God I wish this was the norm. People talking calmly, respectfully, with good energy. As a sensitive person...we need more of this Great masterclass, Thanks for this vid!
come on man no reason to openly call your self sensitive that is insensitive to your self. Unless you're talking to a girl/man with neon light up clothes selling opened Scooby Doo sticky notes just let yourself mentally win more.
All I meant by sensitive is I’m sensitive to people’s energy. Doesn’t mean I’m not tough or can’t handle shit. Just means I appreciate good energy and respect
Understanding Equalization means you understand the sound spectrum and where each instrument falls in the freq spectrum. Love how you breakdown in laymens terms for the beginners.
I just love how humble focus is ... I feel a sense of calmness in his energy that’s why I think you’re so creative due to the fact you can balance the energy.....
We just started our label last year but as an experienced producer I always tell new producers to listen to as much of the MUSIC GODS as possible. James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, EWF, Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, Parliament/Funkadelic and more. They had much less to work with back in those days. No computers, loops or sample packs. They had to pull everything from their imagination and the universe. Knowing the history can inspire future greatness.
Be a perfectionist but don't expect perfection. What great advice and a great way to say it! This is something I have recently learned that I do in most of the things I do well!
@@faithland-nocopyrightmusic8986 from the moment he mentioned it just a few seconds before listen carefully up to 42:30 he breaks it down in his own understanding that is enough based on what he was talking about, you will translate that to resonates with your perception hope that makes sense peace.
This is my kind of producer and tutorial, I love how he keeps refrencing feel and explaining his reasoning behind things and also how they relate to the old way!
don't be so naive. this is only a commercial and nothing else. you won't be able to use his tips in your mix (at least because NOBODY AND NEVER did not and will not speak about fundamentals and approach to a sound and the rest). This info is useless. You can get such results using any plugins. and yes, even the stock ones. and yes, even without any. Plugins won't make your skills better. Forget about it. It's just simple tools and nothing more
I agree! but still ! there's allot of small things nobody teaches you but once you learn them they can help open your mind to allot of things.... using arps texture for example , using elements beside hit hats to define the rhythm section etc.
Thanks for this excellent interview. Truly appreciate how Focus enjoys sharing his musical knowledge and experience, when many industry pros don't like sharing the gems
Thanks Focus, I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience; and thanks Wave for bringing this session. I'm ready for Focus' Part 2, and indeed a Focus series.
Wooooow! The way he just broke down panning really opened my eyes and explained how I can use panning to create the space I need instead of completely relying on eq. Thank you very much for all your knowledge man that helps alot.
everyone's preference in sound is totally different. Coming up with a whole track and walking people through that is awesome. Music has come so far from when artists kept industry secrets etc... The best music is sharing that love 100
Whenever/ if ever Focus feels comfortable to come back and give a part 2, I would be thrilled to be able to watch, listen and learn. The gentleman has a lot of knowledge, a lot of kindness and an incredible creator with a thoughtful indvidual. thank you for sharing your time with us and I am watching and waiting for this session's return.
Just gotta give a shoutout to Waves for getting all this great content out these last couple of weeks. Love all these new videos, not just brainless product plugs but great educational material. Keep 'em coming!
Yes to the waves part 2 with Focus again!!!! Would love to hear his thoughts on producing music that doesn't have vocals intended to be in it, if that makes sense. And how he considers mixing with that in mind.
I've watched this more than a few times. I like the questions like "where's your mind going?" I wish they'd do these sessions more often. Focus... is inspirational. 🙏🏽
Yo this is the dopest thing I've ever witnessed! to learn how to sonically produce my beats. I can make drum and synth tracks all day that I may think will hit with just the right sound from a vst .. but this is another level in production ... not just beat making. I've already copped 4 of the plug ins mentioned in this MasterClass. Good looking out WAVES and good looking out Focus!
