photo by Micke Holguin
ALI STONE – The 4x GRAMMY nominee phenom is a multi-platinum producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, engineer, and artist, who has been named by Billboard as one of the Hitmakers of the last three years and dubbed by Dave Pensado & Diplo as "Pandora’s Box of music".
With over 150 credits as a producer and writer across songs that have amassed more than 1.3 billion streams, Ali has worked with Mary J. Blige, Major Lazer, Muni Long, Swedish House Mafia, Young Miko, RBD, Jessie James Decker, Rebecca Black, Danna Paola, Kat Dahlia, Disney, Forever 21, WhatsApp, among many others, shifting through genres from Pop to Rock, from R&B to Latin, from Country to KPop.
Ali’s passion for writing, producing and recording music is an inspiration and her energy for the production lifestyle is infectious; we’re grateful for Ali taking the time to share her thoughts with us.
How long have you been in music production?
AS: I’ve been working as a producer for 12 years. I started out in 2013 back in my home country Colombia. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2018, I’ve been writing, producing and engineering for other artists like Major Lazer, Mary J Blige, Alok, RBD, Sofia Reyes, Paty Cantu, Danna Paola, as well as my own artist project.
What drove or inspired you into the world of music production?
SF: I’d say electronic music was what sparked my curiosity around music production. I’ve been around music since I was 4, when I started playing classical piano. From there, I started studying guitar, flute, bass, drums, I became and live & session guitarists in my teens…I always loved music, and my dream was to be able to play all instruments and do it all, at once. When I discovered music production and found that there I was able to become “everything, everywhere, all at once”, I started to dive deep into it, learning how to mix & master. What started as my hobby while studying Business in university ended up becoming my actual career.
Where did you first learn about or experience Chandler Limited gear?
AS: The first time I got to experience Chandler Limited preamps was around 2014 at 5ta Estudio, a studio in Colombia. Years later, at the 2020 NAMM, right before the pandemic started, I learned about the REDD Mic, and it really stood out to me…so much, that in 2022 I decided to buy it.
What Chandler Limited gear do you own?
AS: I own the REDD Microphone.
What is it that you like about Chandler Limited gear?
AS: What is it that you like about Chandler Limited gear? What I love about Chandler Limited gear in general is that it makes things sound “finished”. Regarding the REDD Mic, I love that it is super versatile and sounds amazing in every source! I’ve used it to record vocals, guitars, strings, drums, folkloric percussion. The adaptability of being able to activate the low contour, the drive, is super useful to make sure it works in every scenario.
What, where and why...
Let’s get to the gear, tell us what Chandler gear you’re using, which sources and more importantly, the reasons for your sonic choices.
Where: I’ve used my REDD Mic in every song I’ve produced since late 2022. But most recently, I used it on my whole album “Pandora”, which got 3 Latin GRAMMY nominations last year for Best Alternative Album, Best Rock Song, and Best Pop/Rock Song. This album is very dear to me, because I did everything, writing, producing, playing all instruments and recording them in my studio, mixing, mastering, and mixing in Atmos. So, it sounds 100% like me and it sounds 100% like the REDD Mic that was the only mic I used in my album.
This year, I’m using my REDD Mic in my next album, which is going to be a sequel to “Pandora." The first single “LMNA” is coming out on March 20th, so you’ll be hearing this mic in action there as well!
Why: I just love so much the versatility and adaptability of the Mic that that’s why I’ve used it on every instrument haha. I love that it gives body and presence to everything. I plug the mic straight into my UAD Apollo X4, and then anything else I need to add I do it in the box.
To learn more aboutAli Stone and her Chandler Limited gear— follow @itsalistone on Instagram.
