Studio Tour 2022 | 80s Vintage Synthesizers and Gear

[@EspenKraft]

My 2022 studio tour where I go through what I have in the studio. As I often have change things out and/or get stuff coming and going, not all things are set up in a permanent order. Some are not even hooked up unless I need it for a particular job. At the time of shooting I was unaware that I could only use 5 cards in a video so I couldn't link to as many videos as I had hoped. Support this channel on Patreon: www.patreon.com/espenkraft Find my music here: iTunes Apple music: apple.co/35ZTdfR Spotify: spoti.fi/38aoWMB Bandcamp: espenkraft.bandcamp.com/ Google Play: bit.ly/2NrgXD9 Find my patches and sample packs through these links: thepatchbay.co.uk/product/tal-sampler-the-digital-collection-vol-1-by-espen-kraft/ sound7.co.uk/products/italo-disco-synth-pop 00:00 Intro 00:23 Juno-106 01:31 JX-8P 02:45 Prophet VS 03:11 Poly-61 04:12 JX-3P 04:58 Misc#1 06:22 TR-808 06:38 Misc#2 06:53 Wall of samplers 12:22 MidiVerb2 12:43 DP88 preamp 13:30 Patchbay 15:01 Misc#3 16:00 Audient ID22 16:15 SSL Six & Series 500 19:42 M-Audio BX5 20:54 Misc#4 & S2400 24:22 Misc#5 & Töörö 25:47 Fostex MD80 Tape 26:12 Misc#6 & MSQ-700 26:45 Wall of synths 29:31 Yamaha TX816 29:54 Yamaha Rev7 30:09 Korg SDD-2000 30:49 More samplers 32:03 Yamaha DMP7 32:45 Korg EX-800 34:14 Jupiter-8 35:06 Analog corner 36:42 Wall of stacked synths

[@6195ryan]

Thanks for the videos! It seems you have used and know a lot about vintage samplers. Have you tried a prophet x? Would love to know what you think of it. Cheers.

[@McTroyd]

It wasn't until I stumbled on your channel that I had any appreciation for the synth modules. Every synth artist I've ever seen or met always shows off their collection of keyboards, but virtually nobody showcases the modules (basically you, and maybe Anders Jensen occasionally). For a tinkerer like me, on both limited space and budget, these modules seem like a winning combination. Thank you! 👍️

[@EspenKraft]

My heart always started pumping when I saw a new module back in the day, it still does. I find the 80s modules magical, much more so than the keyboard versions. Not all synths came as modules so I have to have some of them. ;-) Cheers

[@JayKaufman]

I honestly don't know what I'd do without my 6-tier Jasper stand. They cost a small fortune here in Canada because they don't have a North American distributor. I honestly don't know why another manufacturer haven't made something different. As for the JX-8P, I can honestly say that I could easily get rid of about ten of the synths in that room of yours and be happy with the JX-8P for all around sounds. Yes, the envelopes aren't super snappy and fast (but they're fast enough), but you can get great basses, leads, FX and the aforementioned pads out of it. It's truly underrated. Lastly, the Kawai K1M is garbage in my opinion. I absolutely hated it. I got mine for free and traded it for a 32 channel Spirit LX7 desk need in a bit of repair that I now use as a summing mixer.

[@audioel]

Cool to see the Opcode Studio 128x still being used. I worked on the design of it when I was at Opcode.

[@EspenKraft]

It's rock solid. Used it for years.

[@RonnieAugeri]

Very cool, did you do the hardware or software side? I have one as well thanks to Espen that I love, just wish I could get the drivers to work on modern OS. I saw years ago some guy reversed engineered the drivers and used python, but he never released the source code.

[@audioel]

@@RonnieAugeri worked on the hardware, although just on the front panel layout and labeling, as well as the design of the packaging, manual, and marketing around it. I was technically hired as QA, but ended up working in design and marketing on several projects around that time. I designed the drum editor in SVP4.0 as well.

[@AndersEngerJensen]

It's impressive how you have grown your studio in that tiny attic! Cozy and functional. ^_^

[@EspenKraft]

Just like me, cozy and functional. :P

[@6581punk]

Just stand in the space and you can rotate yourself and touch everything you need to push without moving :)

[@bozjonez6092]

I love that you’re just like a big kid in a candy store. Best to you. You truly are the 80’s

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@lindsaywebb1904]

“You can get by just fine with simple things” … I giggled.