This man truly understands the difference that others don't catch between "modern music" and age old techniques but more importantly how musicians today use both to create sounds just as powerful as the ones played in auditoriums decades ago. If you think modern music is trash or that it just isn't the same as it once was then it's your responsibility as a listener and/or musician to seek out music that appreciates those values or take control and make the change for yourself. This video reinforced a decade of lessons I'd let myself become dull to, well done.
So much respect to you Focus and thanx so much waves!!This is priceless info SO SWEET THE ABSOLUTE SELFLESSNESS OF FOCUS .OG always trying to help up and coming musicians.Again thanx so much waves and focus .Hope to see another live feed from yall.Hopefully focus will continue to do his live feeds on Instagram.MASSIVE APPRICIATION
Lessons for life, even today in 2020 that is still appropriated. Thank you Waves for putting this out with this very great music producer, A Master in his own pace and greatness. #LoveFromAngola
Thanks Waves I been liking these and the blogs or articles, like the one about the compressors yall did recently! This is the reason I don't mind buying your products and use your plugs as most of my go to plugz!
Im so glad you posted this. Was looking forward to the live broadcast but had to DJ a wedding right when it started. Salute to Focus Cuz sound without Focus is just noise!!!
Thank you Focus for sharing the knowledge! I have so much respect for what you do & how you create music with emotions. Part 2 is a must, lets go WAVES.
I'm so excited to experiment with panning and rounding out my projects now. This is Definitely a building block for my production skills. We Definitely need a part 2.
Bruh I would do anything to just be Focus’ assistant. This guy is super talented and humble. He’s accepting of the new wave and he has always FOCUSed on his calling. To work under a mentor like this is a less than once in a lifetime chance. I’d work hard as fuck for an experience like that. I have rapped and written songs since I was 6 years old but unfortunately I lost my good friend and music producer in a car accident in 2014. My music changed, there was a new layer of depth to it but I also let go of my passion, because finding a good friend with a passion for producing the music is not something that happens twice. Almost a decade later I gave up everything to learn to produce music myself. I’m about 150 hours in and the things Focus says here affirmed my decision as he is explaining exactly what I do. Focus on the creativity and create your own element, write your hook as you make the beat, if you don’t like the state of the music..Change it. I’ll probably post something to his IG he even said he reads everything so if you do happen to read this Focus.. know that I’m a manager at my current job, a straight A student in college studying marketing, and brand new to the music production side of the game; a game I love that is sadly moving away from lyricism as an important ingredient. I’m sitting on substantial savings just for the event that someone in the game offers me mentorship and gives me a couple tools, or as you say, show me the doors it will take a long time to get to. TLDR: where is part 2 Waves
FOCUS, I'm feeling your production skills. I'm just catching up on your background and kicking myself for not knowing about you sooner. You are up there with Jam and Lewis, and Teddy Riley. Keep up the great work and I'll be following you!
I love this. ( thank you waves audio ) i produce house music and i constantly find myself layering drum hits and melody's even sub bass to try and make my tracks sound as loud and full as possible. with the right samples/hits you can create that "natural" loud/clean organic sound. but how do you get it sounding so BIG and clean? i love the swing adjustment to make a more natural sound on the drums and the panning is something i must start doing, raising the transpose on a melody to get the right feeling is pure class!! i'll definitely be using those techniques. Thanks guys.
I remember ILLMind tweeted his "official" kick drum file. I downloaded with the quickness. Forgot about it, then a year later loaded it into a project. It was a fart sound. I was 💀😂😂
Wow, this was the best thing I've ever seen. So much wisdom and a wonderful thought process. The beats remind me of quickly quickly, definitely a producer for you guys to check out. So inspiring, thank you! I'm excited for part 2!!
At #11:01 when Focus is saying "What I"m doing here is --" the Waves Audio guy interrupts him and says "Gotcha." So what was Focus doing there? Or is it only important for the WA guy to know?
![[FREE] Kendrick Lamar Type Beat 2025 - "Say Too Much"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kc0chMUyfxI/mqdefault.jpg)
"Don't expect perfection, but be a perfectionist." This is the way to live. What an absolute legend.
