SoundGym Hero: Ygor Sobrinho

How did you first find your way into making music?

My cousin is an old-school DJ, and he introduced me to audio editing software when I was about 13 years old. That’s when I started experimenting with audio. Since then, I’ve been learning about music and have become fascinated by the sonic capabilities of electronic music.

Aside from music, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

I’ve been into sports from a young age. I spent some time playing football, and when I was around 15, I started riding dirt bikes with my father. Those were great times, exploring beautiful landscapes and creating unforgettable memories with my dad. Later, I gravitated towards fighting and started practicing Muay Thai. I’ve been dedicated to it ever since, and it has helped me maintain a healthy body and mind.

What’s something you're surprisingly good at that has nothing to do with music?

I’m a skilled driver and have been driving cars and motorbikes for as long as I can remember, especially motorbikes. My dad used to ride with a motor group called Steel Goose, and the gentlemen in the group kindly let me test all their bikes.

If you could play or create with any artist, who would it be and why?

DeadMau5 is a huge influence on me because he’s a pioneer, and his music was always ahead of its time. I’m really impressed by his audio engineering skills. It’s rare to find an electronic dance track with such depth, clarity, spaciousness, and grit.

What piece of music gear do you love the most, and what makes it irreplaceable in your creative process?

Nowadays, my Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is my most valued tool. I primarily use Bitwig Studio, which I find to be a complete DAW. It has all the modulators I need, an easy-to-use interface, excellent sounding stock tools, and great overall optimization. As a minimalist musician, I recently sold my monitor speakers and now use only my Hifiman Ananda Stealth headphones. The acoustics of a room can significantly impact the sound, so I prefer not to second-guess my decisions without a precise and well-treated room.

What daily or weekly habits do you have in place to keep you creating?

Riding my motorbike, drinking coffee, reading books, and practicing Muay Thai are my sources of inspiration. These activities are deeply embedded in my daily routine, and I can’t imagine my life without them.

What keeps you motivated to continue making music?

Motivation can come from various aspects of my life. Sometimes it comes from exercising, other times from riding my bike. However, it always peaks when I’m working on music and start to enjoy the vibe.

What song would you choose as the soundtrack of your life?

“Brazil (1st Edit)” by DeadMau5 is a song that resonates deeply with me. The melody is profound, the drums are powerful, the chords are complex and on point, and the percussions are minimal. For me, it represents an incredible journey.

What's your favorite feature on SoundGym, and how has it helped you in your musical journey?

My favorite EQ tool is the EQ Ace. It helps me find boosted and cut frequencies simultaneously, achieving the right equalization. SoundGym has been incredibly helpful with its workouts and community feedback.

What’s something exciting you're working on or looking forward to?

Right now, I’m excited to build my portfolio as an audio engineer and release new music under my project “FIDI.”

You can follow Ygor on his Instagram, SoundCloud, and Spotify!