UA NAMM 2018: Creating Hip-Hop Beats with UAD and Apollo – Part 1

Watch Seattle-based hip-hop artist, Grieves, at the UA booth during the 2018 NAMM show as he explains how he crafts his hip-hop productions using UAD plug-ins and Apollo interfaces.

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00:33 - Where He Started
01:40 - Listening to the Track
02:03 - Mixing Beats With UAD Plug-Ins
05:25 - Realtime Explained
06:16 - Buses
06:59 - Buses: The Power of Separation
07:55 - Tracking the Rhodes With the UAD Galaxy Tape Echo
08:44 - Realtime Example
13:08 - Vocal Processing
14:50 - Lead Vocals
18:35 - Gritty Background Vocals - UAD Fuchs Train II guitar amp
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“The Apollo is a powerhouse and a game-changer for my studio.” - Grieves

After releasing 4 studio albums throughout his successful hip-hop career, the Seattle-based musician Grieves bought a UA Apollo Twin and Satellite so he could get all of the benefits of a classic studio while on the road. Grieves recently released his 5th studio album, Running Wild, where he used his Apollo, Satellite, and UAD Plug-Ins throughout his production process.

In this interview with Fab Dupont, Grieves gives you an inside look at his mixing process for his track, “A-Okay.” Fab and Grieves first look at the breakbeat, where he explains one of his tricks for processing the lows and highs with more control. Here, Dupont and Grieves also talk about their experience and the benefits of realtime processing, and how it was useful for tracking the kick drum on “A-Okay.”

Next, Grieves explains his rationale for separating his instrumental and vocal tracks through separate buses in order to stay organized in maintain control over the mix. Fab and Grieves also look at the decision to use the Galaxy Tape Echo, among other UAD Plug-Ins, while processing his Rhodes keyboard. Finally, Fab pick’s Grieves’ brain on his decision to use a UAD Fuchs Train II guitar amp on his background vocals, and other UAD Plug-Ins, like the Teletronix LA-2A, to get the exact sound he was looking for.

☞UA Gear Used:
Apollo Twin MKII
UAD Teletronix LA-2A
UAD Cambirdge EQ
UAD API 2500
UAD Lexicon 224
UAD Galaxy Tape Echo

♫ Song Info ♫
“A-Okay”
By Grieves

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About Universal Audio Inc.
Founded in 1958 by recording pioneer Bill Putnam Sr., and refounded in 1999 by Bill Putnam Jr., Universal Audio is best known for its classic, hand-built analog hardware and advanced UAD Digital Signal Processing technology for recording, mixing, and mastering audio. Headquartered in Scotts Valley, California, UA is focused on merging the best of vintage analog and modern digital technology, following its rich recording heritage and motto, “Analog Ears. Digital Minds.”

©2018 Universal Audio, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. The "Universal Audio" name, UA "diamond" logo, “Apollo,” “Apollo Twin,” “UAD,” “Powered Plug-Ins,” and “UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins" are trademarks of Universal Audio Inc. *All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

[ClayHurst]

Fab Dupont is a "fabulous" individual all the way around. A people person and talented artist in his own right. He has excellent ears and is great producer. A real joy to be around and a great teacher.

[TheBroRedSunLed]

That mid trick at the end of the video is also in Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly on back vocals.

[producertv]

This is not creating a Hip Hop Beat this is Mixing! All Tracks are allready in Audio bounced. No MIDI and No Instruments tracks! Too Bad that we can't use UAD Plugins on Virtual Instrument Tracks with low Buffersize..!

[theredfaceofficial]

‘Old shitty MPC’ haha...I really don’t think so. Some of the greatest hip hop records of all time were made on an MPC. Nothing shitty about it. Anyway I’ve never heard of this so called Hip Hop guy to be honest!