[@gordon2402]

Poly 61 !! Agree with you Love it Pure 80s Design Pure 80s Sound And you are a Pure 80s sampler Nerd 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@rayluko2824]

@Espen Kraft…my very first keyboard was a Korg Poly61, at 15 years old I’d saved up for a year to buy it, and a year later my second ever synth purchase was a Juno106, around 1985. My biggest regrets now were letting them go in the early 90’s. Sir Winston Churchill said it best…”Youth is wasted on the young”!

[@EspenKraft]

I have some regrets myself. ;-)

[@marcom.]

The Soundtrack patch from the JX-8P indeed is such a wonderful warm pad and gives me instant Alphaville mood. 🙂

[@onecubicmetreofsound8949]

Nice creative space. Also, I was surprised by your remarks about how you mix stuff. Made me even more aware of how experience is way more important than having an expensive monitor system. Thank you for the tour!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@lennartholmberg7845]

This has to be the coolest attic ever!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@cortical1]

Thanks, Espen. It's always nice to see your collection. Being basically exactly my age, we share much in taste, but your vintage collection is far superior! Really nice to see. Are you not a Moog fan, or is that just happenstance for your current collection? Another source of inspiration you provide is proving so convincingly that great production can come from simple rooms and setups. So many young guns spend lots of time, energy, and money on large monitors and room treatments and still end up with subpar mixes. Yours are punchy, crisp, clear, full, and pleasant to the ear. The results speak(er) for themselves! Sending 80s SoCal sunshine your way. 🌞

[@EspenKraft]

Would like some 80s sun right now! ;-) No Moogs, but maybe more coincidence than anything. Mostly because I've never taken to mono synths. If I can't do a 6-finger chord on a synth I lose interest. I've sampled the Moogs mostly, throughout the years.

[@g-muni5855]

Same here, love and have a tiny bit of similar gears. Born in 1969 too👍

[@cosmicaddress7851]

@@EspenKraft One of the (many) reasons I admire JMJ, when he multitracked (to tape) multiple mono synth lines to create chords.

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Espen - Blimey! You got some gear! 😁 I love studio tours and this is great - lots of interesting gear and much inspiration 👍

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@DaveDaves]

Yea JX-8P is my favorite pads synth for sure too. Adding the TC-Electronic "June 106" stereo analog chorus to the JD-XA is mostly getting me there, but Soundtrack, Soft Brass, Choir -- what incredible Eric Persing presets so lucky to have on the 8P. Hope to own one again soon - maybe the Super JX rack is the way to go (except what bullshit they killed the midi implementation from the JX-8P, best midi implementation ever). I didn't have the PG-800, even better I had the iPG-800 running on iPad which meant as soon as u load a new sound on the 8P, the controls spring to updated position.

[@donnied8127]

Excellent, every time my other half complains that my office looks like a music store, I'll tell her to watch your "Studio Tour" :D

[@JobimSynthMusic]

Firestarter and Sorcerer at the background. Very very nice! Some of my favourites too!

[@EspenKraft]

Recently did a video about those albums so haven't had the time to take them down. ;-)

[@samalcis]

Love to see the Commodore 64G as part of this synth collection. Long live Commodore and Ensoniq!

[@mateodeo9161]

He needs a MIDI-device (MIDI input/output) to the cartridge port of the C64 ;)

[@giuseppeorlandi3791]

Found the tour really interesting… thought I was the only one who kept old keyboard magazines around glad I’m not alone!

[@stonycreekproductions4789]

Hey Espen, great video? I’ve finally set up all of my synths (not nearly as many as you have) in my studio and can play them from my master midi controller. I was born in the 80’s but didn’t get to grow up using this type of gear. I’d love to learn how to change parameters and other more advanced techniques that you use in your studio. If you could put out some videos on or point me to some info on setting up and using a “vintage” type studio, I would be forever grateful. Anyway, thank you so much for what you do and I will continue to watch you!

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! I have over 300 videos on my channel showing exactly what you want to learn. ;-)

[@sosnin1]

Excellent equipment ! Italo Disco will live forever !

