Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • Best free lo-fi plugins
  • Top EQ plugins
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Free music samples
  • Best free music-making software

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

  1. Home
  2. News

Me in my studio: Emika

By Si Truss
published 13 August 2013

The Berlin-based producer, composer and sound designer shows us her setup

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Music room
(Image credit: Richard Kranzin)

Music room

Berlin-based producer Ema Jolly (aka Emika) is a woman of many talents. As a solo artist she’s released two excellent albums for Ninja Tune, both of which blend dark, club-focused influences with her own soulful vocals, classical tendencies and carefully crafted electronic timbres.

Aside from her solo output, Jolly has collaborated with the likes of Pinch, Kryptic Minds and Brandt Brauer Frick and is an accomplished sound designer. She’s a former employee of Native Instruments and her field recordings of seminal Berlin club Berghain provided the cornerstone of Fünf, the anniversary compilation of the club’s associated record label Ostgut Ton.

Here she shows us around her music making space and talks us through the gear behind her current projects.

Emika’s second album Dva is out now on Ninja Tune.

Emika: “This is my studio where I make all my music.”

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
Piano corner
(Image credit: Richard Kranzin)

Piano corner

“My beautiful 150 year old piano.”

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
Vinyl + Technics
(Image credit: Richard Kranzin)

Vinyl + Technics

“I have a lot of vinyl, ranging from club records to crazy experimental music from all over the world. Most of my records are dub & reggae from the ‘80s.”

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
Classical scores
(Image credit: Richard Kranzin)

Classical scores

“I have a lot of classical music in score form, as I write music for classical musicians, it's good to study the work of many classical composers.”

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
Synth wall
(Image credit: Richard Kranzin)

Synth wall

“Here are some of my favorite synths, all being used for my latest project. I have many others but they are packed away at the moment as it's not their turn.”

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
Mixer and rack FX
(Image credit: Richard Kranzin)

Mixer and rack FX

“My trusted A&H mixer and rack FX.”

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
Production corner
(Image credit: Richard Kranzin)

Production corner

“This is where I mix and edit and do all post-production work.”

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
Vocal corner
(Image credit: Richard Kranzin)

Vocal corner

“This is my vocal corner, it's more open then a booth because I like to feel like I have space around me, but it is insulated enough to record a clean vocal sound.”

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
Vocal recording
(Image credit: Richard Kranzin)

Vocal recording

“My latest vocal mic, the [Shure] SM7. It's a new one for me, but I love the results. It's mainly a radio mic, which is great for soft vocals and a close-mic'd technique.”

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Si Truss
Si Truss
Social Links Navigation

I'm Editor-in-Chief of Music Technology, working with Future Music, Computer Music, Electronic Musician and MusicRadar. 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.


  1. “Magical, tape music instrument” also features effects and a looper
    1
    Chompi is a super-cute sampler that was inspired by the Casio SK-1 and looks like a kid-friendly OP-1
  2. 2
    "With this record, I hope that people can feel my soul and my spirit because, in those solos, that’s what I’m really giving you" – Malina Moye on her new album and the 10 that changed her life
  3. 3
    This video of session dons Dann Huff and Tom Bukovac discussing the greatest guitar tones of all time is a real education
  4. 4
    The Oberheim DMX drum machine is set to ride again as Behringer wheels out its BMX “homage”
  5. 5
    Bruce Foxton of The Jam's 11 career-defining songs: "Start isn’t exactly the same as Taxman... otherwise I’m sure Paul McCartney would have thought about suing us!"
  1. It's going to need a bit of work to get back to its best
    1
    See the moment Joe Bonamassa decides to buy the 'Dirty Burst' 1960 Les Paul that was discovered in the UK
  2. 2
    The Oberheim DMX drum machine is set to ride again as Behringer wheels out its BMX “homage”
  3. 3
    This video of session dons Dann Huff and Tom Bukovac discussing the greatest guitar tones of all time is a real education
  4. 4
    Max Martin on his approach to songwriting and production: “I’m trying to make every part good… I think every second needs to be awesome”
  5. 5
    Upgrade your guitar playing with a month’s worth of Guitar Tricks lessons for just $1

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

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