Since they started their career in 2005 and the song Empire killed it on the charts worldwide, Super 8 and Tab have made a big name for themselves in this industry. All their tracks got attention and support from all representatives in trance music such as Armin van Buuren. DJ MAG JAPAN had the chance to sit down with trance superstars, Super 8 & Tab, and catch up on their new singles and album.

Q1. Please talk to us about your latest release ‘Seconds Away’ and the inspiration behind it.

There is one songwriter we know and he hooked us up with Sarah for this project. It is always team work, and we found the best singer for this track as a team. Sarah and the team wrote the lyrics and we provided the music … the baseline and melody. We wanted to have a really nasty baseline at the beginning to make people feel crazy, and it actually came off like we wanted it to.

Q2. How you want audience to listen the album ? what feelings you want create on their mind ? 

Joy, happiness and energy. There are a lot of melodies, so hopefully it’s emotional for the audience as well.  Also, it is a reflection of what happens at our gigs, we play a lot of these tracks at our shows and see how they work. So we have so much fun bringing those vibes into the album process as well.  

The reason we named it as “Part 1” is that we want people to really concentrate on each song one by one. If we put 30 or 40 tracks into one album, people will pick and choose. We want to give each song a chance as we think that each track is really good, we want to give these tracks attention!

Q3. What do you guys keep in your mind when you produce music like creating something new or sophisticate your original sounds ? 

Our chords are always “Super8 and Tab”, that’s how we start and then we try and create something around it. This time it was a baseline that started off nasty. So there is always something new and something old in our productions. We have a trance background, so we take that taste and try to do something new with it. 

Also, there is no template. We always start our productions without any template. It is always better with a blank screen. That is probably why our tracks sound a little bit difference from each other but the chords sound the same. We are both inspired by each other to create new things, that is the reason why we don’t tend to get stuck with our productions. 

Q4. What do you think about basics of dance music production ? 

When it comes to production, I think the Kick is the most important. Of course, all the other parts are important too, but the Kick is what defines all the sounds included on the track.

If you have a weak kick, you will definitely lose your baseline and your baseline will be weak, so you will get into the wrong place with the production. But when you have a great kick, it will fit the baseline much better. And the mastering will sound better.  So, the Kick is the key to good dance music. 

Q5. So, how can you find great kick sound ? 

Sometimes we sample it and sometimes we get it from the Sonic Academy kick Synthesizer called “kick 2”. Either way, sometimes we even combine several sample kicks into a synth kick. Actually, we have never used a kick straight from another person’s track. There are tons of different ways to find a great kick in every production moment. 

Q6. Could you give us advice about what is the best way to learn production for Japanese young Dj/Producer ? 

It is never ending story, never finished. We have to experiment and be crazy about it all the time. Always keep it mind that what you do will always be better than the thing before and to learn from everything that you do.

There are tons of YouTube video’s which you can check to help you. Just create the songs first! You can only develop your sound when you are producing. If you hear a good kick on another guys track, just sample it and see if it sounds good with your own sounds. 

When you have found your own sound, you do not have to be the best, you then just need to sophisticate you own sounds more. And then things get better over time, so start by getting tracks finished.  

Q7. But some producers sometimes stuck in somewhere between production, Could you please share your tips or way to manage that situation? 

When we get stuck producing we usually leave the track for a few days and work on something else. Sometimes a week or two later we open the project again and we can see what the problem was and if it was complicated.  

Take distance from your work, if you have been listening to it all the time in your studio it can start to sound like everything and nothing. Take a couple steps back. 

Q8. Please leave a message to your funs in Japan.  

We hope to see you very very soon! And thank you for supporting and following us, it is always so nice to get positive feedback. 

Arigato !!!