Recording - June 2020 - 15

When working primarily with
outboard synths, how do you get
your sounds into the computer?
The way I approach the process of capturing sounds is
changing all the time.
Up until 2016, I was primarily using plugins and doing
everything with software in the box. I had this idea-I challenged myself and said let's not use any plugins. Let's try to do
all the mixing and mastering by hand, with outboard processors,
with my ears, not looking at a timeline-not thinking about any
of that stuff. So, I started trying to find different colors and timbres that would work really well with my modular setup: stereo
compressors, EQs, 500 Series modules... [see the impressive
gear list for details -ed.] One of my goals was to have a system
that I could run my modular drums through like a drum bus.
So I used the API 2500 stereo bus compressor for that, or a
Dramastic Obsidian if I wanted more of an SSL kind of flavor.

You're still using a computer in the process?
I use the DAW to capture everything, but as per my goal, I
didn't want to be creating stuff in the DAW. I thought it would
be a fun exercise and approach to see if the sonic outcome
would be different or better than doing everything in the box.

And?
It was a great learning experience. I was able to make a
lot of side-by-side comparisons with the plugins, especially
with emulations by UAD, Waves, and Slate, against the
real hardware. It gave me a better understanding of why
everyone likes this compressor, or why everybody likes
Pultecs-they've got a beautiful bottom end. I'm just a student, this is my classroom, and I'm still learning things. It's
been a fun experience for me, getting a grasp and understanding of what these classic compressors and outboard
pieces of gear are doing. Then, finding all these cool sweet
spot combinations-what happens when I put this compressor before that EQ? All these different configurations can
give you so many different sounds.

Let's go back to the beginning-how did you
become the weird alien-synth music guy?
I started DJing in the early 90s, buying records and going to
a lot of early rave parties. I'd travel to the Midwest to see artists
like Richie Hawtin. The early Detroit techno scene was hugely
influential on me. I was fascinated by how they were creating
this music and I thought, why don't I make some of my own?
I'd already had some experience before that with music; I took
classical piano for about eight years, and guitar lessons, bass
lessons, and drums. In high school, I remember trying to form
a band with a couple of my friends, and I'm sure you've heard
similar stories before, but the drummer always wanted to hang
out with his girlfriend instead of going to band practice!

I think we all know that story...
I remember a distinct moment where I said OK, screw this. I'm
going to buy a drum machine, I don't have to rely on other people.

Photo by Richard Devine

Richard Devine Recording Gear
(listed alphabetically)
API 505 DI
API 512C (X3)
API 527 (X2)
API 550b (X2)
API 560 (X2)
API-2500 Stereo Bus Compressor
Avalon 737SP
BAE 11 Space 500 (X2)
Black Blox HG-2 (custom)
Dangerous Music 2-Bus+ (X2)
Dangerous Music BAX EQ
Dangerous Music Compressor
Dangerous Music Convert AD+
Dangerous Music Convert-2
Dangerous Music Convert-8 (X2)
Dangerous Music DBox+
Dangerous Music Liason
Dangerous Music Monitor ST
Dramastic Audio Obsidian 500 Stereo Compressor
Empirical Labs EL8X-S Distressor (X2)
Empirical Labs FATSO EL7X
Eventide Eclipse
Eventide H9000
Flock Audio Patch
Heritage Audio 1073 JR EQ (X2)
Kush Audio Clariphonic M/S
Manley Massive Passive EQ (mastering version)
Manley Vari-Mu (mastering version)
Maselec MEA-2
Maselec MLA-4
Maselec MPL-2
Pulse Techniques EQP-500S (X2)
RME UFX+ sound card
Solid State Logic 500 G-bus Stereo Compressor
Solid State Logic 611 EQ (X2)
Solid State Logic SiX Mixer
SPL Gemini Mastering Mastering M/S Processor
Universal Audio Apollo x16 (X2)
Zahl Stereo EQ1 Stereo Equalizer
Monitors by ATC, Genelec, and Auratone
Plus Pedals, Modules, Drum Machines,
Keyboards, Synths...

RECORDING June 2020

Recording - June 2020

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