SiteOfSound

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Our first interview of 2011 is definitely going to make your Monday better. We’ve been huge supporters of BetatraXx for a long time and we can’t wait for his new EP,”X,” to come out Feb. 14th. It will include 5 original tracks, all of epic proportions (See previews below).

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BetatraXx – “The X EP” Intro

BetatraXx – Panzer 320 Demo (From ‘The X EP’)

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How did you start remixing and making music?

I’ve been a classical piano player since I was about 6, but didn’t start composing music until later in high school.  My senior year in high school I got into making indie electro, which was really the start of my technology obsession.  The concept of remixes never really crossed my mind since I listened to mainly punk, ska, and bad 90’s techno that I found on Napster.  My sophomore year in college I got really into electro and wanted to hear it when I went out at nights so I started DJing.  Of course like every DJ in the word I started making bad mash-ups, which developed into GirlTalk style electro mash ups, which developed into remixes, which finally developed into my Redlight project that started about 16 months ago.

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What programs/controllers do you use?

I do all of my sequencing on Pro Tools.  I really don’t need anything else, and don’t plan to switch any time soon.  As for DJing I use M-Audio Torq.  Occasionally I’ll use Torq as a host and re-wire ableton to expand my sample capabilities.  As for controllers, I use an M-Audio Xponent.  I used turntables for a while but found that it just slowed me down because technology is so beyond wasting 30 seconds to beatmatch.  As for production controllers…. I use a mouse sometimes.

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Who/what has inspired you to make music?

While there are so many producers that make amazing music, I say my inspiration is almost purely on the technical side.  I am a technical junky and love learning about new technologies and ways to implement them into my music.  What also excites me is doing something that hasn’t been done before.  Consciously incorporating actual music theory and writing scores to techno music is just really interesting and creates a different sound than other people.  Not that no one has done it before (in fact one of the first ever published synthesized music was a Bach piece).

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Do you enjoy creating or performing more?

I think every real producer will say he/she is more passionate about producing, but no one can deny how addicting DJing can be.  They go hand in hand though.  There is no better feeling than seeing a crowd going wild to an original track and knowing that you did something right.

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What has been the most exciting moment in your career thus far?

Hearing about some of the big DJs playing my tracks is definitely up there.  Hearing Tiesto’s radio show and have him talk about my track was a really surreal experience.  As for live shows, the HARD Pre party with Nick is up there for great shows.  I love small packed venues with great crowds.

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BetatraXx Live At HARD Mansion Pre Party Video

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What’s next for BetaTraXx?

After the release of The X EP i’m not going to slow my production down at all but I really want to start playing some more shows.  I’m really hoping to get to play in some big events this year. Gotta get the right people backing me, if you know what I mean.

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What are your goals with the new EP and what do you want your audience to take away from it?

My goal for the EP is to expand the possibilities of EDM (Electronic Dance Music).  Even as EDM becomes more mainstream, I think it is amazing that there are so many untouched aspects of music that still have not been incorporated into EDM.  Variation in tempo and especially time signature have rarely been experimented with and the possibilities of chord progressions are endless, yet I can’t think of one dance song that modulates out of its key.  I think if these elements are carefully incorporated into dance music it makes a more powerful statement both intellectually and physically for a the average person just trying to dance.

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