Embarking on their musical journey, the all-female duo Lady Decibel has emerged on the Electronic Music scene motivated to make their mark with their unique signature sound, alongside their commitment towards breaking down barriers and stereotypes within the genre. Based in Orlando, this dynamic duo has been working to hone a distinct style, aiming to seamlessly blend Dance and Techno to offer immersive sonic experiences and show off their expansive skills, talents, and abilities. As motivated advocates for inclusivity and diversity, Lady Decibel appears with passion and dedication, a recipe sure to make an impact on the landscape of Electronic Music.
In this exclusive interview, Lady Decibel takes us on a journey through their music production approach, delving into their influences, process, and the technical aspects of their craft. So, join us as we uncover more about this refreshing duo.
To start, we’d love to hear about your journey into the world of DJing and production. What first inspired you to start experimenting with Electronic Music?
Thanks for having us! Our journey into Electronic Music started back in the early 2000s during the Eurodance and Trance era. Artists like Rollergirl, Darude, and ATB really caught our attention and sparked our passion for creating music ourselves.
What started as a hobby soon turned into a real passion as we delved into learning music production software and refining our track-making skills. Along the way, our DJing and production style evolved, drawing influence from different musical genres and experiences at shows and festivals across the country and around the world.
Our main goal has always been to connect with people through music, stirring emotions and creating memorable experiences. Looking back, we’re grateful for those early inspirations—they ignited a passion that continues to drive us to innovate and explore new sounds in Electronic Music today.
How has being part of a female DJ duo influenced your career and music production style?
Being part of Lady Decibel, a female DJ duo, has profoundly influenced both our career trajectory and music production style. Since our inception earlier this year with the debut single ‘Wide Awake,’ we’ve centered our musical themes around love, desire, and passion. While our current catalog remains predominantly within the House genre, we’re thrilled to share that our future releases will feature a unique fusion of Dance and Techno, shaping our evolving signature sound.
Being an all-female DJ duo has brought a fresh perspective and dynamic to our creative process. It’s empowered us to explore and express our musical ideas authentically and confidently. We strongly believe in the power of representation and diversity within the music industry. As women in a traditionally male-dominated field, we aim to challenge stereotypes and inspire others.
Our collaboration as Lady Decibel has not only shaped our music production style but has also opened doors to new opportunities and connections within the industry. We’re dedicated to pushing boundaries, experimenting with different sounds, and creating experiences that deeply resonate with our audience. Stay tuned for our upcoming releases as we continue to evolve and share our passion for Electronic Music with the world!
Which DAW is your favourite and why?
Ableton Live has become our favorite DAW, hands down. What really sets it apart for us is its intuitive session view, which is great for sketching out ideas and experimenting with loops in a way that feels really organic and immediate. It’s like having a virtual musical sketchpad that lets you play around and build tracks in a fluid, non-linear way.
Another big plus is the sheer range of tools it has right out of the box. The built-in instruments and effects are top-notch, covering everything from classic synths to powerful audio processing tools. And if that’s not enough, the support for third-party plugins is extensive, so you can really tailor your setup to suit your sound and workflow.
Ableton Live just fits seamlessly into our studio production workflow. It’s not just about the features—it’s about how seamlessly everything works together. It’s designed for the musician in mind, making it easy to capture ideas quickly and turn them into polished tracks. Plus, the community around it is incredible, with tons of YouTube tutorials, forums, and resources to help you get the most out of it.
Overall, Ableton Live isn’t just a tool for us; it’s become an essential part of how we create music, blending creativity with functionality in a way that feels totally natural.
What are your favourite plugins and effects? Are there any go-to synth patches or soundscapes you frequently use?
We’re all about using the latest gear, like pretty much everything from Baby Audio, especially their awesome new BA-1 synth—it’s been a game-changer for us. Serum and VPS Avenger are also staples in our toolkit for crafting our sound. Big shout-out to Vince over at Raveyard Sounds for creating some of the sickest Serum presets and sample packs out there. His stuff really adds that extra flavor to our tracks.
Could you share some key steps in your production process? How do you typically start a new track?
When we start a new track, our aim is to nail it in one go and complete it the same day. This keeps the momentum and ensures the vibe stays solid. From our experience, we’ve found that revisiting a track too often can sometimes dilute its original essence.
