ACCES 2018 hosts workshop on music production essentials

The workshop, which is free of charge for the public, will take place at the Kenya National Theatre on 16 November (11.05am to 14.30om) to coincide with conference's elaborate programme, which features presentations, exhibitions, panel discussions and pan-African music showcases.

The workshop is designed in response to the skills and knowledge gap among Kenyan producers. Participants will be equipped with practical knowledge in beatmaking, music arrangement, DAWs, plugins, mastering and useful production tools.

Kenyan producers Tim Rimbui, Eric Musyoka and Kenya-based English sound engineer Nick Loder will facilitate the session.

Rimbui said the ACCES workshop was envisaged to not only provide technical know-how but also knowledge that could open up opportunities for the participants.

“Between the three of us we have worked on a lot of global projects in different capacity so we bring in unique insight into the session," he said. "Who knows, perhaps interacting with us could result in a collaboration or any other production opportunities.”

The trio will also cover music production workflow and discuss software equipment, which will be accompanied by audio-visual demonstrations.

“The workshop will lead off with information sharing on what has worked for each of us in terms of production over the years. Loder will cover the listening session, which will be more on what a good mix is and what not a good mix is,” Rimbui said.

Rimbui is the director of EnnovatorMusic, a Nairobi-based recording studio and production company. He says music production has become an extremely competitive field in Kenya and such workshops are a step in the right direction, especially for producers who are looking to improve their skills.

“As a professional producer, I have attended my fair share of forums such as ACCES and what I realised is that there is always room for growth. The advantage of such forums is that they offer an opportunity for anyone to learn something new even if you think you have ‘made it’,” he said.

Rimbui says he will also emphasise the need for producers to be appreciative of artists' time, skills and talent. He said few producers were able to create an environment that could facilitate real creativity.

“It is important for Kenyan producers to understand that it takes more than talent and skills to build a successful music career as a producer. Mastering how to get along with people and not just your artists is very important,” he said.

So what expectations does Rimbui have of the participants after the workshop? “The workshop will be a practical experience so I hope the participants will learn at least one thing that will positively affect how they approach their production,” he said.

Loder said: “I hope they will be able to meet like-minded people at ACCES, with whom they can share their passion and ideas, and challenge them in their craft. I think music collaboration is very important. I will be sharing some of the things I have learnt over the years and I hope they will be inspired and challenged to be better in their craft."

View the ACCES 2018 programme here.

About ACCES

ACCES is a pan-African event for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and create business linkages. ACCES is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe.

ACCES is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation is partnership with Goethe-Institut, Siemens Stiftung, Kenya’s Permanent Presidential Music Commission and the Kenya Cultural Centre. Other partners include ONGEA, Ketebul Music, SAMRO Foundation, Midem, Busara Promotions, Bayimba Festival and WOMEX.

For more information visit the ACCES website or download the ACCES 2018 brochure here.