Detroit's Finest Junk | High Bias Recordings | Show Us Your Junk!

In this episode of Show Us Your Junk we visit Chris Koltay's High Bias Recordings. The Motor City has a rich musical history from artists grown out of Motown Records, to the MC5, to the White Stripes. Like those bands and artists, High Bias Recordings embodies the rustbelt attitude that can only be found in the midwest.
Chris has a wealth of prized "junk" that you won't find collecting dust around the studio. Much of his unique collection finds it's way on many of the albums he produces. Around the studio you'll find his collection of Sunn PA equipment, odd speakers and cabinets as well as vintage synths and drum machines.
Chris sums it up best, "It's definitely a cache of gear...it's a lot. And it's a lot of stupid things". We agree with the first part...but if there's one thing Show Us Your Junk has taught us - "stupid" is in the eye of the collector. Enjoy this latest episode!
Learn more or buy direct at www.earthquakerdevices.com/devices
Shot by Chris Tran, Jeff France and Dannesh Moosa.
Edited by Dannesh Moosa
Music Credits:
Fringe Candidate "The List"
KOLTAY "GRIPPER"
Gusher
"Another One in Me"
"Friends in a Car"
"Liquor Lotto Love"
"Short King"
Visit our site: www.earthquaker...
Follow us on Instagram: / earthquakerdev
Like us on Facebook: / earthquakerdevices

[@mythcrab6047]

This is probably my favorite series on KZbin. I appreciate your dedication in producing these.

[@mbg4041]

Yep, i love this series too. Especially the longer ones

[@DimestoreLiam]

Yeah, same here; definitely +1 from me...

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

I love this so much because I love CHRIS KOLTAY so much! Such a talented and beautiful soul. A real wizard and friend. 🖤

[@chriskoltay9002]

Love YOU so much LBD! The Sonic Priestess!

[@matthewadams9853]

Chris, I’m the guy who sold you your Neotek console and a Tascam 8 track many years ago! Happy to see you’re doing well. I’m glad EQD decided to do an episode on your studio! Also, I enjoyed your commentary on Detroit.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

WOW!

[@GloveBunniesVideos]

It's amazing how all the studios in this series have such diverse collections of gear. It just shows it takes a variety of tools, experience and experimentation to make great records.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for watching!

[@JohnLawrieTWS]

That tee shirt analogy is honestly an incredible way to put it. Such a rad outlook on music making.

[@soulsonic]

HEY~! Big ups, Koltay! Great seeing your studio get some spotlight along w your gear!

[@NazarioMedia]

These are my favorite videos on the internet. Not only do you find the coolest studios but the people man, the people running these places just get it.

[@bobbytwoshoe8851]

“If you could change your clothes at any time of the day” was the line for me. Commit to the art

[@fattyma4]

KOLTAY!!!!! Please bring back Deerhunter. I NEED them.

[@mrteroo8953]

One of the best videos I have ever watched on YT. What a lovely human. I would love to visit and spend a few hours in his company.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@chriskoltay9002]

I’m available!

[@coreyroberts311]

Chris if I ever get the chance to record, I will be on my way to Detroit to see you sir. I love your selection of equipment. Much love from Alabama.

[@chriskoltay9002]

Cmon up!

[@AreDouble]

Very much enjoyed this. Had the real pleasure of being able to sit in on part of a session for a friend’s band that Chris was recording here… probably about fifteen or so years ago. He was incredibly gracious and I found the space super inspiring. Watching this, maybe even more so. Glad to see him featured here.

[@Ponchy]

Thank you for continuing to do these. Love this series.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for watching!

[@buzsman]

It's allways feels so cozy and comfort to get in to all this series studios! Love it!

[@hazegreen1896]

He knows whats up. I have 4 of those ampex tube hifi amps Ive had since the 80s when i got them with a tape machine for $25 from a church garage sale. Ive used them pretty regularly for decades in all kind of ways. I have a couple that I just use as pre amps that i racked up and 2 with speakers still. They do rip at guitar if you drive it a little with a pedal or something.

