[Editors note: This interview was done by dcTek]
With credits including Lil Chuckie and Julez Santana, Top 10 Selling Soundclick Producer Twan Beatmaker is quickly becoming one of the most noticed up- in-coming producers in the game. Recently, Warbeats had the opportunity to sit down with him and a few questions:
Can you give us a quick intro by telling us where you are from? How did you get started in producing and when did you start taking it serious?
Well, I'm From Oakland, California. I first started taking music serious when I made my first 300 dollars off a track on Soundclick back in like 07. lol
Have you had any formal musical training?
Nawl, I actually learned everything I know through self-experience.
Warbeats has members from every corner of the world. Can you list some of the names you've worked with that we might recognize?
Ah mayne, I've worked with ALOT of Indie Artist. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be where I am at today. I've also worked with some Major Artist. To name a few I've worked with the members of
Young Jeezy's Label U.S.D.A, Waka Flocka, Jim Jones, Y.G. Hootie BSM, Joe Mose BSM, Calico Jones, Project Pat, Jibbs, JR Writer, Lil' Chuckie from Young Money and the list goes on.
What are some accomplishments that you are most proud of in the production game?
Honestly, just to be doing something postive in my life for once and having my music be heard by millions of people has made me proud.
What does you equipment consist of? Also that being said, what are your thoughts on the whole Hardware vs. Software debate?
I currently have the Motif Xf; thats my baby right there. lol I have a set of KRK Rokit 8s, Dual 24 inch monitors, a MBox 3, a computer with an i7 3.3 quad core with 16 gigs of ram and alot of vst plugins. Some of my favorite plugins are Kontakt, Nexus, and Massive.
Personally, hardware sounds fuller and better than just software. Don't get me wrong, I use and enjoy the software aspect of production also. But I believe they should equal each other out. Everywhere you turn music is becoming apart of the digital era and so are the producers. But as for me, I don't know where I'd be without my keyboard. lol
What’s a day in the life of Twan Beatmaker like?
Mayne I wake up, spend time with my family and then head straight to my studio and get to work. I usually work from Sun up well past Sun Down.
A lot of up and comers think they can make beats and call themselves a "producer". Can you give us your take on the difference between a "beat maker" and a "producer"?
Haha. Yeah, I know exatly what you're talking about. To me what makes a "beat maker" a producer is their understanding of music in whole. You can't just make beats and call yourself a producer. You have to understand song structures, what to put in and what not to put in a song. You need to know and understanding Chords. And producers definately need some knowledge of the Diatonic Scale and how to mix and master vocals and instructments. The list goes on. lol
What is your preference when it comes to selling beats? Online or Face-to-Face and why?
It just depends on the situtation and how much they offer for a purchase. lol But I'm leaning more towards the online aspect of sales. Because you get your money instantly and you don't even have to move finger except to send it off in some cases. Selling Beats Online is a Very lucrative business. You just have to know what you are doing.
When it comes to mixing, everyone wants his or her drums to bang. How do you do yours?
It's hard to say because every drum is different. But my basic way to mix is to most defiantly start off with an equalizer.
In your opinion, what types of things should the new/young producer concentrate on most to develop his/her skills?
Honestly, just keep Making beats day in and day out. The more hours you put in your craft the more you will learn and improve.
One of the biggest challenges is promoting one's self. How do you do that and what advice can you give our readers on that?
Yeah, your RIGHT. One thing is that you can't be scared to show people your work just because you think someone will jack it or something. In the music industry it's about taking risk to get your music out there and heard.
Personally, I network like crazy both online and offline. I have businesscards, CDs, promo shirts and hats. Basically, I use things to get my site noticed and music heard. I know that when I invest in myself I'm going to see a return.
Is having a management team an important part of the equation for you?
Yes and no. It all depends if they can do more for you then you can. I've gotten a alot of offers from alot of management companies and I've turned everyone down.
Simply because of the fact that they can't do more for me than what I'm already doing for myself. Or that their contract was shady. That's another BIG thing you have to watch out for.
With all that being said, I do have one management company that I'm seriously contemplating siging on with.
Do you have any upcoming projects you'd like to let us know about?
Yeah, actually I do, but I can't say too much about it right now. Just know in 2012 you will be hearing BIG NEWS.
We here at Warbeats would like to thank you for taking up some of your busy schedule. Before you go, where can we get more information about you and/or hear more of your music?
Your Welcome. I'm just grateful that you guys at Warbeats considered interviewing me. I've been viewing your FL Studio tutorials for a minute now and they really help me when I get stuck on something in FL Studio.
Yawl can visit my Official Site at www.TwanBeats.com to hear some of my music.
If you have Facebook please like at www.Facebook.com/officialTwanbeatmaker
If you have Twitter Please Follow me: www.Twitter.com/TwanBeatmaker
[Thanks to dcTek for hooking this up! - NFX]