Tony Coleman Of Hospital Records Talks Music

London Electricity’s Tony Coleman is not only a producer and DJ but also head of massive drum & bass label Hospital Records, where he also hosts his multi- award winning Hospital Podcast- the people’s first port of call for D & B news and upfront music, attracting 50,000+ listeners a show! With 12 years in the industry it’s fair to say he knows a thing or two about working with samples and loops. Check out this interview with the guy himself discussing all things studio related along with his up and coming projects.

What does your studio core consist of?

Mac g5 dp 2.5, Mackie Onyx 12 Channel interface/desk and Mackie HR624s.

What Hardware releases have caught your eye recently?

None!

Any great software tips of cheap plugins or Fx you use which don’t break the bank?

Audio damage - cheap and brilliant. check the freeware databases too on KVR and dontkrackit

When it comes to sampling – which type of sampler do you prefer?

Not a fan of many but my favourite two would be - Kontakt or the good old Reason NN19 for total simplicity. I do like the Reason REX player too!

Do you have any tips on working with samples and loops?

No not really! Just make sure what you're working on sounds unlike what anyone else is working on.

As the boss of the famous Hospital Records label, what would you say to young producers with regards to how they should build their tracks?

Don't be cynical - be inspired. Seriously, the amount of demos we get that are obviously people trying to sound like this producer or that producer. There’s no point, be yourself. Don't emulate anybody else because it will end your career before it's even started. It doesn’t matter how you build your tracks - you can do it from the top down or from the bottom up, or from left to right, its all good if it works! And every method can work.

When was the moment that you realised you had a real career in the music industry?

The first time the Inland Revenue decided it was worth investigating me!

Where do you see the future of the Drum and Bass?

Where? On a private island in the Caribbean! In my dreams I see it in Ibiza but that will never be a reality. It’s everywhere now, it's a fairly large and healthy industry in itself and it will continue like that for the foreseeable future.

Finally, what are the current projects happening at Hospital we should look out for?

Haha well my album Syncopated City was released Sept 08, then we planned the latest instalment of the Future Sound of Cambridge series – Vol. 3 drops in November. 2009 will see the debut album from Mistabishi, the debut album from Marstman on our Medschool imprint and more after that.