[@PrinceOfBodom]

I love the Panscan. The light looks like KITT from the Knight Rider series.

[@Substance242]

I love that Technics design, especially cassette decks, and this one even has HX-Pro! Beautiful.

[@markhadley]

Amazing studio. Im still using old hardware sequencers. I like keeping it old school. Great content.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@futureworldmachines4407]

You have a really wonderful studio, many thanks for sharing it with us.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@желибаславик]

Italo disco is my life. I write my own songs in this style. And it doesn't matter what my peers say,

[@deanmorgan9034]

My favorite synth channel!!!!! You're practical and thoughtful. Keep up the great content, my friend.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@xsm5525]

you have like the perfect studio for house, techno, acid, rave etc.. too!

[@EspenKraft]

Never going back there. Never.

[@J._Campbell]

Great studio! At 33:43 is awesome sound and music!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@iblamesummers]

thank you Espen for the studio tour. 🙏

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@trashkassett]

Herlig å se så mye fint utstyr du har. Ble inspirert av deg til å hente tilbake gamle fine synther fra 80s. Blir biltur i morgen for å hente D-50 og DX7-II FD utenfor Oslo

[@trashkassett]

Ser du har 2 lekre støvsugere; "Hoover". Leiter også etter en Alpha Juno 2 for øyeblikket. Adopterer gjerne den ene hvis du ønsker å beholde bare én.

[@EspenKraft]

Gammel video dette. Solgte den ene for lenge siden. Den beste beholdt jeg. ;-)

[@SpikesStudio3]

Ok... you hate headphones. . .. ... .... thanks for the tour bro. Loved it. Ther are more than a few items you posess, that i have owned in the past. That makes me proud. Never sold 16+ w/ scsi or midiverb III. Remnants of a beautiful but bygone age. Cheers espen for being you. Im not.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@mc12358]

Backwards PC to allow easy access to ports is a simple, yet incredibly sophisticated hack. Thanks for giving us the tour Espen! 🇳🇴 🇺🇸 Edit: I have the DT 990 open back headphones and they are audio gold! And comfortable for long sessions. I probably use headphones more than you, but it's a wise decision to protect your ears.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@ToreHansen]

Very cool video, and PC the "wrong" way does make sense, same on the floor here.

[@nolake]

Very impressive, fascinating and inspiring set up. Thanks for sharing !!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@willthornwillthorn85]

I only have a D-50 and JX8P and Dx7S , in my 80 section, but your videos makes me want more old stuff!!

[@cortical1]

Those are a great foundation!

[@donkeyadaml.]

Great performance 👍👍👍 Have a wonderful day and new week 😉 Greetings Adam 😎

[@g-muni5855]

Excellent video Espen. Love everything you got going on there. I got that same Commodore rgb monitor except I used for Atari 1200XL since 1983 and it still works.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@silviulazarescu4109]

Thank you for this startling tour sir ! Now I know what an 80s studio should mostly encompass. :)

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@mimoochodom2684]

Wow! I'm gobsmacked. And you know how to use all this stuff as well.

[@eaglechildkeys]

Snickers & Coffee! You know what is good Espen!

[@EspenKraft]

Don't drink coffee, but Snickers are alright. ;-)

[@MusicandMonsters]

Great setup! I own the Kawai Q-80 sequencer as it was my original sequencer from the 80s. I’ve never heard of the EX version of it so I will investigate the differences.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@relic985]

For patching my effects units, I use the "Thru" setting on my behringer patchbay with the "waterfall" technique so that they only use 2 slots in stereo: output on top, input on bottom. Unless you've got a different use-case, I'd recommend it to save a bit of space on your patchbay.

[@Jacob-ur3lh]

Roland Alpha Juno is such an underrated synth.

[@ponkor]

It's a sleeper hit. I've got one. Pure juno.

[@rebours]

No it isn't, even though it can make a handful of ok sounds, the ui, the eg and the filter's resonance are a big let down...only its lightness and form factor are special, but if think I'd take a korg poly-800 over it...the only true sleepers that are still left are scarce sadly (and no I won't say their names).

[@Jacob-ur3lh]

@@rebours Korg poly 800 isn't polyphonic it's paraphonic. No comparison IMO. As far as the self resonating filter, that isn't a deal breaker for me. The Yamaha CS80 doesn't even have a self resonating filter.

