Havin' Fun
August 8, 2023 | Hip-Hop/Rap
The Toronto-based trio makes a striking entrance with their debut album, Havin' Fun!
This self-titled LP showcases a rich tapestry of international collaboration, featuring talents from Charlotte, North Carolina, all the way to Seoul, South Korea. The Canadian collective delivers a diverse and dynamic track list brimming with depth and character. Each song offering a unique blend of influences, showcasing each artist's creativity, producing a captivating listening experience.
Listen on
Project Overview
This collaborative LP was the first of its kind in my journey, featuring various artists working together to create something memorable. I was very fortunate to be able to put this together with my good friends Andrew Bantis and Charles Rose, as well as the likes of some very talented artists.
I produced various tracks (1,4,5,7,9), and recorded, mixed, and mastered the whole LP, ensuring a fluid and transparent experience for listeners. The nature of this project brought forth some new challenges; most notably, the great variety of artists. Not only were these challenges technical in nature, such as the ability to mix multiple vocals cohesively or work with contrasting audio files.
But in the social/cooperative aspect as well, where judgments or schedules differ. So it was a learning experience to try and find a balance between all that - keeping everything sharp and efficient. My ultimate aim was flexibility, so I employed various fundamental and advanced techniques to achieve any desired goal or sound.
Roles
Technical Skills
Microphone setup and placement
Signal Flow Understanding
Acoustic treatment knowledge
Multitrack Recording techniques
Balancing
Mid/Side Equalization
Compression & Limiting
Automation
Critical listening skills
Loudness Control
Creative Skills
Instrumental arrangement
Innovative sound design
Pitch-Shifting
Modulation
Effect Processing
Stereo Widening
Distortion/Saturation
Adaptability based on audio source/style
The demands of this project truly pushed the boundaries of my knowledge. When working with such a wide array of producers and artists, there are times when I had to overcome inconsistencies in various contexts. I often found myself experimenting with many of the tools in my arsenal to solve these issues. This further strengthened my decision-making skills, especially when I can utilize a dozen different processes to solve one single problem.