How long have you been producing? |
I made my first track ever in May of 1997 in a friends basement. I was finishing up my senior year of high school.
|
How did you learn how to produce?
|
Derrick Jackson, a friend of mine from school taught me everything in the beginning. He was the illest producer/emcee/songwriter in our school. This guy did everything. Since I'm not really a trained musician he taught me song structure and taught me more piano chords and things like that. I also study music. Not just Hip-Hop and R&B, either. I study EVERYTHING! I listen to how songs are structured. I listen to how the vocals are mixed and how the instruments are arranged. I just study. Anytime I hear a great song or album I immediately start picking it apart to determine what makes it so great to me
|
What attracted you most to producing music?
|
I can't describe the feeling I get when I create music. Its unreal. The satisfaction of creating something that moves people and inspires them is intensely rewarding. I've always been moved and uplifted by music and I can recall wishing I can move and uplift people in the same way. When I started producing I realized the challenge of being completely original all the time. Its just the feeling, man. I love the feeling I get from it. I love the vibe of being in the studio with other creative people and trading ideas.
|
How did you get discovered?
|
I wouldn't say I'm really "discovered". I'm still on the come up. I have a couple of decent connections here and there, though. The way I got linked up with those connections is by word of mouth and making sure people know I exist. If you don't make yourself available, then no one is going to "discover" you. I just made people believe in me. When people believe in you, they will want to back you up and put you on to opportunities. The best way to make people believe in you is to treat people with respect and to get your music heard.
|
How long does it take for you to make a beat from start to finish?
|
It varies. Sometimes I'll knock one out in 20 minutes; other times it'll take days. I'm never impressed when people say they make tracks in X amount of time. Who cares? When I heard "Nigga What, Nigga Who" I wasn't concerned with how long it took Timbaland to make the track. No one cares about that. Producers have to understand that whether you spend 20 minutes or 20 days on a track doesn't matter. All that matters is the end product.
|
How often do you make tracks?
|
| I try for daily, but it doesn't always happen. There's no set diligence level, but its always good to work as much as possible.
|
What type of music do you produce?
|
When I started out I was only making Hip-Hop and very little R&B. Over the years I've evolved and expanded to doing Pop, Rock, Folk, and Experimental music. Its funny because now its at a point where most of my music is Pop, Rock, Folk, and Experimental. Its always best to be versitle in this because more opportunities are made available to you.
|
Sample or original? Why?
|
I do both, but I rarely ever sample. The only time I sample is when I hear an old song that I'm absolutely crazy about and I immediately hear my own version of it. I'm a live musician, so I don't really see a need in using something thats already been played (and/or played out). I get more gratification playing something from scratch.
|
What equipment do you use?
|
The equipment I used is ALWAYS expanding, so by the time this interview is put out I may have more! Hahaha! But as of right now, I have and use the following
- -Roland XP-80 (fully expanded)
- -Korg Triton Studio (88-Keys, partially expanded)
- -microKORG Synth
- -Akai MPC 4000
- -Digi002 (rack)
- -Fender Electric Accoustic guitar
- -Ovation Electric Accoustic guitar
- -Epiphone Casino Electirc guitar
- -REASON 4.0 (with MIDI controller and various ReFills)
- -various live percussion instruments (tamborines, shakers, congas, etc.)
I just got the Epiphone Casino electric guitar today. I can't wait to get back to the studio and try it out. |
Describe the creative process you use to make your tracks?
|
I wish there were some secret to how I get this done, but there isn't. I, literally, sit down in front of the keyboard and tinker around until something happens. I may pick up my guitar and strum a few chords until I figure something out. It always starts with me just getting in there and goofing around until something happens. Whenever I sample something I just vibe out and play some old records and wait for something to grab my attention and spark an idea.
|
Do you use live instrumentation?
|
Of course, as much as possible. I play keys and guitar. I play a bit of drums, too.
|
Who have you produced for?
|
My "major" productions have involved Young Buck, Petey Pablo, 2pac (yes,the 2pac), and Grafh. Right now I'm working with Dre Knight, a producer in New York, on the Sizzla project. I'd love to get some work on that. THAT would open some doors for me. Other artists I've worked with are some very talented unsigned artists like Sulaiman Azimi, who is a pop/folk artist, and Badio, who is a Hip-Hop artist.
|
What artist/producer would you love to work with?
|
I'd love to be a fly on the wall whenever Timbaland and Dr. Dre are working on their stuff. I think I'd learn so much. I really like what Mark Ronson does, too. DangerMouse is incredible. There are countless others. As for artists, I think me and Mos Def could do something really crazy. I'd love to work with Nas. I really want to work with Paul McCartney in the studio. I MUST work with CeeLo. I want to work with Damien Rice. Feist would be great to work with. The Flamming Lips would be great to work with, too. I have a whole ALBUM waiting for them...haha!
|
Who is your favorite artist/group?
|
The Beatles. Hands down. I am beyond the stages of being just a "fan" of The Beatles. I'm obsessed.
|
If you could give one tip to a wannabe industry producer what would it be?
|
Don't blame anyone for your misfortunes. If no one knows about you, then its because you don't make yourself known. Blame yourself for not being heard and not being "put on". Don't make excuses to justify your shortcomings. Also, be humble and never stop making music.
|
What websites besides BeatCreators.com do you use?
|
Well, the only other sites I use for music is myspace (www.myspace.com/qledbetter) and my blog (qledbetter.blogspot.com ). I'm always promoting myself via those sites. I also frequently visit ultimate-guitar.com to learn new guitar tricks, chords and songs. Besides that its all about BeatCreators, baby!
|
