My Recording Studio Is Strange (But I Find It Inspiring)

If you have been following me you might have seen my studio grow over time. It was always a strange hodgepodge of instruments, held together with IKEA and duct tape. As I evolve as an artist, it evolves around me, and it rarely ever stays the same for a month. Because many of you asked for it, here is a snapshot of it as of right now, March 2022. From gear to acoustics (thanks Kiss Your Ears (www.kissyourears.com) for letting me use the installation footage), there is a lot covered here.
Still lots to be done here, but it should give you an overview and maybe make you happy that your setup is either similarly complex or much simpler. For me, it just works.
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL & SOUNDPACKS: / hainbach
CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP: / @hainbach
MY MUSIC: hainbach.bandcamp.com
FASHION: teespring.com/de/stores/hainbach
CONNECT: / hainbach
MY SIGNATURE SOFTWARE:
NOISES www.audiothing.net/instrument...
GONG AMP www.audiothing.net/effects/go...
WIRES www.audiothing.net/effects/wi...
MORPHING ROTOR www.audiothing.net/effects/th...
TEST EQUIPMENT LIBRARY www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-...
LOOPER apps.apple.com/us/app/gauss-f...
BUY THE GEAR I USE (EU):
redir.love/thocf/n2lm9oo2ym
BUY THE GEAR I USE (US):
bit.ly/3nsnE9Q
BUY THE GEAR I USE (UK):
www.gear4music.com/blog/what-...
(affiliate links, I get a few % if you buy through them)
00:00 Intro
01:00 Waraku, Suiko - Poetry Trainer Corner
02:26 Bechstein Model 10/Extinct Audio BM9
03:08 Eurorack and Pulser-23
04:38 Islands - Meastro, Carousel, Pianostar, Fizmo
07:57 Chair and Slippers
08:13 Italian Synth Corner, Crumar DS-2 Solton Programmer 24
10:17 Work in Progress and Overhead shot
10:58 Main Tape Machine
11:08 The Wall Of Test Equipment
13:20 Clavioline and Classic Synth Setup
15:59 Main Mixer, FX and Master Buss
17:14 Moog Sonic Six
17:52 Computer and Speaker Setup
18:44 Acoustic by Kiss Your Ears
20:37 The Crappy Workstation I build
22:06 Mobenthy and D1000 Setup
23:05 Video Stuff
23:58 Syntrx, Waldorf Microwave
24:31 Summary and buy my stuff
25:38 Patron Shoutout

[@Hainbach]

And now you can play with a bunch of stuff from my studio, too: www.gforcesoftware.com/products/hainbach-artist-pack/

[@brianspenst1374]

I like the idea of islands. This concept also works for other artists, not just musicians. It really enables the artist to move freely from one task to another as the inspiration moves their soul.

[@Chris-vr8cd]

I have a piano in the next room, I bought a 30ft xlr cable just for it lmao

[@AMOKIAN]

Yeah.. I like islands too, sound work islands and islands. Great video.

[@BinauralSpace]

The content is obviously brilliant but kudos also to Mrs. Hainbach for absolutely dope camera work!

[@BinauralSpace]

Hainbach: “I realized the studio will never be perfect.” Also Hainbach: [showing us the perfect studio literally while saying the sentence above]

[@DanielLoveReel]

So typical. Me to Germans: Sprechen sie English? Germans, in English, wearing house shoes with mushrooms on them: A little bit. Let me continue our discussion about the thing we are talking about in technical detail.

[@zbnmth]

in the film "in Bruges", this phenomenon is portrayed hilariously and accurately. A flemish girl replies to "Not that well" to the question if she spoke English, yet continues the conversation employing a vocabulary rich enough to flabbergast the Irish bloke who asked her the question, even going so far that he visibly doesn't know certain words, and tries to mirror her manner of speech to further attempt to impress and flirt with her, readily using words about which he's clearly uncertain of their precise meaning. The western european mainland's peoples are often well versed in English, yet downplay their proficiency because they may know some person amongst their acquaintances who's even more fluent, somewhat becoming a victim of impostor syndrome in that area. In the Netherlands, it is not that strange to have had an English training opportunity to the level of Cambridge Proficiency during secondary school, making you (on paper) a near-native or even native level speaker if trained regularly.

