Mcleod : Interview and Oganic mix

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Mcleod and Villem have just dropped a new sample pack for those Drum & Bass production heads. Rich Malton caught up with Mcleod to speak a little bit more about the project and to try find out about what goes down in the studio.
Hi Mcleod, how’s it going?
Hi, things are going well thanks. 2014 is looking to be a good year with some exciting prospects!
Can you give the readers a short introduction?
My name is Sam and I write music under the alias Mcleod. To date I have had releases on Samurai Red Seal & Spearhead and this year will be having music released on Utopia Music, C.I.A, Warm Communications, Dispatch & Flex Out Audio.
You have just released a sample pack with Villem; can you tell us a bit more about the project?
Last year Villem made a Sample Pack that was really well received and we are always making noises together when we see each other so we thought it we be a nice idea to spend sometime out of making tunes to compile some fresh samples for other producers to use.
Is the approach to making samples different to when you sit down to create a tune?
Creating the sample pack was obviously different because we didn’t need to worry about getting bogged down with mix downs and arrangements. Therefore it was purely a case of trying to make each individual noise as good and as original as possible. I personally found the process really enjoyable so if Villem is up for it i think there will defiantly be a follow up to this Sample Pack!
The only thing we found frustrating was that we wanted to keep most of the noises for our own productions!!
Which software and hardware was the key to create the samples?
The majority of the samples such as the Pads & Music Loops were made using soft Synths. We tried to use as many different ones as possible to keep it varied, however the Synths that were producing the best noises were generally the U-he Synths such as the Diva & Ace.


What are the staple items you take into studio before starting a long session?
We generally meet in the evenings (after I have finished work) so we tend to get a bite to eat and discuss ideas before we start. That usually does us for the evening but Villem does like to draw for the Dairy Milk Marvellous Creations Cola, Pretzel & Honycomb chocolate bars!
What’s the best advice you have received throughout learning production that you could pass on?
Due to the fact that nearly all the people we hang around with are involved in music in some way or another we are always picking up and sharing handy hints an tips. An invaluable piece of advice we once received was to not be afraid to boost certain frequencies dramatically when Eq’ing. Adding Frequencies can really transform noises into something great!
Symptom from Savage Rehab also passed on a handy tip in regards to things being ‘Out of Phase’. In Presonus Studio One there is a tool called the ‘Mixtool’ this can invert the phase of a noise which can do amazing things when layering Kicks or Snares. If you do not use Studio One then fear not, Waves have recently brought out a plug in called ‘In-Phase’ which I think does the same thing.
How did you and Villem meet?
Me and Villem go way back! We both went to the same high school and met through mutual friends.
When not making beats how do you spend your time?
When I’m not making beats I am either at work, down the gym or going fishing.
What are your future plans for 2014?
We have been working on a project with a vocalist that is our main priority at the moment. We have always wanted to work with a vocalist so when she approached us we were really pleased! It has been a really good experience, she is very talented and a pleasure to work with.