Portfolio Proposal  

Music Producer/Remixer.

This hand in is going to be information regarding the responsibilities, and what you must do, and the most professional way to do this in 2026. The industry is filled with electronic artists and labels, the 3 artists that inspire me below are true masters of the art and inspire me on my path. The classes I take and what I am learning in my spare time is the grounding for where I want to be, and where I am heading in the future.

So, in working with the different classes at HNC level, I am coming from a DJ mixing background as my grounding. I know that in today's world of being a DJ you must be making your own tracks and getting them out there. The world has become a lot more accessible than it was 20 years ago and education and tools for making music is more accessible than ever. I do feel you have to get educated if you want to be successful in this industry as it is saturated with budding producers. The genre I am looking to make a name in is a bit more niche, and not as busy as some of the other genres.

A remixer/producer today is well known to labels and DJ's if he is good and releasing music on various labels.

So, the plan with this assignment is to build my portfolio and show all relevant skills I have obtained thus far relating to my career path. I will demonstrate the projects I have worked on with an analysis of everything from equipment to artists and everything in-between.

My first project I have chosen is “The Time Capsule” a short 2-minute film clip that I did in Ableton. My second project is “Organic26” a tune I am busy with currently and the third project is "This is the life” a song we recorded as a class team effort with my colleagues in class.

Of course, the hand in comes with as much evidence I can gather and the results to see and listen to.

I will evaluate my own work and see just how I can work to a given timescale and how my work is compared to when I began this mission

Role Description

Music Producer/Remixer.

A producer/Remixer in today’s world is creating tracks you remix for artists like the DJ’s listed below. These guys are legends in my genre of music. If you are an artist covered by PRS, PPL ,they  collect the royalties for you from your productions. You can also collaborate with other artists and educate aspiring producers.

Of course, mixing and mastering tracks for other artists is a good source of income. The producer oversees the contractual tasks, clearing samples and looking after their side of the contract and guiding the engineer for the mastered result.

Music Theory and understanding of how to put together a track in key and chords and so on is vital, understanding the genre is key and an advantage . Finding out as much information on how to get ahead of the competitors and what are key ways to get your productions heard by the right people and the just how professional your complete package you are trying to get signed is, is so important.

Where your music can be heard, like social media, a website where your bio can be seen, and so on.

You need patience in this industry as well as persistence. Working deadlines and project planning are crucial skills.

Almost all producers are freelance so how far you want to go depends on you.

Hernan Cattaneo Sudbeat Records

Founded in 2009, with Graziano Raffa.

While rooted in Progressive House, Sudbeat sound is about broad, it is all about deep grooves, hypnotic progressive melodic techno and a lot  more.

 A global sound with South American spirit focused on musical depth and quality rather than trends, the label balances signing big names and new talent.

 Sudbeat provides a bridge between South American talent and the global progressive house scene. For artists it is a label that values long–term artist development rather than one off singles. For listeners the label is known for quality, depth and a consistent sonic identity

According to Electronic Groove, Sudbeat has almost 270 releases (as of their April 2025 article), it has almost doubled that now, which is a significant catalogue for an independent label. 

Very respected in the progressive / melodic electronic music scene for its consistency and artistic integrity. 

Rather than chasing viral or short-form trends, Sudbeat doubles down on long-form curation, artist development, and careful sequencing of EPs / compilations. 

The label also has a community side, running events, bootcamps, and more to deepen engagement with its audience and artists

Demo Submissions / demos@sudbeat.com. 

Nick Warren: The Soundgarden

Founded by Nick and his partner Petra. It started off as a radio show and mix compilation series and over time into a Record label, with a global events brand. It is one of the most respected imprints of progressive electronic music.

Musical Style & Philosophy

The Soundgarden’s sound leans toward melodic, emotive, and progressive electronic music

Nick emphasizes longevity he signs music that “isn’t disposable” and that listeners can return to years later.

The label values storytelling, organic textures, and atmosphere.

Nick Warren and Petra are very hands-on with curating the roster. 

Through The Soundgarden, he promotes both signed artists and emerging talent. 

Guy J

An Israeli progressive-house / techno / electronic-music producer and DJ

He’s released multiple albums and many EPs since the late 2000s, and his music is known for blending ambient, melodic, techno and house influences, often described as emotionally rich and “journey-like.”. 

Over time, he became not just an artist, but also a label owner , building platforms for himself and for other artists.

Lost & Found

Lost & Found is the imprint label that Guy J founded in July 2012 with support from John Digweed, the label releases Guy J’s own releases of other artists he admires Sahar Z, Roy Rosenfeld, Jamie Stevens and others. 

Lost & Found is often described as part of the umbrella of “Bedrock Records”.

The label gave Guy J more creative control and a platform to release his own material and to help shape a certain sound: melodic, progressive, emotional electronic music.

In addition to Lost & Found, Guy J is behind Armadillo Records a label launched to focus on ambient, chillout and more abstract non-club-floor electronic music.

The idea behind Armadillo is different from Lost & Found: it’s meant to showcase a more reflective, artistic side of electronic music tracks suited to listening outside the club.

Artists associated with Armadillo include long-time collaborators and respected names in electronic music ,the label gives them freedom to explore more introspective or experimental styles. 

Early Morning is his the newest label

In 2024, Guy J launched a new label called "Early Morning.” 

Early Morning is a fresh platform .

The name and concept reflect a sense of new beginnings: the idea to explore new sonic territories and provide opportunities for passionate, creative electronic musicians. 

 Operating multiple labels, Guy J can release different kinds of music under different banners club-oriented progressive/tech-house (Lost & Found), ambient/experimental/non-dance (Armadillo), and potentially more exploratory or boundary-pushing material (Early Morning).

