Stargate on producing Sam Smith songs with KOMPLETE | Native Instruments

Summary

In this insightful video, Mikkel from Stargate shares his creative process in music production, highlighting key techniques used in songs like "Dancing with A Stranger" and "To Die For" featuring Sam Smith. He emphasizes experimentation with different sounds, instruments, and effects, such as using Native Instruments software to enhance tracks. Mikkel also discusses his music academy, LAAMP, which fosters collaboration and mentorship for aspiring artists and producers. His passion for songwriting and production shines through as he reflects on the importance of creativity, commitment, and the collaborative nature of music-making.

Takeaways

• 🎶 Experimenting with different chords and beats is crucial for creativity in music production.
• 💡 Not being overly precious about ideas allows for the discovery of unique and interesting sounds.
• 🎹 The duo Stargate has worked with major artists like Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Sam Smith, showcasing their industry experience.
• 📀 The song 'Dancing with a Stranger' was created from scratch in a single day using simple sounds and effective modulation.
• 🎤 Incorporating various vocal techniques, such as using a handheld mic for texture, can enhance the overall sound.
• 🎸 Realistic guitar sounds can be achieved using high-quality libraries like Evolution Guitars in music production.
• 🌟 Collaboration with artists can lead to spontaneous and exciting musical moments, as seen with Sam Smith's contributions.
• 🔊 Using bass sounds that are audible on small speakers is a challenge, and MASSIVE offers a solution for thick, low bass.
• 🛠️ The LAAMP academy emphasizes collaboration among artists and producers, fostering a hands-on learning environment.
• 📜 The creative process involves starting with a blank slate and developing something meaningful by the end of the day.

Q & A

What is the primary approach Mikkel advocates for in music production?

Mikkel emphasizes the importance of experimentation, encouraging producers to try different chords, beats, and tempos without being overly attached to initial ideas.

How did Mikkel and Tor create 'Dancing with a Stranger'?

They wrote the song in one day, starting from scratch with a basic beat and a sine wave pad sound from ABSYNTH, adding various effects to enhance the sound.

What plugins does Mikkel mention for enhancing sound design?

He mentions using MASSIVE for bass, Valhalla Room for reverb, and KONTAKT for guitar sounds, highlighting their importance in achieving rich textures.

What challenges does Mikkel face with bass sounds in production?

He finds it challenging to create a sub bass that is both thick and low while remaining audible on smaller speakers, like laptops and phones.

What is the core structure Mikkel uses to build a track?

He builds tracks around simple core elements: a main chord instrument, a sub bass, strings, and rhythm, ensuring that these components work cohesively.

How does Mikkel describe his collaboration with Sam Smith?

He describes a spontaneous session where Sam was inspired by a simple piano riff Mikkel played, leading to the creation of the song 'To Die For.'

What is LAAMP, and what does it offer?

LAAMP stands for Los Angeles Academy for Artists and Music Production, where artists, songwriters, and producers collaborate and are mentored, culminating in a portfolio of over 50 songs.

What key realization did Mikkel have regarding music production?

He realized he could focus on the aspects of production he loved, such as beat-making, while collaborating with others for lyrics and vocals.

What advice does Mikkel give about recording vocal samples?

He suggests recording vocal samples on a phone instead of a professional mic to achieve a grittier, more unique sound.

What does Mikkel consider essential for a successful music production session?

He believes starting with a blank slate and allowing creativity to flow is essential, as it can lead to the creation of something meaningful by the end of the day.