This is such a great way to think about it. I’ve always told myself to be happy striving for perfection, but knowing you’ll never reach it
God I wish this was the norm. People talking calmly, respectfully, with good energy. As a sensitive person...we need more of this
Great masterclass, Thanks for this vid!
Stop Narcotics
RIGHT!!!!!!
come on man no reason to openly call your self sensitive that is insensitive to your self. Unless you're talking to a girl/man with neon light up clothes selling opened Scooby Doo sticky notes just let yourself mentally win more.
U need to toughen up cos the world isn’t gentle.
All I meant by sensitive is I’m sensitive to people’s energy. Doesn’t mean I’m not tough or can’t handle shit. Just means I appreciate good energy and respect
Understanding Equalization means you understand the sound spectrum and where each instrument falls in the freq spectrum. Love how you breakdown in laymens terms for the beginners.
George Moore keep going bro!
George Moore check this out
George Moore ua-cam.com/video/WqT2O8m8KGw/v-deo.html
It's great that some DAWS actually have visual representation of the frequencies. Really helps beginners
That sounds like it belongs in a green lantern comic
I just love how humble focus is ... I feel a sense of calmness in his energy that’s why I think you’re so creative due to the fact you can balance the energy.....
For being as famous as he is, Focus comes off as pretty humble during this interview. I'm a mixing engineer, but I learned a lot from this video!
Met him in Dallas.. he is a very humble cool dude in person. I hope he continues to have great success in life
He comes off as pretty amateurish imo
Will Bunch are you able to make a living from music alone?
what you've exactly learnt?
He is a super cool dude. We just had Focus on as a guest for our event: The Conversation on Music Production!
We just started our label last year but as an experienced producer I always tell new producers to listen to as much of the MUSIC GODS as possible. James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, EWF, Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, Parliament/Funkadelic and more. They had much less to work with back in those days. No computers, loops or sample packs. They had to pull everything from their imagination and the universe. Knowing the history can inspire future greatness.
Be a perfectionist but don't expect perfection.
What great advice and a great way to say it! This is something I have recently learned that I do in most of the things I do well!
Can someone explain this to me
@@faithland-nocopyrightmusic8986 from the moment he mentioned it just a few seconds before listen carefully up to 42:30 he breaks it down in his own understanding that is enough based on what he was talking about, you will translate that to resonates with your perception hope that makes sense peace.
This is my kind of producer and tutorial, I love how he keeps refrencing feel and explaining his reasoning behind things and also how they relate to the old way!
Yo his vocals tho were so fire yall gotta admit it
Was hoping something would say that
Hell yea sounds real good
Verrry fireee!!!!!
For real, I wasn’t expecting that when it came in
Part 2 has to be a thing. If I didn't have to go to work right now I'd be hitting the lab. This is so informative and inspiring!
WAVES WE NEED A PART 2 PLEASE PLEASE
don't be so naive. this is only a commercial and nothing else. you won't be able to use his tips in your mix (at least because NOBODY AND NEVER did not and will not speak about fundamentals and approach to a sound and the rest). This info is useless. You can get such results using any plugins. and yes, even the stock ones. and yes, even without any. Plugins won't make your skills better. Forget about it. It's just simple tools and nothing more
People just want to watch an amazing producer at work.. chill dude.
I agree! but still ! there's allot of small things nobody teaches you but once you learn them they can help open your mind to allot of things.... using arps texture for example , using elements beside hit hats to define the rhythm section etc.
Why this was a waste of time imho. Sorry to break it to you.
Chad Strayer check this out
Thanks for this excellent interview. Truly appreciate how Focus enjoys sharing his musical knowledge and experience, when many industry pros don't like sharing the gems
yea they get scared
ELEV8YT check this out. ua-cam.com/video/WqT2O8m8KGw/v-deo.html
Awesome masterclass. Moderator is just perfect: asks nice questions, mantains a good tempo... respect.
