Send us your questions!
Added 2024-02-15 17:03:42 +0000 UTCThis month we will be recording a Q&A video. We'll primarily be answering questions about our most recent album but feel free to ask anything else that comes to mind too.
Post your questions in the comments below, production-related or otherwise, and we'll answer as many as we can.
Comments
The 3 first/most import steps to getting a good mix. and is it done as youre making the sound or at the end.
Gero
2024-02-24 15:34:59 +0000 UTCHey I just saw that you're playing at earth frequency festival in QLD (australia) in early may. Will you be doing any other shows around australia? Its difficult for me to see you at that time and place
Matthew Swain
2024-02-22 13:49:57 +0000 UTCI'd love to see y'all try out Ableton 12 and give us an idea of what you consider when facing major DAW udpates.
MACKY
2024-02-21 14:21:34 +0000 UTCStarlite breakdown/stems would be a dream came true
DIVRSED
2024-02-18 16:34:17 +0000 UTCI have a few questions :) 1. After your tour is over (which I can hopefully make it to) what's next for KOAN Sound? 2. If you guys are fans of anime, what is your favorite :3
Connor Glenn
2024-02-17 00:41:26 +0000 UTCHey guys! I have three questions: 1. Led by Ancient Light is obviously a very conceptual album. I'm curious how often do you think of a specific concept or story to inspire songs/albums in general? Does doing that guide a lot of your creative inspiration, or do you most often just play around randomly and whatever piques your interest you just run with it, or maybe you do something else? In short - what does each of your creative processes look like and does it shift a lot depending on the song/album/era? 2. Do either of you have other creative outlets besides music, and if so, what are they? I find sometimes I'll get a little burnt out on music and I'll prefer drawing or doing something physically creative like rock climbing or snowboarding, and eventually the urge to make music comes back. I'm curious to hear your experiences knowing the caliber of music you make and what you do if you're feeling uninspired or burnt out. 3. I remember seeing a while ago you were interested in making music for video games at some point. Is that still something you're looking to do? I'd absolutely love to play a game like Hi-Fi Rush (or a bunch of other types of games) to your music.
AeonVoyage
2024-02-16 17:27:11 +0000 UTCThis may be covered in other tutorials (if so feel free to reference and I'll do my homework), but I'd love to hear thoughts on unifying kick/bass sounds. There's a distinctive pitch envelope-y "kick sucked down into a bass" sound that you guys nail (e.g., on Traverse), and I'm wondering if the low end is truly coming from two distinct elements or if you use a more clicky kick with a pitch envelope on a bass to create the unified sound. Really any thoughts on arranging/mixing low end would be appreciated :)
Faelow
2024-02-16 15:36:36 +0000 UTCSanctuary is still one of the most lush dreamy sounding albums I've ever heard. I would love to hear about the inspiration and world building that went into creating that album (A peak at the session files if they're around still would also be incredible!)
Andrew Hockey
2024-02-16 12:38:41 +0000 UTCWould love to know if you both have a favourite tune on the new album?
Aleks
2024-02-16 09:05:35 +0000 UTCHey Will and Jim! My questions: 1) How do you clean really distorted harsh sound to get something pleasant at the end? It's usually a challenge for me when I see it's gonna be potentially interesting but I have to cut too much from both sides 2) How do you work with vocals? Editing, creating right space (do you use busses or direct effects), saturation, EQing, maybe some special tricks? Also backing vocals are interesting too.
Konstantin Korsakov
2024-02-16 07:01:53 +0000 UTC1) What are some of the principles of mixing that you use when starting an idea? 2) You guys have a very identifiable sound that involves extremely in depth techniques, what was your philosophy when coming up with your style and what songwriting advice would you give to producers out there right now who are searching for their own unique sound?
Josh Nussbaum
2024-02-16 00:13:01 +0000 UTCHello guys, my questions are: 1. what is your music background? 2. I quote @Diego Felix question: how you met? 3. what advices would you give to any aspiring music producer? 4. Regarding the album, how did it start? Thanks a lot for your time!
Inflowex
2024-02-15 21:05:33 +0000 UTC1) What's the story of how you met, Jim and Will? 2) After achieving all that you have, including a loyal and robust fanbase, along with critical acclaim and respect from peers, and putting out truly timeless music--what are your career goals looking at 2024 and beyond? Are you ever motivated by Grammy noms/wins, Brit Awards, or chasing 1# records? Or perhaps more immediately, what's the next moves for you fellas?
Diego
2024-02-15 20:44:35 +0000 UTCIf you were a new producer trying to build an audience in this genre, what would you be focusing on (beyond just releasing strong tracks)? Any strategies you'd recommend about using socials, paid media, when/how to start submitting to labels, reaching out to potential collaborators, etc. would be gold. Ty, you guys are a huge inspiration for me!
Kurt Peters
2024-02-15 18:40:37 +0000 UTCI have two questions: 1.) What are your typical approaches for clearing your head when ear fatigue or idea burn out happens? When an unfinished song feels stale or you run out of energy applies too. 2.) On LbAL what were your favorite and least favorite chapters to write, and how did it affect the songwriting process for their corresponding tracks? The written story feels very personal, were there moments where it made the process emotionally easier or harder?
Holland Vance-Wright
2024-02-15 17:50:55 +0000 UTCHow's the sauce?
Prism
2024-02-15 17:29:38 +0000 UTCBTS of touring would be AWESOME!
Gypsyndicate
2024-02-15 17:25:30 +0000 UTCHow do you usually collaborate with other artist? (- Live Sessions, Exchange of Files, who comes up with the "Main idea") How has touring been. Would you ever make a behind the scenes for your tour?
holdont
2024-02-15 17:19:31 +0000 UTCWhat (if any) would you say is the biggest production difference in your approach to creating 'Led by Ancient Light' vs 'Polychrome'? Were there new techniques or modifications to older production techniques that stand out (ie. bass design, drums, arrangement)?
58DUST
2024-02-15 17:15:59 +0000 UTCNow the album has been out and the dust has settled a bit, are you considering where you might head in the future? This album is your best work yet so I imagine you're gonna wanna follow a similar thread in the future, whilst still pushing boundaries. I was thinking, as you used Cello and Piano mainly in this LP, would you consider exploring more eastern composition in the future? Like working with a Sarangi or Sitar player and exploring microtonal scales? Maybe something more wind based, like the Clarinet or Bansuri? I love your eastern oriented tracks like Dynasty, Forgotten Myths etc. it would be incredible to hear an album centered around an instrument such as the Sarangi.
Gypsyndicate
2024-02-15 17:10:43 +0000 UTC
