Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Tiny Dancer
  • Browser DAWs
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Restring your guitar
  1. Tech
  2. Synths

Me in my studio: Chris Carrier

News
By Simon Arblaster
Published 23 May 2019

Step inside the inner sanctum of renowned French DJ/producer

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

French DJ and Producer, Chris Carrier, has been filling dancefloors since releasing his debut EP back in 1994.

In the nineties, his Chronobrain label was a cornerstone of the French techno scene, with co-owner and mentor Guillaume la Tortue.

Over the last 20 years, Carrier has spanned a multitude of different labels, genres, and collaborations, garnering a vast worldwide following and respect for his skills as a DJ and producer.

So when the opportunity arose to take a peek inside his studio and check out the gear behind his productions, of course, we couldn't resist.

His current release, Mouche Vol. 1 (ft. Chris Carrier, Merv, TM Shuffle + more), is out now via Mouche and you can keep up with Chris Carrier on Facebook and Soundcloud.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Roland TR-909

Roland TR-909

"This classic drum machine from Roland was created in 1984 and has never been equalled since. 

"I have had several since the '90s and this one I traded for an MPC 60 Akai 10 years ago. It works very well and I have use it from the beginning on many projects. 

"Over the last few years I have created a techno label called Sound Carrier where the tracks always come from here. I use this a lot, including effects like the Eventide H3000, the DP4 Ensoniq or on modules like the Multi-Delay Processor Verbos. Also, the filters and LFO modular still give off a modern sound."

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Toft ATB-08M

Toft ATB-08M

"This is an 8-Channel analog console, and the legacy of the Trident 80 series. I've been using it for some time; the sound is hot and it is patched to a Neutrik Bantam. 

"The 4-band EQs are the big highlight of this table, the same as on the Trident models. The only problem with this mixer is that it cracks quickly so it must be cleaned often. Other than that, a great piece of kit." 

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Roland TB-303

Roland TB-303

"Still a classic from Roland, this one is so often a feature of my music. The first (version) has a look identical to the TB-303. So it's very good for acid lines especially. I use it with this sequencer and also with MIDI, and I bought it 50 francs (less than €10) back in the early '90s in a store called Nation Music.

"I still remember, there was a box there filled with TB-303s and TR-606s which nobody had anything to do except artists like Thomas Bangalter (Daft Punk), Laurent Garnier and Ludovic Navarre (St Germain). Amazing!"

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Oberheim Matrix 1000

Oberheim Matrix 1000

"This is a small expander Oberheim with 1000 presets. It was rather difficult to edit with the Access control, though. Since Stereoping has released one it is easier to control. It works very well, and there are two models; a little the 1016r I have and a new Matrix 1000/6 /6R taller. I use it generally for the pads which give off a big sound. Indeed, I used it for my EP on Mouche Records while going through a modular filter."

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
ASQ10 Akai Roger Linn

ASQ10 Akai Roger Linn

"The ASQ10 from Akai is my favorite sequencer and is rather rare as it's the sequencer of the MPC 60.

"The groove from this is amazing; it can serve as a central sequencer in a configure. I used it for a long time with several Emulator samplers, on the labels Chronobrain, Taka, Combustible that I had with Guillaume La Tortue and still on my last album on Slapfunk."

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Simon Arblaster
Simon Arblaster
Social Links Navigation
Video Producer & Reviews Editor

I take care of the reviews on MusicRadar and Future Music magazine, though can sometimes be spotted in front of a camera talking little sense in the presence of real musicians. For the past 30 years, I have been unable to decide on which instrument to master, so haven't bothered. Currently, a lover of all things high-gain in the guitar stakes and never one to resist churning out sub-standard funky breaks, the likes of which you'll never hear.

Read more
Vince Clarke
Artists “I bought one in 1984 – I'm looking at it now": Vince Clarke reveals his favourite synth of all time
 
 
Ital Tek in the studio making Mind Abandon
Artists "I collect instruments I can't play": Ital Tek on creating ‘sonic worlds’ and new album Mind Abandon
 
 
Test
Synths We meet the people using test equipment to make music
 
 
British songwriting and production team Stock Aitken Waterman, circa 1985. Left to right: Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. (Photo by Tim Roney/Getty Images)
Artists Better music technology hasn’t made life easier for producers than it was in the ‘80s, says Mike Stock
 
 
British New Wave & Pop musician Howard Jones plays keyboards as he performs onstage at Forest Hills Stadium, Queens, New York, August 3, 1984. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
Artists "It will always be my favourite”: Howard Jones takes you on a tour of the synth he’s owned since 1983
 
 
Roland 808
Drum Machines The best plugins for re-creating the grit and punch of classic analogue drum machines
 
 
Latest in Synths
ag cook
Tech AG Cook and Native Instruments team up for signature synth plugin Super*Saw
 
 
behringer
Tech Behringer's AKS Mini is a £99 mini-synth inspired by the EMS Synthi AKS, a classic synth used by Pink Floyd and Brian Eno
 
 
Nopia
Tech We got an exclusive look at Nopia, the viral synth and "harmony machine" that broke the internet
 
 
Korg NTS-4
Tech Korg’s DIY NTS-4 looks like the budget-friendly desktop mixer we always wanted the Volca Mix to be
 
 
Test
Synths We meet the people using test equipment to make music
 
 
Mastering The Mix Stereovault
Soft Synths “Could easily become one of the most beneficial elements of your mastering suite”: Mastering the Mix - Stereovault review
 
 
Latest in News
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Mick Jagger during the photocall for the launch of the Rolling Stones' 25th album "Foreign Tongues" at St Clement Hotel on July 08, 2026 in London, England.
Artists “I said, ‘What does it matter?": Mick Jagger didn’t see the point in using tape on the new Stones album
 
 
Lorde performs during day three of Glastonbury festival 2025 at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 27, 2025 in Glastonbury, England.
Artists "I’m going to go out on a limb and say we don’t want this”: Lorde slams Spotify's About the Song feature
 
 
fdrumbrute
Samples SampleRadar: 493 free hardware drum machine samples
 
 
roget
Artists Rogét Chahayed: “We signed away our rights to get some cash, then a year and a half later, the album came out and two of our songs were on there”
 
 
Pink Floyd DSOTM tape
Gear & Gadgets Pink Floyd’s legendary Dark Side of the Moon officially returns to the cassette format
 
 
ag cook
Tech AG Cook and Native Instruments team up for signature synth plugin Super*Saw
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...