How It Was Made: HASKELL Breaks Down ‘Afters’
UK producer HASKELL breaks down the making of Afters, his latest release on Lotusland. Built around a weighty low end, a memorable vocal, and a blend of UK Garage, deep tech, and tech house influences, the track is a masterclass in keeping things simple. Rather than relying on endless processing or expensive plug-ins, HASKELL explains how careful sound selection, solid arrangement, and a small collection of trusted tools helped shape a record designed to work where it matters most: on a club sound system.
The Foundation: Kick and Bass
Like any good track, Afters started with the kick. For HASKELL, the kick is the foundation of everything in a tech house record. If the low end isn’t right, nothing else really matters. He spent a significant amount of time ensuring the relationship between the kick and the bassline complemented each other rather than fighting for space.
On the kick, the production relies mainly on stock Ableton plug-ins. EQ Eight is used for shaping, while an Auto Filter controls specific frequencies. The bass channels follow a similar philosophy, utilizing EQ and Auto Filter alongside Whitewash Fade and Kickstarter to create space, allowing the kick to punch through as the dominant element.
Sound Design and Vocal Processing
For the bass sound itself, HASKELL turned to Serum 2, citing its immense control over sound design as a key factor in creating movement and depth. The track features an initial pattern labeled ‘Retro Bass’ that evolves throughout the arrangement, complemented by a secondary reese bass layer. The melodic character of the track is further enhanced by manipulated samples and additional Serum 2 layers.
The vocal, a central component of Afters, was treated with a minimalist approach. Most of the heavy lifting was done through careful EQ, Whitewash Fade, Kickstarter 2, and Valhalla effects. HASKELL notes that he is a big fan of Valhalla Delay and Valhalla Reverb for their straightforward, high-quality sound that helps create the necessary atmosphere for the record.
The Philosophy of Simplicity
Ultimately, Afters is not an overly complicated production. It is a testament to the idea that success in the studio comes from strong musical ideas and solid arrangement choices rather than an obsession with having hundreds of plug-ins. HASKELL’s advice to other producers is simple: find five or six plug-ins you love, learn them inside out, and master them. Once you truly understand your tools, you stop worrying about the technology and start focusing on what really matters—making great records.
HASKELL – Afters is out now on Lotusland.
