Dez Wright from Dezert Audio on Freq-2 and the art of producing

From the world of viral type beats to the inner circle of GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum producers, Dez Wright has carved a unique path in modern music. As a producer for artists like Drake, Travis Scott, and Kanye West, Dez has a knack for creating a sound that is both authentic and fresh.

This signature style is at the heart of his new software instrument company, Dezert Audio, and its inaugural release, the Freq-2 plugin. We sat down with Dez to discuss his journey, the inspiration behind Freq-2, and how he blends vintage character with modern production.

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You’ve built an incredible career, from your early days making type beats to producing for some of the biggest names in music. How did you make that transition from a successful online producer to a GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum producer, and how has that journey shaped your approach to making music today?

I had a successful online business selling type beats on YouTube, but I knew I wanted to do more with my music. It was eating up most of my time, and I wasn’t making any progress in the industry.

I had to make the choice to quit making type beats entirely and fully commit to working on industry music, even though that meant giving up the good money I was making online. It was the best decision I ever made, and I always tell younger producers that now. If you really want to make it as a producer, you kind of can’t have a plan B. You have to go all in.

Freq-2 is a sample-based plugin that features sounds from your personal collection of rare vintage synths. What was the inspiration behind turning your hardware into a software instrument, and how did you decide which specific synths and sounds to include?

It started very organically.

I basically started recording samples from my synths to be able to use on the go for personal use in sessions or while traveling.

As I got deeper into it, I realized how good they were sounding and decided to try and make a plugin with them. I really enjoyed making the patches and the whole design process, so a whole software company was born from it. That wasn’t my initial intention, but I’m happy it played out this way.

The interface of Freq-2 is distinctive and intuitive, and the built-in FX and “Randomize” button are clearly designed for creative inspiration. Can you walk us through how you envisioned a producer using this plugin? What was your goal in blending the authentic vintage character of the synths with modern features and a streamlined workflow?

Since I’m a producer, I made the workflow on this plugin something that I would love to use myself. I wanted it to be made in a way that would instantly inspire you to make music, and I did that by creating sound sources that sound mix-ready as is, but then paired it with effects and controls that are super simple to use.

When you’re using hardware, it’s nice to get lost in the sound design and spend hours playing around making new sounds, but with plugins, you want something that is immediate and easy to use. I merged both of those worlds together with Freq-2.

You’ve worked with a diverse range of artists like Drake, Travis Scott, and Kanye West. When you’re in the studio, how do you find the balance between your personal sound and the unique vision of the artist you’re collaborating with? 

Most artists are looking for a beat or loops to inspire them. They look to producers to give them something to build off of, not all the time, but a lot of the time. So 99% of the time, the songs I worked on came from me just making something I thought sounded cool in my own studio, and I either sent it or brought it with me, and it sparked something for the artist to use.

My favorite sessions were with Baby Keem and Kendrick. They brought so much good energy into the studio, and it was fun seeing them bounce ideas off each other while I was playing music live for them back in 2020.

Get inspired to make your own music with Freq-2

Dez Wright’s journey from a dedicated producer to a GRAMMY-winning industry staple is a testament to his passion and fearless commitment to his craft. With Freq-2, he’s not just sharing the sounds of his personal synth collection, he’s inviting other producers into his creative process, offering a powerful tool that combines the soul of vintage hardware with the efficiency of a modern workflow. Freq-2 is more than just a plugin; it’s a new chapter in Dez Wright’s evolving story as an artist and innovator.

Get Freq-2 now