Tim Paris

Tim Paris – My Studio

I had this studio built next to my house in Paris about 2 years ago. It’s one of the best place I had the chance to work in. Through the years I realised the most important thing in a writing room is the acoustics.

It sounds pretty obvious but it takes quite a long time to feel and rate the acoustic of a studio, very often you can be misled and think it’s ok, but it’s not…

Being in a quiet environment is an absolute necessity and the acoustic work inside is key. If you ever need to build a studio in France I would really recommend Red House Factory, they are music studio builder professional, and I cannot thank them enough for the amazing room they created here!

Oberheim Matrix 1000

The Matrix 1000 is one of my favourite synths of all time and I use it nearly everywhere. It’s very simple and versatile, there’s always a sound that will fit in my music.

My unconditional love for Detroit Techno music probably explains this. This synth was used by pioneers like Juan Atkins and Underground Resistance. You may hear it everywhere on my solo album DANCERS, songs like Backseat Reflexion, Rain or Outback, Stones and Vinyl for instance.

Nagra Seven

Here’s one of my favourite piece of equipment. It’s a portable recorder from the famous Swiss brand Nagra, used mainly in cinema and radio.

I don’t really travel with it neither do I record so much outdoors. But in the studio it’s by far my favourite preamp, just record a sound through it and it becomes beautiful.

I only had it for a couple of years and used it extensively on my latest project which was a ballet.  You would need to come to the show to hear the score.

DOD 680 Analog Delay

I have been using this little delay for years and it never fails. It’s pretty difficult to find and I bought this one in the USA (when I left London a couple of years ago) as I wanted to have it in my Paris studio.

We used it a lot during our It’s a Fine Line’s album (called It’s a Fine Line with Ivan Smagghe). The best track to hear this on is probably Vaguement Froid.

Roland JX-8P

A synth I don’t use regularly but it’s really one of best when it comes to 80s soundscape, and it’s very affordable. I did a tribute to John Carpenter’s music with it, the full track (except the drums) is made with this synth

Michelsonne (Toy Piano)

A year ago I became obsessed with Toy instruments through the discovery of Pascal Comelade’s discography.

I bought a lot of these children’s instrument and this very piano is the highlight of my collection. It was pretty expensive but it looks gorgeous and sounds great. I haven’t used this one in any of my released music yet but it should be in my next album!

Panama by Jano

I don’t have much of “non­music” objects in my studio since it’s next door to my house, I only come here when I need to work or listen to music.

I like to change the drawings on the wall often though. This one is pretty recent, it’s a drawing from my favourite french comics’ artist called JANO. This picture is extracted from one of his 1997 output called PANAME, which means Paris in slang.