Solid State Logic: In the Studio with Lisa Bella Donna

Welcome to "In the Studio" with Lisa Bella Donna and Solid State Logic.
Delve into the creative realm of music creation, production, and performance with the absolutely inspiring master of modular synthesizers, Lisa Bella Donna.
Discover Lisa's unique creative workflows, explore the tools she relies on in the studio, and uncover the secrets behind her signature sound, including how she uses SSL BiG SiX, FUSION, and THE BUS+ both in the studio and when on tour. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this "In the Studio" session promises to inspire. Let's dive into the magic of electronic music-making with Lisa Bella Donna.
Directed by : Chris Tran
Videography by: Chris Tran & Jeff France
Brandon Reisig: Technical assistant
All music, sound, and video:
©2024 Lisa Bella Donna Music / All Rights Reserved
solidstatelogic.com/media/in-...
Special Thanks to Moog Music, Solid State Logic, Hummingbird Media,
Earthquaker Devices, Lower West Side Studios, GRP, SDC, Focal Professional.

[@mastermachetier5594]

I don’t know if you remember . In 2020 I lost all use of the right side of my body due to developing MS at the same time I discovered you music and it helped me get through that tough time . Now my mobility is fully recovered and I’m still a huge fan!

[@marcweber4599]

I discovered you only a couple of years ago. Your music is truly wonderful. I've purchased seven of your albums on bandcamp. Eventually I will buy all of them. Thank you so much for your creative and inspiring music!!!

[@rodolfolarrea8493]

Finally i found your channel … i m the biggest fan

[@div-atl6414]

Now that was pleasing. Also, the video thumbnail is bad ass.

[@nowayoz]

Just love the way she understands these sound systems. Every time I listen to some of her creations, it's like she folds space. TY Lisa !

[@EVILJAMARR]

I absolutely love my SSL Big Six, as well. I'll never let it go.

[@mikastapes]

Listening to you talk about music is the next best thing after listening to you making music :) you are such an inspiration! Thank you 🙏

[@adwarfsittingonagiantsshoulder]

I love your music, and I what I particularly like is your artistic approach to live performance ! I sadly never got to buy a physical album, because it is very pricey to ship a vinyl from the USA to France, and from the UK shop it whould be fine, but they are alwais out of stock. I also like this kind of video, it gives us a glimpse in your ideas and workflow.

[@wicky4473]

Love your work Lisa, one day I hope to see you in concert. I’m in the U.K. but will travel! ❤

[@dwp2659]

i love listening to you talk about your process - it inspires me to push forward on my journey - thank you

[@valves100able]

Almost 7 minutes of deliverance from the world! It's like a battery recharge to me.

[@oggeeboggee]

What an inspiring personality you are. Love your music. Greetings from Sweden.❤️

[@ManCalledMif]

Fusion and bus+ are fantastic. Icing on the cake

[@mikeealy5940]

LISAAAAA!!!!! Synthesized Genius! Love Ya. Miss you in the cornfields. Keep Showing them how it's done.

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

MIKE EALY!!!! the one and only!! ♥️ Miss you so much my dear and talented friend! I still own and wear your “Coffee, Right Meow!” shirt! Always wishing you well!

[@steviezeven1067]

Love it. When I met you in person several years ago, little did I know the living legend you were becoming. Thanks for being on earth the same time as me.

[@user-jx9hc2wt3m]

I'm looking forward to it

[@patriciozamorano7034]

Beautiful. Love your music. !

[@deldridg]

For this musician, immersing myself in your music (through reference headphones of course), really does take me into a beautiful other-worldly multi-dimensional place, putting me immediately at peace, rather like walking through a forest where life's anxieties seem very far away. Thank you, all the way from Sydney - Dave

[@HexanaMusic]

Yay!!! Love your music so much

[@MOOGTRONMANIC]

just superb lisa!! a whole universe of sonic possibilities.

maybe the most amazing synth cave I've seen

[@lafemmedevastation]

I've seen you *crush* the drums, don't sell yourself short on also being an _incredible_ drummer❣

[@joshferguson9703]

I play doom metal and jazz and Lisa has been a huge influence on my writing and thought process I can’t think her enough

[@celeph]

I love this so much - it's beautiful, pure magic to me. Quite literally - even if I had the money to afford the equipment, the space and all time of the world to learn and play with it - I would never be able to create the sounds and worlds you create. If I had money and space, I'd still want it all for the lights and knobs alone lol that reminds me of idea for the vr-project I had a while ago. :) Great to see you, too!

[@DrunkenDemon]

I really enoy your storytelling/soundscapes/music ( would not know how to espress whatever that package is :) ) Thank you 😊

[@johnchiappone2163]

There have been some changes to your studio. It’s amazing.

[@LowGainElectronics]

Big Six is on my list for sure

[@beatnickaudio]

Love it!! So good :)

[@CoderCoronet]

My queen!

