After mixing records for over 30 years on and off, it probably comes as no surprise that for a while now I have been looking for a new way of mixing that is within my skillset, works for the music, and takes the listener on a journey that is different.

After several iterations of hybrid setups with varying levels of success, I think I’ve settled on a setup that fits all moods, genres, and appetites.

The initial idea is to have everything live and available. I wanted to have a setup for all occasions and genres for general day-to-day use but then an overall system for my layers project.

The Layers project is an attempt at creating a series of layered musical tapestries focussing on one genre per episode. With what I have in mind I feel at this stage that this will be more suited to deep minimal tech vibes but we shall see!

The combination of sounds will include: records of course as the backbone mix garnished with spoken word transitions and skits and sonic resonance-enhanced frequency sweeps all glued together with a suite of internal effects from the Rane 72 and Xone PX5 as well as combinations of external effects pedals. I think the odd well-placed Accapella might enter the fray here and there also.

I have another couple of potential tricks up my sleeve as well but let’s see how we get on. The danger is that it might end up in an unstructured mess and the challenge is to maintain a solid core mix and be consistent in the introduction of the (layered) sounds which should serve to enhance the overall piece and turn it from a straightforward track-to-track mix to a journey of sound.

I would love to hear your opinions and own experiments. 

I’ve often been asked why I try to do things differently and why I change equipment almost weekly. My mantra (whether right or wrong) is ‘If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got’. Onwards and upwards my musical brothers and sisters.