[@BinauralSpace]

@@zbnmth So true! Btw, I love the movie. Coincidentally, just earlier today, I enjoyed this: kzbin.infoLSHajiNH2wA

[@Fenisulven]

Snob

[@AlexBallMusic]

Just when I thought I had a lot of stuff. 😮 Fascinating walthrough, really interesting to hear about your ever evolving space. On a related note - the cup holder is a must have. I bought a broken synth and opening it revealed the reason for it not working was hot chocolate.

[@Chris-vr8cd]

can i have some stuff

[@codymchardy7465]

@@Chris-vr8cd no >:( poor=bad artist no stuff for u

[@michaelkonomos]

The movement aspect of your studio was one thing that stood out to me personally. I kept thinking that I need to have everything in one place. But for ergonomics in my 40s I love the idea of some things being standing, some for sitting. Some for reaching. Keeping me alternating positions is a great idea!

[@ConwayBob]

The "perfect" studio is the one that inspires you! Thank you and your lovely wife for showing us your workshop. It's wonderful!

[@Chromaticosomaermati]

The best parts of this great video are just seeing the obvious joy of a nice person playing with the things they love! Edit: (oh and the mushroom slippers!) :D

[@stylemazta]

11:07 is a musical masterpiece, my favorite piece of music I've ever heard from you!

[@_benbarr]

The amount of genius required to man a room like this and maintain so much creative integrity is insane. Much respect

[@uisato_]

One of the most beautiful studios I've ever seen. Congratulations, my friend! PS: That studio is screaming for an audio-reactive visual system! If you ever see one of my own that you like, let me know.

[@MarkFaldborg]

The delight when the programmer worked was life giving, thank you Hainbach

[@egghead9518]

The best thing is that despite all this variety of equipment, it all sounds like Hainbach when you play it.

[@dan.documents]

it's mindblowing for me just to think about connecting all these intruments together and making it all work coherently, id die to have something like this one day. i love your music, your studio and all your equiment is so sick!!!

[@RobinRimbaudScanner]

A thoroughly enjoyable wander through your magical mystery room. It's a joy to see all the colourful and inspiring instruments and tools in there too. Thanks for sharing this (now I'd better get round to making a video tour myself one day too!) 😀

[@bcitral]

Oh yes please robin. My system gets smaller by the month these days.

[@RobinRimbaudScanner]

@@bcitral it might just scare people a little bit 😀

[@themetamorph]

I would love to see your studio tour video Robin! You and Hainbach both have such lovely,creative and inspiring spaces.

[@RobinRimbaudScanner]

@@themetamorph One day perhaps, let's see...

[@themetamorph]

@@RobinRimbaudScanner I might just get to visit before then! 😜🎹

[@5kMagic]

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "I made a mix bus, that's my sound", but it makes sense and I love the idea.

[@ErwinSchrodinger64]

A studio/museum, respectfully... all in one. Most unique studio I've ever watched. Wow!

[@nicolabelle1415]

What’s inspiring there is to find So much pièces of synths in not a big room and still be able to move from One parcels to another ! What i like also, is the fact that machines choosen are not all the big star but some pièces of electronic music like clavioline, also japanese or russian items...it makes a studio collection from worlwide gears...that what i found inspiring, not only common stuff or expensive last gems but like a travel and collectors found in years like a journey info sound... Nice museum mister ! Thanks for the visit 🤗

[@Cowcodude]

Man, those ribbon mics on your piano sounded luscious. My goodness!

[@alexanderkuhn2721]

Wahnsinn! Vielen Dank für die Einblicke, vielen Dank an die Kamerafrau und noch mehr Dank für die „Insel-Idee“! Grüße…Alex

[@Banquet...]

What an amazing studio! Thank you for the tour.

[@h2o1969]

I loved this tour. So neat to get a view of the whole space. Love your music. Love you videos. You are so inspiring.

