Not many Psytrance artists and Matering wizards has been able to make sounds becon at their will quite like Samy “CPU”. Warping and twisting audio inside out, he sure produces tracks that makes me come back for more. We tracked down the tiger himself and got an interview with him on Monkeysfist!
Where we’re you born and where are you staying now?
My name is Samy Guediche, I was born in Switzerland and left the chocolate country when I was 23, and I lived in the U.S. for 10 years before relocating to Spain in Barcelona about 5 years ago.
What do your siblings call you and why?
They always called me Samy this is my real name, not a nickname, even if it sounds like one.
What artists are you currently listening to?
I’m listening to the Outcasts, Black Eyed Peas and Nic Warren. I listen to a lot of different styles, lots of electro stuff. In trance I listen to progressive sounds like Ticon and Sonkite, as well as full on like Eskimo, Absolum & Bliss.
When and what was your initial influence to Psytrance?
I got introduced to Psytrance in 97-98 in Santa Cruz, California by Max from Sirius Isness, who owned a record store at the time. But the sounds that really got me into it were the Radio album from X-Dream, and Self-Oscillation, the first Dado album.
Tell us more about your new album?
This new album was the first to sound exactly like what I had in my head. For the first album, I didn?t know what I was doing; I was looking around exploring many directions to find my style. For the second album, I had more of an idea of where I wanted to go, and this is why it had a definite dark sound to it, almost experimental at some point. The 3rd one (Discodelic) was not a matter of experiment or trial and error… the direction in this album was planned even before I started to work on the music. I knew exactly what I wanted and didn?t want in this album.
I made it more open and diverse than the 2 previous ones. I tried to put some very personal influences in the music, by playing guitar on 2 tracks, and singing on another. The influences on this album are also more diverse than before, including touches of progressive, electro, house, funk and disco. In between the artistic conceptual album and a great collection of dance floor tracks.
What are your favorite VST’s?
Well, as users of Apple Logic I don’t use much VST?s, the plug-ins included with Logic are very clever and I use them a lot.
Still I have Spectrasonics Stylus RMX and Re-FX Vanguard installed.
What EFX units do you use?
I have an Eventide Eclipse connected digitally to the computer, which I use on vocals, guitar or for some other specialty effects. This is a great outboard box, maybe the best FX processor out there for the price.
What are your favorite pieces of hardware in your studio?
MY SPEAKERS no hesitation… it is the single most important piece of gear in ANY studio. I just love my BM15A’s. (Thanks for the tip there Samy!)
I believe that you are into Mastering as well. How does this tie into your music production and studio?
It all started from a necessity: in order to be able to play my tracks and mix them with others in a DJ set, I needed them to be at a sufficient volume level, but once my tracks were finished, they still didn?t t sound loud enough to be played in a DJ set with other commercially released material and since I could not afford to rent a mastering studio, I decided I was going to learn the art of mastering at least good enough to master my own production.
Doing my own mastering for years has of course an impact on how I build a mix. I learned how to mix a track by doing the mastering of it. While doing a master for my own track I usually find mistakes in the mix, and this allowed me to correct and learn both mixing and mastering at the same time. Now, before I even start with a track, I am already thinking of the mastering, so I do all the producing and mixing keeping this in focus.
What animal describes your music best?
The tiger, of course.
If you could do a collaboration with ANY artist, who would it be and why?
Any artist? Really? Ok….in the psytrance scene, I would really like to make collaboration with GMS, Deedrah and X-Dream, because they are the ones that inspired me to get into this music in the first place. In other styles I’d like to work with Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers or Depeche Mode, even rap artists like Eminem, 50cent or Dr Dre.
What other genre of music would you like to produce?
I used to produce Hip Hop tracks before and now I have a side project of electro-breaks named Beatkrush, with a first release on Nice Dreams Music (Spun Rec. sub label)
I like to produce different genres, and in the future I plan to release a project of electro-house I am working on. My big dream would be to be involved in the making of a full movie soundtrack.
From what other artist(s) do you gain inspiration?
I listen to a lot of different things, right now in my i-tunes I listen to dj sessions of Lee Buridge, Nic Warren, Dave Seaman, Steve Lawler, Derrick May, Aphex Twin, Ritchie Hawtin and also the Black Eyed Peas. The new Depeche Mode & Madonna. Also listen to few compilations of pure electro, Gnawa music of Morocco, the Ticon album, the lastest Prodigy album….and many more.
What was your best experience in front of a live crowd?
There has been so many incredible moments that it is hard to single out any. But I will recall my first time in Mexico (first Mycology party) as the most memorable experience when I found myself in front of 7000 screaming Mexican demons. I never played in front of so many people and it was very scary at first, but then this great blissful sensation invaded me, I was almost in tears while playing…
Where?s your favorite destination to tour too and why?
My favorite destination is Japan, the organizations there are very professional, and every aspect of the party is simply perfect: sound system, decoration and logistics. Also the dance floor in Japan is one of the most crazy you can find, people jumping left and right , screaming during the breaks, the energy there is just unbelievable. Also like very much playing in Israel, because the crowd is very exigent, they know what they want, they are trance lovers and specialists. The vibe on the dance floors of outdoor parties there is also very nice with lots of smiles and positive energy.
How would you compare that to the South African scene?
I really liked to play in South Africa, the productions are very professional, and with nice original deco at the parties, and bar with food and drinks, and the sound… very clean… by the way bringing killer sound systems in the middle of nowhere is always a challenge so it is most appreciated. I found the scene very alive and high in colors, incredibly beautiful natural settings, friendly people and a great energy on the dance floor, South Africa definitely knows how to rock. Here are also many South African artists that I enjoy listening, like Shift and Protoculture, I think they really helped in promoting the South African scene around the world.
You think you’ll ever NOT be able to make Psytrance?
Hard one… I’m tempted to say that I will always make Psytrance, but u never know where music is going. The most important is to be true to yourself and make the music you like, so I will make psytrance as long as I like it. I also have a side project of electro-break beats under the name Beatkrush; it prevents me to be bored with what I do and keeps my ideas always fresh and original. One thing is sure, is I will ALWAYS do music, psytrance, full on, dark, electro, whatever you call it.
How long does it take you to make a track 90% complete?
90% completed in less than 24 hours, but sometimes the other 10 % can linger up to 4 days extra to be complete.
Do you create sounds by a fool proof process or is everything freestyle and tweaking?
Both! I am on tour most of the time, so I had to write music on the lap top with little speakers, which doesn?t allow me to hear any of the low frequencies of the spectrum. I developed over the years a collection of “presets”, kicks, basses and rhythm sections (hi hats and snares). With those, I can make music even in the worst environment and be sure it sounds good even on the big stages. Of course when I come back to the studio I start tweaking and experimenting again, which usually leads to a new collection of “presets” sounds to use when I am on tour. Also the kind of music (dance music) we are making is much preformatted, so I always try to incorporate experimentations in every tracks, nothing bores me more than a bland loop.
Do you have tip or trick for us?
Don?t follow the “establishment”, find your own way, create your own original sound, and get high only after the track sounds killer.
THAT WAS KILLER. I had a blast to hear what Samy had to say. Wow. In the mean while I had a listen to Beatkrush on Myspace and was very drawn to their beat. Please give it a listen! Here is some more details to get where you want to be…
CPU – www.myspace.com/therealcpu
CPU Almums – CPU :: Computer Error :: Discodelic – Psyshop.com
Nutek – www.nutek.org
Beatkrush – www.myspace.com/beatkrush
