DSF Q&A Sessions 19: Phaeleh

[SunkLo]

Tool are AMAZING. 'Like' isn't the word for it

I'm with you on this, they're like the masters of the universe.

[Undrig]

What type of send configuration do you usually load for a template before you start a track?

What are the most useful customizations you've made to Cubase to help speed up your workflow?

As a former Logic/Ableton user I have a hard time getting started on a tune in Cubase without getting overwhelmed trying to find shortcuts for simple things like snapping audio to a grid instead of where the song position left off after stopping the music. Similar things like that seem to stifle my workflow and I find myself spending more time looking for an easier way to do things instead of just hammering out a tune. One might say to stick to what is comfortable, but Logic is Mac only now and Ableton seems better as a sketchpad. I see the potential of Cubase, but have an issue with workflow roadblocks on getting a track started and anything useful from somebody like you who is not only comfortable using it with minimal kit, but also puts out banging tunes with it is def immensely helpful!

That screenshot of Lounge was very helpful and looks fairly easy to use as a starting point for things too. Especially in terms of arranging one shots of drums to give you more control over each sound without going internally to something like battery. I also like the clever crossfade automation to alternate between reversed sounds. Do you ever find yourself using a sampler like battery or kontakt instead of dropping samples into the arrange, and if so (aside from the obv of using multisampled instruments) where do you see the advantages of using an internal sampler vs the layout you have on that lounge screenshot?

Thanks again for answering all of these!

[Insahn]

Hey man,

It's 3:30 AM here in America, I've got to get up for work in a couple of hours, but I just couldn't stop reading this Q&A. Awesome insight, and you seem like a really down to earth dude to boot. Great reading thus far man.

On to my question(s):

1. Those Cubase screens are intimidating, I've never made anything even close to that complete. I would love some arrangement help... How do you get past the loop or basic melodic idea and get down to the grit of arranging a full tune?

2. Can you talk a little bit about your particular work ethic, how you stay focused, and how you manage your time when it comes to song writing, synthesis, finding samples, etc?

3. Quick one...but where did you get the hi-hat samples for Lounge? One of them sounds like a drumstick scraping the top of a hi-hat stand, very cool.

Thanks a lot for taking the time

[pete_bubonic]

Phaeleh is in London I believe currently, and whilst that town lags a fair bit behind Bristol in progression, I do believe they have internet access there nowdays, so Phaeleh will answer some more questions, but with a bit of a delay.

I'll be locking this thread off in a couple of days as well, so make sure to get any questions in!

[akcept]

Are you still coming to NZ ? If so is Christchurch included in the dates?

[DrSpliff]

Nice screenshots. How do you generally go about creating your atmospheres/pads? Great stuff

[phaeleh]

Tool are AMAZING. 'Like' isn't the word for it

I'm with you on this, they're like the mast
ers of the universe.

That's more like it

[phaeleh]

What type of send configuration do you usually load for a template before you start a track?

What are the most useful customizations you've made to Cubase to help speed up your workflow?

As a former Logic/Ableton user I have a hard time getting started on a tune in Cubase without getting overwhelmed trying to find shortcuts for simple things like snapping audio to a grid instead of where the song position left off after stopping the music. Similar things like that seem to stifle my workflow and I find myself spending more time looking for an easier way to do things instead of just hammering out a tune. One might say to stick to what is comfortable, but Logic is Mac only now and Ableton seems better as a sketchpad. I see the potential of Cubase, but have an issue with workflow roadblocks on getting a track started and anything useful from somebody like you who is not only comfortable using it with minimal kit, but also puts out banging tunes with it is def immensely helpful!

That screenshot of Lounge was very helpful and looks fairly easy to use as a starting point for things too. Especially in terms of arranging one shots of drums to give you more control over each sound without going internally to something like battery. I also like the clever crossfade automation to alternate between reversed sounds. Do you ever find yourself using a sampler like battery or kontakt instead of dropping samples into the arrange, and if so (aside from the obv of using multisampled instruments) where do you see the advantages of using an internal sampler vs the layout you have on that lounge screenshot?

Thanks again for answering all of these!

Sends wise, couple of delays with different times, couple of reverbs, and a send with a few delays + reverbs on the same channel!

Only thing I've added is a shortcut for reversing audio, find the standard shortcuts work perfectly for me.

Not sure what you mean by snapping. It's either bar, beat or specified quantize unless you hit 'j' which turns quantize off all together!

I tend to balance beats across samplers and audio. Guess more of the minimal glitchy beats tends to be done in samplers as quicker to play with pitch + envelopes, but I never have a set way to do anything, all about the freestyle

[phaeleh]

Hey man,

It's 3:30 AM here in America, I've got to get up for work in a couple of hours, but I just couldn't stop reading this Q&A. Awesome insight, and you seem like a really down to earth dude to boot. Great reading thus far man.

On to my question(s):

1. Those Cubase screens are intimidating, I've never made anything even close to that complete. I would love some arrangement help... How do you get past the loop or basic melodic idea and get down to the grit of arranging a full tune?

2. Can you talk a little bit about your particular work ethic, how you stay focused, and how you manage your time when it comes to song writing, synthesis, finding samples, etc?

