Show Off Your Studio: Nullptr’s analogue bedroom delight

This article features Eddie Symons, also known as Bovaflux or Nullptr, and his home studio setup. Symons uses his studio as a private sanctuary for creating electronic music, emphasizing that a space doesn't feel like home until his music setup is established. He even travels with a reduced setup to maintain his creative routine. His studio, which doubles as a guest bedroom, is the largest room in his house, reflecting a compromise with his wife. This arrangement occasionally limits his music production when guests are present but also provides an opportunity for music-inclined guests to experiment. Symons has been a bedroom producer since his teenage years, a period during which he also delved into programming and video game development. He feels fortunate to have grown up in an era where affordable technology allowed him to pursue various creative interests. While he initially worked entirely "in-the-box" (using software exclusively), he gradually acquired hardware synths and drum machines over the past six or seven years. Currently, about 20% of his track creation involves computer-based tasks like sequencing, mixing, and sample chopping. As a homeowner, he views his studio as a long-term investment, allowing for gradual expansion while maintaining a compact and accessible layout where all equipment is within arm's reach. He finds large, sprawling studios impractical for his workflow, preferring a setup that minimizes friction during the creative process, despite the constant temptation of new gear. His chosen Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is Renoise, a tracker-style program. This preference stems from his early experiences with OctaMED on the Amiga, which accustomed him to making music using vertically scrolling pages of hexadecimal numbers. While his initial setup on the Amiga was limited to 512kb of samples across four channels, forcing him to become adept at chopping and slicing samples for genres like jungle and drum 'n' bass, Renoise allows for more indulgence with sample memory. It supports VSTs and MIDI sequencing, enabling him to evolve beyond purely sample-driven music while retaining his preferred workflow. He still programs drums similarly but records longer synth parts, using a 4-track recorder approach to capture variations and make the synths sound more dynamic. Symons started incorporating modular gear around 2014, initially to expand the limited palette of his Arturia Microbrute. He began with a small Doepfer mini case and an Intellijel Dixie II oscillator. Over time, his modular system grew into two cases: a 9U Doepfer case and a portable Intellijel 7U case. The Intellijel case is designed as a custom portable groovebox, allowing him to create full tracks with percussion, multiple synth sounds, mixers, effects, and sequencing via NerdSeq, which he likens to having Renoise in a module. For his new release, "Future World," the Dave Smith Instruments Rev 2 played a significant role, though his modular system was also utilized. He describes a love-hate relationship with the Rev 2's Curtis-style filter and its tendency to lose bass when resonance is increased. He overcame this by using the Rev 2's second layer as a sine wave to add weight to squelchy bass sounds. He aspires for his studio to be a cozy, inspiring space, decorated with his vinyl releases, comics, video games, and action figures, evoking a sense of an "audio playground" with interactive controls. His favorite gear is his modular rig due to its flexibility. For future purchases, he considers a compact option like the Korg NTS-1. His dream gear involves augmented reality integrated with synths, which he believes could make complex instruments more intuitive by visualizing internal workings, while still favoring physical controls over motion controls or touchscreens. His advice for production emphasizes that artistic merit often outweighs pristine production quality. For those starting a studio, he advises a gradual approach, akin to accumulating tools over time rather than attempting to acquire everything at once. He stresses the importance of starting with available resources and building up equipment gradually, rather than delaying creativity by waiting for an ideal setup. #HomeStudio #MusicProduction #ElectronicMusic #ModularSynth #BedroomProducer #MusicGear #RenoiseDAW #StudioDesign #SynthEnthusiast #HomeStudio #MusicProduction #ElectronicMusic #ModularSynth #BedroomProducer #MusicGear #RenoiseDAW #StudioDesign #SynthEnthusiast

64 months ago

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