My name is Andrew Lloyd, I’m a multi-instrumentalist and producer from Hempstead, New York. I’ve been producing music since about 2007, and have worked with/have placements with a range of artists from Mac Miller, to Lil Wayne.
My style of music is very musical and melodic. I’m a big R & B producer so that’s my thing. I love using big chords in my music and really put a lot of time into my melodies. There aren’t really any famous producers I resemble or sound like but I’d say its like The Underdogs, Bilal & Battlecat rolled into one with a lot of jazz and funk influences in my music.
1. Sampling. How important is it in producing music?
As far as sampling goes, knowing how to sample is important, but im not really into it as far as my process, because it just slows me down. Having to search for the right sample, chopping it up, things of that nature… I would prefer to replay it because it just speeds things up and it helps you understand different genres the way they’re composed and built from the ground up. Also clearing the samples is just a headache sometimes, its just too many outside elements that mess with the music making.
Where do you see new producers making mistakes?
The biggest mistake I see producers is copying each other. Making the same beats, with the same graphic design, mixing the same way. Not everybody can be Johnny Juliano, there’s only one and hes great at what he does, producers need to just leave it alone. There’s only one Vybe and that’s just on the independent scene. Staying true to yourself and making your own sound should always be the goal, and just stepping out of the box to keep shit fresh.
3. What software do you recommend for making beats? And why? And what do you use?
I cant really choose one software over another, I think they all have their pros and cons. Me personally I use Propellerheads Reason 6, and its really the software I feel most comfortable with, but I’ve used Logic Pro, FL Studio, so its really up to what a producer feels most comfortable with. Only reason why I would suggest Reason or Logic over FL is because the sounds that come with those two program are ready to go, compared to FL in which the stock sounds aren’t as good.
4. To all those new aspiring producers reading this learning to produce music / make beats, what advice can you give them starting out?
My advice to any aspiring producer is to learn the business, and set goals for yourself. Always have a vision for what you’re trying to do because its easy to get wrapped up in things that don’t matter. Just staying focused and staying positive on what you want to accomplish with your music and what you’re trying to do.
5. What are the 3 most important steps to making beats?
Sound choice, melody, and most important groove… if you don’t feel that groove in a beat, you might as well scrap it. And by Groove I don’t necessarily mean swing, I just mean how well things fit together, keeping everything flowing and moving so your beat doesn’t sound like loops being pieced together.
6. Very few producers make it to the top of there career as a world famous producer. What’s the difference, in your opinion, between a famous producer and one who can’t seem to it? What do the ones that make it do that the ones don’t ?
I think what makes one producer make it compared to ones who don’t is sacrifice, most producers I know that have “made it” do nothing but music, music is all they know. A lot of producers that are on the come up have part time jobs, go to school, have other responsibilities, which is fine you have to take care of the things that matter most, but at the end of the day you’re competing with producers who spend 20 hours a day working on music and that’s being generous. So I think it really comes down to dedication to making music.
7. Which do you prefer new producers start with when learning to make beats: Hardware or software? And Why?
I think software is probably the best thing to way to go for new producers the way technology is moving and making music production so streamlined. I’ve been software based most of my production career, but there are a couple hardware pieces that I want to get my hands on but for now I think I’m good with software and I’m sure some others would agree.
8. What makes a quality beat? What must it sound like? How do you know when your done?
A quality beat is when all the different parts are synchronized, Drums are hitting, sound choice is good, chord progressions are strong & melody is strong and catchy. There’s no real time or certain event that lets you know when a beat is done, but my best advice is to just keep things simple, overloading a beat with a bunch of tracks is the worst thing you can do and it was something that I’m still trying to get better at to this day. Less is always more.
9. Should I go to school to learn more about music?
As a person who is going to school for music. No you shouldn’t go to school to learn more about music, to learn about the business I think it’s a good idea to take a couple courses if you can to learn about how royalties work, how copyright law works but to actually go to a specific college or area to learn about how to be a better musician I don’t feel is necessary.
10. Any final thoughts or advice to aspiring producers?
Pretty much just stay true to your vision and work at your craft!
Drewsthatdude.bandcamp.com
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