Kartik Pillai’s Production Playthings

Like…legally or illegally - Kartik Pillai, on being asked about the softwares and plug-ins he uses

Kartik Pillai plays for Peter Cat Recording Company (the blue-eyed boys of the Delhi scene right now, with a hot fresh record deal with French label Panache Records), Begum (album out soon, we can hardly wait) and has his solo noise/ambient/experimental electronic project called Jamblu, with which he recently concluded a China tour.

Kartik is also the go-to-guy when it comes to producing solid sounding albums at low cost for the Delhi indie scene. He has worked on the upcoming The Vinyl Records album, the new Caesar’s Green album Thick of Things, and the last Begum EP We Are Excited. All three albums/EPs are a testament to the fact that Kartik has made his own niche in the DIY, lo-fi scene. His work with Begum, both as producer and performer, is, in my opinion, one of the key moments in the birth of the Delhi Depression sound.

Kartik likes to push the envelope when it comes to creativity in production. His last Reproduce Listening Session at Akshara Theatre was phenomenal, especially the 2 songs with the Vocal Raasta acapella/choir group where he had the 8 member choir go through his effects rig, and the result was an aural maelstrom- like, in a good way.

I was especially intrigued by Kartik’s production decision on the new The Vinyl Records track, especially the move to a more filtered, compressed drum-machine sound, and decided to explore further on this.

Loudest: The new Vinyl Records song “Turbulence” sounds delicious. What made you take this sonic decision?

Kartik: Whatever comes naturally for the song is what happens… 

Loudest: Where was it recorded?

Kartik: Main tracking and Recording was done by Wang D of Big Fuzz Studios. 

Loudest: Tell us something about your production process on this album.

Kartik: I try to use the software as minimally as possible, for compression and effects I use outboard compressors and effect rigs, consisting of DBX compressors and Strymon reverbs along with EQs and limiters. When mixing bands I try to keep my approach as minimal as possible so I can try to bring out the sound of the band.  

Loudest: What do you use for your different acts?

Kartik: In my bands, i usually put most of my processing in the pre-recording stage but with Jamblu which is a production based project most of the songs start with me overloading devices and working my way backwards.

Loudest: Anything you like to use, or would like to recommend?

Kartik: Like legally or illegally? Hahaha…Valhalla Reverbs…Waves bundle…Fab filters…TDR plugs…physical units like DBX Compressors…DBX and Urei Compressors…oh, and Soundtoys for delays…all these are actually worth paying for.