Struggling with drum and bass production compared to garage music: Flava D discusses the challenges of creating DnB tracks
In a career that started on MySpace, creating grime instrumentals using an early copy of Ableton, Flava D (Danielle Gooding) has come a long way. Born and raised in Bournemouth on the British south coast, Gooding's musical journey began with rudimentary ideas due to a lack of familiarity with concepts like compression, echo, reverb, and delay.
Gooding spent a lot of time on manual, DIY, and time-consuming work to create her early productions. Her initial approaches were basic, but her determination and passion for music drove her to continuously improve. As she delved deeper into the world of music production, she began creating beats for MCs including Wiley, Ghetts, and Merky Ace.
The move into drum & bass necessitated a year of rewiring her brain to adapt to the new genre. Gooding describes drum & bass as requiring a small, poppy kick and a massive sub, which was a departure from her previous techniques in other genres. Each genre transition required a step up in her production skills, particularly in terms of structures and mixing down.
Gooding's latest stylistic shift has seen her releasing an album on the influential Hospital Records. The album, "Flava D - Here & Now," released on July 15, 2021, features collaborations with artists, including Danielle Gooding herself, but specific collaborators on the album are not detailed in the available search results. The album showcases the depth of her skills as a producer and is a versatile record with a variety of styles.
"Here & Now" features collaborations, liquid, harder styles, and a range of sounds that represent Gooding's unique style. The album is described as being emotionally charged, with a balance of sweet and sour elements. For Gooding, drum & bass is the most significant challenge in her production journey due to its advanced sound design.
In her video interview, Gooding discusses the increasing focus on technical aspects of structuring and mixing tracks as she began making more dancefloor-focused music and playing DJ gigs. Gooding's latest album, "Here & Now," is something that she would listen to in various settings, such as in the car or on the train, as well as in the dance.
Gooding is proud of the broad project that is "Here & Now," as it encompasses various aspects of her style and personality. The album is out now via Hospital Records, and it showcases the versatility and depth of Gooding's skills as a producer. With "Here & Now," Gooding continues to push the boundaries of drum & bass and solidifies her place as a prominent figure in the genre.