Our process usually begins with finding a standout vocal sample that sets the tone for the whole piece. Once we’ve locked in that key element, we build the rest around it—laying down drums, basslines, and melodies that enhance and complement the vocals. We’re firm believers in the power of a strong vocal hook; it acts as the cornerstone of the track. When everything revolves around a compelling vocal, the result tends to be both catchy and memorable.
Ultimately, our goal is to create tracks that people want to keep coming back to, something that can be played on repeat. Our latest unreleased tracks all follow this approach, and we’re eagerly looking forward to sharing them with everyone soon. We can’t wait for you to hear what we’ve been cooking up!
Where do you draw inspiration from when creating music? Are there specific artists, environments, or experiences that influence your creativity?
Our upcoming Dance & Techno sound is heavily inspired by Rollergirl, a Eurodance act from the early 2000s. On the Techno side, we’re deeply influenced by the distinct styles of Lilly Palmer, Eli Brown, and Reinier Zonneveld, each contributing to the dynamic evolution of our music.
Interestingly, our creative process isn’t limited by location. Anya, one of us, works as a travel nurse across different parts of America, so we’re regularly immersed in new environments. This ongoing change of surroundings fuels a variety of inspirations that significantly shape our music production.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in electronic music production?
Staying in tune with the latest trends and techniques in music production is a big part of our routine. Dianne, our main production lead, is always diving into fresh YouTube tutorials on Ableton and regularly explores the latest sample packs. We’ve got a couple of go-to YouTubers we swear by for tips—Alice Yalcin Efe from Mercurial Tones Academy and Oscar from Underdog Electronic Music School. These two are absolute pros, and honestly, we’ve picked up most of our tricks from their tutorials. Their insights have had a profound impact on our sound, and their tutorials have been instrumental in honing our skills and maintaining our competitive edge in the music production scene.
Are there any innovative techniques or tools you’ve discovered recently that you have been working to integrate into your process?
Yes, we’re particularly excited about incorporating the old Trance and Euro-style leads and synths from the Y2K era. While our new sound primarily leans towards Dance & Techno, we’ve been experimenting with integrating Trance-style leads into our tracks to enhance their euphoria and memorability. Historically, Techno has emphasized groove over melody, but we’re aiming for a perfect blend by infusing Dance/Trance-style melodies into our Techno-driven compositions.
How do you handle creative blocks or moments when you feel uninspired?
When we hit creative blocks or feel uninspired, we approach it by taking a step back and shifting our focus. Sometimes a change of scenery or diving into another creative project can spark new ideas. Collaboration is also key for us; discussing ideas with each other often leads to fresh perspectives and breakthroughs. We also find inspiration in exploring new music, experimenting with different sounds, or simply taking a break to recharge. These strategies help us come back to our work with a renewed sense of creativity and enthusiasm.
Finally, how do you approach producing tracks that will perform well in a live set?
When it comes to producing tracks, our strategy revolves around creating impactful elements that resonate with our audience. As we mentioned earlier, vocals are a key component that listeners love. In our vocal-driven tracks, we prioritize crafting memorable and powerful vocal lines, building the entire track around them to ensure they shine.
For instrumentally focused tracks, the lead melody becomes our focal point, acting as the driving force similar to a vocal presence. We strive to make these melodies as catchy and memorable as possible to captivate the audience’s attention during live performances.
Ultimately, our aim is to produce tracks that not only stand out but also evoke a strong emotional response in a live setting. This often involves complementing vocals with captivating leads or uplifting chord progressions that enhance the overall impact and energy of our performances.
Lady Decibel’s path within Electronic Music is sure to keep seeing them climb high amongst the list of talents to be watching closely; with their commitment towards diversity and creativity remaining a paramount focus to their artistic vision, Lady Decibel continue to strive towards individuality, confident when it comes to sharing their sonic originality with listeners worldwide. So, we end our interview by thanking them for their time and excited to see where their journey will lead them next; no doubt sure to cement themselves as a unique talent on the scene, Lady Decibel is a duo to stay tuned to, so make sure to follow them across social media and remain up-to-date about their upcoming releases and projects.
Lady Decibel Online
The post Lady Decibel Dive into Their Journey: Sharing Their Music Production Approach and Favourite Processes appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.