Amazing masterclass
Love his vibe! I feel like artists would be super comfortable working with him in the studio. Good energy, good music
I'm two years late but still glad to find this video.
Yo same I saw the time stamp and almost smacked myself
@@christopherroa9781 right
Same
Lmao same here bro!
Me too
Focus is legit! I love his thought process.
This is one of the many reasons why Waves isn't a software company but rather an institution. Best interview i've seen in a while!
Focus is a BEAST!!!!! He has truly mastered the proper interpretation of analog in a digital world man..... Focus KNOWS HOW TO MIX HIP HOP!!!
Thanks Focus, I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience; and thanks Wave for bringing this session. I'm ready for Focus' Part 2, and indeed a Focus series.
WAVES PEOPLE. The World needs Part 2!! This was great. Much love to FOCUS! and WAVES company
I got inspired to go create so many times! :)
I love how I keep seeing you all over the same videos I'm watching. Small world! lol
I really liked how genuine this whole session was...I really appreciate all the gems that were dropped 😊
One of my favorite Waves videos. Those drum fills!
Wooooow! The way he just broke down panning really opened my eyes and explained how I can use panning to create the space I need instead of completely relying on eq. Thank you very much for all your knowledge man that helps alot.
years late but focus goes crazy! learned so much!
everyone's preference in sound is totally different. Coming up with a whole track and walking people through that is awesome. Music has come so far from when artists kept industry secrets etc... The best music is sharing that love 100
Whenever/ if ever Focus feels comfortable to come back and give a part 2, I would be thrilled to be able to watch, listen and learn. The gentleman has a lot of knowledge, a lot of kindness and an incredible creator with a thoughtful indvidual. thank you for sharing your time with us and I am watching and waiting for this session's return.
Just gotta give a shoutout to Waves for getting all this great content out these last couple of weeks. Love all these new videos, not just brainless product plugs but great educational material. Keep 'em coming!
Thank you Waves and focus for your time.
I learned from this. I love how Focus is so humble.
This is one of the best interviews on production I have ever seen. Just so incredibly insightful
His beat is wavy AF! That baselines too much 🔥🔥🔥👏🏽
Yes to the waves part 2 with Focus again!!!! Would love to hear his thoughts on producing music that doesn't have vocals intended to be in it, if that makes sense. And how he considers mixing with that in mind.
His dad is Bernard Edwards from Chic. Great lineage.
The tip about playing drums together instead of separately and putting them together is a great tidbit
Focus your a legend man with a big heart spread the love through your music its amazing thanks for sharing your wisdom
I met Focus a while back in 2006 at his Studio, he gave me a lot of insight on Production and respected my sound!
Him just adding eq to the drums almost made me forget about reductive eq instantly :') it popped straight away
Seriously when he plays the piano i get goosebumps, its so hard and amazing, would love to hear Tripple D on that beat for real tho!
Rafiq Suhd check this out. ua-cam.com/video/WqT2O8m8KGw/v-deo.html
"the most important part of a song is the composition, not the artist.."
..
definitely part 2 !
I've watched this more than a few times. I like the questions like "where's your mind going?" I wish they'd do these sessions more often. Focus... is inspirational. 🙏🏽
we deffo need part 2
It was over from the start, but When that piano came in, it was done 💯🔥
Yo this is the dopest thing I've ever witnessed! to learn how to sonically produce my beats. I can make drum and synth tracks all day that I may think will hit with just the right sound from a vst .. but this is another level in production ... not just beat making. I've already copped 4 of the plug ins mentioned in this MasterClass. Good looking out WAVES and good looking out Focus!
The Syense Degree check this out. ua-cam.com/video/WqT2O8m8KGw/v-deo.html
This man truly understands the difference that others don't catch between "modern music" and age old techniques but more importantly how musicians today use both to create sounds just as powerful as the ones played in auditoriums decades ago. If you think modern music is trash or that it just isn't the same as it once was then it's your responsibility as a listener and/or musician to seek out music that appreciates those values or take control and make the change for yourself. This video reinforced a decade of lessons I'd let myself become dull to, well done.