[@rebours]

@@Jacob-ur3lh the alpha's resonance is very peaky and barely usable for anything but spooky/moody stuff, in my experience the synth makes some of its nicest sounds when the filter's resonance is at its lowest setting...Having a single vcf for all voices makes the poly-800 paraphonic but the amplitude of each voice is independently controlled/articulated, its filter actually sounds nice and generous.

[@bcm70]

Great video Espen. The discussion you start around 23:30 around mixing is really interesting. I always struggle trying to get my bass present enough for mono playback. A video on your techniques for that would be fantastic. Edit: Stick it up on your Patreon. I'd happily pay for that sort of info.

[@EspenKraft]

I have something like that coming in the hopefully not so long future. Cheers

[@SteveEboy71]

Sending love my friend from the uk i love the 80s and you are the 80s :)

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@Riktenstein]

The art of cramming a lot of gear into a realistic space.

[@Zesserie]

Very cool to see all the synths and the racks! Alot of vintage stuff to campture that 80's feel :D My setup is far more spartan, But I make 90's futurepop, and for that you need a couple of things: A Roland JP 8000, A Yamaha CS1X(drums and misc), a mixer and a windows XP DAW machine with decent soundcard and a midi interface :D

[@jackmoik4894]

Most impressive Espen. I knew you have a lot of gear but didn't know it is that large, wow! Lot's of stuff that I had over the years, but unfortuanetely sold. Your tour brings back good memories, well the JX-8P, first synth I ever had (bought in 1985) is still in my collection. I also had the DX7II which was together with the JX-8P my dream team on stage. Then the DX-7 died and I switchd to the SY-99 which is a monster, not only in weight but also one of the most versatile, good looking and great sounding digital synths I know. Keep up the great work mate, It's such a fun to watch your videos.

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks man!

[@Rainier_]

Always nice to see your studio tour. Very interesting. Thanks!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@Guitarisalways]

Interesting work flow with mic pres and SSL and mixing on small monitors... ...🤔 Great stuff Espen.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@StargateMax]

33:50 WONDERFUL!!!

[@kornholioefx]

Yeah... I saw that attack of the petscii robots standing proud on your shelf.

[@clazza65]

A very envious Australian here Espen. I have a whole 3 old synths, my first bought in '83. I can dream my friend. Well done as always.

[@EspenKraft]

It's not the amount that matters. You can make beautiful music with just a piano. Use your synths wisely. ;-)

[@clazza65]

So true. Headphones and my synths are the best medicine after an "interesting" shift at work. I work internal security at the busiest major hospitals here. Just "doodling" around with my gear is my way of de-stressing.

[@braincoral9866]

lovely studio and gear man. i love my patchbay, too. but inputs and outputs on the same row 😱😄

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@NicolasMelis]

Great studio!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@alessandromassari6951]

Pure 80s love. Love your music, love your dream-studio. Cheers from Italy !

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@davidhayes8883]

If it sounds good on my NS-10s without hurting my ears then I have an authentic 80s mix.

[@Johnsormani]

Espen, thanks for the update. I started to store the synths in my warehouse now, I could not get them in the main room anymore 😂

[@EspenKraft]

I'm sorry to hear it. Synths are supposed to be played and used. Often.

[@Johnsormani]

@@EspenKraft oh but they are rotating in and out of storage so they are getting played, there are also quite a few that need some work, like battery replacements and ( weighted) keyboard refurbs , but that’s fun too

[@EspenKraft]

Good to hear!

[@Jackcapaudio]

Great tour Espen and lovely to see all the JC Jackcap dust plugs in the instruments, you’ve got the colours arranged very neatly. 👍

[@EspenKraft]

I have a bit of OCD about these things and symmetry is necessary. ;-)

[@davidbanner9001]

I had both the Yamaha TX16W, with the Typhoon OS and an a Akai S612 sampler with the disk module. Sadly, I don't even remember what happen to them. I think I might have even given them away?