[@kavokei1337]

Thanks Hainbach, I needed your intro today 😌😊 What an amazing creativity-sparking space

[@joshvon8495]

As an, admittedly recent as I just found you, inspiration to me and my music it’s so awesome to see your studio!

[@KirillAfonin]

What a great tour! Your studio is definitely the reflection of your unique personality

[@mattwillis3219]

Amazing studio tour Hainbach! you studio is defiantly inspirational, thankyou for hinting how to create the kind of atmospheric tensions that wash though your soul for our collection! ❤❤❤❤

[@modularsynthguy6694]

I really enjoyed this studio tour. Thanks for sharing

[@dedicatedspuddler7641]

I feel like I just spent a lovely afternoon visiting with Hainbach in his studio. Thanks for all the music, the videos, the plugins...everything!

[@quantumcadillac4748]

amazing. thanks for the tour.

[@hiding_my_name]

Hainbach always has such a calming energy. Love watching your videos at the end of the day!

[@powerkor]

thank you so much for the tour!

[@Jamslerr]

This was a very fun experience, thanks for the tour. Everything is so unique.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

so incredibly inspiring to see that amazing collection. Thanks for sharing, Mr. H.

[@LocaliLLocano]

Your channel is very inspiring. It forces me to be creative in my recordings

[@philipmaliam]

Vielen herzlichen Dank für dieses Video! Für mich pure Liebe in Klang und Bild und so sympathisch!

[@timjmoran]

Wow!! Great video! I am so knocked out by what you do and the amazing and unique sounds you create. It seems impossibly complex to me ( I do own a nice Korg O1pro x synth, but certainly am a relative neophyte when it comes to electronic music) but yet I just love the wild sounds you get, the crazy and esoteric gear you use...though I doubt I could ever do what you do,I am really happy you are doing it, and very much look forward to new sounds coming from Studio Hainbach ! Keep doing what you are doing..please! And thanks for putting up cool vids like this .

[@StayBased1]

This video is such a trip, thank you for making it, I enjoyed the entire experience. "The Wall of Test Equipment' section really grabbed me... Everything about the sounds and workflow of that gear brought me back to my first days using modular synths :-)

[@ToreHansen]

Wow, what a setup and no wonder you sound as unique as you do!

[@p.6030]

Alter, das ist ein Set-Up! Don‘t you feel overwhelmend by the endless possibilities coming from your gear? You‘ve mentioned it at the end of your tour. I can‘t even imagine how to come up with ideas, stick to them with the aim to finish something without getting lost in the gear. I would love to learn about your creative process from start to finish. LG und Danke für diese Einblicke :)

[@SURCOlive]

So great! I am designing my first 'real' home studio space for our new house, and this video was very inspirational. I especially love the idea of self contained 'islands' grouping things together that play together. Thank you so much for your constant inspiration.

[@oneInStore]

You are pure inspiration , i find the way you talk , the way you express feeling towards music very charming , I'm a big fan of synth , vintage and new one , i have two synth right now , one made by myself from an old broken electronic piano and i would love to get one day some russian one , for some reason vintage russian synth are awesome , i found your channel just couple of weeks ago and i started watching all your videos and i love it , keep it going , you have really a magical "Aura" on the way you make this Art , thank you for your awesome work

[@Daphoid]

What an eclectic and somewhat foreign (to a westerner like me) collection that just screams "Hainbach, it's good to have you back" - but is also cozy and unique at the same time. Fantastic. Thanks for the tour!

[@zintzcalibration]

Such a beautiful and inspiring studio!

[@mambopinsel7406]

Vielen Dank für den Einblick in dein Studio..ich bin geflashed von der ganzen Technik...freue mich auf mehr. Gruß Eve

[@NicholasBryantBonzaiSequoias]

Archipelagos of sound! Always interesting to see how someone approaches the challenge of having a lot of inspiring, useful instruments and effects in a studio. Being able to move individuals of the 'islands' populace to another island would be on my wish list. Having to wear two hats (studio vs. band member) has given me the opportunity to explore what works best in each (and both) environment(s).