[@dinosaursr]

Very interesting video. Love the Little Italy corner. Detroit is a diamond in the rough.

[@racquettemusic]

i look forward to these so much. love this guy. he is a clean hoarder. his openness to the electronics is refreshing.

[@mattvernon4497]

If KZbin was only episodes of Show Us Your Junk, Id be fine with that. Thanks for making these.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for watching!

[@derekdoessound]

Please never stop making these!

[@kempcky]

Best series on the KZbins!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Oh man thank you!!!

[@sonidojamon]

Thanks for "Radiance", Chris!! Never heard of it! Amazing!

[@yibyub8544]

Koltay! Miss you dude.

[@jaidiablo5552]

The BEST studio recording video I’ve seen in years !!!!

[@allanmills6540]

The shirt analogy was perfect

[@mikenisbet]

Wonderful! One of the best episodes!

[@burresseffects]

As soon as I saw Xenon I could feel the Ciani reference coming. Lovely!

[@PumpkinPieces33]

Hell yeah Gusher tracks all up in this video. Koltay is a G. Awesome feature.

[@derrendempsey3699]

man this band are so underrated

[@electronictiger]

Splendid! I very much enjoyed this. Thanks!!

[@adum2ge4]

As always a fantastic look inside the mind of a human.

[@snellbeast_jasonsnell]

Chris! So RAD -- this place is so cool, got the tour many moons ago, love that you keep pushing, badass!

[@scotty09]

What a treat! KOLTAY!

[@kniferideaudio]

The way he feels about the Sunn Mixer is how I feel about my Yamaha EM300. So useful. sounds great.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Oh my that's my favorite mixer too! The drum machine and spring reverb on it are dope as well!

[@scootb7400]

I do love this series, but this episode was extra great. Well done team EQD!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thank you!!!

[@fritzarmstrong8232]

20:01 "Billy Corgan's rack of bad decisions" 🤣 There's a reason ppl are hoarding this kinda stuff, now... 10 yrs ago, not so much. Sometimes, time will reveal the greatness of gear - in our minds and ears!

[@achimbagan9277]

transition from coffee machine to music at 15:15 was so clean

[@adriancarroll6995]

Caveman no fool! Caveman make tool…great episode. Mad groovy dude.

[@markszymanski1177]

Hell yea, Chris is the man...

[@rekindle]

Great video - he had some interesting things to say that were clearly informed by years on the front lines

[@piggycity]

Hahaha the Billy Corgan “bad decision” ADA GIsh Sound

[@CalTN]

Now I'm on the hunt to assemble my own 'Rack of Bad Decisions' from that Reznor and BCorgan used. Here is Chris' rack of Bad Billy's Bad Decisions MP-1 ADA MXR Digital Time Delay DigiTech RDS Digital Delay System 3.6 Sec Yamaha SPX90 Digital Sound Processor

[@michaelcarrig627]

I love his philosophy. So much cool stuff.

[@alanagottalottasay997]

I’m 45 min into this Saturday….half way through this clip..,,and this dude has already made it a great day….and by dude I really mean interesting human doing human things…,

[@antonstefanov2146]

Very interesting creative approach, loved to hear what he has to say.

[@vd4239]

spooky action at a distance is a masterpiece

[@chriskoltay9002]

TRUTH!!

[@kyleimes7041]

Never heard of this dude, but he's fuckin awesome.

[@richardsteffens6159]

Very cool place. Definitely makes me want to be in the room with him and anyone else mid session to see what kind of crazy cacophonous sounds they could manage to make. Looking forward to the next junk heap you introduce us to. :)

[@SWizz871]

Really cool dude and a really cool approach to music making. I dig it

[@MrPoonomatic]

Love this guy!

[@iheartbeets]

Just came from Ypsi for NTI. We drove through the D for fun but I hated being such a passive observer. I get to come back for the next 3 years so maybe i can get some boots on the ground.

