With over 50 releases and millions of streams to their name, NYC-based Afro house duo DJ Tomer & Ricardo have built a reputation on emotionally resonant productions and steady creative output.
Photo credit: DJ Tomer & Ricardo – Official
Since joining forces in 2019, the pair has drawn praise from leading names such as Black Coffee and dropped standout releases on labels like Connected, including their debut album ‘Echos’.
Their upcoming single ‘Nhliziyo Yami’, out July 25th, 2025, via Connected, sees them collaborate with Durban-born vocalist and producer Shoba. The track, whose Zulu title translates to “my heart,” delivers a heartfelt, slow-burning take on Afro house, enriched by spiritual melodies and soulful vocals. Known for previous collaborations with Timmy Regisford, Djeff, and a remix by Black Coffee himself, Shoba adds depth and sincerity to this release.
To mark the occasion, DJ Tomer & Ricardo share five studio principles that have guided their work—insights rooted in emotional authenticity, sound design, and the craft of connection.
1. Don’t chase perfection, chase the emotion.
Forget about lining everything up to a grid or polishing every single note. That’s not why we’re here. Some of the most powerful moments in music are the ones that are slightly off, the ones that wobble just a bit, like real life. That’s where the soul lives. We had people cry during takes that were technically “wrong,” but emotionally perfect. If a moment gives you chills, protect it.
2. The mic captures more than just sound.
The microphone is like a witness. It catches fear, pride, hesitation, and courage, and everything in between. Don’t EQ it right away. Don’t reach for the compressor. Listen first. Feel it. There’s always a point in the take where the singer stops performing and starts telling the truth. That’s your cue. Build the entire track around that point, and of course, when receiving vocals from a remote source, request a RAW file.
3. EQ like you’re carving stone, not painting over it.
Every sound already has a shape. Before decorating the sound, discover it. Like a sculptor, you chip away what hides the form. EQ isn’t about making things bigger but more about revealing the character that’s already there. You listen, feel, and let the sound show you what it wants to become. Once you reach a clean, pure sound you like, then consider adding presence.
4. Presets are only starting points and not final statements.
That synth patch may sound huge out of the box, but if you don’t tweak it, you’re just another echo. Turn one knob. Change the envelope. Automate something weird. A small change in a filter or LFO can turn a stock sound into your signature. Let the synth evolve with the track and don’t let it play on autopilot. In any genre, sound design is part of the storytelling. Tell your story.
5. Your ears will lie to you.
Take breaks because after a while, nothing sounds right anymore, not because the mix is bad, but because your brain is tired of hearing it. That kick you suddenly hate after five hours? It’s probably fine. It is you that needs a reset. Our ears and judgment get warped the longer we sit in the loop. So step away for a little—as little as 10 minutes of silence can—and it will bring back your perspective. Fresh ears solve more problems than any plugin ever will, and sometimes they remind you that you already nailed it hours ago.
DJ Tomer & Ricardo ‘Nhliziyo Yami’ is out July 25th on Connected.
Follow DJ Tomer: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
Follow Ricardo GI: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