[@PocketOperatorGuy]

Your studio is very inspiring. I like the different stations. The balance between vintage, analog, digital, and retro hardware is incredible. I can tell you care for your machines. The warm sounds of the vintage hardware works well together. You have a great room with various possibilities. It's nice to have everything setup for moods and different atmospheres. My setup isn't much to look at, but it works and I have alot of options. It's nice. Keep up the inspiring work my friend. You have awesome talent.

[@photoexpert3771]

Thank you so much for the wonderful tour. You are so inspiring, and not a OP-1 in sight. Keep it up Hain. We love you;-)

[@lootwijk]

This is so lovely to see. Intensely inspiring.

[@loopinnerthe]

Thank you for showing us your space and touching on some of your toys, your sacred objects. The layout of your islands seems important and significant to you in your creative process. Thank you Mrs Hainbach for filming but also for nurturing this most precious soul. All of this kit must have instruction booklets and cases and odd extra wires and bits and bobs... I wonder where you keep all that stuff? May you always be recapped

[@pizzagogo6151]

Your enthusiasm always comes through in your videos.thanks. As an aside shouldn’t have been surprised to see such a rarity, cause if anyone on the planet could get good use out of a Fizmo😉, I should have figured it would be you! Thanks for the tour!

[@Raumfalle]

Outstanding tour ⚡️ love it

[@budgetkeyboardist]

What a cool collection! I can see why you find it inspiring. Many of those keyboards are things I've never seen before.

[@minimism]

I really need to get my studio space organised… nice to see the way you have split the room into sections!

[@elossa]

This was really interesting! Thank you both :) Such an inspiring place you have there.

[@warp2600]

Looking at and listening to all that exotic stuff was absolutely amazing! (Even thru my iPad speakers). Now I want to check out your bandcamp stuff to really appreciate the spund of that gorgeous studio.

[@DavidHilowitzMusic]

So great to see all the instruments from your other videos living in their natural habitat!

[@jeanbonnefoy1377]

Always liked this concept of islands and submixers. I have to admit that I started implementing this system out of necessity (like converting a sitting-room into a home studio) and, like many of us, having lots of gear without ever being able to afford a 48+48 Neve console with multiple subgroups!😁

[@christianlamalle8758]

Fantastic place ... crossing off so many sound landscapes ! Creativity concentrate.....

[@synthshoot1026]

Very nice!. Love the oddities and old pieces.

[@cesarvalerio4292]

What great setup! congratulations! Greetings from Brasil!

[@fedesartorio]

This might sound weird, but I watched a video on Missoni, the makers of your sweater (I assume), and there’s lots of overlaps with synth discussion! They came up with a complex and very ingenious way of producing high quality textures in fabric, very analog and quite fascinating.

[@Hainbach]

I have to check that out! Got a link?

[@fedesartorio]

@@Hainbach It might have been this one! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGPTmnR4g56Zr80m22s ! The whole video is ok but I wish I could find a more technical and historical explanation of the whole process

[@fedesartorio]

@@Hainbach Your video is great by the way! I like the idea that music and textile manufacruring are intertwined (!) somewhat, especially in Italy. Émilie Gillet of Mutable Instruments seems to be on board with the idea, judging by the name of her modules

[@nicolasmacumi5571]

Haha next instrument in the studio will be Missoni machine. Love this sound. And the form makes me think about the Hainbach's installation with tape losing information

[@SyrusRayne]

Everyone talks about what instrument they'd want on a desert island, and here's Hainbach making islands of instruments.

[@lookapi]

😀👌🏼🎯

[@pitchpatch]

What a great tour! Your comment about you still might change something reminded me of something James Blake said on the latest Mylarmelodies Podcast: When a room is done, it's dead. To me, this was a bit of an eye-opener. I was always chasing that “my studio is done” moment where everything has its place. Now I am trying to embrace the change, as nothing is permanent, and rearrange things regularly. Maybe you find this helpful too 🙂

[@lasaintebarbe]

This is actually a bit overwhelming for us too! ;) Thanks for such a complete studio tour, fascinating!

[@kvmoore1]

You have a very nice studio setup with lots of very interesting and unusual gear. It is really nice to see laboratory test equipment used for music applications, which is way beyond the scope of what it was originally designed for.