[@jimmy3180]

Love the perspective on recording and music. Would totally be wearing 15 freaking shirts, for sure!

[@katederringer]

We

[@upbeatguitarstudio]

Dan from Guelph Ontario here, I got a 2x15 version of the GBX preamp/powered cab thing that is shown around 36 min. Can confirm that it rips and is super useful for any guitarists looking to switch to fake bass via an analog octave down pedal mid song. I can also say that literally nobody ever that I have shared the amp with a)knows what to do with it and b) liked using it. It's certainly a sound worth exploring, and they are super cheap. But ya, not for the faint of heart!

[@SidRockett]

I love every bit of these!

[@redmodpedals9100]

so cool spotting Lombardi stuffs!

[@adustyblanket3455]

Anytime I see another episode of this, I stop what I am doing. Next thing I know is I buy the one thing I am totally obsessed with at the moment. And feel absolutely good about that.

[@Brutuscomedy]

Brutus loves the bias knob on his Joyo Purple Storm fuzz pedal!

[@jimtroeltsch5998]

I have the Sunn model 2 PA speakers too. I p[lay a sunn beta lead into them. They sound amazing on guitar. Never tried to use them live or anything.

[@ericwobschall8410]

I also try to get the sound of various parts in the beginning and commit to it. It’s so basic but I always record bass and drums for example with the compression and never dry. Or else the low end won’t be what it can be. Some (younger) people I know were never thought that. I also use lots of non approved gear.

[@pytheus]

Thank you!!

[@lilithperson6266]

the snare room sounxs cool

[@danielkibbee1907]

"I dont know why I like this." Classic and so true

[@stephennanna-lc7qg]

Best episode yet

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for watching!

[@marknason4572]

I find these "..junk" videos fascinating. A look at the real-world places and processes behind music recording. Also, shout out to the little red Electrosonic amp in the opening!

[@cyclone77.216]

Thanks, that Sunn!..promotion by attraction for recording.....what a cool guy...."sounds like a Bardo Pond album" 😂 played a lot with them...he is right...buy their records! Yeah...this studio is logic in real life kids....

[@ViktorVida-et3ry]

He's got perfect taste

[@kevinoldfield4912]

Love those Dizengoff D4's!

[@donculig2525]

That was great

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for watching!

[@christermogensen9006]

Killer episode, loved it

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for watching!

[@1963pyros]

Nice one!

[@mannysmiclocker]

Wicked Cool!!!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Go check out his mic locker Manny!😉

[@frogmorepipester7490]

He had me at Epi Casino thru Oblivion…

[@compucorder64]

I don't know if you know of the German Recording Artist Hainbach? I'm guessing you probably do, given the love for modular and synths etc... I imagine you could collaborate on making some fascinating music. I think you both gravitate away from the center in really interesting ways. Even some gear love overlap, with the that oscillator, niche kit collections and Nagra recorders. These types of studios interest me a lot more than the typical ones. It's more like the collection of kit a maverick solo artist would amass over 30 years.

[@kevinoldfield4912]

Aeropress onto ice....no...absolutely not! Can someone send this man a Toddy Bucket? Making coffee like that is the equivalent of using the mic on a 2003 Dell laptop to try and remake OK Computer. All that aside he's a phenomenal engineer and I wholly enjoy his craft and philosophy. Thanks for sharing EQD, your documentaries are always a cascade of inspiration for us all.

[@chriskoltay9002]

I'll have you know we are a Filtron house good sir. That's for when we make cold brew. You missed the greater travesty! My ratios are all off! Unless you count the volume of the ice. Don't have a lot of time at work to adhere to "norms". Thanks for the kind words tho for real. Never had a Dell. They must sound dope because that iced americano you're dragging was fucking delicious!

