Audiotool

Interview

I'm from Greensboro, North Carolina, and I have been on Audiotool since August 2013.

About: Chonoes: I'm from Greensboro, North Carolina, and I have been on Audiotool since August 2013. My go-to pizza is bacon and mushroom.
Describe the style of music you produce: As of right now, I make a mix of dariacore and rage, with the only track I have out that sounds like it being REDROOM. I've also been working on making some punky shoegaze and emotional, noisy ambience. I also have a lot of side projects in the works. My style is still evolving and changing, and I don't think it will ever stay the same because my main goal is to release music that contributes something or innovates within the music world.
What is your musical background and when did you start making music?: My dad was in a very active band in the '90s and is still releasing music with the band to this day under the name Luxury. My mother sings in the church choir, and two out of my three brothers make music. My older brother, Polyspace, is my biggest role model. I didn't really develop a music taste until 2020, when I discovered 100 gecs and osquinn. That's when I got super into hyperpop/digicore and wanted to start producing. However, I didn't actively make music until August 11, 2023, when I was deep in my depression.
How long have you been using Audiotool, and how did you discover it?: Twelve years ago, when I was 7 years old, my family had a computer that my three brothers and I shared. Polyspace was really into Skrillex and Deadmau5 at the time and googled something like "how to make dubstep online for free." He scrolled through about 10 pages before finding Audiotool. One day, he sat with me to help me make an account and my first song.
What is your favorite Audiotool device and why?: The StereoOutput. It's an original device, it's irreplaceable, and its time of existence will slowly begin to fade away with the new studio replacing it. Yet, it has always been there through everything. Every single song ever made on Audiotool has used it, yet no one has really acknowledged it. From tearout to lo-fi, from the trap kids to the sample kids — it's always been there.
What is your favourite trick in AT/What technique do you always use?: I think the Rasselbock is incredibly underrated. Using it in any way, in any genre, will almost always completely change the vibe or design of the song.
Have you ever had a writer's block? If so, how did you deal with it and what do you recommend to your colleagues?: Early on, I had really bad writer's block, but over time, I've come to the mindset that I make music for myself and no one else. The idea of whether music is good or not is irrelevant because the concept of a "good" song is so extremely subjective. With that mindset, I've been able to approach all the different ways I end up in writer's block. I also strongly recommend having an alt account where you can release less serious music if you struggle with not posting enough.
What has helped you the most on Audiotool to improve and widen your musical horizon?: If I ever came across a song I thought was amazing or was completely confused about how it was made, I would open up the draft and figure out what was going on. If the remix option was off, I'd look at the snapshot and try to recreate it. That's what's so unique about Audiotool — almost every song ever posted can be used to learn without any outside help or bias.
What do you like most about Audiotool? Is there anything you would like to suggest?: The workflow and community. Almost everyone is willing to have a great conversation with you, and Audiotool makes it super fun, easy, and exciting to get into producing. The one thing I would suggest to the Audiotool team is to remember that there's a reason people still use an old, outdated, and limiting DAW. I hope the team keeps that in mind while they work on rewriting the website from the ground up.
Your message to the community:: I've been hearing a lot of people complaining about the toxicity of Audiotool's community, and to some extent, I agree. I just hope people can remember that this website only exists now because of us. Through all the years of drama, we've never forgotten how Audiotool has helped us and shaped us into who we are. Optimism with awareness can go a long way, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for all of us!

“The workflow and community. Almost everyone is willing to have a great conversation with you, and Audiotool makes it super fun, easy, and exciting to get into producing.”
— Chonoes