When you think of alternative, hip-hop supergroups, Deltron 3030 should be the first that springs to mind. The dynamic trio consists of Dan the Automator, Del the Funky Homosapian and Kid Koala who have all had great success individually. The crew banded together back in 2000 to fight crime and re-invigorate music in a way only they could. (Ok, so maybe fighting crime is a bit of a stretch, but hey, it could happen.)
We had a chance to catch up with Dan and Del from Deltron 3030 during FUN FUN FUN Fest earlier this month to talk about their creative process the importance of storage while making music.
SeagateCreative: What role do hard drives play in your creative work?
DAN – I have about 50 Seagate drives, I have them in all my computers. For Protools, I have 4 Barracudas in three different Macs and a stack of others on deck. I use them to record all my music, save all my files, etc.
DEL – I use HD for storage and also to run sessions. Like a companion to my computer’s HD and try to use in place of my comp’s HD if I can. I also use them for sounds. I use the TB Seagate’s mainly but the smaller portable ones are good to have on hand traveling too.
SeagateCreative: Do you have a particular technique for inspiration or ritual you practice to get the creative juices flowing?
DAN – I sit in the studio with all my gear on and watch TV. The reason is, it keeps your mind blank so that when an idea comes you can get right into it.
SeagateCreative: Between the three of you, what’s the collaborative process like for songwriting?
DEL – Dan does the music and production and then I do all the writing. Then at some point we come together and work out the master plan and record the VOX. Then Dan freaks it and Koala works his magic on it.
SeagateCreative: While working in the studio, are there any “rules” or is anything “forbidden” that could disrupt the creative process?
DAN – Rules: No partying and no hanging out. Everybody has a purpose- no non-purpose people milling around. Forbidden: Random outsiders/folks not contributing to the work.
SeagateCreative: Which piece of gear is your favorite for sparking creativity?
DEL – The Octatrack by Electron is my main s*** right now.
SeagateCreative: What do you love about it?
DEL – It’s just an amazing new school sampler with no limitations. It turns recorded sound into malleable substance. It can do anything with sound so you’re no longer limited with sample sounds. You can basically do anything with it like a piece of clay you can mold to whatever you want.
SeagateCreative: Looking back, have your gear choices evolved since you first started in music?
DAN – No, it hasn’t really evolved. I’ve just obtained more gear as I’ve gotten more money making music and expanded my knowledge in those things.
SeagateCreative: What’s one piece of advice you’d give an aspiring artist to help them be creative or develop their ideas into art?
DAN – Do what you’re feeling, don’t let other people shape what kind of sound you’re going to have otherwise you’re just going to be the second best version of that sound.
SeagateCreative: During the recording process, what’s a telltale sign that you’ve created something special?
DEL – You just get that feeling. It’s hard to explain but you just know it’s tight. It brings some sort of emotional response over you like “Oooh that’s sick” or something. In other words it moves you in some way.
Keep up with Deltron 3030 through their social channels here:
Official Site
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Twitter
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