He speaks about the process like he’s cooking.
FLAIR FOREVER he is
Producing is pretty much cooking.
It is cooking it's the seasoning and preparation that eventually cooks up a big meal, the beat
Hopefully your slang’s caught up to your metaphors
@@TheCurveModel you thought you ate
The fact that this is free is a beautiful thing. Thank you
So much respect to you Focus and thanx so much waves!!This is priceless info SO SWEET THE ABSOLUTE SELFLESSNESS OF FOCUS .OG always trying to help up and coming musicians.Again thanx so much waves and focus .Hope to see another live feed from yall.Hopefully focus will continue to do his live feeds on Instagram.MASSIVE APPRICIATION
What a solid dude. Super humble, and I love his appreciation for the art of music.
I learned a lot from Focus! Thank you Waves Master class for putting this together for us!
The second Beat is so chilled and oldschool, love it ! Definitely inspires me to make something with this vibe
Lessons for life, even today in 2020 that is still appropriated. Thank you Waves for putting this out with this very great music producer, A Master in his own pace and greatness. #LoveFromAngola
*still much appreciated
Getting back into producing, and this is such a breathe of fresh air, two people just chatting and growing. Love to all!
producing for dr.dre is like selling drugs to a drug dealer
Underrated comment
Yeah so The drugdealer Can Cut it and bag it up and sell as his product
@@markmortensen8564 oh damn you right
Arin Fathi but you can’t get high on your own supply, Dre knows this, thus, he outsources. Big ups to big for that lesson.
@@betterthanyou3145 nice
Thanks Waves I been liking these and the blogs or articles, like the one about the compressors yall did recently! This is the reason I don't mind buying your products and use your plugs as most of my go to plugz!
Greatness+humbleness=FOCUS,thnx waves for this interview
This is fantastic to see a legend at work on his Craft! Continue to create and evolve. Beautiful 🤩
YOOOOOOOOOOO! I met the man himself, great person... u would have no idea this man is so great and has such an amazing body of work. Ultra Humble guy
Taking tips and head notes🔥🔥🔥
Im so glad you posted this. Was looking forward to the live broadcast but had to DJ a wedding right when it started.
Salute to Focus
Cuz sound without Focus is just noise!!!
i have many track and i have never release them because i think they are noise..i was young when i made them. i am older now..stay focus lol
Focus is an underrated legend and I need a part 2+
You are talking in a way too soothing way. So calming, its amazing.
Absolutely love this. The more you watch this, the more you tend to hear.
such a wise guy. i could listen to this man speak all day
So many gems. Thank you so much for doing this masterclass!
I'm ready for part 2! Thanks!
Athuai Rush check this out ua-cam.com/video/WqT2O8m8KGw/v-deo.html
me to !!
same. learned a lot from this dude!
SAME
Bet
I always go to the Api 500 series when equalizing my drums. This video never gets old. I love learning from pros like focus and Leslie etc...
Thank you for this interview, part 2 please!
I can't believe I missed this, wow this was a really nice vid. I can dig it for sure.
this is so good. Focus is such a cool dude. Lots of great info in this
Thank you Focus for sharing the knowledge! I have so much respect for what you do & how you create music with emotions. Part 2 is a must, lets go WAVES.
I'm so excited to experiment with panning and rounding out my projects now. This is Definitely a building block for my production skills. We Definitely need a part 2.