3. Quick one...but where did you get the hi-hat samples for Lounge? One of them sounds like a drumstick scraping the top of a hi-hat stand, very cool.

Thanks a lot for taking the time

1) Tricky one man, I think spending years playing in bands gave me an advantage with that side of things, but I always think in terms of arrangements with a band. Verses, choruses, bridges etc. It's about introducing new sounds, keeping things back, expanding different ideas. If there's a very melodic hook for 16, make the next hook more rhythmic. I don't think there's a secret to it, just a case of perservering and finding an arrangement which flows. Recommend listening to your favourite song and just analysing what they're doing with each sound, how often does it come in, how long does it play for, how many different parts are running at once etc...

2) again it varies, but I still think the key is not working on anything if I'm not feeling it. Forcing music never results in anything I rate. Coffee/tea and generally sugary goodness are also recommended in order to keep energy up. Take a break every now + then to give your ears and brain a rest! I work in a pretty freestyle way, if I spend more than 5 minutes on a sounds my short attention span kicks in and I just delete it and start again. I let the effects do a lot more work than the synths themselves for example! Oh and another thing, organise your sample archive. I did this about 4 years ago and helped workflow massively!

3) I think those were off a future music cd from years ago if I remember right!

[phaeleh]

Phaeleh is in London I believe currently, and whilst that town lags a fair bit behind Bristol in progression, I do believe they have internet access there nowdays, so Phaeleh will answer some more questions, but with a bit of a delay.

I'll be locking this thread off in a couple of days as well, so make sure to get any questions in!

Haha, I'm waiting for the Pete Forsaken standup routine, hitting a town near you soon!

You would have thought so Pete, but I'm answering these on my phone in the glamorous location of elephant & castle, so excuse the shorter replies on last few questions!

Will def lock off this week, as I need to put down the internet + start making some music again!

[phaeleh]

Are you still coming to NZ ? If so is Christchurch included in the dates?

So I'm told, and christchurch was on the original list. Should be able to 100% soon, though some Oz crew want in on the action so waiting on them before confirming all the dates!

[phaeleh]

Nice screenshots. How do you generally go about creating your atmospheres/pads? Great stuff

The pads themselves are very generic, I just let filters, delays and reverbs do the work for me. I'll generally have a couple of each of the above on each pad, though lfos on cutoff, pan etc to help create movement in the sound. Add on top some more delay and reverb sends and that's when it becomes truly cosmic!

[Airgonaut]

Hi Phaeleh,

First of all, massive respect for doing the interview. I've always loved your stuff. I've got two questions (they've probably been asked already, but I didn't see them :X)

How do you go about getting good drum samples? Do you buy them/make them/modify them/etc.?

And how did you make the transition from producing songs to DJing live? Was it difficult?

Thanks

[BevOh]

Only just recently been getting into your tunes since a mate told me to check you out. Really enjoying most of it too my question is, when did you first realize that you were making quality tracks and what brought about that realization?

Really looking forward to you coming to Aus for Yellow Sunshine too! Went to the launch party on the weekend just gone, looks to be shaping up nicely.

[brettheaslewood]

phaeleh, mate par'd me out on giving me a lift to brighton tonight, not gonna be able to reach!

sorry mate, catch ya soon!

[djcable]

Thought I'd get a cheeky question in before the thread gets locked off... It's been an insightful read so far.

Do you have any tips on creating decent pad sounds? Mine tend to sound either too dull or too cheesey...

P.S. Awakening is a classic tune. Big up.

[AllNightDayDream]

Just wanna say it's been a truly enlightening read, big ups phaeleh!

[phaeleh]

Hi Phaeleh,

First of all, massive respect for doing the interview. I've always loved your stuff. I've got two questions (they've probably been asked already, but I didn't see them :X)

How do you go about getting good drum samples? Do you buy them/make them/modify them/etc.?

And how did you make the transition from producing songs to DJing live? Was it difficult?

Thanks

My sample archive is a result of over 10years of making tunes. Lots are free samples, some I got off mates, others standard packs of old breaks alongside recorded hits off the drum machines of mine. Definitely rinsed a lot of the pro sample cds from the library at uni when I was studying. Do find myself using compressed/processed hits from old tunes more these days too!

Well was doing various styles of live sets for years whilst producing, so was just getting used to beat matching which was the main thing to get used to. I found myself very nervous for the first few DJ sets, but best moment was realising that people raving in a club are never going to be a harsh a critic as yourself, so always enjoy it really!

[phaeleh]

Only just recently been getting into your tunes since a mate told me to check you out. Really enjoying most of it too my question is, when did you first realize that you were making quality tracks and what brought about that realization?

Really looking forward to you coming to Aus for Yellow Sunshine too! Went to the launch party on the weekend just gone, looks to be shaping up nicely.

Most of it eh?

Hmmm good question! I wouldn't say I hit a point of making tunes I thought were really good, but definitely a point where I could appreciate other people might like it. I guess it was in the first few instance of people talking about the music having a profound impact on some event in their life that I really thought on that kind of vibe.

I can't wait for Oz man, never thought I'd get the chance to travel somewhere like that!

[phaeleh]

phaeleh, mate par'd me out on giving me a lift to brighton tonight, not gonna be able to reach!

sorry mate, catch ya soon!

All good man, sorry it didn't work out!