Supporting other artists: These labels are not just for his own work  they are platforms for other talented producers and DJs. s

Each label develops its own identity and audience.

Artefacts for Inclusion

Artefact 1 – The Time Capsule.

This relates to what role I have chosen as it involves using a daw, to produce high quality sound project using various methods. Chose this because it is work, I have completed thus far in college.

We were given a choice of film clips to work with during our first few lessons on how we would get samples and what to do with placement etc. We were show how to get your fps using frame grid. We then looked for samples on various sites such as Sound and Loop cloud which I used. I am using this example to show how we have progressed in such a short period using Ableton effects. It is the beginning of producing, mixing and mastering sound by layering. I used Ableton live 12. The idea was to make the sound fit the scene and this is what went on in my head. Using different effects and layering them. Although it is not the best it was a learning curve and the begging of what by the end of this course I will be professional in every sense of the word. We recorded foley using handheld mic.

So, when I finally start making the music I want to release it will be done very similar to how I have been working with the clip. Of course, you can use these skills in various ways from working in film to working in games to working at home in the studio. I have been learning how to mix and use samples to change how they sound completely. So, this will help me as I gain more knowledge on the technical side of mixing and mastering so I can apply this to my own music. The music I want to make is quite technical and tunes that are very full. And so, working in this manner is a grounding me well. It will take a couple of years to be where I want to be but I am confident I will.

Using MOSTLY Audio tracks for this quick 2 min film. I dragged and dropped the film which we converted using OBS studio and then Frame Grid, Then I created an audio track for each sample. They were layered and grouped for tidiness and to add effects from a send channel to the group bus for coherence. space and so you know where to get each sample and where everything is. I renamed the tracks accordingly. Using parameters automation and audio effects for the sound to fit the picture. When working with samples I altered them in various ways such as pitch, panning, warping different modes, Reverbs Delays, and when using Automation I am understanding more on how to use it correctly.

Equalisation_

This was done from start to finish on every sample and on the master. Eq8 was used and plugins. This is used so we get the correct space for the frequencies to make everything clearer.

Time Domain Processing_

 Using plugins to affect its dynamics, amplitude and timing, rather than changing the frequency content. It gives shape and feels to audio. For example, using a compressor and delay to give you a bit of a cool sound effect when you use, I used this to good effect, autofillter, automation which I use constantly

Dynamic processing_

This is how I gave my sample more guts, punchier or quitter, balanced or smoother. Using compressors and limiters. We have attack and release on simpler which makes sounds more real and consistent. Using a gate gets rid of background noises.

Audio channel level balancing

Each audio channel fader is balanced proportionally for the clip. For clarity, prevent clipping makes everything more coherent. We can do this in our grouped track as well which with glue grouped channels and using the fader to balance the group sound in the session. I did pan left and right to get a wider sound on the footsteps for example. It is spreading the sound across a stereo field

Project file management

This is so important one of my weaknesses I need to strengthen. It is of utmost importance you need to keep on top of this. Kier and Chris have helped me out of a mess more than once, but what I have been shown has helped tremendously, you can't lose samples or have things disorganised in Ableton or on your Pc.

Recording Foley

I recorded some foley using a handheld recorder which was a bit of fun. Doing it this way is the best for getting it to sound real. We worked in various rooms around the college and just did the final takes in a booth. These were then used on our film clip which when balanced sounded great Using H5n condenser cardioid spot mic we got the footsteps sounding great, and we did a gurgling choke noise. Both sounded great using close and medium distance

These are just a few technics used in my work. In the portfolio hand in I will go in to more detail in my final hand with a more explanatory breakdown of the final edit

Artefact 2 – Organic 26.

This is a tune I have been Working on at home and will be completed for the end of the year. It is an electronic tune using the knowledge I have gained so far on my path. This artefact shows my ability to work towards a deadline, understanding of the daw and making tracks, and sound design skills. Using certain the right plugins on the track, using a sampling, use of synth patches, using automation as well as using midi and recorded audio. This artefact will also show the skills obtained so far. Using different types of synths. Organisation and file management skills shown by my workflow. I will record midi notes with a midi keyboard and Push controller.   Mixing and Mastering skills with the use of EQ and effects on the returns and main.

So, I will be using samples from various packs I have bought, Loop cloud and making a deep moody kind of vibe. This is music that gets my blood flowing.

Drum racks very important, I will explain the thought process behind the samples, synth patches I have which I tweak too the vibe using automation to get the most of my sound

I have been watching tutorials of how some of the producers I follow do things and just emulate it to my kind of vibes. I have not included any of the plugins or detail yet of what I have done with this track as I am still in the middle of producing it. This artefact is dew by the 27/5/26      

Artefact 3 – This is the Life Amy MacDonald.

A song recorded in college.

 Our plan is to record a cover of the original track This is the life by Amy Macdonald. The original was mainly a guitar/vocal track, but we plan to add piano to create a fuller sound. During the recording project will be using some classmates, some people brought in and each member of our group will have a part to record and input in any problem solving or changes needed. Each member of the group will also take a turn at running desk during recordings and will all assist with set ups and dismantling of recording equipment.  

 We proposed to use either SSL1or SSL2 for accessibility reasons and we will need EMS to record our piano. We will record drums in the live room setting. Bass and guitar will be recorded in either studio or live room attached, and the vocals will be recorded in a live room.  

 Our planned recording stage would be to use the original track alongside the click track. It will be a multitrack recording each instrument will be recorded individually. Drums will be recorded first in SSL1 live room, the drummer will be Archie one of our classmates. Second thing we will record will be acoustic guitar which will be performed by Jack another classmate Bass will be recorded in studio/live room by classmate. Darcy from class will record our piano part in EMS. Lead vocals will be recorded by a friend Fly and Tez will record the backing vocals. Percussion will be performed by Euan and Scott.