Born in 1991 in Oradea, Romania, his initial exposure to electronic music occurred in 2005. At the age of 19, he commenced experimenting with various electronic genres and producing music. His musical style has evolved into a fusion of emotionally resonant and uplifting trance, characterized by atmospheric textures and driving energy. His debut track was released in 2015, and since then, his music has been featured on esteemed trance labels such as Aerodinamica Records, Borderline, and Future Sound of Egypt. With substantial support from artists like Aly & Fila, Jorn van Deynhoven, Nikolauss, Grant Trowbridge, Manuel Le Saux, and numerous others, he continues to advance his sound, perpetually seeking fresh inspiration and novel sonic experiences.
Step into the dynamic world of trance with Brandt Hoff, an electronic music producer whose journey is fueled by passion, persistence, and an unwavering love for the genre. In this exclusive interview with Flux BPM Online, Brandt shares his proudest achievements, including his standout releases "Phoenix Alpha" and "Quantum Drift" on Future Sound of Egypt. Discover the inspirations that shaped his musical style, from the early influence of Tiesto’s "In Search of Sunrise" compilations to the powerful resonance of Aly & Fila’s iconic sounds.
Brandt opens up about his straightforward yet effective production process, his favorite tools, and the technical lessons learned along the way. Beyond the studio, he reflects on the vital role of fan support, his thoughts on genre-blending, and how his career as a scientific researcher complements his musical pursuits. With heartfelt advice for aspiring producers and a warm message for readers, this interview is a must-read for anyone passionate about electronic dance music.
Get ready to be inspired by Brandt’s journey, insights, and the beats that keep him—and us—moving.
Dimitri: Hi there! Could you share with us your top three accomplishments or objectives that you are most proud of achieving in your career as an electronic music producer?
Brandt Hoff: My biggest achievement so far was signing Brandt Hoff – Phoenix Alpha to Future Sound of Egypt, and Brandt Hoff – Where Is My Soul to the CD Movement Compilation on Activa’s label, Borderline. My current objective is to have two tracks signed to FSOE this year—one has already been released. So one more still to go.
Dimitri: Could you share the motivations that led you to pursue a career in DJing or producing electronic dance music?
Brandt Hoff: When I started listening to Aly & Fila’s radio show—back when it was still called Spiritual Moment—and A State of Trance, I told myself that one day, one of my tracks would be featured on those shows. I didn’t know it would take so long, but in the end, it was worth it. Also the Tiesto's compilations " In search of Sunrise" had a major impact on my carrer as producer.
Dimitri: Who are the three most influential producers that inspired you to pursue a career in the electronic dance music industry?
Brandt Hoff: Tiesto, Aly & Fila, Leon Bolier, Solarstone, Selu Vibra, Armin van Buuren
Dimitri: Could you share with me the top three tracks from your past that have really shaped your musical style? I’d love to know what makes these songs so influential for you!
Brandt Hoff: It’s very hard to answer this question—there are so many tracks that have influenced me. Some of them include Dumonde – Never Look Back (Tiësto Remix), Aly & Fila – Freedom, and Selu Vibra – Divine. The harmony and emotion behind the strong beats and rhythm have had a huge impact on my musical style
Dimitri: Could you tell me about your latest release Quantum Drift out on FSOE? I'm curious about what inspired you during its creation and would love to hear more about the thought process behind the track.
Brandt Hoff: My latest release is titled Brandt Hoff – Quantum Drift [FSOE]. Compared to Phoenix Alpha, Quantum Drift carries a darker sound and vibe. There wasn't any specific inspiration behind it. The track came together surprisingly fast, in just a few hours, mainly because I used around 40 channels. I’ve always loved the vibe of classic trance, so for this project I used vintage percussion samples and some hardware synths like the Virus and the Novation Mininova and some old vst plugins. The core elements were kept simple: one punchy kick, a mid bassline, a deep sub, a touch of acid and plucks, a few pads and strings for atmosphere, and a single lead to carry the melody. That was all it needed.
Dimitri: Could you give me an idea of how long it usually takes to produce a track? Also, I’d love to hear a simplified overview of your production process.
Brandt Hoff: I usually produce very quickly when I have a strong idea for the main melody. If I’m inspired, I can finish a track in just a few hours. But finding a melody that truly stands out and makes a difference, especially when aiming for a proper release, can take months. My production process is pretty straightforward: I start by building the groove with the kick and bassline, then layer in some percussion, and only after that do I start crafting the melody.
Dimitri: Could you share more about any specific technical challenges or obstacles you faced while producing that track? I'm really curious to hear about your experiences and how you overcame them!
