Electronic dance music producer Shook has just released his second album, “Spectrum,” recorded with the help of his Audient iD22 USB interface and ASP880 8-channel mic preamp & ADC.
“It was the most pristine sound quality that I have heard in a long time,” says the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist also known as Jasper Wijnands. “I was used to recording with other, older gear, and they did the job at the time. It opened my ears to a new world, and when I heard the difference I was blown away.”
Shook’s favorite feature of the iD22 is that ability to quickly toggle between different monitor loudspeaker set-ups.“I wasn’t used to being able to do that,” he notes. “I love that you can adjust the remote settings to your liking. Checking a mix in mono is so easy, and setting up different commands to buttons is a breeze. It allows you to focus better on what you are working on right now other than going into endless menus. You just set up, and you are ready to go. Also, the feel of the main volume knob is great!”
He definitely enjoys gear; his studio is packed with synths. “It’s a bit of an obsession,” he laughs. “I really love old synthesizers—and new ones. For my album, I used a lot of Prophet 08, Juno 60, DX7, Arturia Minibrute and some old string synthesizers like the Korg PE-1000.”
“Milestones” is the latest track to be released from the new album, a track which was borne of a jam session with his brother on guitar. “I’d just got the iD22 interface, and pressed record,” he says. “The guitar was plugged into the DI and all the synths went into the preamp. When I first heard it back, I thought: ‘Holy crap, this is good.”
So good in fact, that Milestones has been chosen by Audient for the remix competition testing the talents of remixers and producers across the globe. Describing his musical style as “…a little bit of a fusion of 70s, 80s and disco funk,” Shook’s previous album and his EPs have gained him a significant following on the EDM scene. “
Today I only hear beats, and less melody,” he continues. “I like hearing music that shows off the musicianship of a singer or instrumentalist. A funky guitar riff or a piano playing a subtle melody, I love that kind of stuff. I think I miss this a bit in music now.”
To do your own remix of Milestones for a chance to win an iD22 and ASP880, download the stems from the Audient website, work your work, and then upload it to Audient’s Soundcloud before January 5, 2015.
