Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Drums Week 25
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Guitar Amps
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Artist news
  • Drums
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Santana on Beck
  • Friday, I'm in Love
  • Knopfler's 4-note secret
  • 95k+ free music samples
Recommended reading
Nadia Struiwigh
Artists Tresor resident Nadia Struiwigh on why she avoids tutorials and keeps things 'loose' in the studio
Pachyman
Artists Pachyman on the gear behind his characterful and sun-kissed sound
rival
Artists “You end up doing different things with a plugin versus a hardware synth”: Rival Consoles on why he still uses a Prophet emulation – even though he owns the real thing
Silva Bumpa
Tech Breakout producer Silva Bumpa on the secret to creating sub bass and UKG rhythms
disiniblud
Artists “It creates a tone that you can't find in Guitar Center”: Disiniblud on the self-built instruments behind their debut LP
loukeman
Artists Loukeman reveals his favourite plugins and unusual production techniques
adam beyer
Artists "It feels like there’s a blueprint for electronic music - it's boring”: Adam Beyer on the evolution of modern dance music
  1. Tech
  2. Recording
  3. Studios

Me in my studio: BD1982

News
By Si Truss published 24 October 2013

The Diskotopia co-founder shows us the gear behind his new EP Casings

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

The studio

The studio

American producer BD1982 has moved around a fair bit in recent years; having lived in Japan, Philadelphia and New York before recently returning to his native New Jersey.

It’s of little surprise then, that his music touches on a broad variety of influences - from UK dance strains like grime and garage, to Eastern percussion sounds and the fuzz analogue warmth of vintage synth soundtracks.

Here, with his latest EP Casings set to drop on his own Diskotopia imprint next week, the producer shows us around his compact, MPC-focused production setup.

BD1982: “I recently moved back to New Jersey from Japan shortly after completing the Casings EP. I set up this current studio set up in a cubicle kind of space.

“It's really comfortable and easy to manoeuvre which has really helped my workflow. Everything is routed to the MPC 2000XL through an Edirol UM-880 MIDI Patcher, which helps to consolidate layering up a new track.”

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Akai MPC 2000XL

Akai MPC 2000XL

“The MPC 2000XL has been at the centre of all my productions for some time now.

“Everything is programmed and sequenced through the MPC then recorded into Logic where I do full mix downs. I love programming on the MPC and will definitely be using this machine for a long time to come.“

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
E-mu SP-1200

E-mu SP-1200

“I've been using the SP-1200 lately with the Roland Space Echo RE-201 for pads and vocal samples but the drums are definitely undeniable.

“It's fun having the SP slaved to the MPC as well, since a few of the original SP pads aren't as responsive as they used to be.”

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Access Virus TI-Snow

Access Virus TI-Snow

“The overall sound of the Access Virus TI-Snow is a little too metallic and harsh for my tastes in general but once you get around how to smooth out and deepen your own patches it's pretty versatile.”

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Korg microKorg

Korg microKorg

“Even though it's been rinsed for some time now there's still a decent amount of possibilities in the microKorg and it also functions as one of my main MIDI keyboard controllers.”

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Roland Juno 106

Roland Juno 106

“I picked up this Juno 106 off of Yahoo Auction which is like a better version of eBay for gear in Japan. Never get tired of Chorus 2.”

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Soundcraft 200BVE mixer

Soundcraft 200BVE mixer

“The newest addition to the cubicle is a Soundcraft 200BVE 16 Channel board. Just recently getting into it, but it's been great so far.”

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Technics tape deck

Technics tape deck

“An older Technics tape deck also found on Yahoo Auction, which is great for resampling onto cassette before dumping to the MPC, and also just going back through old mixtapes.

“Shout out to Greg G for the custom Digikiller tape that's in there now.”

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Kawai XD-5

Kawai XD-5

“I love programming the Kawai XD-5 and it's got some amazing capabilities for weird percussion.”

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
Sound modules

Sound modules

“From top to bottom: An old Alesis NanoBass module that I recently found in a box; two Akai GM and Vintage sound modules; the Ediroal UM-880 MIDI patcher.”

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
MacBook

MacBook

"MacBook Air running Logic with Apogee Duet interface at the controls."

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
Si Truss
Social Links Navigation

I'm the Managing Editor of Music Technology at MusicRadar and former Editor-in-Chief of Future Music, Computer Music and Electronic Musician. I've been messing around with music tech in various forms for over two decades. I've also spent the last 10 years forgetting how to play guitar. Find me in the chillout room at raves complaining that it's past my bedtime.


Read more
Nadia Struiwigh
Tresor resident Nadia Struiwigh on why she avoids tutorials and keeps things 'loose' in the studio
Pachyman
Pachyman on the gear behind his characterful and sun-kissed sound
rival
“You end up doing different things with a plugin versus a hardware synth”: Rival Consoles on why he still uses a Prophet emulation – even though he owns the real thing
Silva Bumpa
Breakout producer Silva Bumpa on the secret to creating sub bass and UKG rhythms
disiniblud
“It creates a tone that you can't find in Guitar Center”: Disiniblud on the self-built instruments behind their debut LP
loukeman
Loukeman reveals his favourite plugins and unusual production techniques
Latest in Studios
Adam Audio H200
“A good all round headphone suited to recording, mixing and mastering”: Adam Audio H200 Headphones review
An Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII synthesizer on a blue background
I’ve looked through all 372 deals in the Thomann Easter Sale - these are the 5 deals I’d grab right now
Universal Audio Standard SD-1
“A versatile and durable dynamic microphone suitable for a range of applications”: Universal Audio SD-1 review
Universal Audio Standard SC-1
“Its robust construction, low self-noise, and ability to emulate a range of classic microphones make it a valuable asset”: Universal Audio SC-1 review
Abbey Road Studio One
Refurbished Abbey Road Studio One reopens with evening of "boundary-pushing expressive dance"
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish’s mix engineers reveal the star's “favourite part” of her smash hit, Birds Of A Feather
Latest in News
Gibson Tony Iommi Humbucker: the all-new humbucker, a reissue of its first-ever signature pickup.
Gibson goes back to the beginning with reissue of its first-ever signature pickup for Black Sabbath icon Tony Iommi
Spandau Ballet in the early '80s
“It’s kind of gothic post-punk”: Spandau Ballet drop a lost early track from new box set
Photo of Mike JOYCE and SMITHS and MORRISSEY and Andy ROURKE and Johnny MARR; L-R: Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce (drums), Morrissey, Johnny Marr (playing Gibson ES-335 guitar), performing live on The Tube
“This book truly conveys what it felt like to be a member of the Smiths”: Mike Joyce’s memoir to be published in November
Jack Antonoff attends the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020
“He kind of approaches records like a plumber…”: Bartees Strange on super producer Jack Antonoff
k20
"We asked ourselves, what if we could rebuild the legendary K2000 V.A.S.T. synthesizer, but using today’s technology?": Kurzweil's K2061 and K2088 synths are now shipping
Forwards Festival Barry Can't Swim
Forwards Festival 2025 review: Orbital, Barry Can’t Swim, Olivia Dean, Jorja Smith and more

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...