[@BlueJavaTN]

The Kraft Museum! Awesome collection, very envious : )

[@dussie920]

No, it´s not a museum! He uses the stuff for his work. So it´s more like a factory. In German it is called a KraftWerk! :-)

[@EspenKraft]

These are tools. This is not a museum. ;-)

[@StargateMax]

20:30 yeah you don't even need acoustic treatment for that room, because it's so full of stuff and it has an irregular shape (the ceiling) so it all together should nicely prevent any possible echo. :) I experienced something like that in my studio, although my room is a rectangular box. The more stuff I have in there the better the sound. I didn't invest much in acoustic treatment, just some foam on 2 walls. Anyway, your gear makes me drool... 🤪

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@PhilBennett3D]

Nice walkthrough. It's given me a few ideas on how to set up my studio.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@vryuki7601]

such a rare collection

[@mc12358]

13:34 my entire life, summarized by Espen Kraft 😄

[@alanmonaghan2706]

Thank you Espen for sharing your studio. My one is under siege just now. Family (my wife) pressure to reduce keyboard numbers. Guitars too!

[@EspenKraft]

Be a man about it. Never compromise.

[@kennitrochrome6093]

Great tour. 👏👏👏

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@bandungbusdriver5256]

thanks Espen for a little bit David Foster... what do you put after the Jupiter8 is gone... of course DX7 belong to the Yamaha corner

[@bobbymobetta]

Ps. That Yamaha KX88 really is a time machine...for me, all the sudden I was in the Goonies 🤣🤣

[@normalizedaudio2481]

It would be interesting to see your house from the outside. Space looks so tight. I am in a small place too. I don't know how you do it in that small space.

[@EspenKraft]

It's a big house.

[@klinkske]

Totally makes sense now why everyone with a eq had a happy face on the bands boosting the lows and highs (and loudness on) in the cars. Because that 80hz roll off 😅

[@sylvainfortin841]

Haha ! It's a lot of stuff. Incredible.

[@gydur]

I had a Roland Juno 106, but replaced it with a Technics SX-WSA 1 ...most amazong synth!

[@gydur]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHSzloh-dreIf6s !!!!

[@craigie13]

I used to have an old Alesis Midiverb 1, just something about the crunchy reverbs. Wish I could find one at a good price.

[@whaleguy]

It's fun seeing this, especially after Anders released his studio tour. For two people creating relatively similar music, it's fascinating how wildly different your studio setups are. Just goes to show it's not the gear that matters but the person running it 🙂

[@EspenKraft]

Compared to modern chart music I guess many people would describe our music as similar, but our approach to composition, arrangement, production and mix are diametrically different, in every way. ;-)

[@whaleguy]

@@EspenKraft I enjoy both. I have a friend who produces music somewhat similar to me and he and I also have very different approaches.

[@cosmicaddress7851]

Wow! What a great tour Espen! Looking forward to hearing about your view on the Kiwi mod to the 3P. The developer has a Kiwi 8P mod out too which is of interest to me. I never heard about the C64G! Gonna have to research that one!

[@EspenKraft]

I use the C64G in my Commodore 64 "let's make some music" video. You'll get all the info you need there. The Kiwi mod is more annoying than anything.

[@Lets-Drone-With-Bone]

Excellent video really enjoyed watching this took me right back some of those synths and samplers. Looking forward to your new tracks on cassette, cassettes are making a comeback, one of the reasons why I'd never get rid of my Tascam 424 mk3 :-)

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks!

[@dudfaz]

Can't wait to hear the album! Tape deck ready :)

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@EgoShredder]

I was talking with the Pet Shop Boys earlier and I asked them if they had anything for me to pass on to Espen, they only said "Cheers!".

[@EspenKraft]

Haha!

[@amonster8mymother]

Beautiful tour thanks.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@amonster8mymother]

@@EspenKraft I want to donate where is the link?

[@amonster8mymother]

@@EspenKraft also can I ask you the roland line mixer? What EQ do you use with that and how OS it connected? That if you use the monitor outs for monitoring. I too have this line mixer but the 1U version and I send the monitor outs to tape I have an old rtr connected. So how do you EQ?

[@EspenKraft]

@@amonster8mymother I don't EQ anything here. It's only used when I want to hear some of the synths connected to it as I'm working on programming sequencers etc. All the synths are half-normalled to it through the patchbay so when I want to record any of the synths it goes to the "proper" preamps and recorded. If they need any EQ going in it will be done within the recording chain.

