What’s more timeless? Jimi Hendrix or a Moog DFAM? Why choose when you can have both? Black Cadmium shows us their studio.
Joginda Macnack and Mike Jermaine Richards, aka Black Cadmium, are two Dutch DJ’s / producers / and radio hosts of Surinamese descent.
Their focus is on a wide variety of electronic music that was heavily influenced by the London – Detroit connection. From hi-tek soul to grimy UK sounds, Black Cadmium have it all.
Their latest release, Dream Computer is the first release on their own imprint. We asked them to show us where and with what it was made with.
Dream Computer is the first release on our own imprint, GLXY Recs.
Find Black Cadmium on Instagram.
Black Cadmium
Welcome to our cosy little studio. Joe had some errands to run so I’ll be your host for today!
Every EP up until our most recent one was produced in a proper studio. I recently moved into this apartment and we were like…
“Bruh less is more, what do we actually need to make music?”
And the answer is, not a whole lot. Most importantly…your creative mind.
So we sold a couple of hardware synths and went for a more inside the box approach.
Even arranging and mixing at low volumes isn’t a problem.
So how do we bounce around ideas? Joe lives little over an hour away, so he’s not gonna jump into his car everyday. I send him a work in progress and he just gives his feedback and direction.
After a lifetime friendship you don’t need many words to get your message across.
We run a business together which means we complement each other. Next to DJ’ing, producing and GLXY Recs.
We also do events. And when it comes to planning events, he’s your guy haha…
Technics SL 1200’s & Pioneer DJM 250
These kickstarted the whole journey.
They keep your mind sharp and your fingers quick. No tempo synching and looking at BPM’s her.
Call us hopeless romantics but the feel of playing some new (and old) cuts simply never gets old.
Roland Cloud TB-03
Selling some hardware doesn’t mean that we are stepping away from acid.
Our latest banger forthcoming on ‘Dream Computer’ named ‘6th Gear’ is a perfect example of a wild squelcher.
But we used the hardware version on so many tracks, Sexy Acid, Get That Booty, Joblot, I Told Ya…etc.
Roland Cloud does a great job if you wanna keep stuff inside of the box.
PreSonus Faderport 16
Another trusted companion. It just makes more sense to close your eyes and use your fingers and ears.
Solid build, nice smooth automated faders. Can’t go wrong with this one. We love the hands on approach.
Moog DFAM
‘Oomph’ is the perfect word to describe this badboy!
We recently sold some pieces of hardware. The TB-03, TR-09 and the TR-08. We basically want to present the musical evolution and it is our humble opinion, that you do this by learning about new gear and sounds.
The Moog DFAM has such a wide variety of sounds, from beats to hi hats, melodies and just alien stuff.
Maschine MK2
Maschine MK2 was one of the first pieces of kit we used when we kicked producing up a notch. Still sounds very good though!
Behringer Deepmind 6
The Deepmind 6, our trusted old friend. Somewhat overwhelming with all of its presets cause it’s very versatile.
It’s also dope for background sounds. A proper MIDI keyboard, which is a must.
Ableton Push 2
If you’re an Ableton user and you don’t own one, I strongly suggest reconsideration.
It will definitely help your workflow. At first, I thought using Maschine as a plugin in Ableton would be the way to go but after a while, we just gravitated towards the Push 2.
2 Screens!
Multiple screens is not a necessity but they will make things a lot easier. Especially when you’re sitting next to each other!
Jimi Hendrix by Momentulist
A fantastic piece of art by my friend and colleague Momentulist.
Jimi has been such a big musical inspiration.
Performing is about bearing your soul and feeling naked on stage. A lesson taught by a legendary teacher!
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