"I aim to create music that is memorable"

Santis is an electronic music producer, DJ, and founder of Alona Records with over 16 years in the scene. Known for his immersive hybrid live sets and disciplined studio approach, he seamlessly balances music production, label management, acting, and fatherhood. In this interview, we explore his roots, studio workflow, live rig, and creative vision.

 

You've spoken about your roots bridging the quiet beauty of Switzerland and the vibrant rhythm of the Philippines. How did growing up between these two distinct worlds shape your musical ear?

The Philippines is a country of music; everyone seems to know how to play an instrument and has a natural ability for singing at any age. I believe I discovered my passion there. Growing up in Switzerland introduced me to both baroque and classical music, giving me the foundation I needed, along with the discipline and work ethic required to bring ideas to life. Having spent most of my career moving from trance to House and back to Trance music again reflects my need to blend "warm sounds" with rigid, straight, and powerful melodic elements. I think finding this balance can be challenging in my current approach to Trance music.

 

 

Your music combines the best of Trance and Tech-House. How would you describe your sound, and how do you blend different styles when producing?

I aim to create music that is memorable, anchored by a recognizable melodic theme. While melody is my signature, it must be supported by a strong yet groovy beat. I have specifically designed my setup and creative process around this concept: while the synthesizers I use are heavily inspired by Trance music, certain rhythmic elements are drawn from the House world. By weaving these House and Tech-House patterns into the classic 4/4 Trance structure, the track gains a more dynamic and bouncy feel, while the core harmonies and chords remain distinctly Trance.

 

Could you walk us through your current studio setup? How have you organized your physical space, and how does that layout support your daily production workflow?

The Producer 61 is the centerpiece of my studio. After having worked in three different studios, I wanted this one to be as practical and clean as possible, so I got rid of all the unnecessary gear you tend to keep just for the sake of it. On the left, I have everything related to drums and basslines, and in the right rack are the main hardware synths I use on almost every track. This setup is part of my sound, as the drum machines give me that "house and tech" sound, while the synth rack is focused on the Trance DNA of my work (Roland JP-8000 and Nord Lead). At the bottom are all the power units and additional AD/DA converters. My main monitors are a pair of trusty Genelec 1031A, and at the back I have some vintage Bowers & Wilkins speakers. On the opposite side of the studio is my rehearsal area, where I can set up my live rig and play. It's connected to the production area at the front of the studio, making it easy to record my rehearsal sessions. I like to keep everything permanently hooked up and wired so I can start creating straight away. The whole studio also doubles as a shooting space for social media content.

 

You've mentioned that a crucial part of your process is testing how a melody feels when played live - focusing on movement, tension, and energy rather than just the sound itself. What key hardware, synthesizers, or classic gear form the core of your rig when you're developing ideas?

Having studied piano, my natural approach to creating music has always been through the keyboard. I usually start with a Rhodes piano, as its precise and clean sound helps me develop my first melodies and focus on the musical ideas. From there, I move to a Nord Lead or a simple Moog plugin, depending on the direction I want to explore.

Your live performances go beyond standard DJ mixes - featuring live keys, original tracks, and re-interpretations built for the dancefloor. How do you prepare for these performances, and what does your live rig look like?

Yes, it's actually closer to a live act than a DJ set. What I usually do is rehearse each of my tracks in the studio at a tempo slightly higher than the one expected for the performance, in order to train my fingers to play tight on the grid. Trance music is fast and precise, and you need to perform the melodies accurately so they don't lose energy and impact when played live. My setup is pretty simple but effective, and focused on keyboard playing. I have a computer running a full Logic Pro X session, with the full-length live set divided into stems. I play the melodic parts using one or two standard MIDI keyboards. Each track is divided into five stems and routed to separate channels on my DJ mixer. I do this so I can keep a DJ feeling while performing, mixing, and rearranging everything in real time, without interfering too much with the booth setup if there is a DJ playing before or after me.

 

 

Every artist faces moments of creative block. Is there a book, resource, or mindset that helps you reconnect with your creativity when inspiration isn't flowing?

Making Music: 74 Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producers by Dennis DeSantis is the book I always come back to whenever I feel creatively stuck. It offers a broad collection of practical strategies to overcome recurring creative blocks and the difficult situations every producer faces, not just in music but in any creative field. I highly recommend it. It reminds you that creative blocks are a normal part of the process and that there's always another way forward.

 

 

Between producing, performing, running a label, and being a father, balance requires serious intent. How do you structure your time to maintain studio discipline while remaining fully present for your family and other creative passions?

That's definitely a challenge! You really have to value your time, do some serious time boxing, and accept that you'll have to sacrifice some parts of your social life, haha. What I do is take some time at the end of each week to organize the following one, and I'm really strict with myself about following a precise schedule. Each task and each moment has a dedicated duration. You should never forget that, in order to achieve great things, you have to make choices. I chose to focus on my music career and my family, and that means being intentional about where I put my energy while accepting that I can't do everything.

 

As we wrap up, what exciting projects are you working on right now, and what releases do you have lined up for your label, Alona Records, next?

Yes! My new live act is currently being built, and you can follow the journey on Instagram. It's a one-hour trance live set, and each track will be released through my new label, Alona Records. This project represents a new beginning for my Trance music journey, with the first release planned for September 2026 and more tracks to follow throughout the year. Through Alona Records, I want to create a platform around this sound and vision, while continuing to develop Santis and share my music with a wider audience on the European Trance scene. Another important project I'm working on is using music as a way to support meaningful causes, starting with my wife's NGO, One 2 Think. We are preparing a 10-hour live marathon to raise funds and bring attention to their work through music.