Producers are artists in their own right, able to mold someone else’s idea into exactly what the artist envisioned. Artists that sometimes need an extra little push, know how important the right producer can be. If the chemistry is there, then the magic surely follows and a great song will likely ensue. Eugene Shakhov is one of these talented producers who is able to do it all, from string arrangements to laying down a perfect vocal track, to polishing a mix, to writing a symphony for an entire orchestra. He’s a musician in his own way. You are very picky with who you work with, can you explain that to us a bit?

Artists are the ones who create the future. Artists are the ones who dream the dreams that becomes a reality so it’s important to me what this future is going to be like. My purpose as an artist/music producer is to change the current culture for the better.

Would you like to live in a society full of drugs and violence? Would you like your children, family and friends to live in it? I don’t think so. So this is why I’m ” selective” with whom I work with.

I’m not an idealist though. Don’t get me wrong. If you need to say “f@$k”, say it, but when the entire message of the song is “getting high on dope” or “shaking your bootie” well… then my kids would be living in the world where you can buy crack in a grocery store and the moral values would be something like “how many girls you can screw in a week.”

I work FOR the artist. I am there as a tool to get their ideas clearer, their music better and, eventually, to make their dreams come true, whether it’s sign a record deal or impress their girlfriend, whatever their dreams might be. :)

In your bio, you cite Dr. Dre as being the main influence from switching from classical music to hip-hop, what was it that stood out about Dre?

Dre is real. He talks about things for what they are. He’s no fake. Dre brought street culture to the masses and made it commercial, but mostly what makes him so incredible is that he did terrific music productions. Terrific. Stunning. Timeless.

Even after 10 years, I still consider Dre’s 2001 album as one of the best hip hop productions and I can assure you, it will be that way 10-20 years from now and will continue to be that way afterwards. He also had a brilliant eye for new talent and it is mainly because of him that we now have Snoop and Eminem. One of these days, I’m going to produce an album with Dre to create another classic for my grandchildren to listen to for a long time.

As a producer you work with many artists, who has been one of your favorites?

Each and every artist that I personally have worked with. Some are easy to work with. With others it could be troublesome sometimes or pain in the ass, but each and every one of the artists I worked with has inspired me in many ways and I always learn from them, always.

Vocals are a huge deal for you, what techniques do you use to get the best vocals out of a singer and what programs do you work with?

First off, I work with an artist in the studio, trying this and that, asking him to do this and that, coming up with new ideas and finding other ways that their performance could be improved.

The next step of the production would be vocal editing. Sometimes I use over 10 different takes to compile just one line, to make sure it sounds just right! Everything is important, delivery, pitch, pronunciation, clarity, communication, etc. And of course, I work separately on pitch.

The funny thing is, that at the very end the artist usually never knows how it was done. Everything sounds just right to him/her and he/she thinks that this is exactly how he/she performed it! Lol. But that’s the beauty of it.

I mainly work with Logic Pro. But for vocals I use Melodyne. Honestly, without Melodyne it wouldn’t be possible. The German engineers who created this program are simply geniuses. Hats off to them. Well done and thank you guys.

The video “Alien Love” was for a song you did. Tell us your involvement with that project.

This song has a very interesting story. Once upon a time I created a music track for a song. Then I thought, why don’t I do a contest where I would just offer this track to anybody who is interested in basing a song on it. So, I did a post on Craigslist about it, offering free music production and a free music video to the winners.

The response was overwhelming. I received over 180 requests from the artists to whom I sent this track to. 32 of them sent me their demos back and out of these 32, I chose the best 3 songs. One of them was “Alien Love” by The Trade.

I picked this artist because of the way he flows and because of his creativity with words and delivery. I also finished another song for this very same track. It’s called “Cash Out” and I am in progress of creating a music video for that song as well.

To my regret, I still didn’t get to finish the last song that I’ve chosen. The good news is that this artist contacted me recently saying that she played this song for Snoop Dogg’s manager and they said they are interested in it, so I guess I have no choice now but to complete it :) It’s called “Single, single.” You’d love it if you heard it! Well…when I’ll manage to finally complete it!

In your opinion, how can an artist make a song great?

Be sincere and honest as an artist. Be real and be yourself. Then add interesting and memorable lyrics and interesting and memorable music.

If you can’t sing the song after you just heard it or whistle it, then it’s usually not a great song. But also, what’s very important as well is, did you get anything out of the song? Did you learn something new? Did you experience some emotion? Did it move you? Did it make you go and do something? The list could go on, but I think you get the idea :)

Besides Dr. Dre, who do you think is one of the greatest producers out there today?

There are many great producers out there—many. I’ve gotten the opportunity to work with some. The one who I didn’t work with is Quincy Jones. Yes, I know, he’s not as active today as he was, say, 20-30 years ago, but nevertheless, his productions still stand out today. Out of the ones that I did work with is Emanuele Ruffinengo who is one of the greatest and most talented guys that I’ve met.

If you happen to need a producer, visit Eugene here or on Facebook.

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