Audeze talks with DJ and music producer CID

Audeze talks with DJ and music producer CID

NYC-based artist CID is a GRAMMY-winning producer and tastemaker label owner who’s boundless sound encompasses everything from after-hours house/tech house to crossover dance hits.  One of the most in-demand DJs in dance music today, he’s performed at global festivals, including EDC Las Vegas, Tomorrowland and Bonnaroo, and has headlined international clubs and venues.

"Now with the LCD-X I don't have to worry about not being in my studio, and can get great results wherever I go."  - CID

Here's our chat with CID:

Can you pick out any highlights from your work that you're particularly proud of?

Winning a Grammy for my work with Cedric Gervais on his remix of Lana Del Rey - “Summertime Sadness” in 2013.  Then returning for my second Nomination, this time under my own name for Remix of the Year with my Remix of LSD (Labrinth, Sia, Diplo) - “Audio”

How would you define your main role on most of the projects you work on these days?

Start to finish Producing / Mixing my releases under my artist project CID.

How did you get started in music? What kind of music did you listen to while growing up and how has that progressed?

I started out first as a DJ at a young age, and that sparked my interest in Music Production. I grew up in Queens, NY and was exposed to all kinds of different music.  From 90s Hiphop to Latin Music (Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia), but I always gravitated to House Music as it was what I loved to play the most.  I think the main progression for me has been the idea of fusing different genres into House Music when I am producing.

Can you name any factors that influenced the course of your musical life? Heroes, role models, moments, interactions, etc?

I was lucky to have a few.  The first was after college having a chance encounter with a friend from high school.  His dad owns a studio in New York where I was able to get an internship at and really learn about engineering.  From there it was all just a series of meeting different people that helped me progress as a producer.

Can you briefly describe a moment of frustration from your past work, and what you may have done to overcome the obstacles? Would you approach it differently now?

I always try to do everything in the music process, but because of that I can lose perspective of the final Mix and how it should sound.  Stepping away, and coming back to finish something after not hearing it for a few days really helps.  Also referencing on different monitors and headphones is really important for me to get through and finish a song.

Is there any gear you find yourself turning to most when working on a project? What are some of your favorite tools/instruments recently?

I have a few pieces of outboard but I love working in the box.  I use a lot of the Plugin Alliance Bundle, Fabfilter, and there’s a few key UAD plugins that always go on my master that I couldn’t live without.

Do you have any words of wisdom for people who might aspire toward a similar path for their own careers?

Be patient.  It’s easy to want to rush to success, but the best thing you can do is perfect your craft, make your sound undeniable, and be ready to keep the momentum of music releases going once you have a breakthrough song.

How long have you been working with headphones, and how do you typically use them in your workflow?

My entire setup is on my laptop.  I travel a lot, so headphones are very important.  I use them when I am on the road in hotel rooms, or anywhere I may be working remote from.  I also use them as another reference point, it’s a lot easier for me to listen for certain details in headphones vs. on monitors.

How have your Audeze headphones affected your work?

I am absolutely loving the LCD-X.  When I first got them, I jumped right in on a mix and decided to trust them 100% and see how the mix sounded in the end.  Without referencing my monitors at all, I was extremely happy with how the mix turned out.  I’ve always struggled to trust headphones, making working on music when I'm traveling nearly impossible.  Now with the LCD-X I don't have to worry about not being in my studio, and can get great results wherever I go.