Raul Sotomayor is a musician, producer, and DJ from Mexico City. Raul makes Afro-Caribbean electronic music as Tonga Conga. He has a record label and studio named Kaya Records and produces music for a wide range of artists. Raul and I had a great time talking about his work as Tonga Conga and his background as a percussionist and DJ. He shared some thoughts on building a studio area that is comfortable and conducive to creativity. Raul detailed his insights on collaboration and helping artists reach their creative goals.   Listen on  Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes:  Raul on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tongaconga/ Tonga Conga's latest album Jevi - https://virginmusic.lnk.to/Jevi Raul's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@tongaconga/videos Tonga Conga, Vanessa Zamora  "Duele" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnSQ5_e7ozg Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/  Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk  

#352: Collaborating and Producing with Raul Sotomayor

An exploration of music production through informal discussions about technique, philosophy, gear, and creativity. Hosted by Brian Funk, a musician, songwriter, teacher, and Ableton Certified Trainer.

Music

Music Commentary

Gregg Lehrman is the founder and CEO of Output. Output is a music-creation software company created by musicians for musicians. Gregg is an ASCAP award-winning musician and producer who has worked in television and film. Gregg spoke about his work at Output and how he started the company to fulfill his creative needs. He shared lessons he learned working for Hans Zimmer and how those experiences informed his work at Output. Gregg elaborated on how focusing towards a clear vision can help creatives work through the process and finish more work. Gregg also shared details about Output's latest work, Co-Producer.  Listen on  Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes:  Output - https://output.com Co-Producer - https://coproducer.output.com Arcade - https://output.com/products/arcade Output YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/outputsounds Output Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/output/ Gregg's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gregglehrman/ Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/  Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk  

#366: Helping Creators Create with Output CEO Gregg Lehrman

Sound Oracle is a music producer and sound designer. He has worked with the heavy hitters in the hip-hop world, and his sounds have been used in Grammy-winning songs by Timbaland, Jay-Z, Drake, and more. His latest packs Golden Era Hip Hop Drums and Trap Drums are featured packs in the new Ableton Live 12 update. Sound Oracle and I had an inspiring conversation about his work as a producer and sound designer. He shared how he broke into the music scene when Timbaland discovered his sounds.  This episode is littered with tips about organization, workflow, and maintaining healthy working relationships. Sound Oracle also shared some of his favorite tools he uses in his productions. Listen on  Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes:  Sound Oracle - https://soundoracle.net/ Sound Oracle Packs -  https://soundoracle.net/collections/all-sound-kits-soundoracle-net Sound Oracle Courses - https://soundoracle.net/collections/courses Sound Oracle on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soundoracle/ Sound Oracle YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@soundoracle6651 Golden Era Hip-Hop Drums - https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/golden-era-hip-hop-drums/ Trap Drums - https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/trap-drums/ Volume Buddy - https://www.noirlabs.co Clip Gain - https://valiumdupeuple.gumroad.com/l/wmAPD?a=530757747 Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger - https://amzn.to/3PLU0e1 Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/  Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

#365: Sound Design for Timbaland and Ableton with Sound Oracle

The Him is a music producer, DJ, and plug-in designer with over 500 million streams on Spotify. He's toured some of the largest festival stages and done remixes for artists like Tiesto, The Chainsmokers, and Miley Cyrus. The Him just released his first plug-in, Sub Ninja, which allows producers to get an accurate understanding of the bass frequencies in a mix. The Him and I spoke about his career and Sub Ninja. We discussed the creative process and how he stays enthusiastic by balancing different projects with rest. The Him generously shared lots of useful insights we can all use in our own music production. You can get 10% off Sub Ninja with the code: MPPODCAST - https://dsp.thehim.com Listen on  Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes:  The Him Website - https://www.thehim.com Sub Ninja - https://dsp.thehim.com The Him Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehim The Him YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thehim The Him Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/thehim The Him Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5WdqBAQhGFCrZvBKXiPIu7 How to Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy - https://amzn.to/3vuqClB World Within a Song by Jeff Tweedy - https://amzn.to/3TOAaBk The War of Art by Steve Pressfield - https://amzn.to/43zJpZ7 Effortless by Gregg McKeown - https://amzn.to/3VvYfhm Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/  Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

#364: Plug-in Design, Creativity, and Balance with The Him

Johan Ransby is an artist, coach, and producer. He shares tips and techniques that help artists finish more music and reach their career goals. His website is loaded with helpful creative tools and his social media accounts contain priceless advice. Johan and I had a great conversation about how he approaches making music and teaching his students. He emphasized the importance of seeking challenges and chasing excitement. We talked about creativity, live performance, and being enthusiastic about our work. The episode ends with Johan's impromptu critique of my song "I'm Looking for You" from my album Rectangles. This episode is sponsored by Audimee "Ulimited Vocals, Unlimited Freedom" - https://audimee.com  Listen on  Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes:  Johan's Website - https://ransby.biz Johan's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ransby.biz/ Creative Prompts - https://ransby.ck.page/05b3dac21b Johan's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@RansbyJohan Rectangles by Brian Funk - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/brianfunk/rectangles Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/  Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

#363: Finish Every Song You Start with Johan Ransby

Michaela Shiloh and Andre Mullens run the community-based record label HRDRV, which helps artists develop their careers. Their combined decades of experience in the music industry include writing music for top artists like Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez and working for Bad Boy Records.  Michaela and Andre discuss the importance of camaraderie and collaboration in running their company, HRDRV. The conversation also delves into the challenges of wearing multiple hats as a musician and the need for a toolbox in the music industry. Michaela and Andre share stories from their journeys in the music business and how they led to the development of HRDRV. Listen on  Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes:  HRDRV - https://hrdrv.com Michaela's Website - https://www.itsmichaela.com Michaela's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mickeyshiloh/ Andre's Website - https://www.andremullen.me Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/  Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk  

#352: Collaborating and Producing with Raul Sotomayor

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