DSF Q&A Sessions 8 : Rob Sparx (open for questions)

[rob sparx]

Was a lot happier when my 2nd record (Rob the Builder - Can u fix it?) got pressed and sold over 2000 copies in 2004 that left me hungry for more definately.

Quite possibly the most fun tune to scratch to I have ever encountered! Big props for that one, although my copy is getting worn out now

I do also have a question, do you ever get stuck whilst producing and have to completely rethink the flow of your project?
I'm having trouble making a bassline that sounds good with a particular tune, I've made some pretty nice ones but none seem to fit the flow. Are there any tips for running background melodys alongside basslines as I'm sure thats why it doesnt sound right.

Respect in advance!

Haha yea that RTB tune was actually a sendup of Baron's Nosher that I wrote for a laugh but its one of my most successful tunes! Just download the MP3 from my myspace page if your vinyl is worn out.

I know exactly what your saying about getting stuck with writing tunes, sometimes in the studio I can't help but punch things and scream as loud as possible from the fustration of not being able to fit a bassline into a tune. Whats even worse is when you stick in a bassline thats almost good enough but not quite and realise days later that you have to completely strip the whole tune down to its basic elements and start again! Writing a tune can sometimes be like a really huge jigsaw puzzle or sometimes its stupidly straightforward the more tunes you write the easier it gets as you can mixdown from old projects with the sort of sound you are looking for.

[serox]

I know exactly what your saying about getting stuck with writing tunes, sometimes in the studio I can't help but punch things and scream as loud as possible from the fustration of not being able to fit a bassline into a tune. Whats even worse is when you stick in a bassline thats almost good enough but not quite and realise days later that you have to completely strip the whole tune down to its basic elements and start again! Writing a tune can sometimes be like a really huge jigsaw puzzle or sometimes its stupidly straightforward the more tunes you write the easier it gets as you can mixdown from old projects with the sort of sound you are looking for.

Don't you just play you're beat and jam to it? I don't see how you can make a bassline that doesn't fit.

[rhek]

When it comes to sampling do you make sure you can get sample clearance or do you just bosh 'em in and hope you dont get picked up on it?

And After Midnight is epic Blisssss! .

Do I fuck lol!! Theres so little money in these kind of white label promos anyway I mean whats the point in spending thousands of pounds on a court case that could last years to recover a few quid? I'd welcome a lawsuit as it would be some good free publicity especially considering I'm one half of "Dirty Thieving Mongrels" that might make a good headline.
I'm at a point where I'm just starting to get a shot at some legitimate remixes for some big names I'll say more about that when/if it actually happens.

Hahaa, thats what i wanna hear! Lookin forward to hearin some big time remixes mate!

One other Q though..

Probably more geared toward the DnB side of things but do you always start with the break? Are you using sampled drum breaks a lot in your tunes? Do you always feel you need a decent break to make your drums flow?

[rob sparx]

This isn't a response to a question but I've been thinking about how important it is to my sound - syncing oscillators. I am always syncing my oscillators and messing about with the pitch of the oscillator that changes harmonics and waveforms to get filthy basses.

Also when using Predator as its not got the same amount of control over the sound as the albino and has no LFO phase control I find I have to automate the pitch wheel to LFO speed to 'bump' wobbles into time. Well worth doing as the Predator has a much beefier sound than the albino but less control over it.

[rob sparx]

When it comes to sampling do you make sure you can get sample clearance or do you just bosh 'em in and hope you dont get picked up on it?

And After Midnight is epic Blisssss! .

Do I fuck lol!! Theres so little money in these kind of white label promos anyway I mean whats the point in spending thousands of pounds on a court case that could last years to recover a few quid? I'd welcome a lawsuit as it would be some good free publicity especially considering I'm one half of "Dirty Thieving Mongrels" that might make a good headline.
I'm at a point where I'm just starting to get a shot at some legitimate remixes for some big names I'll say more about that when/if it actually happens.

Hahaa, thats what i wanna hear! Lookin forward to hearin some big time remixes mate!

One other Q though..

Probably more geared toward the DnB side of things but do you always start with the break? Are you using sampled drum breaks a lot in your tunes? Do you always feel you need a decent break to make your drums flow?

