Dilemma
Dilemma is a Dark Pop/Electronic Rock solo project from NYC-based producer Alex Elias. Formed in 2012, Dilemma has since put out 3 EPs, 1 Single, and one full length album.
Dilemma’s unique sound was once described as lush candy-coated vocals over dark, melancholic and hauntingly catchy melodies. Nine inch Nails, if Adam Lambert were on vocals. Elias himself describes his music as a gateway to the gothosphere. "There exists this perfect, dark space where dissonance and tension give rise to something truly beautiful and ethereal. For lack of a better term, lets call it the gothosphere. The goal of every Dilemma song is to tap into the energy of that space. I endeavor to create music that delivers all the quality, production and catchiness of the mainstream but melodically always caters to the night. Essentially, it’s music for goth girls and all those that appreciate them."
Gearlist
- DAW: Reason 12.73
- Interface: Motu M4
- Mixing Board: Yamaha MG10
- Controller(s): Korg Microkey, NanoKONTROL 2, Nanokey Studio
- Pre-Amp: Universal Audio 710 Twin Finity
- Mic(s): Neumann BCM-705, Groove Tube GT55
- Headphone(s): Ultrasone PRO-750
- Monitors: KRK Rokit 5 Classic
Go-to VST Instrument
Three Body Tech - Heavier 7 Strings. This allows me to turn dark pop into electronic rock by adding high-quality guitar. I actually don’t have a Go-to Synth. I employ pretty much every synth I’ve bought in some capacity fairly evenly.
Favorite type of effect(s)
Distortion. (Izotope’s Trash 2 has yet to fail me.) Can’t leave out Multi-effects processors. Getting sounds moving and evolving is an amazing way to expand on ideas. I especially love Tantra 2 by Plugin Alliance
Go-to Mixing Plug-in(s)
- Apulsoft’s Apqualizr for EQ
- Oeksound’s Soothe 2 for Dynamic EQ
- Xfter Tools’ OTT and Dimension Xpander are amazing free tools that can enhance any sound.
- MeldaProduction’s Msaturator is another free tool that subtly enhances instruments and vocals.
Favorite production trick: I LOVE multi-effects! My go to ways to mess with sound are through the use of rhythmic effects and various flavors of distortion.
Dilemma Advice Column
For new producers: You’ll want a good audio interface so that you can express the full-depth of your creativity without being limited by your hardware’s capability. The M2 or M4 by Motu is a fantastic, high fidelity device that you will likely not need to upgrade.
For everyone: If you nail the midrange, you nail the mix. Essentially, if you can get every element of your mix clear and present within the confines of the mid-range, then your mix should already sound fantastic. The rest is just adding in warmth and air to achieve a proper balance.