Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Plugin Week 25
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew
Recommended reading
Riva Starr
Artists “I have an original 909 – every time I use it I feel like I’m ruining it”: Riva Starr's studio essentials
Vaughn Oliver
Producers & Engineers “I probably have that on more records than anything else”: Take a peek inside Vaughn Oliver’s studio
Lawrence Hart
Artists Watch UK electronic artist Lawrence Hart build a track from scratch in his hardware-stuffed studio
Pachyman
Artists Pachyman on the gear behind his characterful and sun-kissed sound
Nadia Struiwigh
Artists Tresor resident Nadia Struiwigh on why she avoids tutorials and keeps things 'loose' in the studio
Yune Pinku
Tech 10 more things producers can learn from our In The Studio With... series
adam beyer
Artists “When you went record shopping 20 years ago everything sounded completely different, but now it feels like there’s a blueprint for electronic music that’s been set in stone – and it becomes boring”: Adam Beyer on the evolution of modern dance music
  1. Artists
  2. Djs

In pictures: Chocolate Puma's home studio

News
By Future Music ( Future Music ) published 31 October 2011

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

Intro

Intro

From their early days as The Good Men to breaking into mainstream chart success, Chocolate Puma have seen it all. Future Music took a trip to visit the studio of the two godfathers of Dutch House.

They were responsible for giving Laidback Luke his first break. Which in turn helped the likes of Bart B More and many, many other now famous producers rise to fame. Their epic career and experience in production have made Gaston 'Dobre' Steenkist and René 'DJ Zki' Horst of Chocolate Puma the original Dutch House masters.

They've seen the top ten of the UK charts under three different guises - first as The Good Men with Give It Up in 1993, then Chocolate Puma's I Want To Be With You and also as Riva featuring Dannii Minogue with Who Do You Love Now in 2001. Their track Give It Up was even sampled by Simply Red for the massive number-one hit, Fairground before being sampled again by Fatboy Slim and countless other acts along the way.

The previously dusty old synthesizers and giant mixing consoles had been relegated to the attic and in their place isa slick office environment, with the Chocolate Puma boys now working completely in the box.

NEXT: Logic Pro

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Logic Pro

Logic Pro

They were once cramped among oodles of hardware, but now the Chocolate Puma boys produce entirely in the box.

"The built-in plug-ins in Logic are some of our favourites, especially the EQs and compressors,” explains Gaston. "We basically use it in the same way we used to use hardware, emulating it with buss channels and master plug-ins."

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Sampling

Sampling

The duo have always been in favour of sampling tiny fragments of strange records to get their inspiration.

But when it comes to the Puma's productivity, there's no fixed rule, as Rene explains: “You get weeks when you’re really not inspired”.

“Sometimes we make two or three records a week," adds Gaston, "sometimes it’s two or three a month.”

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Monitoring and more

Monitoring and more

The Genelec 1031As have been a long-term choice for the Chocolate Puma boys, with a simple SPL MTC-2381 on the desk for controlling their levels and headphone sends.

Studio life is much more organised now, as Rene explains: "When we started to make music, it was in Gaston’s bedroom at his parent’s house and we would start at 10 and finish at midnight before burning out and having to refuel for a few days. Back then we didn’t have girlfriends and it was much easier to work like that.

"Now we probably start at our own homes doing email, website stuff and label information
before getting into the studio at around 12 to start making music and working on remixes. We finish
around 6pm and generally do this every day, unless we’ve been DJing for a few days.”

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Roland JX-8P

Roland JX-8P

Alongside the Mackie controller, the other pieces of hands-on gear are the small M-Audio 25-key controller and a classic JX-8P.

The Roland JX-8P is the last analogue synth that hasn't been relegated to the attic. But it's not being kept for it's rich classic sound. "We still use this synth, but only as a MIDI controller," Gaston reveals.

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
The studio

The studio

There's not much in the studio any more but there's an attic full of old synths and studio hardware from Puma's prolific past.

Despite being computer-based, there are still times when a bit of real recording needs doing. "Even though we stripped back the studio, this booth still comes in handy when recording vocals or bits of percussion," notes Gaston.

Liked this? Now read: Studios of the pros: stars' recording setups in pictures

Connect with MusicRadar: via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Future Music
Future Music

Future Music is the number one magazine for today's producers. Packed with technique and technology we'll help you make great new music. All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. Every marvellous monthly edition features reliable reviews of the latest and greatest hardware and software technology and techniques, unparalleled advice, in-depth interviews, sensational free samples and so much more to improve the experience and outcome of your music-making.

All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. image
All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more.
Get the latest issue now!
More Info
Read more
Riva Starr
“I have an original 909 – every time I use it I feel like I’m ruining it”: Riva Starr's studio essentials
Vaughn Oliver
“I probably have that on more records than anything else”: Take a peek inside Vaughn Oliver’s studio
Lawrence Hart
Watch UK electronic artist Lawrence Hart build a track from scratch in his hardware-stuffed studio
Pachyman
Pachyman on the gear behind his characterful and sun-kissed sound
Nadia Struiwigh
Tresor resident Nadia Struiwigh on why she avoids tutorials and keeps things 'loose' in the studio
Yune Pinku
10 more things producers can learn from our In The Studio With... series
Latest in Djs
David Guetta
David Guetta says he’s never played a pre-recorded DJ set, and can’t understand why anyone would think he has
TAKKUUK
“Everyone comes back changed”: Bicep on their new collaborative project with Inuit musicians
Lawrence Hart
Lawrence Hart on the mixed blessings of classical training and being ‘scrappy’ in the studio
Nadia Struiwigh
Tresor resident Nadia Struiwigh on why she avoids tutorials and keeps things 'loose' in the studio
 Deadmau5 Performs At The Seaport District's Pier 17 Rooftop on September 8, 2018 in New York City
“Your passport to deep vibes and low-altitude cruising”: Deadmau5 launches his own 24/7 Youtube stream
Daft Punk
“We are the inventors of electro”: Emmanuel Macron wants French house to be added to UNESCO heritage list
Latest in News
Exodus Gary Holt
"It might have been like 12 people there”: Exodus’ Gary Holt pulls zero punches in his new autobiography
blur and oasis
“I am happy to accept and concede defeat”: Damon Albarn just admitted that Oasis won
Jeff Lynne ELO
"Jeff is devastated": ELO's last ever mega-gig plunged into jeopardy after last-minute cancellation of last night's Manchester show
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: It's your last chance to grab a Prime Day deal on gear from Fender, Roland, Casio, Yamaha, Toontrack & more - but you'll have to be quick
Ernie Ball Music Man Pino Palladino StingRay: the bass legend's new signature model is offered fretted or fretless, and in a deep and luxurious 79 Burst finish.
Pino Palladino teams up with EBMM for a signature StingRay inspired by the bass that started it all
Amerie
How Amerie created a ‘00s R&B/funk classic with producer Rich Harrison

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

  • 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...