Bruh I would do anything to just be Focus’ assistant. This guy is super talented and humble. He’s accepting of the new wave and he has always FOCUSed on his calling. To work under a mentor like this is a less than once in a lifetime chance. I’d work hard as fuck for an experience like that. I have rapped and written songs since I was 6 years old but unfortunately I lost my good friend and music producer in a car accident in 2014. My music changed, there was a new layer of depth to it but I also let go of my passion, because finding a good friend with a passion for producing the music is not something that happens twice. Almost a decade later I gave up everything to learn to produce music myself. I’m about 150 hours in and the things Focus says here affirmed my decision as he is explaining exactly what I do. Focus on the creativity and create your own element, write your hook as you make the beat, if you don’t like the state of the music..Change it. I’ll probably post something to his IG he even said he reads everything so if you do happen to read this Focus.. know that I’m a manager at my current job, a straight A student in college studying marketing, and brand new to the music production side of the game; a game I love that is sadly moving away from lyricism as an important ingredient. I’m sitting on substantial savings just for the event that someone in the game offers me mentorship and gives me a couple tools, or as you say, show me the doors it will take a long time to get to. TLDR: where is part 2 Waves
We just had Focus on as a guest for our event: The Conversation on Music Production!
Moderator sounds like Edward Norton. "I am Jack's raging bile duct"
I thought the same thing. he looks like him too if he had more hair and less beard
Jason Billingsley mmm,, excellent.
@@cliffy3377 Derek Vinyard
Haha reading this comment with the voice playing in the backgound and it's uncanny!
Always appreciate another creator showing their techniques Im so inspired!
really humble and learnt a ton... thanks for this!!!
This was a very dope masterclass. We just had Focus on as a guest for our event: The Conversation on Music Production!
This man is a low-key genius
Alexander Kiwus Extremely!
FOCUS, I'm feeling your production skills. I'm just catching up on your background and kicking myself for not knowing about you sooner. You are up there with Jam and Lewis, and Teddy Riley. Keep up the great work and I'll be following you!
I love this. ( thank you waves audio ) i produce house music and i constantly find myself layering drum hits and melody's even sub bass to try and make my tracks sound as loud and full as possible. with the right samples/hits you can create that "natural" loud/clean organic sound. but how do you get it sounding so BIG and clean? i love the swing adjustment to make a more natural sound on the drums and the panning is something i must start doing, raising the transpose on a melody to get the right feeling is pure class!! i'll definitely be using those techniques. Thanks guys.
Focus knows his stuff. Your beats are out of this world amazing thanks for sharing.
45:36 listen, simple but full
Yo his vocals were dope! He was all nonchalant about letting them play but glad he did!
I remember ILLMind tweeted his "official" kick drum file. I downloaded with the quickness. Forgot about it, then a year later loaded it into a project. It was a fart sound. I was 💀😂😂
Art Vein check this out. ua-cam.com/video/WqT2O8m8KGw/v-deo.html
I’ve been using rVox messing with comp and this man went straight for the gate 😢 rewinddd
Right click and use separate note by pitch will separate your drums much faster without having to drag and select each one. Much love.
sadstatue25 that just blew my mind! Thank you! I’ve been doing this the hard way for years haha
@@ericgoodwinart It's a time saver for sure.
This is almost perfect.
Al I want is to hear "got it" a few more times.
Give us part 2!!
I NEED PART 2!!!!!!
FOCUS JUST SHARING HIS SECRETS FOR FREE!! HUMBLE DUDE!!
The start of that beat was fire!
Heard this while I was cooking breakfast and I was like "Oh SHIT that's dope!!"
Absolutely love what y’all did here for your customers. Much love. U are making me consider using more than my Reason program!
51:56 Did they really say "for sure" at the exact same time or am I trippin'?
Amazing session btw, thanks for all the inspiration!
Thandi lol they did
That is cool music studio video like this software you’re showing !
Wow, this was the best thing I've ever seen. So much wisdom and a wonderful thought process. The beats remind me of quickly quickly, definitely a producer for you guys to check out.
So inspiring, thank you! I'm excited for part 2!!
At #11:01 when Focus is saying "What I"m doing here is --" the Waves Audio guy interrupts him and says "Gotcha." So what was Focus doing there? Or is it only important for the WA guy to know?
35:55 Got it, k, luv it, right, got it, yup, k, got it, sure, got it, yeah, right, sure, yeah, right, yup , GOT IT
Lolololol
Hahahahahaha!!
I've been watching this video since it dropped and it's been a strong source of inspiration!