Sanjay C Interview | Respect the Producer
How did you get your name?
When I was born, my mom and dad took one look at me and said, "This baby will be a YouTuber and producer one day," and they named me "Sanjay C." Seriously though, I was named after Sanjay Gandhi, the son of India's former prime minister, Indira Gandhi.
Where are you from?
I'm originally from India and currently live in the Washington D.C. area. I moved around a lot as a kid, and lived in Southern California as well as Bangalore, India.
How did you get into Producing?
I started producing music in the early 2000s. I love writing my own songs and played in a few bands. Learning music production was a way for me to get my song ideas recorded. It was a lot harder to record music at home those days. Kids learning music production these days have it easy. You can download professional plugins and get a radio-ready sound with just a laptop. It’s a great time to be a producer.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
After taking a ten-year break from writing and producing pop and R&B using Logic, I wanted to start from scratch. I downloaded Ableton Live to get a fresh perspective and learn EDM and Hip Hop production techniques. I picked up a ROLI Seaboard Block and a few plugins from Native Instruments and I was amazed at how much production tools got better in just a short time. I started documenting this next chapter in my music journey on YouTube. Sharing what I learn on YouTube is a way to keep myself motivated. I don't think I would have advanced my music production knowledge had it not been for my channel.
What did your first set up look like?
My very first "real" studio setup was pretty cool as I think back. I used Logic Pro (by eMagic at the time). Logic had good quality sounds and effects, even back then. So I had little need for other gear. I used an old Yamaha CVP-65 digital piano as a controller and recorded vocals with an Audio Technica mic. I love the sound of the Fender Rhodes electric pianos and found one cheap on eBay. I still have it and love it!
What does your current setup look like?
As I mentioned before, I've switched from Logic to Ableton Live. Ableton helps me produce short beats and music ideas very quickly. Speed is a priority for me these days since I create short pieces of music every week for my YouTube channel. My main keyboard is the Native Instruments S88. I'm getting into the synth scene with the Arturia MiniBrute 2, Prophet 6, and Juno 106. I use two rack audio interfaces - one by Universal Audio and the other by Arturia. Having all those inputs allows me to connect all the gear in my studio. I have to say that my studio desk itself has made the biggest impact in my workflow. The desk is by Monkwood Studio. Everything is now within reach and its just a beautiful place to produce. I test tons of music gear for my videos, so my gear and plugin list is always evolving.
If you could produce for any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?
I'd love to produce for The Weeknd. Working with amazing songwriters and vocalists is exciting because I get an opportunity to interpret their ideas and offer my own. Marvin Gaye's music has had a big influence on me, so of course he comes to mind as well.
What is your goal when you create?
When I create, my goal is to guide the listener's emotion. Listeners are not blank canvases. They come with their own experiences, mood, and preferences. It's my job to let them hear the story I'm telling with my music. I need to guide them through the world I create.
What's your go-to song right now?
My go-to song right now is anything by the artist Shallou. He creates the type of downtempo and electronic music that I love making myself. When I sit at my keyboard, it’s the type of music that comes naturally to me. It’s in my soul.
What is your dream as a Producer?
My dream is to produce soundtracks for films as well as creating trailers for them. It's just a dream at this point. I'm not working towards it yet, but when I watch movies, I think to myself, "I can do that!" It goes back to my philosophy of guiding a listener's emotion through a story. It’s challenging. That's why I like it.
What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to become a Producer?
Everyone's path to success is unique and ever-changing. Mine was through YouTube - sharing my music knowledge and my music. The industry and landscape have changed, but one thing remains the same: hard work. Whether you're starting from scratch, or you got lucky with a viral hit, the only way to maintain momentum is through hard work and perseverance. Focus on your goal, don't stop learning, and don't stop pushing yourself. I always sign off my videos with the phrase, "Make the music YOU love." To me, it means - believe in your own sound and follow your own path.
Where can people find you?