Knowledge Magazine – Introducing: Hexadecibel
Posted by hxdb | Filed under News
I’m thrilled to announce that my interview for Knowledge Magazine has been posted today, so without any more fanfare, I’ll post the interview and let it do the speaking!
Interview Link:
http://www.kmag.co.uk/editorial/blogs/dubstep/introducing-hexadecibel
Canadian producer Hexadecibel, aka HxdB, aims to blend 2step, house, techno, dubstep, UK funky into one hybrid pioneering sound. He sent us some beats and we wanted to find out more.
Please introduce yourself…
My name is Severine, I’m 32-years-old and from Vancouver, Canada. I help to manage two record labels, Pressing Issues and Gradient Audio. I make bass music that I strive to make equal parts fun and meaningful.
How did you get into music?
I got into music, like so many others, by being a fan first and foremost. I was raised by my mother and she was passionate about music and always encouraged me to be that way also. There was seemingly always a record on the player at our house and it really fostered the attitude of having a “soundtrack to your life”. I never really learned to play any instruments though, I was always more of a listener and casual participator.
In high school I was an avid fan of any kind of music I could possibly find that was underground: punk, hardcore, metal, hip hop, classic rock, even avante garde jazz and psychedelic instrumental albums. I used to spend a lot of time hanging out with some cats from my school that were rapping and were hooked up with a producer to make their beats. I went with them down to the studio several times, hoping for a chance to rhyme. I was becoming increasingly fascinated by what the producer, Junior, was doing, and less interested with the microphone.
Shortly thereafter I discovered electronic music and raves in the mid-late 90s, which completely changed the way I looked at music. After being a fan of early drum & bass, jungle and breaks for some years, I knew it was the perfect time to finally give a shot.
How do you go about producing your music?
I don’t really use a template, but I have a loose methodology. I always start with a blank project, I’ll usually search for individual drums and hits, maybe chop up and process a couple breaks. Then I like to create a vibe, add some pads, some kind of melody. Then I like to play a bass line for the sub. I’ve been using Sylenth1 or even FL Studio’s built-in 3xOSC to make a nice clean sine for the sub. I’ve also been using lots of 808 sub kicks lately too which are fun to alternate with. Then I’ll usually start the arrangement and add more synths, vox, and other flourishes as I get to know the song more.
I’ve been taking my time with tracks a lot more lately and getting more into detailed edits, more complex chords and other bits of ear candy. The funny thing is I never really write any two tunes the same way. I mean, I have preferred tools and a handful of “go-to” sounds, but I find the process and preparation to be different and unique for each tune. Perhaps it’s my add, but I find creating music to be infinitely pleasurable and inspiring.
What’s the best piece of musical advice you’ve ever had?
Learn to EQ properly, seriously, this has to be the most fundamental key to making your music sound good. Once I learned to understand the correlation between what your sound looks like in a spectrum analyzer to what it actually sounds like, my tunes started to sound better and better. A really nice plugin I’ve been using is Voxengo GlissEQ. It has a superb spectrum analyzer built into an already great and discrete sounding EQ. Essential.
What’s next for you?
I’m sharing a vinyl release with Distal & Mayhem from Atlanta, coming out January 24th on Surefire Sounds (Typewriter VIP). I also have a 12″ forthcoming on Inhale Audio (Stylish Cadaver), a spot in the forthcoming Brownswood Electric Vol. 2 (Savage Pets) and forthcoming EPs on Subdepth, Party Guy & Kursed. I also have several single track releases on Gradient Audio, Haunted Audio and more. I’m curating an LP on Gradient Audio featuring some of, in my opinion, the very finest emerging future bass creators, which is very exciting.
I’m working on collaborations with Self Evident, Max Ulis, DJ Cure, 3rdeye & Cairo. I’m currently almost complete remixes for Swarms, Blind Prophet and Style Disciples. I am struggling to, but nearly ready to also put out the third installment of my monthly podcast, “HxdB Loves…”. This month is Austin, Texas and features some really exciting works from some really great producers like Dubbel Dutch, FBOM, VVV, Outlaw Producer & arms&suites. I’m getting married in April too, so life has been pretty hectic!
Where do you see yourself within the genre?
I don’t really know to be honest. I don’t really feel like I belong in any one genre because I like to lend from so many influences. I’m trying to sit in-between genres, let a certain sound accomplish a certain task and something from another sound to accomplish another.
Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
Producing music full time, probably visiting your city.
What do you bring to the scene that’s different?
That’s a really tricky question man! I think almost everything under the sun has been done. I do though think that the way I do things is different, which is where my sound comes from. Everyone has their own unique musical fingerprint.
Interview: Sam Moir
