Breaking The Artist

Sl33pnPanda

Our RMC featured artist, Jose Maldonado a.k.a Sl33pnPanda is an LA based producer/dj. It didn’t take much for us to realize how talented and dedicated he is to perfecting his craft. A previous student now on to big things putting together rhythmic beats and catchy melodies.

Read more about Sl33pnPanda below:

 

Who are you, where are you from and what do you do?

I am Jose Maldonado but I go by SL33PNPANDA. I am from the San Fernando valley and I’m a music producer, DJ, and Audio engineer. 

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How did you get into producing music?

I started “DJing” at the age 11. I got into it because my dad had downloaded virtual dj to the laptop. I got into producing music at 16 when I joined a producer group. A friend from the group gave me my first DAW. After that I learned everything off YouTube 

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What inspires you to make music?

To me it started off as a hobby. As I grew up I became more certain that I wanted to do this full time . I personally can get inspired of off a lot of things. 

 

What is your favorite DAW?

My first DAW was Ableton live 9 but I've been using FL Studio for 6 years. 

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What kind of gear do you use?

Most of my plugins are native FL plugins. Ive used them my whole life and I have a strong understanding when it comes to using FL native plugins. The hardware I'm using is a Scarlet 2i2, Yamaha's HS6’s, Akai Mpk mini, Yamaha YPT-230, Soundcraft K1 8 channel, and a Samsung cp running FL 12.

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Who are your musical inspirations?

Some of my favorite artists are producers like Kaytranada, Dr Dre, J Dilla, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, ZES, Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, and way more. 

 

What advice would you give to people who want to get into music production?

I would tell them to keep going and to not give up. You can go on YouTube and look up my name and see the very first song I ever put up. On my sound cloud I have music up from 11th grade. I would tell a new producer that its a grind but the feeling you get when someone tells you that they like your song and you know it for a fact that they are speaking from the heart, its one of the most rewarding feeling on earth. That feeling is stronger then any drug. If you have a passion for it (even if its not producing) follow it! because I know I have it.

 

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