https://www.audiotool.com/user/noah_cheng/, whom many still know under the name Noah, is undoubtedly one of the top players among the younger generation of Audiotoolers. It's no coincidence that he led the high rankings of the voting for a long time, only to be displaced from the top position in the end by a smart marketing coup. His music is an electrifying blend of contemporary trap variations, bursting with creativity and an undeniable energy that hooks listeners instantly. His productions are consistently top-notch, showcasing an impeccable sense for beats that truly hit hard. Congratulations on a well-deserved silver medal!

Interview

About: Noah Cheng AKA https://www.audiotool.com/user/noah_cheng/

I'm an 18-year-old Filipino producer from Franklin, Wisconsin, which is about 30 minutes south of Milwaukee. I will be attending the Milwaukee School of Engineering this upcoming fall as an incoming freshman. I plan to swim competitively on the team. I am also planning to major in software engineering at MSOE, as well as pursue a minor in cybersecurity and potentially another minor in the music field. Personally, I'm a huge Geometry Dash, Terraria (mostly Calamity), and primarily Mario Kart Wii geek. I'm also a diehard anime fan. My favorite music artists are Yorushika, Ado, Hoshimachi Suisei, Lucy Bedroque, and Osamason.

Describe the style of music you produce

Trap and pop, but more precisely, I specialize in Diary pluggnb and Jpop music. I made trap music my first couple of years on Audiotool, but over the last year, I have broadened my sound with more Japanese soundtrack influences.

What is your musical background and when did you start making music?

I started taking piano lessons when I was around 2 years old until I was 11. Like everyone, I played the recorder in elementary school. However, my primary instrument was the trumpet. When I turned 12, I joined my elementary school band and played until I graduated high school, so for around 6 years. I dabbled in a bit of French horn, but I bet if you gave me a baritone, mellophone, or drum kit, I could play it. Now I'm trying to learn the acoustic guitar, which I plan on recording and using in my music.

How long have you been using Audiotool, and how did you discover it?

I started using Audiotool in February 2019. I found it simply by searching up something like "best free online daws" and Audiotool was the first thing that popped up. Juice Wrld and Nick Mira's beat breakdowns inspired me to try and make music myself.

What is your favorite Audiotool device and why?

The Heisenberg is absolutely my favorite device. Customizing all the different knobs and presets on it is a lot of fun, and it's a great device for making leads or synthesized noises that I find great for trap and pop music.

What is your favourite trick in AT/What technique do you always use?

Using an empty excl. Machiniste slot is a great way to recreate the cut itself/envelope feature from FL Studio. Increasing the curve on the Waveshaper is a good soft clipper for the master, although you will have to turn the master up from -3db to 0.

Have you ever had a writer's block? If so, how did you deal with it and what do you recommend to your colleagues

Listening and finding more music helps with finding more inspiration, which in turn helps with my creativity. Sometimes I'll just sit on SoundCloud, Spotify, or TikTok for an hour and just listen to stuff. If I really love something, I'll recreate something like it but throw my own spin on it.

What has helped you the most on Audiotool to improve and widen your musical horizon?

110% the community. I wouldn't be where I am right now without the help of my longtime friends on the platform, including Elow, with whom I've been best friends since 2022.

What do you like most about Audiotool? Is there anything you would like to suggest?

I love the community. It's one of the reasons I've managed to stick around for a couple of years.

Your message to the community:

You can do anything you set your mind to.

Social/Music Links

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/itxmi

If you'd like, follow my personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/big_noah_007/

Edition Audiotool: itxmi

Track #1:

lovely . by https://www.audiotool.com/user/izanami/ and https://www.audiotool.com/user/dracogotwings/

This was one of the very first wave tracks I heard on this site, which inspired me to work with KC in early 2021 and flesh out AT's signature wave trap sound. Still holds up well to this day.

Track #2:

Uzeh v. Wutho (Beat Battle - Part 1) by https://www.audiotool.com/user/iuzi/ and https://www.audiotool.com/user/wutho/

This beat battle holds a very special place in my heart. Around July 2021 I had this playing in my head before my mile swim race and state championships, and I felt awesome diving in. I ended up winning my age group by over 40 seconds and almost getting the state record.

Track #3:

.wav by https://www.audiotool.com/user/tennisturtle/

Super impressive use of synths and lush chords that I can't even replicate right now. Props to Raiden for creating such a cool future bass trap hybrid track back in the day.

Track #4:

f1ow by https://www.audiotool.com/user/schlep/ and https://www.audiotool.com/user/noah_cheng/

Although I am a collaborator on this track, I didn't do anything aside from opening the project and inviting elias. He created one of the most beautiful masterpieces I've ever heard from scratch. Still hits beautifully and brings about many emotions for me.

Track #5:

LXST NXGHT by https://www.audiotool.com/user/keanu_fonteyne/

his beat was a big inspiration for the fundamentals of my producing career, as I was heavily inspired by the Juice Wrld/Nick Mira/Internet Money beatmaking sound.

Track #6:

i know (w/kc x slow) by https://www.audiotool.com/user/noah_cheng/ and https://www.audiotool.com/user/schlep/

It was a hard choice between this track, "Sanctuary", and "sound in solace". Ultimately, I stuck with "i know" because it highlights more of the collaboration aspect I love with this community - nomad introduced me to the girl on the song, which inspired me to sample it and work with KC + Sxcond Gxn on what I consider one of my greatest works.

Full Album