[@kevinoldfield4912]

Sorry, I couldn't resist poking the bear. In all honesty I place no judgment on how people enjoy their coffee. After 15 plus years of slinging the hot brown at some point I gotta realize it's just dirty water at the end of the day. In the words of the immortal Richard Simmons "Do your thing"! It's highly likely that if I still called the Midwest home I'd try to wriggle my way into being your full-time coffee pro in exchange for free play of that scintillating pinball machine. In all seriousness, your craft and the music you've helped document are greatly admired! CRUMAR KINGS UNITE!

[@kevinoldfield4912]

As a semi-rehabilitated Ohio person I must say you that you really missed out on savoring and bathing yourself in the immaculate fresh air of Chillicothe. RIP OG Ultrasuede! Greater than greater than, never less or of equivalent value.

[@burneraccount9829]

i used to play one of those sunn 6x10s....so sick

[@RiffKrsna]

Interesting guy.

[@FuzzImp]

Great video

[@arrakian]

Detroit stand up!

[@SonicPVC]

The Therovox reminds me of Oskar Sala's contraption, I don't recall the name.

[@thetruevineproductions]

Ah, man: that was just awesome! I'll second @mythcrab6047 - also my favourite series on KZbin. I go back and watch old episodes often! But, I want more new ones! Keep up the great work!

[@lkeith88]

If i were there the 1st question i'd ask is may i please plug into that beautiful univox stack!!!!

[@davidreidy5750]

damn he's got an ARP 2600

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

He doesn't mess around!

[@chuckbabygorilla]

This is the greatest series, and this episode is especially good. Chris has opinions and reasons for his opinions, And he doesn't seem to be a dick about it.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

He's cool like dat!

[@HouseOfSpheres]

Koltay!

[@georgenelson9038]

Awesome one! Any way you could post links to the music used in the video? I assume it's all stuff he's recorded and/or mixed? Thanks!

[@dylanhoward718]

Would love to work with this guy and his philosophy on recording. I have a project that would be perfect for him

[@cyclone77.216]

im in your band. Im the bassplayer

[@CTRLMOD]

Shout out to Koltay!

[@RaquelFoster]

Toledo then Cinci then Detroit, and he didn't even get murdered? Hey I saw the Whigs in Pittsburgh at Mr. Smalls! But if I go to Detroit it's for Movement!. Oh snap that Altec is like the adult version of those cool Boss mixers Alex Ball loves! 7:55 I like how he has 128U of rack gear that's ready to be taken out the back door in 30 sec. when the authorities show up. 10:45 I wanna hear a Trent Reznor / Harry Shearer (as Principal Skinner) duet of Mike Patton's God Hates a Coward through that speaker, but it needs to be produced by Crystal Method.

[@word2RG]

gawd i want a basement

[@chriskoltay9002]

We don’t have one!

[@shawnnorton2674]

Imagine my surprise when I randomly watch a KZbin video and it’s Chris Koltay and his sweet studio. Back in the 90’s I’d do sound for Chris’s band Fat Dog at Sudsy Malone’s. Apparently not all of Detroit is a shit hole.

[@NorthAnchor]

Finally!!!!!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for waiting!

[@davidreidy5750]

recorded with Jim Diamond way back around 2000 at Ghetto studio,hung out at the Gold Dollar not too long before it shut its door.,that place rocked hella.Detroit rips others dip.

[@shaun9901]

"A rack of the bad decisions Billy Corgan has made in his lifetime", LOL! (Although I do love the Gish album)

[@zvotaisvfi8678]

dude is legit

[@zvotaisvfi8678]

friggin RMI amp

[@anyversionofme]

❤Xenon❤

[@BatmanWangChung]

Suh dude

[@torsodeaf]

fuck yeah XENON. Only CIANI is real.

[@temporoboto]

💙

[@christermogensen9006]

His approach to the proces is frech

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Yeah he is one of a kind!

[@Seriouslycantplayguitar]

we're starting? wait gotta go over here quick, okay Now im ready. Fuckin classic, I can relate.