Matrix Sessions NYC – 3 Key Takeaways

Posted by DJ Roodz on August 22, 2018

I’m starting to realize that the best experiences come from last-minute plans.

Last Monday, Luther Calvin Riggs hit me up to go to a producer’s workshop in Brooklyn. “This is the guy you want to know,” he told me. “So much of what I know, I learned from him.”

How could I pass up a sales pitch like that? I had nothing going on, and I’m trying to be more open to new experiences, so I grabbed my notebook and hopped in the car.

The workshop was held at Key+Needle studio in Williamsburg. It’s tucked away in a multi-unit building, so unless you knew it was there, it may as well be invisible. When we walked in, I felt like I had passed through some secret portal a la The Chronicles of Narnia.

Key + Needle Studio A | Key+Needle, Facebook

The space itself was DOPE; it boasted 3 complete studios with professional acoustic treatment and vintage synths. I saw one of my all time favorites, the Juno 106 (which many know for the gritty lead sound in the Stranger Things intro), as well as a Moog and an OB-6.

Vintage Synths at Key+Needle Studios | Key+Needle, Facebook

Brian Matrix, who led the workshop, is one of the industry’s most established producers. He’s mentored such electronic acts as Jauz, MAKJ, SNBRN, and Vice. His academy, Matrix Sessions, is a “collective of LA’s most prestigious mentors in music production and audio engineering.” Needless to say, I was excited.

Brian Matrix at Key+Needle Studios | DJ Roodz

Let’s recap what I learned:

1. Efficiency Makes Room for Creativity

I’ll be honest, cleaning up my sample library is something I always say I’ll get around to. But, let’s be honest, no one ever really does. I thought that that was the most you could do in terms of efficiency, but boy was I wrong. Matrix showed us how easy it was to create macros and exploit built in shortcuts in Ableton. In five minutes, he did more than I could in a half hour! Matrix also showed us how to make the most of Xfer’s Nerve and Serum VST’s. “When you spend an hour just digging for samples,” he told us, “you have no time to actually get creative. You get stressed out. Making music shouldn’t be stressful. Put yourself in a position to finish every project. There’s no two ways about that.” That really resonated with me.

2. The Perfect Loop Doesn’t Exist

Wait…what?!

I feel like this is something we as producers tell ourselves over and over, knowing full well it isn’t true. But, it was definitely eye opening to hear it from someone else. “Nowadays, electronic music makers are chopping up loops into other loops. Like the bongos in this track? Sample them over the hats from that other track. Using one-shots can only get you so far.” I have to say, I don’t disagree.

3. Don’t Knock Stock

I’ve never given much thought to Ableton’s stock (factory-bundled) instruments or plugins. Sure, I’ll use the EQ’s and filters, but I never ventured past that. Matrix showed us that even though these plugins don’t have a fancy name or price tag, they are still worth using. He used the stock Grain Delay to add width and grit to a bass line; applied the fan-favorite Glue Compressor as part of a quasi-mastering chain; and showed that freeware plugins like the TAL series are not to be slept on just because they’re free. For a college student on a tight budget, this was like finding a blank signed check on the street.

Key + Needle Studio A, where the Matrix Sessions was held | Key+Needle, Facebook

I left the Matrix Sessions with pages upon pages of notes that I’m still deciphering ten days later, as well as some awesome industry-secret samples. I learned more about electronic music in those two hours, than any YouTube series has taught me. Matrix is making plans for a permanent NYC installation, and I highly recommend signing up ASAP!