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10 questions with Chris Lake
Globally recognised as one of the most exciting, forward thinking and cutting edge producers on the scene, Chris Lake's rare ability to create tracks that fuse elements of house, electro and techno has propelled him into the league of international DJ superstars. We pick his brains for some production wisdom.
His 2006 track 'Changes' reached no.27 in the UK charts, with follow-up 'Carry Me Away' topping the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay Chart. No stranger to the international DJing circuit Chris regularly graces the decks in North and South America, Russia, China, Japan and of course all over the UK. His label Rising Music has taken the Beatport charts by storm and his co-productions with the likes of Sebastien Leger frequently grace the Beatport top 10. We track the main man down for a quick Sounds to Sample Q&A.
How important do you think it is to have your music mastered commercially? Can you do it yourself as effectively and what tools would you recommend?
It depends how good you are at doing it yourself but certainly if you hand your mix to the right mastering engineer, then the results can be well worth it. Equally, I know many people who do it themselves; some get it right, and some get it very, very wrong.
Have you got any advice for aspiring young producers out there?
Keep true to yourself. Try to make what you want to make. Don't endeavor to copy others - it's a negative way of writing.
When building a track - how do you normally work? Like most folk do you start with the drums and build your way up from that?
I have no set way of working. The most inspiring way is to start with a sound, shape it, build it into a riff, and then let the track grow itself.
What's your opinion on processing the mix bus? Leave it clean or drive it to the extreme?
It depends how you want it to sound: clean on a nice track, driven on the noise core ;)
For you, what is the key ingredient in a track? Breakdown? Style of production? Bassline? And why?
Just a good idea: you can't have a track if it has no good idea behind it.
How do you see the dance music industry developing over the next two to three years?
More artists will turn to live performances, and there will be a move away more from standard DJing. I'm sure this will eventually influence the style of music people make into something more energetic.
Loops? Or programming your own beats from single hits? And why?
I program using single hits. There is more room for creativity that way. However, loops can give a more unique sound or texture and are useful for fleshing out your own programmed beats.
Any advice on monitoring? Quiet? loud? Do you prefer flat and boring speakers? Or headphones? Or big phat and chunky monitors?
I always monitor loud, but I know I shouldn't.
What do you believe is the secret to your success as a producer?
I make music that works in the clubs, but music that at the same time you can listen to in the car or have blasting in your house.
Which sounds do you find are the hardest to create from scratch?
A great kick drum.
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More from Chris Lake: myspace.com/chrislake1
(c) 2009 Sounds/To/Sample