Me in my studio - RAC: “The OP-1 is a truly amazing sampler, synth and MIDI controller”

RAC
(Image credit: Jules Davies)

Straddling the worlds of indie and electronica, André Allen Anjos - AKA RAC - has proven himself to be the kind of the collaboration.

Previous albums Strangers and EGO featured collaborations with the likes of Tegan and Sara and Rivers Cuomo, and on BOY, his latest long-player, he’s roped in Jamie Lidell, St. Lucia and many more.

BOY is billed as Anjos’ most personal, melody-driven album to date, and a meditation on his complex childhood. Born in Portugal, he’s now a resident of Portland, USA, having been raised by missionary parents.

Befitting its hybrid sound, BOY was created using an impressive collection of synths and guitars, so we asked André to show it to us...

1. Korg MS-10

RAC me in my studio

(Image credit: RAC)

“Not to be mistaken for its older brother, the MS-20. I love the simplicity of one oscillator and how unique the filter is. It's the perfect monosynth for leads, in my opinion. It's quite prominent in most of my music.” 

2. Teenage Engineering OP-1

RAC me in my studio

(Image credit: RAC)

“It's so compact and powerful and truly an amazing modern sampler, synth and MIDI controller. It's all over this album.” 

3. Wurlitzer 200e

RAC me in my studio

(Image credit: RAC)

“Often compared to the Rhodes, but I prefer its brighter sound and built-in tremolo. It sounds like butter. Also pictured, my cat, Juno.” 

4. Roland Juno-60

RAC me in my studio

(Image credit: RAC)

“Speaking of Juno, the Juno-60, my all-time favourite synth, and also the first one I purchased. It's present in nearly every single track I make. I know it so well and I refuse to use presets; I always start from scratch.” 

5. Modular synth

RAC me in my studio

(Image credit: RAC)

“Ah, the modular synth. I've been trying to collect a large number of oscillators and every flavour of filter I can get. My prized possession is a custom CS-80 filter since I can't afford the real deal.” 

6. My guitar amp setup

RAC me in my studio

(Image credit: RAC)

“I have a switcher that allows me to jump around in between different amp heads and have everything plugged into a single isocab for clean, but real amp sound. A lot of stuff on this album was recorded through the cheapest amp, the Vox AC4.”

7. Gibson SG

RAC me in my studio

(Image credit: RAC)

“Speaking of guitars, here's my childhood Gibson SG. This is the main guitar I use for everything. I just know it so well.” 

8. Yamaha CP-70 and Moog Minimoog Voyager XL

RAC me in my studio

(Image credit: RAC)

“It's impossible to tune, but the CP-70 just has such a unique piano sound that I love. It's all over this album.”

Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it. 

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