[@piercaramel3103]

This is the Wonderland!... Love the Italian corner... Greetings from Italy 🇮🇹

[@aeproductions701]

Amazing collection! Enjoyed watching

[@intergalacticproctologist]

Its beautiful! I love the layout. Insipiring to the max. Such a nice break from looking at other peoples ''studio'' where its just a laptop and a tiny one octave botique keyboard.

[@thedoc1210]

lovely room, love the strange things you have

[@nebula0697]

Geezus begeezus, that's some complexity right there. Glad to see the extensive list of sponsors including "Imbecilicus Rex".

[@Hainbach]

Support what I do on Patreon: patreon.com/hainbach Buy my music on Bandcamp: hainbach.bandcamp.com Try Noises now: www.audiothing.net/instruments/noises/ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 01:00 Waraku, Suiko - Poetry Trainer Corner 02:26 Bechstein Model 10/Extinct Audio BM9 03:08 Eurorack and Pulser-23 04:38 Islands - Meastro, Carousel, Pianostar, Fizmo 07:57 Chair and Slippers 08:13 Italian Synth Corner, Crumar DS-2 Solton Programmer 24 10:17 Work in Progress and Overhead shot 10:58 Main Tape Machine 11:08 The Wall Of Test Equipment 13:20 Clavioline and Classic Synth Setup 15:59 Main Mixer, FX and Master Buss 17:14 Moog Sonic Six 17:52 Computer and Speaker Setup 18:44 Acoustic by Kiss Your Ears 20:37 The Crappy Workstation I build 22:06 Mobenthy and D1000 Setup 23:05 Video Stuff 23:58 Syntrx, Waldorf Microwave 24:31 Summary and buy my stuff 25:38 Patron Shoutout

[@bobfrode]

Hi Hainbach, have you tried the Subharchorden? 1 of 4 synths made in old Berlin :) There is one in norway i know and there is a documentary: i cant put a link here ...it gets deleted (?) search for NRK and Subharchorden

[@cutseencinematics]

hi, what f-stop was then lens on for this video? looks like the UFC walk in camera

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Ooh I love looking round studios, I would certainly love to see studio B. Studio A is so inspiring and very vertical 😄👌 Thanks for sharing

[@reggiep75]

That Wersi Pianostar has got such a rich and haunting sound that could accompany anything needing a sombre mood. Great sound!!

[@keithburnt6073]

this is great - thank you.

[@Lantertronics]

Major shoutout to RME interfaces! I"m still using a Fireface 800 from 2005, and am running native Apple Silicon M1 drivers for it, because RME is that dedicated to supporting their old hardware.

[@turtledirt6837]

Thank you for the tour! Cool to see everything in the scope of a cohesive system of “islands”. The room treatment itself was especially fascinating. However, I confess I became fixated when I saw the Korg X911. I’ve used several guitar synthesizers but this remains my favourite for a few reasons, not the least of which is it’s beautiful, musical, very controllable , and sub-aquatic glitching. I used it extensively for a few years as a guitar synth/processor, drum machine processor and vocal processor/synth. What it can do to vocals is like nothing I’ve ever heard. I remixed a friend’s song and sent her vocals through it. One part where she crescendos and the x911 freaks out just sends me through the roof every time I hear it. Another recording features a break with a fairly static Omnichord rhythm going through the x911 while I’m playing with the filter and such. Transformed it with the most savoury and palatable crunch. Like crunch with a “ch” instead of the “c”. A chrunch. Even a shrunch. I know they’ve been reviewed a fair bit in recent years though I’ve yet to see applications similar to what I’ve pursued. Most tend to seek harsh “industrial” and aleatoric results which is fine and it certainly can excel at, but it’s also very capable of warm ocean sandbars disappearing and reappearing with the tides. I’ve just brought it out again after a decade of sleep and will be looking to trigger it with a sequencer. Not many that work with it, but I think the SQ-1 will. Are you able to verify that? It also does track a monophonic audio source perfectly as long as the sound is pure and simple without much envelope variation. Like a simple bass patch. Also, I want to thank you so much for your session regarding incorporating noise into projects and performances. It’s helped to reaffirm a love of making/incorporating field recordings of nature sounds, from hypnotic insects to birds to humans with all our clanking and roaring about. I hope to be using the gorgeous NOISES plug-in of yours too, once I start using a computer more or an IOS version is developed. Again, thank you for all the hard and relentless work of bringing your art to us. And thank you and congratulations to your co-creator on her new position as filmographer. It takes patience and dedication to have an eye for detail. The feet were a great touch haha. A line of colourful socks...hmm...well, like you said, the studio is always changing and expanding. ;)

