The Bits:

Yvngface

by J. Higgins
22 April 2021

Prolific beatmaker, producer and mix engineer Kam Shariff AKA Yvngface narrows down 5 elements he can’t work without.

Ten87 Studios resident and heavyweight producer and sample creator Kam Shariff opens up about the tools and rituals he needs to get things done for the first addition of our series - The Bits.

Yvngface’s work has featured on tracks by the likes of Drake, DJ Khaled, J Hus, Vybz Kartel, Wiley, 2Chainz, Dizzee Rascal to name just a few and has been in resident at Ten87 since those early days in 2017 so we are over the moon to hear what makes him tick.

A treated room

“If Im doing any serious mixing or producing I need to be in a room I can trust. We spend lots of money on monitors, but often neglect the actual room. So acoustic panels, bass traps and ceiling clouds.”

    Monitors

    “Related to the last point, but more subjective as taste comes into it. I work in 2 studios, the main one and my home set up so its important to have a degree of consistency. Im blessed to be using the amazing Focal SM9s at the main studio, they are an amazing 3 way speaker. At home I use the Focal Alpha 65 which has the same beryllium tweeter as the Sm9s, and I also have the Yamaha H5 with a sub for when I need to check the super low end. I don't often mix or produce with the sub but it's essential for checks.”

      Aromatherapy

      “I like to have a nice vibe when sitting down for a session, so oil diffusers, scented candles are always around. I used to use incense sticks, but Im not fond of smoke indoors, especially in the studio. Woody aromas like oud, cedarwood, amber etc. Im not loyal to one brand and honestly some of the Tesco versions of Jo Malone style scents are actually really good!”

        UAD Plug-Ins

        “Im a huge fan of UAD,plugins. Always using 1176s, 1073s, Distressors, Fairchilds, SSLs, Manlleys, Chandlers, Shadow Hills and Pultecs.”

          Room Correction Software

          “Lastly, to compliment the room treatment and really have faith in what you're hearing, room correction software is essential to cross the Ts and dot the Is. In the main studio we have the legendary Trinnov outboard system. For my home studio Sonarworks does the job nicely.”

            Massive shouts to Kam for talking us through what he needs to get to work, he’s busy in the studio still plugging away on new bits for Levi and an upcoming tape from HMD (Black Butter Records) which we’re looking forward to hearing into 2021.

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            At Ten87 Studios we offer long term studio hire and day hire music studios. Each recording studio is acoustically treated and sound proofed to optimise any type of audio recording and music production. We are home to a large community of musicians, producers, engineers and audio professionals working in the music industry. Our main day hire studio is a world class tracking facility equipped with the best in recording studio gear, instruments, outboard and backline. We're based in Seven Sisters, Tottenham with easy transport links to the city centre - ideal for anyone looking for a London recording studio.