Viot reveals five tips for more intuitive music production
Hailing from Belo Horizonte, self-taught DJ and producer, Viot, has risen in the music world, inspired by Jamie Jones.
Photo credit: Viot – Official
His dedication earned him a residency at Deputamadre, the venue that ignited his journey. Over a decade, Viot’s unique sound has been embraced by renowned labels such as Hot Creations, Black Book Records, Repopulate Mars, and Catch & Release.
Although he primarily performs in Brazil, house music influencers like Michael Bibi, Marco Carola, Mochakk, and Diplo recognize Viot’s talent, increasing his industry visibility. His international fame grew following performances at Ibiza clubs Ushuaia and Hi Ibiza, shows at Taraka Ecuador, and Catch & Release Miami.
Viot’s latest single, ‘So Far So Good,’ is an upbeat tech house track released on Diplo’s Higher Ground label. The song mirrors his positive mindset during production. In celebration, Viot shares his top tips for more intuitive music production.
1. Top Kick
Even though it’s a small difference, most of my tracks employ two kicks: one as the main kick for the sub and another as a top kick to add a bit more life to the mid/high. Typically, I set the main kick at -6 or -8 dB, and the top kick at -20 to -25 dB.
2. Attack on the Hats
I always aim to layer some hats/cymbals in my tracks, and adding a slight attack to the samples enhances the sound by removing the initial click of the hats. I usually apply a 0.20 ms attack to the hats consistently.
3. Abbey Road J37 Tape
In nearly every project, I always incorporate the J37 on the master channel. It comes with three mastering presets, and I choose between them based on the desired texture for the track: either the mid-frequency enhancer or the fat, tight, and open preset. The great thing about this plugin is it includes a noise enhancer, which adds texture to the background of the track.
4. Parallel Compression
Sometimes, to add body to certain frequencies within the track, a useful tip is to utilize a return channel with a compressor and send the channel signal to it. I use this method to add more body to the drums and occasionally to enhance the low-end of the track. It’s important to remember to use EQ after the compressor to narrow down the range of frequencies you wish to use.
5. Intuitive Production
Regardless of all the tips, the most crucial aspect is understanding what you want to do on the track and training your brain to execute it. The more music you listen to and produce, the easier it becomes. I use myself as an example; unfortunately, I never learned how to play an instrument. However, over time, with patience and effort, I’ve trained my ears and mind to discern the type of music I want to create, the names of instruments/samples/sounds I want to use, and how to assess whether a sample is suitable or not. In the end, production can be simple; you just need to know the best options to take.
Viot’s ‘So Far So Good’ is out now via Higher Ground. Stream and download here.
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