Maximilian Duwe on SoundBetter

Specialized on treating vocals the best I can, powerful low end and mixes that vibe. Preserving the feeling you had in mind while doing the rough mix is my goal - as well as bringing it to life and making it jump out the speakers.

Being a producer of trap beats and entering the field of neo soul and rnb now offered me millions of insides into getting what musicians in those genres aim for. I had 12 years of piano lessons but I will never be a great stage pianist - nevertheless it made me understand the architecture of chord progressions, grooves and melodies. I also learned cello and organ to enhance my view on things. I believe that a good mix should work everywhere and keeping that vibe alive from the idea till the final master is what drives me. Working with singers and rappers in different genres taught me a lot about how different people listen to music and how diverse the connected emotions can be. Cracking those nuts motivates me.

DISCLAIMER: the beats in my player are only sketches that I frequently update for artists to write, no mix and master done on them!

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Interview with Maximilian Duwe

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work with Pro Tools, Luna, Logic for mixing and Fl Studio for production as a base but im also familiar with other DAW and NLE systems. I also use a bunch of outboard gear on a regular base. My DT 1770 Pro mastering grade headphones help me to mix (and master) in any room but I also work at a Studio with multiple monitor pairs and perfect room treatment available.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Distressor, Sony 800g, Neve 1073, Pultec EQP-1A, LA2A with Sowter Transformers
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Alex Tumay, Seth Firkins, Jaycen Joshua, Mike Dean, DJ Ilan, Southside, TM88, Harry Fraud, London On Da Track, Jalil Beats, Chris Gehringer, Joe Laporte, Young Thug, Kodak Black, Gunna, Lil Baby, City Girls, Gunna, Future, Travis Scott, Ella Mai, Jorja Smith, Summer Walker, Kaash Paige, Princess Nokia, Nadia Rose, Stefflon Don, Queen Naija, Bryson Tiller, Tinashe
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don't do side chaining on bass with the kick, I got other ways for you to get the punch AND the bass presence. Less (or no) kick might punch more if you got the right samples you're working with. Less tracks make your song bigger in 99% of the cases. Only use plugins for a reason, not as a habit. If you don't miss it when its gone, don't use it!
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I'm making music since 15 years but I just started mixing, producing and vocal recording for other artists which learned that I totally love.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I actually worked for the longest time as a film director, film editor and digital colorist and professional engineering is my new love.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Reduced, analog, full-bodied, never digitally harsh. If it has to reach your emotions, it has to be as 3-dimensional as possible.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: There are many I would be proud to work with but honestly what I like about this job is, that it will show me new ways of doing music and introduce me to talents I don't even know yet.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Trap, RnB, Soul
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening. Read it the one or the other way.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: That obviously depends on my role at the job. But usually I try to be the lifeguard of your musical vision. A modern smooth but punchy low end might be a signature - crisp character rich vocals with a lot of tube and transformer attitude in it might also be.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: It depends on the demands - there is still no typical, but let's find out what works best for us!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Several remixes and productions with singers and rappers. All RnB, Soul and Trap.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: DJ Ilan or Ilan Schulz. My strongest personal mentor so far in the field of engineering.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both has it's certain use case. Analog for "making sound", digital for cleaning up and controlling in general.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: ..that mastering can add the character that the mix is missing.