Heavy metal artist Heitor Silva stops by to discuss all things integrating heavy music with the digital realm. Heitor gives us a ton of great plugin suggestions for heavy genres. He also discusses how he was able to leverage his background in software to land a gig producing game music.
Episode Links:
Heitor Silva:
Plugins:
- Neural DSP: https://neuraldsp.com/
- Akai Multimedia
- Positive Grid Bias FX2: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BIASFX2Pro–positive-grid-bias-fx-2-pro-effects-modeling-plug-in
Brazilian Heavy Bands:
- Vitalism: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7aBLyeKiEpyPfFpkfoLVRZ?si=uMSKQoVwQYaC_epIgUDzhA&dl_branch=1
Hardware:
- SL88 Studio Grand Keyboard: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SL88Studio–studiologic-sl88-studio-keyboard-controller
Guitars:
- Solar Guitar w/ Evertune: https://www.solar-guitars.com/
Youtube:
Book:
- How to Make it In the New Music Business: https://www.amazon.com/How-Make-Music-Business-Second/dp/B082MPSL2G/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1C65DZEJPZP9V&dchild=1&keywords=how+to+make+it+in+the+new+music+business&qid=1628719161&sprefix=how+to+make+it+in+the+new+%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-1
Episode Summary:
Heitor started playing guitar at a young age. As a heavy metal fan he naturally gravitated toward playing in bands. Eventually he started studying at Point Blank learning music production. He hopes to become a producer for heavy metal bands.
He believes the DAW can be a tool not only for mixing and mastering, but also as a tool for creativity. He mentions that the metal community already uses computers quite a bit. One example he mentions is Neural DSP because this company makes great plugins and hardware for metal artists. With their software, small artists can access the sound of big amplifiers and cabinets with just a laptop.
Heitor mentions a couple of favorite Brazilian metal bands. Angra mixes a lot of Brazilian rhythms with metal. Vitalism mixes Brazilian funk with metal. Heitor’s early influences include Iron Maiden, Joe Satriani, and Steve Vai, Opeth, and Arch Enemy.
With regard to fusing the computer with metal, Heitor recommends checking out Korn’s collaboration with Skrillex. He loves to see the experimentation and fusion of metal with world sounds and other styles. We also discuss the industrial contribution to heavy music. Some noteable artists include Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein, Slipknot, and Linkin Park.
For composition, Heitor prefers to start with the melody. He will start with his guitar or keyboard. Then he will begin to build up and add harmonies to the melody. He thinks he may reflect on 2020 and dedicate an album to this. He likes to build up with orchestral parts such as cellos and violins.
In the DAW Heitor will either begin by recording a clean guitar without effects or he will start by recording MIDI with a controller. For heavy effects in the DAW he loves Positive Grid Bias FX and Neural DSP. He feels these DAW plugins give his music a heavy feel very similar to hardware.
Heitor goes on to discuss how he was able to land a soundtrack writing gig by leveraging his network. Even though he works in software, by keeping his options open, a consultation about writing software eventually led to this opportunity. He now works on not only the music but also software development.
When he gets stuck, Heitor likes to take a step back and try a new approach. In his free time he likes to host his own podcast in Brazilian Portuguese. Here he and his long-time friend discuss various musical topics such as taking a deep dive on musical themes.