Multi platinum selling and Grammy nominated producer Diego Ave has produced for the likes of Post Malone, Quavo, Chris Brown, Lil Pump and many more. The list continues to grow as Diego shows a trajectory of elevating into super producer status.
We got a chance to sit down with Diego and discuss his process and tips for up and coming producers!
What’s your process when finding artists/singers to produce?
I try to work with artists who I feel I can invest my time in to possibly sign. Other than that I try to just work with artist signed to major or big independent labels.
How do you approach song-writing? (music or lyrics)
I start with the music or chords first. Then I would add the drums. If I am working with a songwriter, I would add the drums after the song is written. This way I prevent the drums from establishing a vocal cadence.
What’s your fav song that you mixed, written and/or produced?
My favorite song I worked on was “sorry” by Rick Ross feat Chris Brown. The reason for this is because I was able to get a song on the radio without the traditional “trap drums”. I used “Boom Bap” drums or hip hop drums.
Tell us about a time when you needed to change your production style to accommodate an artist.
I feel every time I work with a different artist I have to accommodate an artist’s style. Especially when working on different genres of music. The key is to still make it your own. Add your own flavor the it.
Do you have any tips for upcoming producers and engineers?
My biggest tip for producers is to Collab with other producers as much as possible. There are so many benefits from working with other talented people. As for engineers I would tell them to become friends with artists. Build strong relationships. Everyone can record. Artists rather hire a friend than a stranger.
What’s the first thing you do when you open a session?
First thing I do when I open a session is go through sounds for me to play or go through samples from my Library for me to flip.
What are your 5 most used plugins or current favorite plugins?
Omnisphere
Mrhythimizer
Sausage fattened
Cable guys bundle
All output products
Do you keep you run your own sessions and archive them or prefer to have an engineer handle that for you? And, how do you know when a song is done?
I keep all of my sessions including ones with major artists. You just know when a song is done. It’s a feeling you get when you are ready to release your baby to the world.
What was one defining moment in your career?
My first defining moment for me was my first internship at a major recording studio in Miami. I chose that because I knew I was going to have to work my ass off. I had nothing when I got my internship. Every other moment I at least had something to my name wether financially or records to my name.
How do you feel about the current state of music?
I feel music is starting to get musical again. I’m exciting where everything is heading. And it’s up to us producers to keep music at a high quality level.
Where do you get inspiration?
My most inspirational moments come right after jamming to my playlists on Spotify. I like to take other songs and apply the energy I get from them to my own records.
How do you stay focused and productive?
I never think about tomorrow. Getting obsessed with the past and the future is cancerous.
How do you deal with writers-block?
I don’t deal with writers block. I step away when I am uninspired. Or I collab with other producers.
What are you listening to right now?
I am currently listening to “Are & Be” playlist on Spotify.
Who are some of your biggest influences and why?
My biggest influence in my life is my immediate family. They keep me humble and strong in a business as frustrating as the music business.
What do you do for fun when you aren’t working on music?
If I am not working I am either lifting weights or playing basketball. That was my first love before music.
Lastly; is there any artist you want to work with that you haven’t had an opportunity to yet?
I would like to work with Drake, we are both versatile. I feel we could make a whole album in a few days.
Select Credits:
Lil Pump – Pose To Do (feat. French Montana & Quavo)
Rich the Kid – Trappin so Hard
Problem – Take Your Tights Off Pt. 2 ft. Eric Bellinger
Berner – Wait For It ft. The Game
Rae Sremmurd – 42
Jay Park – V
Trina – Ride Clean (feat. Plies & Boosie Badazz)
Post Malone – Zack and Codeine
Kevin Gates – Thugged Out (feat. Boobie Black)
French Montana – Stop It
Zoey Dollaz – It’s Ok ft. A Boogie With Da Hoodie
Chris Brown – Enemy
Tory Lanez – The Process
A Boogie With Da Hoodie – Unhappy
Chris Brown – Enemy
Big Boi – Order of Operations
PNB Rock – Range Rover
The Game – All Eyez ft. Jeremih
Shaggy – That Love
Jahkoy – California Heaven ft. Schoolboy Q
PNB Rock – Hood Rich ft. Fetty Wap
Mario – Forever ft. Rick Ross
Rico Love – Turn The Lights On (TTLO)
Rick Ross – Sorry ft. Chris Brown
Trey Songz – Christmas (Guess Who)
Watch The Duck – Making Luv To The Beat (feat. T.I. & DJ E-Feezy)
Kelly Rowland – Talk a Good Game
Nelly – Walk Away (feat. Florida Georgia Line)
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – Waves (feat. Layzie Bone, Wish Bone & Flesh-n-Bone)
French Montana – Stop It (feat. T.I.)
Flo Rida – Wild Ones
Brandy – Two Eleven
T.I. – Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head
Sean Paul – Tomahawk Technique
Melanie Fiona – The MF Life
Tulisa – The Female Boss
Usher – Looking 4 Myself
Rick Ross – God Forgives, I Don’t
Trey Songz – Chapter V