For this exclusive interview, we’re joined by Alden Song to learn more about his journey into music production, his approach when it comes to creating powerful tracks, and the techniques, processes, and equipment he uses most in his production practice. Having had a decade on the music scene, Alden Song has become known for his dynamic sound and vibrant energy, both within his studio productions and through his live DJing sets. So, we’re looking forward to sitting down in conversation with the talented Producer and DJ today to discover more about his workflow, studio set-up, and musical inspirations.
Hi Alden, nice to meet you! How are you?
I’m great, thanks so much for having me!
What started your pursuit of a career in Dance music?
I started when I was 7 years old so it’s hard to identify how it all started because it’s all I’ve ever known. The drive to DJ has always been there and naturally evolved into music production. Everyone told me that I was always artistic as a kid, and it translated into music. When I was younger, I remember DJing to crowds and loving the energy and I have loved it ever since. My parents and their friends were in the NYC House music scene in the 90s and still are. My dad is a DJ and when I was young, he inspired me to DJ myself.
How did you learn to create music?
I was very fortunate to go to a preschool that focused on creative thinking, and I’ve always considered myself an artist. From there, it just naturally evolved into a love for making music, and my family gave me the right tools to create. I started with GarageBand and discovered the basics of making music through its premade loops. I soon outgrew that and downloaded Ableton Live 9 and I started messing around on my own, creating Dance music.
Which DAW is your favorite?
I would definitely say Ableton, I have been using it for many years now and it has been my go-to DAW. A great quote I heard was – “Ableton is infinite.” I feel like I’m always learning new things.
What are your go-to plugins and effects?
My favorite wavetable synth plugins are Serum and Diva for electronic basses and leads. Serum is good for digital sounds and Diva is good for emulating analog sounds. I also use a lot of Native Instruments plugins such as Hybrid Keys, Analog Dreams, and The Grandeur for more of an organic feel. For effects, I’ve been using Valhalla reverbs, Saturn 2, and RC-20. My favorite at the moment is Saturn because the distortion is super warm and clean. All of these plugins are super useful but for years I have used stock Ableton plugins because they are amazing and get the job done.
Where do you draw inspiration from to produce your tracks? How do you spark your creativity?
I listen to all kinds of music, so I draw inspiration from a lot of different genres and watch other DJs on YouTube and social media. But I also get inspiration from other works of art such as paintings and architecture.
Could you share with us some important steps of your creative process? What is your process like when it comes to starting a new production?
I always like getting the idea out of my head as quickly as possible, so I usually have the basic outline of the song in about an hour or two. I think it’s important to have every tool in your DAW as accessible as possible to be able to get the idea created before you lose it.
Which pieces of equipment do you use most often within your tracks?
I mainly use Ableton but sometimes I would use my Moog Subsequent 37 which is an analog synthesizer and my Behringer RD-9 which is a replica of the Roland 909 drum machine.
Could you share more about your studio setup? Do you have a studio that you use or have you built your own at home?
I have built my own studio at home! My computer is a Mac mini, and it’s connected to an ultra-wide monitor. My audio interface is an Apollo Twin X, and my speakers are the JBL 3 Series MKII. I have been collecting my gear for years and it serves me well. I used Sonarworks which EQs your room for a truer sound and now I use sound panels to treat my room. I recently purchased a Mojave microphone because of my recent work with singers and vocalists.
What is one piece of advice you would give to a rising producer who wants to learn to perfect their productions?
I would say, take inspiration from everywhere and incorporate it into your music. I feel like I’m still searching for ways to improve my production skills. And you need to be less hard on yourself and stop comparing your music to others. Love the process of making music and with that, your music will sound better.
As we finish our interview with Alden Song, we thank him for his time and for allowing us a glimpse into his creativity when it comes to music production; having made his passion and commitment towards his craft clear, we’re sure that Alden Song will bring more captivating releases to his listeners soon, so be sure to stay tuned by following Alden Song across social media.
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