Big Swede

FX: What first inspired you to use music software?

BS: I had seen people using software when I was doing drum-sessions, but I really didn't know how to use it. One of my friends showed me what Logic could do. I was blown away, I still am, with the incredible resources you get out of the new advancements in software.

FX: Do you prefer producing/mixing in the box, outside, or a hybrid approach and why?

BS: I'm mixing all my stuff in the box. I use a few emagic/logic controllers which have faders and knobs and gives it a nice feel. I use some tube channels strips, preamps and compressors when recording any outside instruments, like guitar, bass-guitar or vocals. After that, it's all done in the box including mixing. The mastering is usually done analog though. That chain of events seems to work pretty well and the analog mastering warms it up and colors it nicely! There are just so many options in the box and it's easy to go back to a mix and do a different version. Occasionally, I would send something out to an external fx box, compressor or eq and then back into the computer, but haven't done it lately.

FX: What FXpansion products do you have and how do you use them?

BS: I have used BFD1, BFD2 and BFD3, It's incredible! I use it on everything.

FX: As an experienced drummer how do you find using your Ddrum kit with BFD3 compares to an acoustic kit?

BS: I think the possibilities with BFD are just amazing. To be able to browse through all the sounds and change them depending on song and situation opens up so many possibilities. And with the overhead, room and PZM mics makes BFD as good sounding as any acoustic kit! I use it on all my recordings. Sometimes I have to convince drummers that come in, but once they hear the sounds and what we can do, they love it! People have asked me how I record my drums??.. The thing that you really need is a great performance.

FX: How do you use BFD3’s features to create the sounds you want to achieve in the various genres of music you work with?

BS: The mixer inside BFD3 is really great including the fx's. For example I could overdrive the drums a little for a rock track. So I go between those and other plug-ins on my Aux Channels in Logic. The tuning (pitch) in BFD3 is very useful as well. Huge things can happen with just that. Most of the time I use the OH, Room and PZM ambience in BFD3, maybe with some compression in the Aux Channels. Longer reverbs would be done with Logic's Space Designer.

FX: Do you have any tips or tricks you would like to share?

BS: Go with your instincts. And when making music, change up the process in which you do it. Don't always go about it the same way. Start with a drumgroove one time and the next time maybe with a bassline, a melody or some chords etc... Try to make your own sounds possible. Another thing would be to limit yourself and make a track with let's say only 2 instruments. Cool stuff can happen that way. Put fxs on stuff where they "normally" wouldn't belong. Try layering several drums and change them out to hear what it does and the same goes for other instruments.

FX: Do you have any favorite BFD Expansion packs?

BS: I have been using the Andy Johns pack quite a lot. It was all over my "Refurbished" album, the "Date Night in A Straitjacket" single and the "Rock Star" single. That said I tend to mix and match from all of them and a kit could have different drums from different packs. The percussion packs are great too.

FX: What would you wish to see next from software developers? 

BS: I mean the amount of incredible software is just mindblowing. But it's always nice with new options. I always enjoy new fxs be it new versions of old classics or brand new concepts for tweaking sounds never done before. it just adds to the palette to draw from.

Thank you Big Swede for your time, tips and insights!