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"How did you first start getting into playing music
and production?"
Gary: "Apart from being in bands as a guitarist from about
the age of 15 I started dabbling with software on a BBC computer
using Steinberg Pro 16 and then through meeting songwriter Simon
Climie I progressed to programming the Fairlight CMI. My first
production was working on an album in Reykjavik of all places
for a band called Mezzoforte."
"Which artists have you worked with recently, and what
was your role?"
"Editors. Just programming!"
"You are a big fan of Addictive
Drums. How does that fit into your audio production suite?"
"It forms the basis of all my rhythm tracks. It's the best
of the real drum virtual instruments in my opinion. I also love
the Retro
ADpak."
"When working with an artist, do you have any preferred
way of working when writing songs (for example, they come up with
a hook, you write the music, or similar)?"
"I tend to write the track over which they then come up
with the topline. Sometimes this varies."
"The classic Arturia
synths feature heavily on the albums you've worked on?"
"They've almost single-handedly replaced my analogue collection.
The Jupiter
8V is my favourite, a must have!"
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"What makes a hit record?"
"A riff or hook as well as a great vocal melody and lyric.
It's important to distinguish between a great record and a great
song. You don't necessarily have to fulfil both to have a hit!"
"The music industry has changed over the last few years.
How do you see it going in five years time, and what should artists
be aware of?"
"It's all about live performance and use of the internet.
Bands have to do so much of their own groundwork now and I think
this will be become even more important over the next five years."
"Native Instruments
software is a part of your setup too. Any favourites?"
"Reaktor.
The most creative plugin out there. I think people are scared
to delve into it which is strange as the interface is so intuitive
now."
"Lastly, any production tricks you can share?"
"Common sense to some but put the vocal into a mix as early
as possible as it's generally the point of the song. Also don't
mix in Solo mode!"
"Thanks for the interview!"
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