[@EspenKraft]

@@amonster8mymother There 's always my Patreon. ;-)

[@6581punk]

You seem to fit more in to what looks like a smaller space than I'm using, although I went for a huge desk with two racks either side. I also don't find anything more than three keyboards on a stand to be very good ergonomically. The biggest problem though is how to mix and record when you have about 16 sound sources plugged in, plus I want them in stereo. So I got an X32 rack, fitted the Dante card in the back and use a S16 snake to expand the X32 to 32 inputs. Then on my PC I run Dante virtual soundcard and map the 32 outs from the Dante card in the X32 to 32 inputs on the virtual soundcard. Pretty solid, probably not the most amazing quality but maybe I should actually use it more often, it's very easy to overcomplicate your setup, just wiring it up is 16 x 5 cables, 2 stereo, midi in and out, power so that's 80 cables to connect. I also have probably another 16 or more keyboards, modules sitting about :/

[@EspenKraft]

That's a nice setup I'm sure, not the setup I want to run, but we're all different.

[@dflat13]

An epic studio indeed! I'm curious why you have no Moog synths. Do you not consider it an 80s sound or perhaps it does not suit the kind of music you make? Also, if you had the opportunity and funds, would you add the following synths to your collection? Kurzweil K250, PPG Wave 2.x, Emulator II/II, Fairlight CMI, Synclavier. I realize some of them are ultra-rare but still consider them a part of the 80s sound. I'm also surprised not to see a Linn drum machine or other drum machines, for that matter. Again, perhaps they are really hard to come by where you are. None the less, your current studio is amazing... I would be happy just with the TX816, DMP7, QX1, and KX88 - LOL!

[@EspenKraft]

I've sold most of my old drum machines. I have some in another room, the room I go though in the bonus video. I use the ISLA S2400 for all drum machine duties today. I have the Emulator II in the other room as well. If I had the funds I would have everything. ;-)

[@Garflips]

As the original owner of a mint condition DSS-1 and DSM, I'll be interested in your upcoming review. I'm considering updating both with USB floppy emulation. Cheers #75,687.

[@Mute67]

Always nice to watch your studio tour. You should really be sponsored by all vintage gear sellers because you increase the GAS!😅

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@Maudio303]

Epic setup!

[@andreassandberg9336]

Thanks for the amazing and inspiring tour, Espen! :)

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@norjia]

this makes me feel jealous when looking at all those synths and then back at my Roland Gaia SH-01 XD

[@EspenKraft]

It's not the amount that matters, it's the music you make with what you have. I have made complete releases with only one piece of gear.

[@norjia]

@@EspenKraft I'm not as great at music but i do my best with what i can do ^^" i have made one song using the Arturia Microbrute and multiple using the gaia and while my focus seems to be in ambient synthwave type of stuff i did recently discover how i could just get kind of a mick gordon sound out of the gaia if i run it through a few effects I have yet to release anything really. Most of what i did is on soundcloud and some of it is on youtube. For the longest time i did not even know what the heck sidechaining was Tbh i do sometimes wonder how long it'll be till i eventually hear your music in some video games (indie, probably)

[@turquoisecapricorn]

Your best synth stands away in a corner. You know that the Korg DSS-1 has the best filter Korg ever made? I used the Korg DSS-1 now for my new track "Mystery". greetz

[@EspenKraft]

Man, I have many videos featuring the DSS-1, including one that is 1 hour long. ;-)

[@johnb2044]

Espens had a big influence on my never ending classic 90's synth collection....

[@EspenKraft]

90s? :P

[@johnb2044]

@@EspenKraft 15 keyboards and 20+ rack units

[@midimoog]

Nice cozy studio you've got there. Which reminds me of ... eh, actually, my own small studio. The choice of synths are surprisingly similar; Which indicates you have nice taste ;-P The difference is that it must be very warm in your room judging from your exposed arms and knees. Cheers!

[@EspenKraft]

It's actually quite cool. I never turn on more than 5-6 pieces of gear at the same time.

[@Windowserrorsong]

I agree. Headphones are not fun. Also, what a SOLID studio setup 👍

[@davidm1205]

Awesome tour, thanks for taking the time to share your latest setup! Also curious to hear your view on Juno-6/60. Ever plan on adding one?