Brandt Hoff: In the past, I used to layer multiple mid basses and leads, thinking it was the key to a fuller sound. But over time, I realized that you don’t need a lot of layers to make something sound great—whether it’s a mid bass, lead, or pad. My starting point is simple: when I have a kick, a mid bass, and a sub that are well-balanced, I should already feel the groove. Just with those three elements, the track should start to come alive. The same applies to leads and pads. This approach also gives you much more control over your sounds. For example, in Phoenix Alpha, I used just one lead layer made with a Prophet Rev2. It was a basic sound with some effects, and that was enough (check this link for the dry lead used in the Pheonix Alpha track: HERE
The key is finding sounds that blend well together naturally.
Also, don’t overdo the sidechain. It’s easy to go too far and lose the natural flow of the track.
Dimitri: If you could remix your current track, what would you change to make it even better? Are there any parts you’re not quite happy with right now? And if you could choose any artist to create a remix, who would it be and why do you think they'd do an amazing job?
Brandt Hoff: Hmm... I’m not sure, maybe turning them into fully classic trance tracks. I’d absolutely love to have Aly & Fila, Activa, or Sean Tyas remix one of my tracks. I just really love their style.
Dimitri: I'm curious to know which music composition tools you like to use. Do you have a preference for certain software or hardware, and what makes them your favorites? Also, I've noticed a trend where more people are producing music with analogue equipment and minimizing digital software use. What do you think about this shift?
Brandt Hoff: I like to use Sylenth1 and Viper as my main VST synths. I also occasionally work with hardware gear like the Virus TI, Prophet Rev2, or Novation Mininova. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter whether you use hardware or VSTs. Nowadays, software synths are capable of covering almost every sound that hardware can produce.
Dimitri: Do you think the artwork for your latest track is eye-catching and likely to grab the attention of listeners or record buyers? If yes, could you share an example of what you consider to be the most impressive artwork ever designed for a track?
Brandt Hoff: Yes, at least for me, green is my favorite color. I really love the artwork from the Movement Compilation, as well as the covers from In Search of Sunrise 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Dimitri: Could you share your top three favorite record labels in your preferred music genre?It would be great if you could also explain why these labels hold a special place in your heart and how they impact the electronic music industry. Thanks!
Brandt Hoff: Future Sound Of Egypt, A State of Trance, Anjunabeats. I grow up with these labels.
Dimitri: What's your all-time favorite album or compilation, and why does it hold a special place in your heart?
Brandt Hoff: In Search of Sunrise 2 and 3. There’s just something magical about those compilations.
Dimitri: Could you share your current and latest top three tracks with us, and maybe add a short commentary on each? Thanks a bunch! 🎧🎶
Brandt Hoff: Driftmoon - Ode To Autumn Extended Mix; Pirate - Leaving the Sun Lostly Extended Remix; Ke Jo -Golden Era;
Dimitri: Could you share with us any technical tips or personal advice from your DJing and music production journey that have been crucial to your success and might inspire or help new talents?
Brandt Hoff: Patience is the key to becoming a music producer. Your ears need time to learn how to truly understand and feel music—and that doesn’t happen overnight.
Dimitri: Many producers and DJs offer online masterclasses or courses on music production and DJing. Do you think participating in these is crucial for improving your skills? Are you currently offering any courses or related services like ghost-producing or mastering? I’d love to hear more about what you’re up to!
Brandt Hoff: I’ve never participated in any masterclasses, but I definitely believe they can be helpful.
Dimitri: How important is fan approval to you when creating your music, and do you find it challenging to understand how your tracks are received? Does this impact your stress levels or motivation?
Brandt Hoff: It’s very important to me to know that people enjoy my music. It motivates me a lot.
Dimitri: Can you tell us if your music fits into a specific genre like trance, house, or techno, or do you prefer to break the mold? Also, what do you think about artists mixing different styles to create something new and unique?
Brandt Hoff: Right now, my music fits within the uplifting trance genre. But I’d love to explore classic trance with techno elements, similar to the style that was popular in the early 2000s.
Dimitri: Is making music your main job, and do you have the freedom to step away from it when needed? If not, what other work do you do to help support yourself?
Brandt Hoff: Making music is a hobby for me. I work as a scientific researcher.
Dimitri: Can you share your favorite hobby, pet, or movie/TV series?
Brandt Hoff: As main hobby is to produce music. I really love all animals. The Sopranos was my favorite series.
Dimitri: Could you share a message and your best wishes for the readers of Flux BPM Online?
Brandt Hoff: Thank you for the support and for taking the time to read this! I wish you inspiration and peace. See you on the dancefloor!
Thanks so much to Brandt Hoff for this truly inspirational and very informative interview.
Thanks so much to Stuart at FSOE for organizing this interview.
Additional info:
https://www.instagram.com/brandt.hoff
Additional info:
https://www.instagram.com/brandt.hoff
