Pablo Bolivar
Who are you and what do you do? How long have you been a working musician?
I am a music addict, working 10 hours per day, and just for the music. I've been doing this for almost 15 years, and now, I'm focused on my productions Avantroots Records and Pulshar.
What is your educational background? Are there any schools, courses, or books you recommend?
I finished Sound Engineering school in 2001, then I was working in live sound for some years, but it was pretty hard, and I decided to create my own record shop in Santander, my home land. After that, I moved to Barcelona and began working with Decoder Muzique, one of the main Spanish electronic music distributors.
What hardware are you using?
These days, I'm using a lovely couple of Dynaudio BM12a monitors. You know what I mean when I say "lovely," this is pure quality. For me, Dynaudio is the top.
The Laboratory of Arturia: a hybrid synthesizer that works really nice, with a powerful sound.
Yamaha DX7-IId: I was looking for it for a long time, and I bought it with extension cartridges. Pure 80´s, in the mood of [Jean-Michel] Jarre or [Brian] Eno's first works. I love this digital sound!
Access Virus C: It's a monster, the bass presets are awesome, also the pads, a bit trancey, but if you touch the sound you will find what you want.
MOTU Mk3 sound card: When you say "Motu", it's like saying "Ferrari." Clean sound and a great dynamics control panel. Imagine the Motu working together with the Dynaudio monitors ;)
The Alesis Sample Pad: A drum pad with the possibility of loading your own samples. Real drum flavour.
TC Electronic M350 multi effects processor: it's nice work with a solid delay, reverb, and compression.
Sony MDR-7506 and AKG K619 headphones to have a clean or bassy response.
t.bone SC 450 microphone for voices.
All this hardware is mixed with a Mackie 1642 analog mixer. Mackie is always like a military tank, I've never been disappointed with it.
For DJ'ing I have a Pioneer DJM-600, 2 Technics SL-1200 MKII, M-Audio BX5 monitors, and the SoundBITE XL looper.
What software are you using?
At the studio, I have Mac and PC, always working with Ableton Live. I'm testing Live 9 these days; I am in love with Ableton, thanks guys! I don't use plugins so much; my main virtual instrument is the Arturia Experience bundle, with all those analog oldies. I'm in love with the Prophets, Jupiter 8v, and of course, the Moog.
For drums, I work with Ableton´s Drum Rack and my collection of Drum Machines Samples. If you do a proper EQ you will have solid sound for sure.
I am using Waves for efx and dynamics, and the Lexicon reverb sits in my productions as well. Sometimes I work with Omnisphere; really dangerous, you can get lost in that sound ;)
What would be your dream setup?
I am dreaming about a Moog Voyager or a Prophet '08, and a Tempest drum machine can be good too. If you decide to send me a gift, one of those can work for me ;)
Can you describe your creative process? Is there a particular routine or schedule you stick to?
I don't have a routine, it depends what I'm looking for. Sometimes I start playing a melody, other times I can start with the drums or with a sample. For example, for Pulshar productions we start with a sample, but at some point in the creative process, that sample is gone; it depends on the composition. For melodic works, the drums is the last part I add to the song.
Where do you shop for and discover music?
As a vinyl lover I used to go to the shops in town; Discos Paradiso is my favourite one. I use to buy at Decks as well. I receive a lot of promos that I listen to in my free time, but believe me, too much stuff to take care of it all. I love podcasts, it's the main stuff in my iPod.
Any highlights from your latest musical discoveries?
Well, actually I'm in love with Scissor & Thread label from Brooklyn. These guys are working really nice; I love most of their releases. Also Atjazz is on my top again, much respect.
What's brewing in your studio?
I have my new album almost finished. It was a lot of hard work, and I wanted to do something special for the final mixing. It will be a Deep House journey with excellent collaborations. At the same time, I'm working on Pulshar's next releases and Maurice Aymard's album. I think all these projects will be out this 2013.
Any production tips & tricks you'd like to share?
Just believe in your work, and work with a good monitor system. Feel free to experiment with the sounds, it's free and healthy!
Where can we find you on the web?
Pablo Bolivar / SoundCloud / Mixcloud / Resident Advisor / Myspace / Facebook /