10 Questions with ... Denzil Lacey

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Wow... It began when I was a baby (pretty much) when my dad brought me to his Jamaican Radio Show on Pirate Radio. I would sleep under the desk and I was very quiet! He just couldn't get rid of me - the years that followed, I continued to follow him around radio stations and most of my homework would have been done while he was on air. At the age of 15, I started helping out more full-time in radio stations - I would repair headphones, produce and edit shows and had my own show (I wasn't great!).

I landed my first paid production gig when I was 21, in a regional AC station in Dublin and learned my craft on Adobe Audition. My Program Director there was Andy Matthews and I learned so much while I was there - he only wanted the best and wouldn't have a problem in saying if something wasn't good enough. That pushed me to be better and then I got some compliments along the way. Eventually I got onto Protools and then moved a few times and landed a gig as the Imaging Producer at Ireland's National CHR brand - RTé 2fm. This is where I picked up some of the best knowledge from the team there and then got the job at Dublin's No. 1 Radio Station, FM104. I worked here for two years as "Group Production Director" for the Dublin Stations. Finally, while all that was going on - I got freelancing for SiriusXM and they loved the work so much, they wanted me full time.

1) When did you first realize that you wanted to specialize in production?

I hadn't always been interested in Imaging but I didn't even know what it was called then. I then tried to copy all the great producers and trade voiceovers with others on a forum and created my own. Obviously very basic then, I realized the special connection Imaging can have with the listener. You can literally control their emotions all the time. I have been big on bettering myself all the time. That focus continues to this day and will forever.

2) What advice would you give to programmers seeking to get the most out of their production/imaging talent?

I have always appreciated and admired programmers who have a background in imaging. They totally understand why you've done something and challenge you to do better all the time. Luckily, a lot of my PDs had a background in production and appreciate the hard work that goes into creating pieces. Time is crucial in production and can be the make or break of good content, allow producers to spend time on longer term projects and the outcome will be massive. It's easier said than done but audio is often the last piece of the puzzle, yet usually has the shorter lead-time. The audio is the end product and needs the attention it deserves - so that extra day lead-time can make gold.

3) Tech Set-Up... what kind of mics/processing/software/plug-ins, etc. are you using?

I have an office in Dublin and it's very minimal in terms of outboard gear. I am on Protools 2018 with more plugins that I care to admit. But right now, Universal Audio is my go-to for everything! Thanks to Bryan Apple, I have spent a lot of money on the Apollo and all the associated plugins. It's okay though; I have cost Bryan money too in suggested plugins and devices. Universal is also the best decision you will make - the warmth and transparency from the UAD stuff is unparalleled in software land. Iztope's entire package is worthy of a check and of course Soundtoys and Native Instruments are in the arsenal too!

4) Who are your mentors?

I have been so lucky over the years to meet some of the most incredible people and there are too many to mention. Dave Foxx is probably the first radio voice I had ever heard and he is certainly someone I look up to. I got to meet him for the first time in 2016 at an event in Europe and he started his session by saying "I got here early on purpose to see Denzil's session. I have been a fan of his work for a while" I don't think I have ever had a moment like that before in my life. It was one of the most motivating things anyone had ever said to me.

Kelly Doherty is one of my good friends and someone who I've always looked up to! I knew her voice way before I even knew who she was. I visit L.A a lot (usually 2-3 times a year) and I get to meet up with her every time. Her positivity and generosity is amazing and it's great to be friends with someone I've "known" for years. We're like family now!

Bryan Apple is one of my best friends and we constantly cost each other so much money in plugin recommendations. One of the most talentedly versed people I've ever met. That also goes for the entire SiriusXM Production Team who are one of the most welcoming teams I've ever worked with - the talent across the company is just incredible. Rob Cross (my boss) is a new mentor of mine and has taught me so much even within two months.

I feel like I am leaving so many people out but I will list off another few people who I will be sending this article to and show them that I like them: Robbie Daly, Robbie Fogarty, Andy Matthews, Lisa Dignam, Chris Nicoll, Dave Konsky and my family.

5) What is your favorite part of the job?

With SiriusXM, no two days are the same. One day I could be making a skit for Eminem's Shade 45 channel and the next I could be creating promos for Ozzy Osbourne's channel "Ozzy's Boneyard" or creating high-energy content for Diplo's Revolution. In a nutshell - you won't get bored, you get to work on many different formats and styles and creativity is embraced.

6) What stations, besides the ones that you work with, sound spectacular from an imaging standpoint?

Oh wow. There's just so much good audio out there right now and I think that's great for competition or to better us. Australia and Central Europe are the ones to watch for CHR and Hot AC Imaging right now - the game has really been upped and it's constantly evolving into something more mind-blowing. The team I work with at SiriusXM kills it in every format and everyone is so talented. Also the stuff John Frost is producing with Frostbytes gets better all the time - where that man gets his energy and motivation is beyond me. The guys out of iHeart in New York and Los Angeles are also doing amazing work and I am sure there is just so much more I haven't even heard yet!

7) What's the best sweeper, ID or positioner you've ever heard?

"The 80s... A time where you could trust Michael J Fox behind the wheel of a car."

It's totally inappropriate, but brilliantly funny and well produced by Chris Nicoll for Jack FM, U.K several years ago.

8) These days, imagers have full plates with multiple stations and responsibilities. What's the best way to get everything done on time?

I always find I work better in the evening - so if that's you - see if you can change your hours slightly to reflect that. Also, get some sort of online-based organizer - Asana, Wunderlist or Trello. They save you SO much time!

9) Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?

Honestly I don't know - I usually look at the present or slightly into the future. I'd love to stay with SiriusXM and continue to create great radio and eventually - get to move to New York or L.A.

10) What's the most unique project that you've been involved with?

Not sure if it would count as unique - but I got to travel to Dubai for a week with our station's breakfast show. We were put up in luxury and I got to record and create some great pieces that would air on the show.

What ringtone do you have on your cell?

Defiantly just stuck to the default iPhone ringtone, BUT I want this as my ringtone and I got to use it for an Imaging Piece with Diplo. Thank me later.