[@EspenKraft]

Why do you ask that when I start the tour explaining just that? ;-)

[@davidm1205]

Ah sorry, must have missed that part, will go back and check it again, thanks.

[@rockmanrock3984]

Hey Espen, great tour, I watched all of it. I've got a lot of the same stuff. Do you have any complaints with those sloping racks? They look pretty good to me but I noticed yours was wobbling slightly, maybe you have it resting on something?

[@EspenKraft]

They are cheap stands and not perfect in any ways. With heavy load they sort of bend. Not so that they break or anything, but more so they go slightly out of alignment. That's the wobble you see. I don't mind that. Used them for years and have no interest in paying 4 times that.

[@rockmanrock3984]

@@EspenKraft Maybe okay with some modern lighter gear then! Or some bracing perhaps. 28U is a lot of storage for the money and ergonomically they look good. They could solve a space issue I have. Thanks for your insight.

[@DaleOffret]

I love the studio tours! I get excited about what I might make this year. Also, I love to hear the little nuggets of advice as if you are sharing with a friend. You spoke about dropping the bass off at 80Hz to make the sound more 80's authentic. I didn't know that. It also explained why you didn't have a sub-woofer. Also, you said you had an 80 ohm DT 770 Pro headphones. My brother-in-law saw I was interested in making must and he bought me the 250 ohm DT 770 Pro. So I'm using that now. I still don't know all the differences between 80 ohm and 250 ohm. But we work with what we have. I love that you a complete hardware audio path and use little to no DAW effects processing. You know your equipment, how it works and how it sounds. I remember another KZbin content creator say "[He] I would rather have something old that I know everything about than have a newer item that can do more but I know little about." I think you are like that. You know all the 80's and 90's equipment very well. You know how all of it works together too. Great inspiration. My take away is that every person and every "studio" is at a different stage. Some studios are more flexible in what they can produce. Others, like mine, are very small and get part-time use. Cheers!!

[@EspenKraft]

The reason for the low freq dip is of course because all music was mixed to be printed onto vinyl and you can't have too much low end on there as the stylus will skip and skid and ruin your vinyl record. ;-)

[@mc12358]

@@EspenKraft Such a tiny, yet intriguing detail, and now in the 2000s-era, a lot of pop and especially rap is nothing but speaker-rattling bass, no drop off that I can hear. Some FM radio stations even boost their bass so much that I can't listen at a normal volume. I suppose some people are fans, but I can't take it very seriously. I want my (80s) MTV 🙂

[@justinrice8352]

Great video. Would love more detail on those 500 series units and how you use them in your tracks.

[@EspenKraft]

Done that in several videos already.

[@discodivo9045]

loved the oled display on the D-550, could you share a link of where to get it?

[@EspenKraft]

Check out my latest W-30 video, the same place.

[@bobbymobetta]

Espen, your approach to your craft, your respective for your gear and your pursuit of what you believe matters is honestly inspiring. I've been introduced to a lot equipment on your channel but I think more importantly, a lot of ideas. But...wait, you don't use headphones??? : ) (Great! Now I gotta learn how to do that..!) Serious inquiry though: you mention you have very little tinnitus, my understanding is you were a touring musician as well right? My recording 'career' is much more of a hobby, but I'm coming to terms with the fact that I did some damage on tour in the 2000s... not terrible, but i definitely notice a difference. I don't think people talk about this enough, I think you might help some people from hurting their ears if you made a video about that...[headphones +/- and ear protection] Keep Rocking

[@EspenKraft]

Sure, I was on stage a lot during the 90s and 2000s too. Before the in-ear period. I was always very serious about the wedges being at a moderate level, monitoring on stage should not be loud and I always positioned myself as far away from the drummers as possible. I never went to concerts myself and I still don't attend live gigs as a listener, I never mix loud and I never listen to music loud. And I don't fire guns.

[@Venatt1]

Espen, do you know where I can get a four, or five or six "swing" type keyboard stand ? All I found is maximum three stories.

[@jefft4303]

I finally understand why in the world anyone wooud want 8 DX-7's in one box. Thanks for letting us hear that. (Off to seecwhat I can accomplpsh wuth one DX, a VZ10m, anna whooole buncha Dexeds. ;-))

[@EspenKraft]

I have a much longer video with that setup. Lots of more sound examples.