[@Hastenigesehn]

What happened to some older vids? They're gone... loved listening to Ascension every now and then... well... whatever the reason... LOVE your work

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

Thank you! 💜🙏🏻💜 Some are on the Moog Synthesizer channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5fLd2ikjdisgLcsi=jGT-J3qb6vOQd1iV

[@AlexBallMusic]

I'd love to see more about how you use the BigSix with modular. Selfishly of course, because I have one and would love to steal your ideas! 😜

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

Hi Alex!! 🩷☀️✨ Of course! Typically, I route main theme sequences, Oberheim DX, & bass through the super-analog channels. When setting this up, I spend time experimenting with gain staging the VCA/Mixing section of the modular with the SSL BigSix until I get the crunch or smoothness that I am after. Then I will patch the Bus+ into the inserts. From there, I will set it up to side chain the main sequence channels. Setting up an extra sequencer output to musically control the side chain of the Bus+. Look at it as a programmable attenuator for the compression. I love setting up a separate Moog960 just for this purpose so I can implement 3 rows of thematic attenuation via a sequential switch. This allows each section of a piece to have its own range of dynamics. The stereo channels I will submix a plethora of stereo groups via my Holland Synthesizer. Which is a 72 input/output mixer. This can also include stereo delays or reverbs as well as printed tape returns. Once everything is dialed in, I perform the piece while mixing live through the BigSix. That’s simultaneously routed into the computer for multitrack, or many times I will simply record direct to DSD 2-track. Of course, depending on the music… If there are drums involved, I will always multi-track. I will send time code or gate buses from the modular to the DAW so I can take drum sounds further in the final mix. My favorite way of working though is simply routing to 8-channel tape or 2-Track DSD. The less mangling that I have to do in the computer, the better. I love taking flight with a piece of music and mixing it live while I’m in the altitudes of those moments. Even some of the pieces in this video are live to 2-Track. The fun thing about the BigSix is that it’s great to have templates setup for mixing a project live, routing the G-bus out into your mastering chain and right back into the computer or DSD for extremely dynamic results. It’s such a fun, compact, and tremendous sounding studio tool. Hope this answers your question. Sure appreciate you and all the wonderful work you’ve been doing out there!! 🩷 LBD

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@LisaBellaDonnaMusic Ah thank you so much for the detailed answer! That's awesome. Really appreciate you too! Keep on rocking.

[@BunnyBunniee]

❤❤❤

[@jurryb2467]

pozdrowienia z Polski

[@temporoboto]

💙

[@jukesasaurusrex]

❤️🙌

[@davidryle]

An important endorsement. LBD's results tell the story.

[@dankeplace]

SSL is the best, in your hands it's the bestest. We need moar music, when and where??

[@geerhoar]

Can’t wait for you to demo the Moog Muse!

[@crnkmnky]

🎶❤

[@EthanRMus]

Hey Lisa! Absolutely awesome setup, I am really enjoying your sounds. Question if you get the time - I believe you control many different (12?) Mother 32s using a Polyend MIDI to CV converter. I really like this setup and am thinking about getting a second Mother 32 to start making a Poly setup. My question though is are you able to control parameters on multiple Mother 32s simultaneously as well? For example, can you control all of your Mother 32s filter cutoffs at the same time? If so, do you have any tips for how I could learn that? (I dont have a Polyend, but maybe thats just an easy thing to do using the computer interface software?)

[@donwrangler]

Shoutout to the synth cat!

[@Itaketoomanypics]

Lisa literally built a synth spaceship

[@JohnLRice]

👏💖🔥😘

[@sillyjrnvideos]

Long time no see, Lisa.

[@ziegunerweiser]

omg omg omg I love you I'll never forget when I saw that piano trio at dicks den was so good you blew me away that night, I had no idea you could play like that you know I think about you everytime I pet my cat elka who I named after yours stay cool my friend scott

[@pawnotdaw4559]

Love the new studio layout. Looks very ergonomic and not to mention, sexy.

[@chaote2069]

please teach me, Master ❤🙏🙃

[@TourquoiseNight]

I have a question. I just watched a video of yours talking about the Focal Evo 80 but comments had been turned off on that particular video. So I looked you up to ask a question. I recently purchased a Kawai MP7se, which I am using with headphones right now and they sound excellent. But I have no speakers. I was wondering if the Evo 80 is a great speaker for classical music on my particular instrument in your humble opinion.. Thanks in advance, Jenn C

[@TourquoiseNight]

Love your music as well... It's a beautiful sound.

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

Hi Jenn! Thanks so much! Yes, I feel the 80s are great for classical music. They offer a wide range while keeping the program material transparent. Absolutely worth considering! Wishing you the best with your music! ~ Lisa

[@TourquoiseNight]

@@LisaBellaDonnaMusic thank you so much!! I’m thinking I’m going to get a pair from Sweetwater now.

[@jonsolor1176]

Jesus Christ. Killer fucking setup

[@WiktorBPMusic]

help me out with earning money for my first moog synth please im in love with your work and any of synth work greetings

[@PLA.net-DANTE]

Hey Lisa, a bit off topic, but you're the only one I know to ask: can I patch the mother32 with the Subharmonicon, so that I get a 2 or even 3 oscillator synth, so that I can detune them gently, for that analog phatness? I really love the mother32 and want to expand her and I think that's the easiest way.(and cheapest, probably..) I know that's possible with the dfam, but I don't like it and I already have a nice source for drums. Anyway, really love your music and thanks. Dennis

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

Hi Dennis! You most certainly can! Use the multiple on the mother 32. Send mother 32 KB OUT into the MULTIPLE, then send both lines out to each oscillator input if the Subharmonicon. Then patch the GATE out of the Mother32 to the Trigger in. Tune all oscillators to desired intervals, play the keyboard on the Mother 32. Enjoy! 🩷