, and That's what I want." Of course he did.
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