Dom Kane Talks About Quantum Loops – Interview

Loopmasters are happy to introduce a new label this Friday (09/12/11) Quantum Loops. Quantum Loops is a brand new sample library and sound-design company headed by international DJ/Producer Dom Kane.  As a sound-designer and engineer, the name Dom Kane appears in most electronic recording studios across the globe, having delivered work for Loopmasters, FXpansion (D-CAM & Geist), Deadmau5 and Steve Duda (Nerve/Xfer), Ohm Force (Ohmicide), and even factory content for the legendary analogue synth company Moog.

Although the main focus of the label is Progressive, Tech-House, and Electro House scene, they’re also working with artists from different styles every now and then. One of the main things that sets Quantum Loops apart from some of the other labels out there is that every loop needs to fit a track… Dom says, “When I’m making a pack myself, I always ask ‘would I use this myself?’ and if the answer is no, then it doesn’t make it into the pack. Many companies seem to offer loops packs that just seem a bit flat and come across as boring filler, but I think good loops should inspire creativity, not demand it.

Loopmasters caught up with Dom to find out a little more about the label.

Give us a little background on your label and how it started?

Well on top of being a DJ & Producer, I’m a complete geek (and not in the the “cool geek-chic” sense!) and I love experimenting with synths and audio-processing techniques, and although I’ve bought a lot of sample packs in the past, I’ve never really been completely satisfied with them because a lot of the stuff just seemed a bit flat.

Do you focus on a specific style and what do feel differentiates you from other sample labels?

The main focus is going to be in the Progressive, Tech-House, and Electro House scene, but we’re going to be working with artists from different styles every now and then.  I think one of the main things that sets Quantum Loops apart from some of the other labels out there is that every loop needs to fit a track.  When I’m making a pack myself, I always ask “would I use this?” and if the answer is no, then it doesn’t make it into the pack.  There are loads of companies that offer loops packs out there that just seem a bit flat and come across as boring filler, but I think good loops should inspire creativity.

Some people feel that sample packs are “cheating”. What are your thoughts on this as a sample label?

Ha! Yeah I see people say that far too much, and it’s bollocks! I think those people forget that the entire foundations of Electronic Dance Music were built on sampling!  Just google the “Amen Break” and you can see how creative people get when they have a great loop. My view has always been “if it sounds good, it’s good”, I don’t care how you do it, it’s what comes out the speakers that counts.  I make presets for synth companies, but I still use other peoples presets if they sound good.  I make my own loops, but I still use the odd loop here and there from other people if I think it’s going to make my track sound good.

What type of producers do you see using your samples?

I’ve actually seen a few tracks in the Beatport Top 100 using some of my loops, and I think that’s great!  It just means I’m doing something right, and that my loops are usable.  As for the Quantum Loops brand, I think it’s really open to anyone of any size.  our first release is a complete electronic drum library with thousands of single hits of snares/percs/kicks/etc so that really applies to anyone from any genre too.

Have any of your samples shown up in any big hits, television shows, movies etc?

As I said above, I’ve heard them in a few Beatport Top 100 tracks, but I’m yet to hear them on TV ,that would be awesome though!

What equipment do you use to create your samples? Are they done in house or do you work with producers from all over?

Well it’s a bit of both really, I love working with other producers and I really don’t do that enough, so most of my work is done in my own studio.  I build a lot of MaxMSP patches and software processing tools, along with bits of homemade analogue hardware like tube pre-amps and diode saturation units.

For someone just being introduced to your label, can you suggest any particular packs you think standout?

Well for me, it’s the first one “Drum Construction” which will be a big library of single drum hits.  It’s really the most flexible kind of pack I think.

What formats are you packs available in?

Right now, it will be WAV, Ableton, RX2, and Kontakt, but I think it all depends on the packs, and I’ve had a few requests for ESX2 so I’m looking in to this.

What quality checks do you undergo before you know a sample packs is ready for release on your label?

I always ask myself if I’d be willing to use each loop in a production of my own.  If the answer’s no, then it gets deleted.

What type of packs do you have in the pipeline?

I’m really excited about some of the packs set for next year actually.  I’m going to be working with a couple of labels, the first one being Sonny Wharton’s imprint Whartone Records, and I’ll also be working with some producers like Sick Elektrik and ThreeSixty too, and these are all some of my favourite producers right now so I’m really excited about it.  On top of that, I’ve been working on some plans to do some more eclectic things along with a few composers, but there’ll be more about that at a later date. Watch this space!

www.facebook.com/quantumloops
www.twitter.com/quantumloops1
www.quantumloops.co.uk

 

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