DeKALB — Having the tools to provide to a variety of artists in DeKalb is what inspires Andrew Dewar, senior sound recording and media technologies major, to offer his services, time and equipment to record local aspiring talent.

Dewar started a recording and production company out of the basement in his home. He started playing music when he was young and later decided to pursue an education in music at the high school and collegiate levels.

Dewar said his passion is for live entertainment and bands. He has worked locally with bands such as Solar Pulse, But Why, and Free Lunch. His studio passion is embedded within his love and appreciation for the crafts of music and production.

“My passion comes from the pursuit of perfection,” said Dewar. “Ten years ago, [it] never [would have] been possible to have a studio in your basement, and now, there are a lot of people who are doing home studio recording on their own.”

Working with people and helping them realize their own passions through sound recording is one of the things Dewar said he loves most. He explained the difference between a beat-maker, who is usually in charge of making the beats for a song, and a producer, someone who takes artistry to the next level.

“When I think of a producer, I think of someone who gives guidance and really knows the music industry,” Dewar said. “So when people come to me, I ask to do 25 takes of one verse because I know each word is going to contribute to the final product.”

Do or Die Productions was co-founded by Dewar and he now holds the title of CEO. His partner, Matthew Ponio, serves as the CFO and recently won a Grammy alongside NIU Professor Dan Nichols for their work with Third Coast Percussion.

“[In] one of the interviews [Matt] did, he said, ‘I’m ready to get [a Grammy] with my name on it,’ ” Dewar said.

He said there’s a fine line between winning a Grammy and being a part of winning one, and the goal he set for himself at Do or Die Productions is to be part of winning a Grammy.

Do or Die’s latest promotion was Free Sound February in which Dewar offered artists in the DeKalb and Chicagoland-area their first recording session free of charge.

“With most of my clients, I don’t care about the dollar sign,” Dewar said. “I don’t care about the budget. I just want to make you the best sounding version of you.”