Danny Briottet (Depeche Mode, Cypress Hill)
DJ, producer, and remixer Danny Briottet was a founding member of UK electronic music pioneers, Renegade Soundwave (RSW), who was a major influence on artists like The Prodigy and Chemical Brothers. Briottet’s production and remix credits include Depeche Mode, Cypress Hill, Radiohead, Moby, and Orbital. In addition to DJing globally, Briottet is Director of Music Programmes for the’s European Centre for Peace & Development.
Tell us about your current studio setup.
I do so much in the box these days and I’m on Logic. I also have a Soundcraft Ghost desk. I like the EQ on this desk and the analog warmth it brings to a mix.
As far as monitors, I still work with NS10s and also Mackie HR824s, which are stimulating to work through and reliable for bass-heavy music. I still have some old Moogs, such as the Moog Prodigy. A Sherman Filterbank is another classic piece of kit I’ve hung onto. Very hands-on!
Having produced so many songs over the past few years, how do you stay fresh and excited about making music these days?
I go to the gym every day before I start work and have new music I’ve worked on or been sent blasting in the headphones! There’s always great stuff out there. Pre-Covid, I would also have said traveling around the planet experiencing new places, people and situations is a great stimulating factor. But that’s not really on right now.
How do you typically approach the mixing of a song?
It depends on the track. I’ve generally only worked on stuff that has something about it that I feel but might see in a different way. I’ve never been one to just take a couple of words and trash the rest.
I might give prominence to things buried deep in a song and add my own vibes and take it from there. Even if it’s a club mix if there’s live instrumentation I like to find odd bits in the stems and make them work in different ways. Or if there’s a vocal, I’ll put it in a different setting but still capture the atmosphere of the song.
I’d generally always do a dub as well, and get more involved with FX. Obviously bass and bottom-end are key for me.