It was around 1979 that Smax bought his first 12 inch vinyl. It was "Shanghied" by L'ectric Funk. Smax also started getting into the DJ scene back in 1980. He started playing Disco, Hi-NRG, New Wave and eventually Rap around 1981. His second home was a collection of independent record stores such as Record Galaxy, Prime Cuts (Hollywood), Discoland, Roadhouse Records, JDC Records, Sounds of Music and more. When ever he traveled to Mexico, he came back with about 50 new 12 inch singles. During the 80s, in (Jalisco, Mex) Guadalajara, Ocotlan, Jamay and La Barca, he visited every record store he could find. J-vibe joined him and assisted in carrying the loads of vinyl.

In the 70s, Smax started playing piano in the 8th grade and in that class was a young DJ by name of Frank Huerta (aka Frankie Medina, Fankie Fusion). Frank showed Smax vinyl 12 inch records and he was hooked. He went to Frank's place and saw he had Technics 1200s, MXR mixer and Cerwin Vega speakers. He watched as Frank was making mix-tapes. At 13 years old, he watched the future in action. Smax began by getting names of stores where he could buy records. Many of these records were imported from Canada or Europe. The price tag were around $5.99 up to $14.99 per record. He started buying many Domestic records from Music Plus in Atlantic Square (Monterey Park, CA). He rode his bike from East LA to as far as Downey to buy records. Every weekend is was like clockwork. Him and J-vibe would get on their bikes and ride to the record stores. They would ask for the lastest arrivals, listen to them and buy the one's they liked.

Record Galaxy in Montebello, CA was run by Richard Valadez. Assisting him was DJ Pebo, DJ Britannica and some guys we called "Thirsty" because his voice sounded that way, another guy "Mocoso" (Snot man) cause he always had a runny nose and others. It was a great place to buy records at first, but after they got robbed (an A/C vent by pushin a speaker that was above the door and got in) it was never the same. He started selling a lot used records and his new section almost vanished. Once Roadhouse records opened across the street with A+ looks, his shop was doomed.

His vinyl collection grew to a crazy 40 milk crates by 1990. In 1988, Smax performed with J-vibe under the name VSF. They had live performances at several clubs and events. Smax helped J-vibe aquire a lot of music equipment by both of them splitting the tag. The recycler was their main source. Smax would drive the car and they would go to buy equipment. Smax says he recalls once they were going to buy Yamaha CS-80 for $900 and the owner called them back and said he had sold it to his employee after-all. Another time, they bought a Korg VC-10 vocoder for $450 from a christian guy that played in Juvenile Detention centers. Smax musical knowledge and writing skills have always been an important part of Base 12. Just about every single project that comes out of the studio, his input is on it.