I have been making electronic music since 1986. In the beginning, it was just me and a Commodore 64. Over time I have been able to buy other equipment to make music. My studio is ever-evolving, ever-changing, as is my music. Here are two photos of my studio’s appearance in 1997 vs. what it looks like today, in 2022.
With another decade almost upon us I think this is a good time as any to show you the current state of my studio.
It is, as always in a constant state of flux. Among the things I decided to sell this year, mainly because I wasn’t using it that much was the TB-303 “clone” Xoxbox, the Strymon El Capistan pedal and one or two modules for my modular setup. New stuff in the studio includes the Arturia Beatstep Pro and a CV.OCD which I’m using for controlling my analog gear.
Also I got the HYVE I signed up for during their succesful Kickstarted project. Haven’t used it in my music yet but I’m sure I will find a spot for it in an ambient tune soon. Here is a video from last spring where I’m trying it out.
Another fun little toy, a micro-sampler that I think I actually bought in 2018, but haven’t really used yet is the Teenage Engineering PO-33 KO. Might find some use for it now when I’m working on my next album (More info about that in a later post).
On the same note I also got some stuff to use for voice recording. I have an old Røde NT 2 microphone that I’ve rarely used because it was always such a hassle. A Heavy Duty Studio Arm Mic Stand, a SubZero XLR to USB Signal Converter/Mic Preamp and a SubZero Portable Vocal Booth Isolation Ball makes it super easy now. Whenever I want to add some vocals, words or whatever to a song, I just pull out the Mic Arm, turn on the preamp and I’m ready to record.
And finally I threw out my old, very worn-down chair and got the HÃ…G Capisco 8107. My back thanks me for it. It’s probably the most ergonomic stylish chair in the world. Got it for a bargain price at an online auction.
Click here to listen to music I made on this eqipment
When you are producing techno music you need a proper techno t-shirt. I shot this selfie in my studio today wearing one of my cheeky tees from Future Past Clothing.
Lots of things have happened in my studio the last couple of years. I built a TTSH (Arp 2600 clone) and I also got, perhaps a bit carried away with the whole modular thing. :) Anyways, this is what it looks like now. Many of the hardware you see here was used to make my latest album Focus.
There is a more or less complete list of all the stuff on my Studio page.
And here is the second star of my next album, the trusty old 1980 monophonic tank also known as the Roland SH-09.
Put some tape delay on it = instant magic.
It’s a work in progress really, so this might look completely different a few months from now. Once you go Eurocrack, you never go back.
I have finished building the TTSH Arp 2600 clone and here you can see it installed in my studio.
Right now I’m in the process of testing it and learning all of it’s secrets.
It’s a new year and I thought I’d just write a few words about the last one. 2016 may have been a strange year for the world but for me personally it was a pretty good one. For starters, I got to travel a lot. I visited Barcelona twice, then Sardinia, Amsterdam, Manchester and made some new friends in the process. It’s been a fun year with lots of positive energy.
Musically, I continued on my quest to finish an album with what I believe is great electronic music. I’m almost there and feel hopeful that it’s all done in the next couple of months. I also changed a few things in my studio – updated the eurorack modular and such. Sold the Monomachine since I didn’t use it that much.
So what else is up for 2017? Well in a week I’m starting a new job. It will be closer to what I enjoy working with which is interaction/UX/UI design for e-commerce. Also it will be much closer to home.
I will also attempt to build a TTSH, an Arp 2600 clone. More about that later.
