STUDIO · GEAR · PRODUCTION
Studio
Matti Kärki
My home studio has changed a lot over the years. Different rooms, different locations in Helsinki and Vantaa, different configurations — different everything.
Home Studio
My homestudio has changed a lot during the years. Different rooms in my home, different locations in Helsinki/Vantaa, different configurations, different everything! Now I have much less gear. I use to have different preamps, analog mixer, mic collection, headphone system, a fully miked drumkit in the living room ready for tracking sessions. Also, I had mounted acoustical panel on walls and ceiling for cutting down standing sound waves plus there were bass traps in the corner. Those were the days!!
Current Setup
My most important tools are my ears! Also the Genelec 1032C speakers help a bit.. They allow me to record and mix transparently knowing it will sound good everywhere. I have a pretty minimal but great quality setup left after my studio years; just the RME Fireface 802 audio interface, one condenser mic, good guitars, and a bass. I use the Reaper DAW, Waves, SSL and IK Multimedia plugins. Differently to my previous recordings, all drumming is now done with Ezdrummer.
When I do the singing, the main vocal tracks are enhanced with RVC AI features blending my own voice with famous singers' voices. The harmonies are always untreated. In music production I'm more "in the box" now. It is pretty much like I started in the 90's with just very basic set of gear. All these new digital music production tools are fantastic in my opinion and I embrace them easily in stead of getting attached to old rack grear. I'm old enough to remember how it was in the beginning of the 90's when all today's tool were just a wet dream. Multitrack audio recording was only for the rich who had access to studios. In that sense, I can really appreciate what we have now. If the Beatles had what I have today...
Drums
My awesome vintage Ludwig kit from the 60's. I had to sell it unfortunately due to downsizing. It was very interesting to fine tune it as much as possible, meaning I took care of every screw and part. While liking the vintage sound, I preffered modern hardware.
Guitar Stuff
I also build guitar tube amps. Here are some Marshall and Fender type clones made from old second hand amps. Some of my custom guitars that I assembled are here too.
