We had the pleasure of catching up with the talented DJ and music Producer, Cody Chase, to discuss his latest track ‘You Said’ and delve into the creative process behind it. Known for his infectious grooves and unique sound, Cody Chase shares insights into his inspiration, production techniques, and the journey of staying true to his signature sound while producing his recent release. Get ready to dive into the world of Cody Chase as he takes us behind the scenes of ‘You Said’.
WWD: Hello Cody! How are you?
It’s a lovely day today. I’m going to NYC next weekend to play a show where I for sure will be playing this track!
WWD: What was the inspiration behind ‘You Said’ and how did you come up with the concept for the track?
My wife always says the phrase “the things that you say” and shakes her head (when I am being over the top and trying to make her laugh or be contrarian). So I thought, why not make a track with that phrase.
WWD: Can you walk us through the production process of ‘You Said’, from the initial idea to the final mix?
Of course, On this track I initially put together a drum groove with my signature drum sounds and additionally added a playful low tom groove than bounces off of the main drum line. I went on to carve out a catchy bassline to fit the drum groove I had already developed. At this point, the track was sounding solid but I needed something more, so I created a plucky lead that harmonizes well with the bass to fill out the midrange and add some energy to the track. Then, I did some searching for a vocalist and used an arpeggio plugin and used the free rate modulation to ramp up the vocal that you hear in the main build and drop.
WWD: What equipment and software did you use to produce ‘You Said’, and how did they help shape the track’s sound?
Some of my favorite go to synthesizers are Uhe-Hive, Uhe-Diva, AAS Multiphonics CV-2: Modular synth and of course Serum (Serum is typically my main stay go-to synth program). Processing wise, I like to use the industry standard Fabfilter plugins, they are great and so clean. More importantly, they go easy on the old CPU, and have a great visual interface making it easy to use. Some other cool ones I use are BlackBox, which is a distortion unit from Plugin Alliance and Sonnox Inflator and StandardCLIP by SIR Audio Tools. Every once in a while you’ll hear an oldy but goody, Dada Lfie’s Sausage Fattener as well (though it wasn’t used here).
WWD: How long did it take you to produce ‘You Said’, and were there any particular challenges or obstacles you faced during the process?
My songs can range anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks to finish, however this one came together really quickly as I was super inspired at the time, and sometimes it just comes together in a few days. So, I would say it took 3/4 days to get the main idea nailed and then another couple of days to polish it and make it great sonically.
WWD: The beat and bassline in ‘You Said’ are very groovy and driving. How did you approach creating these foundational elements of the track?
It is all about the interplay between the drums, tom groove and then bassline riff. To get this groove, I made sure that each element plays off each other and has its own space and program them in a syncopated way to give them that movement. I also like to add swing to my whole drum pattern to give it that groove you can hear in the track.
‘You Said’ continues to showcase your unique vision and signature sound. How do you stay true to your own style while also keeping up with the ever-evolving trends in Electronic Dance music?
You can’t always follow the trends when you’re trying to be a trend-setter. I like making music for Cody as a party-goer and always view and listen to music from the DJ and party-goers POV. So, I like making sure that my tracks work well for my on-stage performances more than as a standalone song.
WWD: What was your goal in terms of the overall sound and vibe of ‘You Said’, and how did you work to achieve that in the production process?
My goal was to stay true to my signature sound which incorporates high-tension builds and heavy bassline orientated drops. I did this by using the vocal and synth elements in the break to add building energy by modulating, both the rate and pitch at which they play, getting faster and changing pitch more radically until it crescendos into the drop.
As we wrap up this interview, we can certainly say that Cody Chase’s track ‘You Said’ showcases his unique style and production skills. With its groovy beats, catchy bassline, and captivating vocal elements, the song displays his ability to create infectious and energetic music. Cody’s commitment to staying true to his own sound while incorporating elements from different genres sets him apart in the ever-evolving Electronic music scene. As we eagerly await his future releases, there’s no doubt that Cody Chase will continue to leave a lasting impact with his dynamic and innovative approach to music.
Listen and buy ‘You Said’ now
Cody Chase: Website / Instagram / SoundCloud