RJD2 Breaks Down His Track "Smoke and Mirrors"

In this excerpt from our new sampling course with pioneering producer RJD2, RJ breaks down how he built the reveal in his 2002 hit, "Smoke and Mirrors," off of 2002's Deadringer. Preview the course and subscribe to start learning at Soundfly.com/RJD2.
RJD2 opens up his Pro Tools session to demonstrate the kinds of "auditory slights of hand," patch building, and arrangement decisions that he used to build drama and anticipation and allow the most important moment of "Smoke and Mirrors" to shine. He talks about his creative process, where he found the inspiration for the production, and how he creatively responds to limitations in his source material. Get a never-before-seen look inside how this and many of RJ's other classic tracks came together in his new course "RJD2: From Samples to Songs," only available at Soundfly.com.
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In this exclusive online course, "RJD2: From Samples to Songs," you'll learn from RJ himself how to write and arrange music drawing on the power of sampling records and a collage-based mindset. He will show you how he personally tackles new tracks with his trusty MPC, and he'll open up sessions from some of his classic tracks to show how they were made. You'll learn new approaches to sampling, songwriting, and arranging, and how to make instrumental beats that capture someone's attention from start to finish. Along the way, RJ will share with you his wisdom, perspectives, and advice for fulfilling your creative dreams.
This course is for anyone interested in producing compelling instrumental music drawing from a sampling tradition - no previous experience or MPC required. Drop the needle and let's get started! soundfly.com/courses/rjd2-sam...
This course is exclusively available as part of Soundfly's course subscription, where you can access dozens of in-depth, high-quality courses on topics ranging from songwriting to producing, mixing to beatmaking, and so much more. Subscribe today to get learning: soundfly.com/subscription
Thank you to Nick Francher for use of his images and to RJD2 for rights to the tracks featured in this video.
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[@pile_ofsalt]

If nobody ain't analyzing or dissecting your music, you do it yourself. Bravo, Mr. RJD2! 👏

[@user-um5qt5rv5m]

This is so great, happy to see that this video is up for everyone to see!!

[@jess_hinz]

such a great insight into the making of some fucking awesome music

[@derrickdouglass]

A great reminder that the tools are there to help express the ideas of the artist and the skills the artist has honed through hard work, education and grit. Awesome tutorial from RJD2.

[@TheRealMACA]

Thank u! What a great artist 🎶

[@m_billion]

One of my all time favourite songs for sure. Very interesting break down.

[@djwhittmusic]

Loved this album growing up! There was a lot more than I knew going into this song, I’m stunned. Now I can tell “The Horror” and “2 More Dead” were done in similar ways? 😅

[@icedteacatfish]

awesome

[@johnhio1843]

Absolute legend.

[@TodaySatan]

This is so cool!!

[@AnorexicPandas]

This is an amazing interview

[@soundfly]

So glad you like it! If you want more, check out the whole course we did with RJ on Soundfly

[@renaulth2009]

I can't afford this course

[@TheRealMACA]

He had a happy accident er troubleshooting sesh. 🙂✨

[@xristo702]

What was his outro music in that track?
Did he sample it or compose it? Because it sounds so familiar.....

[@2redsdontmakearight]

One of the samples in it is 'Who knows' by Marion Black

[@AlexeyLysenkoBam]

I have same feeling and can't find what it reminds me. Tell me if you found out what it was

[@11219tt]

Where did he go and why did he leave?