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Few have shaped the sonic palette of modern pop and electronic music like Oliver.
Whether it’s through his solo releases, songwriting and production work alongside the likes of Kim Petras, Katy Perry, and Chromeo, or his acclaimed Power Tools sample packs, Oliver delivers sounds that simultaneously feel timeless and forward-thinking. “My sound is deeply rooted in ’70s – ’80s pop, disco, funk, and soul, in addition to ’90s hip hop,” he tells us. “I focus on taking the fundamental groove and feel of those great old records and pushing them forward with modern production techniques.”
In celebration of the release of his new Power Tools Decades – ’00s sample pack, we had the opportunity to sit down with Oliver to hear about his tips for music producers, latest sample placements, and future projects—read on for highlights.
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Oliver’s tips for music producers
Two key themes emerged from our discussion with Oliver around his creative process, production, and sound design.
Let your ear guide you
Producers around the world adore Oliver’s sample packs for their tight, versatile drum loops—while he has a clear vision for their sound, he emphasizes the importance of using his ear to achieve and elevate it each time, as opposed to going on autopilot.
“I have to be inspired by something, usually from listening to new music or digging for old records on YouTube,” he says. “The creative side of the process changes all the time; I’m always trying to improve and make better sounds. Part of that is trying new things—not just sticking to a formula. I don’t have any go-to plugin chains or anything like that. I just let my ear guide me.”
That said, Oliver does have one plugin that he’s been enamored by lately for capturing creative sparks. “Right now, the most exciting piece of software for me is Rolling Sampler,” he shares. “It allows you to always be recording; basically any sound that comes in or goes out of my computer is being tracked. It’s perfect for capturing ideas and happy accidents that would have otherwise been lost forever, and it’s also incredible for resampling and sound design. And for visual analysis, I also love VISION 4X and MiniMeters.“
Don’t be afraid to be different
Oliver’s signature sound is the result of countless hours of experimentation and iteration, and he encourages other creators to also embrace the process of finding their own sonic identity. “Don’t be afraid to be different,” Oliver says. “Stay true to what inspires you, and you’ll develop your own sound that’s unique to you. Also, invest early in a high-quality chair and monitors!”
For more tips and thought starters around developing your own sound, check out our guide below:
Oliver on BLACKPINK, Chappell Roan, and his final Decades sample pack
Oliver’s samples can be heard in some of the biggest hits around the world—it’s well-known that Sabrina Carpenter’s 2024 smash hit “Espresso” was built around one of his loops.
These sorts of discoveries are a regular occurrence for Oliver. “Recently, I heard one that was new to me: BLACKPINK’s ‘Pink Venom’ uses an 808 loop from Power Tools III,” he shares. “I also heard an agogô loop in Chappell Roan’s ‘Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl.'”
His new sample pack builds on this legacy with loops and one-shots that are specifically inspired by the ’00s. “The main inspiration for this pack was definitely The Neptunes and Timbaland,” Oliver says. “For me, they defined the era sonically. For this pack, I did much more live percussion and foley recording to incorporate into the loops.”
In ways, the release is bittersweet as it marks the finale in Oliver’s beloved Decades pack series—however, producers can rejoice as Oliver gives us a sneak peek into his ideas for what’s to come. “I think the next pack series is going to be called Power Tools Presents,” he says. “I want to spotlight my favorite sound designers and collaborators; more details to come! Also maybe Power Tools IV?”
“I’m always so blown away with what producers and artists have made with my sounds and loops,” he concludes as he reflects on his journey thus far. “I’m very grateful that I’m able to help and inspire other musicians, even in a small way.”
Incorporate Oliver’s ’00s-inspired drum grooves, guitar loops, and more into your own productions:
April 7, 2025
