From everyone at Acoustica, we want to give a shout out to Eddie Rosa, music producer, mix engineer and this month's Mixcraft Featured Artist.
A long time Mixcraft user, Eddie Rosa (aka Lil Edd) and Epic Records Artist/Rapper DDG followed up their first RIAA Gold Certified Record "Arguments" by ringing in the 2021 new year with their first Top 100 Billboard Charted song "Moonwalking in Calabasas (by DDG featuring Blueface)". On January 2, 2021, "Moonwalking in Calabasas" debuted on the Top 100 Billboard Charts at #82. Their second RIAA Gold Certified Record, it has remained on the Billboard Top 100 for the last three weeks!
Back on April 15, 2020, Eddie and DDG earned their first RIAA Gold Certified Record, "Arguments". Since then, "Arguments" has sold over 500,000 downloads, and the video has over 50 million views. An absolute must listen/watch experience, super sound quality, riveting lyrics, performance and astounding video production and visual graphics. Here is "Arguments" (explicit content and language):
We sat down with Eddie to discuss his career, mixing and music production techniques, and, what he loves most about Mixcraft:
Tell us about yourself. What do you like to do outside music?
A: I like to go shopping and sightseeing. It gives me peace of mind outside of mixing music all day, which can be a bit draining sometimes.
How long have you been making music and producing?
A: I've been mixing since 2009, but professionally since 2016. Done work with Epic Records and Republic Records.
What has changed between when you started and now?
A: A lot! My ears are more trained now to hear frequencies that I once never heard before. Years ago, I used to mix everything digitally, But now my approach is hybrid, mixing from my Neve 5060 console along with outboard Compressors and EQs. I like to work smarter, not harder. Took me a while to learn this. One of the biggest things that changed in my mixing technique would be "less is more". The less processing I use, the better the mix usually turns out, in my opinion.
If you could go back in time to the start of your career, what advice would you give yourself?
A: No relationships until I'm finished researching and perfecting my sound, hahaha! Seriously though, I would of told myself to use my ears and not my eyes when mixing. Listening to my old mixes, I could tell I boosted more than I should in certain frequencies. Also, to take advice and make it your own. What I mean by that is, listen to the professionals, take their advice, and also blend that in with your own techniques. Would've saved me a lot of time!
How does it feel to have a Billboard Top 100 hit and two gold records?
A: Probably the most surreal feeling a engineer can have! The fact that I mix records from my home studio for artists all around the world and chart the Billboards is still insane to me. I have no team other than my mastering engineer, Juan. It was one song that hit the charts, "Moonwalking In Calabasas" by DDG ft Blueface. I thank God.
When did you start using Mixcraft? What are your favorite features?
A: In 2009. Can't remember, but I believe it was the 3rd or 4th version of Mixcraft. I LOVE the fact that it's so easy to use. It's almost like getting a piece of gear for the first time. No having to think, you just plug it in, move knobs and it just works. That's how Mixcraft is to me. I have many favorite features. Among them, I love the "Compressor/Drive" feature apart of each channel. Amazing idea! I recently started using this and it's very effective. I don't want to mix any records without it on. It adds some punch and aggressiveness that I like. The tone of the Drive is lovely and the compressor grabs the vocals and keeps them in place. Great tool! Lastly, the fact you guys integrated Melodyne into the program is super important. Saves me a lot of time!
"Arguments" like much of your other work sounds incredible. Share one tip with our readers to producing such a superb song in Mixcraft?
A: Use parallel
compression. You'll thank not only me, but a lot of experienced pros who will tell you the same thing.
Music production in a post-covid world is evolving. You have been ahead of the curve with regard to online collaboration. How did you hook up with DDG? What was the recording process like?
A: To be honest - I've made more connections during this pandemic than ever before. I've been working with DDG since 2017. Reached out to him via e-mail, he followed me on Twitter, I mixed a song for him, he asked for my number, the rest was history! Nowadays he records at a studio and sends me the consolidated files to mix. Also, he is working on building his home studio now so we can collaborate like we used too - where he records and sends the tracks to me himself.
The production on your tracks is super clear and clean - especially the vocals. What is your secret to get that 'Pro Sound'?
A: Thank you! I can recommend to all up and coming, and even pro engineers/artists, a plugin that's a game changer called "Fresh Air" by Slate. I also mix using analog processors featuring Neve, SSL, and 1176 compressor.
As a Mixcraft user in a largely Pro Tools world of professional recording studios, we appreciate your long-time loyalty. What do you like most about Mixcraft that separates it from the other major DAWs?
A: It's just extremely easy to use. The interface isn't cluttered, which is a big pet peeve of mine. Easy to adjust or move vocals/instruments easily with/without grid mode. I get mixes done extremely fast in Mixcraft and usually have same day turnarounds. I would love to talk with the developers about things that could be added to MC10!
What do you think makes the difference between an artist and an engineer?
A: Crazy enough, I've asked this question to some artists I work with. And I think that artists just want a great sounding mix. And when I say that, that doesn't mean you have to add an outrageous amount of effects (depending on the song). A majority just want a simple, but quality record. Engineers want the BEST sound possible, we hear certain frequencies that the artist might not hear and they think sounds good as is. But, us engineers have a more trained ear. Don't get me wrong, there are some artists that are very involved and have ears just like engineers (haha). In retrospect, the more trained ear separates an engineer from a artist, in my opinion.
What artists are you listening to these days?
A: I listen to ALOT of Pop and Latin records. They are always sonically pleasing to hear. Listening to these records gives me a better idea on how I should approach my techniques.
What's next for you?
A: Can't really pin point what's next, but I know it's in a great direction.
Where can people find your music, connect with you?
A: Thank you so much. I will have a 2021 mix sample list uploaded soon enough, just building a more professional catalog with some of my greatest sounding mixes:
Instagram@LilEddMusic / Twitter@TheRealLilEdd
Editor's Note: Thank you Eddie Rosa for the interview and your long-time support of Mixcraft. We appreciate your loyalty. We will also be taking you up on your offer to discuss Mixcraft 10!
Jan 25, 2021