The Breakdown: Mandidextrous On How They Produce A Heavyweight Hybrid Of DnB And Techno
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In our The Breakdown video series, we visit artists and producers in the studio to explain how they create their music and take a deeper look at the equipment, techniques and creative process behind their best tracks.
This month we are in the studio with Mandidextrous, a British producer known for his high energy tracks that mix elements of very fast and heavy club genres.
After a successful start in the world of hard tech (or techno, as is often the case with the illegal rave circuit), Mandy's career took a turn after the forced resumption of the Covid pandemic.
Under the guidance of DnB Label RAM, Mandy rediscovered her drum, bass and jungle roots and began creating a new sound that fuses DnB's crisp grooves with heavy techno beats.
We sat down at Mandi's newly built studio to talk about the rave, jams and production process behind Mandidextrous' powerful sound.
Tell us about your production path. Are we right in thinking that you started out at freestyle parties?
“I started DJing when I was probably, I don't know, 15 or so. In the late 90s. I did this for a long time in the illegal rave scene, and when I was 20, I sort of quit. threw parties, made a lot of noise, and started making music.
I had a few friends who did this before and thought it was pretty cool. I found the copy of Reason 3.0 I started with, although I found it very confusing. Then my friend who worked at Ableton showed me around and I left. Since then I have been on this path.
“Initially, I didn't set out to write music for anyone other than to have the tracks on my DJs. I just wanted to play what I wanted to hear but couldn't find. And, you know, this game challenge. The music I make for people is really cool. This is where it all started. It all started when I got into the rave scene and started not going out too much to isolate myself and make music [laughs] .
You've become known for playing very complex, high BPM songs, so that's where I started?
“Yes, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to the music I want to make and play. I started with DnB and jungle in the late 90s, then at about 17 I discovered techno, the rabbit hole with free gigs, drugs and all that.
“Techno was really cool for me. It touched me a lot, because I liked that you can get lost much easier than in DnB. For several years I was a techno DJ. Then it became the music that I make now because I wanted my favorite. DnB tunes but techno That's what I meant.
© Mandextrous emptiness“I started writing so many tracks for popular DnB tracks that now I am completely banned from working in the drum and bass industry. I hope no one gets mad at me when they see the back catalog. groups. , you know?"
“I, Chopper, I'll take the Shy FX version, or I'm like Renegade Terrorist or something, and I'll put a four by four beat on it and turn it into a techno track. You know, the BPM is pretty high, which is good. that it was all about me. I'm just obsessed. I spent time in the world of technology, time in the world of DnB, and then I wanted to combine them. Yes, but save energy. This is really not good, Mandy.
How has your production style changed over the years? Is Ableton Live still in his heart?
“Yes, I am immersed in Ableton. I wanted to get out of that box and switch to another DAW like Logic or Cubase for a while, but yeah, I'm just stuck with Ableton. This is it. I am very obsessed with workflow. When I have an idea, it allows me to put it on the page very quickly. Don't worry, this is my favorite cozy home away from home."
Do you use a lot of templates or plugins?
I use a lot of things in the box with Ableton because apparently their inventory is really amazing. I am a big fan of the Amp app. I don't use external VSTs. For example, the other day I bought an Oxford Inflator because I really want to get better.
“But yes, mostly Ableton stock. Technically they deliver whatever I want. I'm still learning during production and learning these standard applications has been really rewarding."
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Can you say that your style combines elements of techno and DnB?
About five years ago, when my music career really started to change, I wrote a lot in a genre called hard rock.
“While I was a pretty big player in the UK hard tech scene, I was never your hardcore gamer and couldn't tell you part of his story. When asked about the history of DnB, I can tell you. Conversation days. The same goes for technical acid, where I was before.”
How do you think the DnB landscape has changed since the pandemic?
“It's a little different. This is a wonderful energy of a young team. Pre-Covid guys are probably not old enough to join clubs. But they've spent a few years introducing us to all of our crazy online live followers, and they're thrilled." We are very happy to join the clubs. The guys have incredible energy.
“I think because austerity measures and things like that have been going on for so long, people just want to get out and break free, you know, and the fact that we can do it again now is just crazy. I had the busiest year ever. So far, things have gotten worse in my life because I had good options, RAM support and such.
"As a gay artist, it was amazing to see such a presence in the queer DnB scene. Yes. And, you know, I really was one of the few queer artists in Hardland. for most. all men. But here's the big change." "Equality and gender in DNB now".
For the past few years, I have participated in the EQ50 mentor program...
“Yes, the volume of EQ50 is increasing significantly. If it wasn't for the EQ50, I don't think I would be where I am now post-Covid because before Covid I started to lose a lot in my music career. I am very lucky Me and a Scottish girl named Anikonik, she is a very good producer and DJ, we reunited with RAM through this mentoring program. We communicated online during the lockdown and it was very helpful.
“I had to get a job at Amazon because I was fed up without performing. But coming home at night and jumping in line with them was really fun. I felt that I could really get what I want from my career. Luckily, the RAM gang really supported me."
“Being under their wing helped me gain the confidence, especially as a trans person, to learn how to play drums and bass, which I never had much of. I was really excited about this. But they really helped me. they opened. some doors made me realize that I really do make music. This is my passion and my life and this is what I really want to do.”
Follow Mandidextrous on Instagram and Soundcloud.
