Martin Garrix is certainly among the brightest rising stars of the EDM scene. Some may say the Dutch DJ and producer is living a dream performing on the same stage with Tiesto, Armin van Buuren and Skrillex at the age of 17. This article gives insight into his workflow, revealing useful tips on how to become a DJ like Martin Garrix.
What software do you need?
According to “Equipboard” the main digital audio workstations for Martin Garrix are FL Studio and Logic Pro. Both are crafted with lots of third party audio processing plugins and VSTs like CamelCrusher, CamelPhat, TheGlue Compressor, Izotope Ozone5, Sylenth1, Massive, U-he Zebra2, SynthMaster and Nexus2.
If you are a beginner, start with FL Studio as the user interface is simple and easy to understand and the basic plugins are more than enough to get you going.
What hardware do you need?
Martin Garrix’s favorite audio recording equipment includes a Roland A-500S MIDI Keyboard Controller, Apogee Duet 2 USB Audio Interface and Access Virus TI2 Desktop Synthesizer. For processing, his favourite is the SSL Duality Mixing Console.
He has always been a huge KRK Rookit studio monitor series fan, owning G2, G3 and VXT8. What’s pretty unique is the choice of V-Moda headphones as Garrix states they are the best for both producing on the studio and performing on the stage.
When it comes to DJing Martin Garrix’s hardware preferences are in line with most A-class DJs. His favorite CDJs and mixers are the worldwide industry standards -Pioneer CDJ-2000 Nexus and DJM-900 Nexus.
Don’t spend thousands, though. You can get the same sound quality using proper entry level studio monitors and your knowledge of engineering and processing using stack plugins that come with your DAW.
What genres to produce?
Martin Garrix produces mainly main room house and electro house. These are among the most popular genres in the EDM scene, getting banged worldwide at iconic festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra to name a few.
Although imagination and creativity is needed, technically this isn’t the most complex genre to produce. The main elements are the kick, main melody, leads and the bass. These four together should sound energizing, punchy and well harmonized.
Where to start?
Learn the basic theory of music production. Topics like notes, scales, keys and measures are a great place to start. Later study more advanced theory like formation of chords, harmonies and progressions.
Next learn some sound engineering skills as this will develop your ability to create your own sounds. Learn as much as you can about analog and digital VSTs, types of oscillators, filters, modulations and effect controls.
To stand out it is crucial to deliver the best quality possible. Unless you send your tracks to a professional mixing and mastering expert, you will need to know how to do it well yourself. Study compressors, limiters, EQs, reverbs, delays and enhancers.
Finally, remember you will have to perform your own tracks to the people. Spend a lot of time practicing your DJ skills. Master effective harmonic mixing, beat matching and crossfading techniques.
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