Athlete Whippet – “How Could You Not Like This Frog?”

My Studio – Athlete Whippet

Attak! Welcome to our studio on the riverside in Deptford.

We share the space with a few like-minded friends and artists from the area. It’s become our paradise over the years. We’ve managed to get some of our favourite instruments in there, and we’re surrounded by a few best friends, so it’s the perfect space for us to switch off the outside world and fully focus on the music.

Since we’re both from a live performance background; playing in bands since our early teenage years, we put a lot of ‘playing’ into our productions. Of course, that includes synthesizers, drum machines, loops, and samples, but it also includes “traditional” instruments like bass, piano, guitar.

DJing wasn’t the avenue that brought us to electronic music. We reached there from the other end of the spectrum by exploring that meeting point between instrumental performance, composition, repetitive dance rhythms, loops and production. That’s where the magic happens for us.

Korg MS-20

Prominent basslines almost always play a key role in our tracks. Often they are the main hook.

An example can be heard in  I Think I See from the new EP Nogueira or Yesterday and Can’t Make My Mind Up, from our last record.

The Korg MS-20 or the Moog Sub 37 is what we use for synth bass sounds.

Roland Juno-60

This is a classic and to this day it’s still the most instant and intuitive synth we’ve ever touched.

It’s always our go-to choice for getting an idea down immediately. Plus it sounds amazing too.

Almost all the pads you hear on our records are coming from this.

Upright Piano

This is a nice old beat-up piano which we often use when tracks start feeling a little sterile, cold or “in the box”.

‘Slow Down’ on our new record is a good example where this plays the main role. Super nice, slightly out of tune – does the trick ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Fender Jazzmaster Bass Guitar

A great classic bass this!

We use this a lot when we want to keep the groove organic or bring in some funk.

It’s on “I Think I See” from our new EP, Fanfa on our previous one and lots of others of our songs.

Rhodes Keyboard

The Rhodes is everybody’s darling. It’s best known for making things sound smooth, organic, warm.

We’ve used it in Mesmerise for example.

Fender Jaguar Guitar

Guitar is Robin’s first instrument and it still finds its way into our tracks sometimes. Although usually, it’s in a subtle way.

It’s a great option to introduce some light groove for us.

 

Roland RE-150 Space Echo

The Roland RE-150 Space Echo works really nicely on vocals. We’ve used it many many times in the past.

It gives a lot of personality and makes things nice and trippy. (~˘▾˘)~

Mr Frog

How could you not like this guy?

He has been temporarily adopted from our studio neighbour Nick Powell.

Obviously, he holds the mood up at all times and keeps the bangers coming.