Artist Interviews 🎶 Studio Tours 🎛

Hello music people 👋

Today in the spotlight, Ainsworth

Currently in Canada, he makes original music for himself but also for TV 🎶

Interview & Studio Tour

Who are you and what is your relationship with music?

My Name is Ainsworth, I'm from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I post original music, mostly made with synthesizers on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube almost every day. I've been doing that since 2020 when I created my Instagram profile.

I make music for TV, play on other people's records and make my own full length songs as well.

Which piece of equipment in your studio is essential to your production process?

I never write a song, or record a jam without using some kind of hardware instrument. It's something different every time I sit down in my studio to create. I come into every session with an idea in my head. The piece of gear I use is based on my mood, what sound I need and a loose sort of rotation to make sure all my gear is getting used.

What is the least expensive piece of gear that gave you the most results?

TASCAM DR-05 was an early pick up for me and very useful still to this day. I record my instruments into it or another digital recorder like the Zoom H6. Also great for recording rehearsals, and just having it run in the room while I riff on ideas. Even for vocals. Excellent buy. Highly recommend.

Walk us through your process for creating and producing music.

I think about music all the time, so when it's time to record something I've usually got an idea ready to go.

I record every morning, some kind of part.. drums, a melody, sometimes a full chord progression. I try to do this in as few takes as possible.

Then I take that part or parts and put them into my DAW (FLStudio) and I draw in the rest of the song or jam with midi.

Sometimes I'll add more performed parts as I go, but usually I try to keep my sessions from 1 to 3hrs so I don't burn myself out.

When I'm happy with what I've got, I'll bounce the .wav and give it a quick "master" with Cloudbounce. Then I dust my hands and I'm on to the next one.

What is a production technique that you always come back to?

Lo-Fi production quality and self-made, human sounding music. It just sound so nice to my ears.

So I spend most of my time messing with how things sound to achieve that. I have no idea if this effect appeals to anyone else, but I'm all in on it. The Casio VL-1 is a perfect example. That warped nostalgic sound. Makes me feel good. My studio has that vibe to it.

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How would you describe your style?

An explorer of the musical universe.

What is a big challenge you have as an artist?

I have a hard time marketing myself and pushing my music and art on people. Instagram has made it easier for me to just post everything I'm making and not feel like I'm bothering my friends and family all the time. It's nice to build a following and get feedback.

Getting people to leave one social media platform to see your work on another is a big challenge as well. I don't get many streams on Spotify and my growth on YouTube has been very slow. But I've noticed over the past year that's slowly changing. My advice is to just be consistent and keep focused on music and growing and a musician.

Has building a hardware setup changed your perspective on music or life in general?

Yes, buying gear has made me take making music more seriously. It's like building yourself a boxing ring or setting up a home gym to get in shape.

Now whenever I sit down at my desk in my studio, I think to myself... I better make this next jam slap or what the hell is all the stuff for. Motivation.

One tip on how to spark creativity?

Stop only playing what you are comfortable with.

A book, movie, article, or album that has inspired you?

The Prodigy, The Fat Of The Land

Where can people find more of your music and connect with you online?

@ainsworththemusician on all social platforms.

And just Ainsworth for streaming.

You can find all of that at www.ainsworthstudiolab.com 

Gear List

It's way too much 😵‍💫 I'll list some favs:

• Korg - Volca Drum

• Teenage Engineering - OP-1 Field

• Roland - VT-4

• Yamaha - Reface CP

• Roland - SH-01A

• Casio - VL-1

• Elektron - Digitakt

• Hydrasynth - Explorer

• Fender - Mustang

• Arturia - Keystep

In Case You Missed It

151 - Silence Castor

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Giannis @giannis.kampiotis