Audeze chats with musician, compose, producer and educator Pavel Fajt

Pavel Fajt is a Musician, Drummer, Composer, Producer, Teacher, and Music therapist from the Czech Republic. 

"The Audeze LCDi3 is exactly what I need. Light, loud, dynamic and the damping factor is just perfect for me, but also very linear."  - Pavel Fajt

Here's our chat with Pavel:

Can you pick out any highlights from your work that you're particularly proud of?

There is a lot of collaboration I have made until now. From the more known names: Fred Frith, Iva Bittova, Tom Cora, Stepanida Borisova (Yakutsk), Zeena Parkins, Ferdinand Richard. 

How would you define your main role on most of the projects you work on these days?

I mostly led or co-founded music projects. Bad thing is, that I was very few times "just" a drummer.

I founded several musical groups completely according to my taste.

I also did several films or theater music not just as a musician and composer, but also as an actor.

How did you get started in music? What kind of music did you listen to while growing up and how has that progressed?

Well, (I started in) Czech Republic around 1980. Gymnasium/University. Socialist system was not open society. Official propaganda everywhere. We were hungry for good, hot, honest music.

Fortunately, at this time in the "West," popular music was still avant-garde. So we have been in touch with all these new records from Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Yes, Frank Zappa, Cpt. Beefheart, Laurie Anderson and my favorite, King Crimson... etc. etc.

But I was also into jazz scene and I do not have to mention all the incredible music from these days. Yes, I have been quite well informed also because live jazz festival was organized in Czech with no limitations.

In Czech we have also great classic composers like Janacek, Dvorak, Martinu. And that's not to mention the stunning group of all minimalist and other music composers.

Can you name any factors that influenced the course of your musical life? Heroes, role models, moments, interactions, etc?

Around 1985 after University I started to live just from music. Duo with Iva Bittova, rock band Dunaj, collaboration with Fred Frith.

So I became an organic part of "Improvise/avant-garde" scene in Europe/Canada. Full clubs and festivals listening to music. A great time. Freedom.

Can you briefly describe a moment of frustration from your past work, and what you may have done to overcome the obstacles? Would you approach it differently now?

Yes, of course. I should be a lawyer. But on other hand, I do not regret anything because of 2 reasons:

1. It makes no sense.
2. I am quite happy with all that I did.

Is there any gear you find yourself turning to most when working on a project? What are some of your favorite tools/instruments recently?

Gear is very very important, like for me, good sounding drums inspire my sound on stage.

I created my own "homemade" Electronic called "sound wheel". I use pick ups, nice effects, looper, perfect delay. These days it is already 4th generation, so I use "sound wheel" from circa 1990.

Do you have any words of wisdom for people who might aspire toward a similar path for their own careers?

It can often be the case that there is only 1 right path for each person. It is important that he is convinced that this is the only correct one. Then everything that happens belongs to this path and strengthens it. 

How long have you been working with headphones, and how do you typically use them in your workflow?

Constantly for the last few years. I'm quite the headphone expert (I apologize for this comment). For me, as very often a Drum Solo artist, it is essential to use good/proper headphones. And since I often play acoustically (theaters, churches, galleries, and of course clubs, festivals), I need to hear my drums very balanced AND my loops and electronics should sound very good to my ears. This is almost impossible to solve because all these "pro" headphones have a large damping factor...

Now to the point... I tried your Audeze LCDi3 and it was EXACTLY what I need. Light, loud, dynamic and the damping factor is just PERFECT for me, but also very "linear". So this open factor in these headphones, so unpopular for some, is a blessing for me. Thank you Audeze.

I think this feature may be very attractive to some musicians who need quality, loud personal in-ear monitoring but also need to hear the entire stage. I also have an Audeze LCD-X in the studio. This is actually the main mix and mastering control.

Do you have any additional comments or stories you want to share?

About headphones... planar magnetic is for me the only linear sounding system. Also very dynamic and "fast". The frequencies do not overlap and sound analytical next to each other.