[@jaderene]

Awesome studio tour, I felt like a kid in the candy store!!!! I would seriously love to see a silent walk-through tour of you just messing around with all of these synths in conjunction of making a song!!!!🤯🤍❤️🔥

[@peterpiper0815]

Wonderful Studio. Happy poti turning and button pressing :)

[@karlramberg]

Thanks for camera work, Hainwife :-)

[@666drummerkid]

Thank you so much for the tour! I hope you're running on solar power!!

[@astrojazzman]

Amazing studio!!! 🎛🎚🎤🎧🎹

[@astrojazzman]

#AnalogBrothers

[@toddtrillo7445]

When I die , can I have my ashes scattered around in your studio , okay maybe not but I just love your studio , it's like a mix between a music studio and a scientific laboratory, it's just so interesting and cool

[@dreamteampro]

What a superb collection of beautiful oddball gear! 😍

[@p.6030]

Alter, das ist ein Set-Up und Studio-Porn! Don‘t you feel overwhelmend by the endless possibilities coming from your gear? You mentioned it at the end of your tour. I can‘t even imagine how to come up with ideas, stick to them with the aim to finish something without getting lost in the sheer amount of gear. I would love to learn about your creative process from start to finish. LG und Danke :)

[@audiowanderer]

Alchemist lab exposed! Love it! Great camera work showing all the details.

[@MirageLinne]

A Ramsa WR-S4424! Oh man, I have that as well! I have the 4412 too, got that first. I've recorded a bunch of records on them, and recently got a studio of my own set up again. So happy to have the mixer up again.

[@michaelkoenig6317]

I always have to laugh when I watch your vids! How can that be? Wonderful, you're a great inspiration to me. I know what music I will be doing for the next months - first I will build kind of a soundboard then... lets see.

[@thehowlingterror]

Blimey! Must have had a small win since I last visited your channel.

[@Soundgas]

Late to the party on this video (but not to the Hainbach Party!) but this is just wonderful. Truly an honour to have supplied a couple of things to such an inspiring and creative person and studio.

[@adrianmccombe625]

Love your vids. Ever since I saw you do the Vestax Faderboard video I've been scouring eBay 😂 Great setup. You can see how much you love sound in general, which for me is absolute reason for making music.

[@tiadiad]

Beautiful creative space.

[@bostich1]

Amazing and inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheDinnermoney]

Love the music at the end.

[@EldarBaruch]

Please add your studio to Airbnb. I want to live in it. Forever. 🤤 Thank you Hainbach. And thanks for the inspiring tour. 🌿

[@sauce_aux]

Never underestimate the power of a pull-out surface/shelf 👍🏽😎 awesome studio, thanks for sharing!

[@LiLi-or2gm]

I think I'm ready to set up islands - I have so much stuff and have been struggling to figure out how to organize it all. Thanks Hainbach!

[@FUNKINETIK]

A great tour Hainbach, some beautiful sounding instruments . .. B U T what on earth was that noise coming from my all time favourite sounding instrument, the Fender Rhodes. I’ll forgive you because you’re such a pleasure to listen to. P E A C E : )

[@soerenraudonis]

Strange for me is that my studio environment moves more and more into your direction… after long times on the hunt for the perfect gear and setup I’m now more on gathering old tv-tubes, tapes and radios, springs and wooden boxes…

[@JobimSynthMusic]

the clavioline sounds incredible!

[@32herz]

cupholder and sliding things, this guy knows what he is talking about.