Yes in DNB I'll either start with a break or a b-line completely on its own, I think getting the breaks right then the backup drums (kicks, snare etc) is the easier approach. Breaks in DNB are essential some tunes I've done have had over 12 channels of breaks in the and many as rex files with automation, around 4 channels of breaks is often enough but sometimes u just have to keep adding more and more until it sounds right.

[lowpass]

Just picked up my first 3 vinyls (new to dj'ing) sludge was one of them, could not leave the shop without owning that track

peace

[pdomino]

Hope you enjoyed this Q&A ... next up man like PINCH !

[rob sparx]

I know exactly what your saying about getting stuck with writing tunes, sometimes in the studio I can't help but punch things and scream as loud as possible from the fustration of not being able to fit a bassline into a tune. Whats even worse is when you stick in a bassline thats almost good enough but not quite and realise days later that you have to completely strip the whole tune down to its basic elements and start again! Writing a tune can sometimes be like a really huge jigsaw puzzle or sometimes its stupidly straightforward the more tunes you write the easier it gets as you can mixdown from old projects with the sort of sound you are looking for.

Don't you just play you're beat and jam to it? I don't see how you can make a bassline that doesn't fit.

What I mean is that I dont like writing mediocre tunes and I'd rather scrap a project than finish something I'm not very happy with. With the Shaolin style remix I originally had a beat that sounded fine and a bassline that was ok but nothing special. When I tried new basslines I realised the beat was going to have to change as well as the pattern was too busy and kick drums were interefering with the bassline etc so I stripped the whole project down and tweaked the bass & drums at the same time so I could make sure they had their own space in the mix. I could have just finished the old tune but I would have felt a bit stink doing that as I could tell the label wasnt very impressed with the original track. When ppl do remixes for me I'll tell them to change things as well if I think its necessary as its my wallet that gets hurt if a tune doesnt sell!

With Sludge I did just get a beat and jam the basses over it and it worked a treat but its not always that simple. Sometimes I write the bass completely on its own and build the percussion around it just so I can make the sickest bass possible without having to worry about beats clashing with the sub.

[serox]

With Sludge I did just get a beat and jam the basses over it and it worked a treat but its not always that simple. Sometimes I write the bass completely on its own and build the percussion around it just so I can make the sickest bass possible without having to worry about beats clashing with the sub.

You will just write a groove with a bass patch right? Something I keep telling myself to do. I think it gives a track a different feel if you make a groove with bass instead of drums, if that makes sense

[rob sparx]

With Sludge I did just get a beat and jam the basses over it and it worked a treat but its not always that simple. Sometimes I write the bass completely on its own and build the percussion around it just so I can make the sickest bass possible without having to worry about beats clashing with the sub.

You will just write a groove with a bass patch right? Something I keep telling myself to do. I think it gives a track a different feel if you make a groove with bass instead of drums, if that makes sense

Can get some filthy basslines doing things that way the only problem is sometimes it can be hard to get the drums right later on so most of the tunes I do that way end up with minimal halfstep drums

[james fox]

Hope you enjoyed this Q&A ... next up man like PINCH !

[messdup]

just want to say this was really helpfull

[rob sparx]

just want to say this was really helpfull

No probs mate I'm always happy to share my tricks!

[section 8]

great read...... your tunes rule, subs are always huge.

[rook]

Thanks a ton for your answers, this thread has been way helpful.

[undertow]

Great Q & A!! Bigups Rob!!

[melodik]

whats the best solution if your kick is peaking at 60hz and like you say you should boost yor sub at 60?? cause I usually cut the freq where the kick peaks outa my bass but now Im in a bit of a limbo

Bless in advance!!

[rob sparx]

whats the best solution if your kick is peaking at 60hz and like you say you should boost yor sub at 60?? cause I usually cut the freq where the kick peaks outa my bass but now Im in a bit of a limbo

Bless in advance!!

I do it the other way round - reduce a 60hz thin bandwidth on the kick but only when the sub drops (so kick dont sound feeble on its own) although thats doesn't always work though as it can make the kick sound odd and lose too much punch. Sidechaining (or bouncing the sub down and doing it manually with volume fades) can make the bass sit better or just using a different kick thats less bassy but sits better with your sub/bass. In my mixes 60hz is always the highest frequency and nearly 10db louder than higher frequencies so theres always a bit of 60hz overlapping in the kick and sub but as long as it sounds good and doesn't distort thats not a problem.