Studio

Photo: Hilko Visser

Photo: Hilko Visser

The WR World Records studio is a 40m2 (430 sq. ft.) The name is derived from my wish to make music fro the whole world, including every single being and not excluding anybody!

The Studio was designed by both Morel Music’s Jan Morel, Coon Bouw’s Marco Groot and House of Characters’ Jack Fraaij. I love the combination of high tech, retro and home atmosphere all in one room! The cherrywood finishes on the Vicoustic panels and the chandeliers give it it’s warm and pleasant vibe. I notice a lot of people that visit want to stay for a long time and I think this is at least partially caused by this atmosphere.

I try to combine best of both digital and analog worlds. In order to accomplish this, I use an SSL AWS 900+ SE, a hybrid analog console with both an analog audio layer and a digital control surface to control two DAW’s at the same time. I run 24 channels out of my Macbook through an Antelope Orion32 and monitor everything on Barefoot MM27’s. Those monitors were suggested to me by MSV’s Patrick van Dijk and I am very grateful he did as they are absolutely stunning!

I chose to use a macbook pro a few years back to get away from having to service my computer every 6 months (basically re-install everything) and having a mobile solution, so I can work anywhere I want to. Using this basic setup, I don’t have to switch my workflow, which helps staying focussed all the time.

Sound sources are both software and hardware. Being a Korg fan from the beginning I have a Kronos Workstation plus my old M1. Being lucky to have a vintage Jupiter 8, a modern Moog Subphatty as well as the latest in software such as Native Instruments Komplete Ultimate controlled by their S series keyboards (provided by Amptec's Bart Hilberink), I have a wide choice of sound sources and never out ammo. Besides these I have a very rare Hartmann Neuron, which basically gave me a whole new perspective on sound and synthesis (or should I say re-synthesis). The whole list of software and hardware instruments can be found in the link below.

photo: Hilko Visser
Photo: Hilko Visser

The last but not least musical instrument I would like to mention is one of my microphones. The XL251 by Bert Drost of Gonzo Audio is a hand built large diaphragm tube microphone. This microphone is built by the philosophy of Bert to leave out any part that doesn’t contribute to the quality and sound of the microphone which results in an amazing sounding microphone with an enormous sound pressure level! And I am proud to say Gonzo Audio is a Dutch company as well!

Processing of sound and mixing is done by using plugins mainly from Universal Audio. Universal Audio is one of the finest plugin builders around and their plugins are either modelled after famous gear or new inventions around beautiful sound sources such as the famous Ocean Way Studios. I also use iZotope software a lot. I love their workflow and control over different aspects of sound. And of course everything is mixed through the SSL console, which creates this amazing 3D sound image!

When composing I like to return to basics quite often, using a piano. I have a Yamaha NU1 which is a hybrid upright piano. This way I don’t have to worry about tuning and varying temperature in the studio, but still have that authentic feeling of playing keys with proper hammer action. And sitting behind the piano, having a small light switched on, everything else just fades away. I highly recommend having this type of setup for any producer!

Console

  • SSL AWS 900+SE V4 24 channels
  • Combination of SuperAnalogue™ console and advanced DAW controller
  • SSL SuperAnalogue™ mix bus provides pristine audio foundations
  • 24 channels SSL SuperAnalogue mic pre's provide transparent record path
  • AWSomation SSL motorised fader mix automation based on the heritage of G and K series Ultimation
  • Versatile 4 band channel EQ, assignable Dynamics and SSL Master Bus Compressor
  • 4-Band EQ design with independent E/G curve switching of HF/LF
  • 5.1 Surround monitoring and Monitor calibration including Bass management
  • MIDI over Ethernet multi layer DAW workstation control
  • Digital Scribble Strips for console and DAW data
  • SSL's unique trademarked TOTAL RECALL™ system with 'TR Autoscan' Responsible 'green' manufacturing and reduced power consumption

Monitoring

  • Barefoot MicroMain 27
  • Dynaudio AIR6 and Airbase 12 set also available

I/O

Audio

  • RME HDSPe MADIface 64 channel I/O interface
  • Antelope Orion32 32 channel AD/DA converter and masterclock
  • SSL XLogic Alphalink Madi-AX also available

MIDI

  • Motu Midiexpress XT

DAW

  • Macbook pro Quadcore i7 2.6GHz, 16 Gb RAM, 768 Gb SSD storage
  • Mac Mini Quadcore i7 2.0 GHz server edition, 4Gb RAM, 2x 500Gb Sata disk storage
  • 1TB external HDD storage
  • 5x3Tb external NAS storage (8.5Tb RAID 5)
  • 4x3Tb external NAS storage (8.5Tb RAID 5)
  • Asus PB287Q 4K monitor
  • Ableton Live 9.5
  • Logic Pro X & Logic Pro 9
  • Presonus Studio One 2.5

Instruments

  • Korg M1
  • Korg Kronos 61
  • Roland Jupiter 8 Midi retrofitted
  • Moog Sub Phatty
  • Hartmann Neuron
  • Yamaha NU1
  • OTO Machines Biscuit 2 (rare 8 bit processor and synthesizer)

Controllers

  • Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S49
  • Native Instruments Maschine MkI
  • Ableton Push
  • Softube Console 1 with SSL XL 9000 K-Series

Microphones

  • Gonzo Audio XL251 double membrane tube microphone (with two outputs on the power supply)
  • Audio Technika AT4040

Software

  • Universal Audio UAD2 satellite QUAD runnning Omni V8.4
  • Native Instruments Komplete 10 Ultimate
  • iZotope Ozone 7 Advanced, 6&5 also available
  • iZotope Alloy 2
  • iZotope Nectar 2
  • iZotope RX
  • VSL Ensemble Pro 5
  • Softube Console 1 with SSL XL 9000 K-Series
  • Softube Tube-Tech Classis Channel
  • Softube Summit Audio Grand Channel
  • Antares Autotune 7
  • Antares AVOX 4
  • 2C audio B2
  • Lexicon PCM Native reverb bundle
  • Kush Audio Clariphonic
  • Kush Audio UBK-1
  • Soundtoys Native FX V4
  • Soundtoys Microshift
  • Soundtoys little alterboy
  • Waves API Collection
  • Waves NLS
  • Waves JJP Signature Series
  • Waves L2
  • Waves Vocalrider
  • Waves Rbass
  • Waves Tony Maserati Signature Series
  • D16 Total Bundle
  • Reveal Sound Spire
  • LennarDigital Sylenth1
  • Zynaptiq Pitchmap
  • Zynaptiq Unfilter
  • Zynaptiq Unveil
  • Cableguys Volumeshaper
  • U-HE Diva
  • U-HE Zebra2
  • U-HE ZebraHZ
  • Slate Digital VBC
  • Slate Digital FG-X
  • Maag EQ4