DR DAWSOUND On the Making Of ‘Universal Love’
Can you talk about any specific themes or motifs that run throughout 'Universal Love?'
The universal love of course. This utopia in this world so sad should be the standard in life. Hope and positive energy are the main directions of the album. Musically it’s a Pop dance style between modern and vintage touch.
How did you work with the producer or engineers to bring your vision for 'Universal Love' to life?
I worked alone in my Home studio from zero to the complete demo including lead vocal topline for each song. I was the only one songwriter, "classic" beatmaker (i.e. instruments were played like classic musicians), topliner, producer, arranger, keyboardist, and lyricist. No sample nor loops are used except loops when sophisticated rhythm is needed (Perfect Time track).
I am not a vocal performer, so I worked with international artists for all voices through "Soundbetter". For Perfect Time. The violin line that I have composed with a synth.was played by a real violinist.
All mixes were released by Daniela Rivera a high references sound engineer from Atlanta (US) who mixed as an assistant to Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Selena Gomez, Coldplay, Michael Jackson, Rita Ora, Wiz Khalifa, etc...
Can you talk about any standout tracks on the album and what makes them special to you?
“Stellar Pulse,” “Electric Heartbeat” and “Girl In a Hurry” are pop dance and R&B style tracks with 80's vintage touch. They are inspired by The Weeknd and Dua Lipa.
“Amor de Verano” written in English lyrics with a Spanish chorus (with the help of AI) is my first pop Latino song inspired by Shakira and Rosalia.
“Little Girl” and “Blue” are a tribute to Janis Joplin written with her song titles.
Finally, “Perfect Time” is written like a movie soundtrack.
Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your journey into music production? How did you become a producer?
I have been writing songs for many years for local singers or groups. I can write in many styles from pop to rock, blues, jazz, bossa, samba, R&B, folk, disco, funk, Latino, reggae, tango or valse. (One of my songs was a finalist at Audi Talents Awards 2009 and the group was a finalist at the "emergenza" regional festival at Marseille in 2019 just before covid period.
At the same time, I was the bassist then the keyboard of a local group that doesn't exist now. So, I chose to compose for myself in Pop Dance Style because I play the keyboard and it's easier for me to compose and arrange the complete song like I want with keyboards only and I became a producer for myself and for a local singer from Marseille, Cedrine Lixon.
Can you discuss some of your favorite production techniques or tools that you frequently use to achieve a specific sound or texture?
I work on a PC on Steinberg Cubase pro 13 as DAW and different vst instruments like Native Instruments mkII + Komplete 14 with different NKS extensions, Serum, BFD3, Kick 2, etc... and hardware keyboards: Korg Kronos x, Yamaha motif rack Xs, Roland Integra 7, Kurzweil Pc3 and Nord electro 5 and an acoustic Grand Piano Seiler 116. Depending on the song, each instrument can be played with 2 or 3 sounds on 2 or 3 tracks (kick, snare, bass, HH, etc.…) and transformed with effect plug-ins.