Chris Hughes

Chris' work area centres on a pair of Mac Quadras running Digidesign hardware and software; to his left is a Mackie 8-buss mixer, to his right a motley collection of synths including Yamaha DX7 and Casio CZ101.

ProTools modules rub shoulders with MIDI interfacing and a Roland MKS20 piano box in Chris' 19" stack

Chris' work area centres on a pair of Mac Quadras running Digidesign hardware and software; to his left is a Mackie 8-buss mixer, to his right a motley collection of synths including Yamaha DX7 and Casio CZ101

It can be seen in this photo of Chris Hughes' studio.

Evidence of Hughes' continued interest in technology lies in his attic studio which, though not stacked to the rafters with exotic gear, has considerable power vested in its pair of Apple Macintosh computers. They run Digidesign ProTools, SampleCell, and a gamut of sequencers and editors, and provide a pointer to the way studio technology is heading.

What also meets the eye is a three-pack of Alesis ADATs, a Mackie 8-Buss desk, and a range of classic keyboard instruments including a Fairlight CMI Series II, an NED Synclavier, and a Sequential Prophet 5. But while Hughes has always tried to use the latest technology, he's become wary of jumping aboard bandwagons that aren't yet fully fit to roll...

What also meets the eye is a three-pack of Alesis ADATs, a Mackie 8-Buss desk, and a range of classic keyboard instruments including a Fairlight CMI Series II, an NED Synclavier, and a Sequential Prophet 5. But while Hughes has always tried to use the latest technology, he's become wary of jumping aboard bandwagons that aren't yet fully fit to roll...

What also meets the eye is a three-pack of Alesis ADATs, a Mackie 8-Buss desk, and a range of classic keyboard instruments including a Fairlight CMI Series II, an NED Synclavier, and a Sequential Prophet 5. But while Hughes has always tried to use the latest technology, he's become wary of jumping aboard bandwagons that aren't yet fully fit to roll...

Past experience hasn't entirely put Hughes off, however, and the juxtaposition of old and new hardware makes his studio a veritable Aladdin's cave of music technology. As well as the two SampleCell cards, a Roland S770 sees a fair amount of action when it comes to sampling.

Roland CR78 (left) provides Chris with classic analogue drum sounds, while Yamaha REV7 (below right) offers the detailed reverb programming his music needs

Roland CR78 (left) provides Chris with classic analogue drum sounds, while Yamaha REV7 (below right) offers the detailed reverb programming his music needs

List of equipment at Chris Hughes' studio:

Desktop Apple Mac Quadra x 2 Digidesign SampleCell x 2 Digidesign ProTools Opcode Studio 3 Mac-MIDI interface

Tracking & mixing: Alesis ADAT digital multitrack recorder x 3 Alesis BRC remote controller Mackie 8-buss mixing desk

Sound sources: Roland S770 sampler Roland MKS20 piano module E-mu Procussion Casio CZ101 synth Fairlight CMI series II Korg M1 workstation Korg SG1D piano Korg Wavestation module NED Synclavier Sequential Prophet 5 synth Yamaha DX7 synth Roland CR78 beat box

Signal processing: Alesis Quadraverb Yamaha REV7 reverb

List of equipment at Chris Hughes' studio:

Desktop Apple Mac Quadra x 2 Digidesign SampleCell x 2 Digidesign ProTools Opcode Studio 3 Mac-MIDI interface

Tracking & mixing: Alesis ADAT digital multitrack recorder x 3 Alesis BRC remote controller Mackie 8-buss mixing desk

Sound sources: Roland S770 sampler Roland MKS20 piano module E-mu Procussion Casio CZ101 synth Fairlight CMI series II Korg M1 workstation Korg SG1D piano Korg Wavestation module NED Synclavier Sequential Prophet 5 synth Yamaha DX7 synth Roland CR78 beat box

Signal processing: Alesis Quadraverb Yamaha REV7 reverb

List of equipment at Chris Hughes' studio:

Desktop Apple Mac Quadra x 2 Digidesign SampleCell x 2 Digidesign ProTools Opcode Studio 3 Mac-MIDI interface

Tracking & mixing: Alesis ADAT digital multitrack recorder x 3 Alesis BRC remote controller Mackie 8-buss mixing desk

Sound sources: Roland S770 sampler Roland MKS20 piano module E-mu Procussion Casio CZ101 synth Fairlight CMI series II Korg M1 workstation Korg SG1D piano Korg Wavestation module NED Synclavier Sequential Prophet 5 synth Yamaha DX7 synth Roland CR78 beat box

Signal processing: Alesis Quadraverb Yamaha REV7 reverb

List of equipment at Chris Hughes' studio:

Desktop Apple Mac Quadra x 2 Digidesign SampleCell x 2 Digidesign ProTools Opcode Studio 3 Mac-MIDI interface

Tracking & mixing: Alesis ADAT digital multitrack recorder x 3 Alesis BRC remote controller Mackie 8-buss mixing desk

Sound sources: Roland S770 sampler Roland MKS20 piano module E-mu Procussion Casio CZ101 synth Fairlight CMI series II Korg M1 workstation Korg SG1D piano Korg Wavestation module NED Synclavier Sequential Prophet 5 synth Yamaha DX7 synth Roland CR78 beat box

Signal processing: Alesis Quadraverb Yamaha REV7 reverb

An Opcode Studio 3 MIDI interface can be seen in his studio.

"There were lots. We had a LinnDrum II box, a drumulator drum box, a Roland Super Jupiter synthesizer, a Fairlight synthesizer, a DX7 keyboard, a rack of guitars, a Steinberger Bass, a Fender Stratocaster and a Gretsch maple drum kit. Those instruments were the kind of workhorse elements to the sound."

"We had a LinnDrum II box, a drumulator drum box, a Roland Super Jupiter synthesizer, a Fairlight synthesizer, a DX7 keyboard, a rack of guitars, a Steinberger Bass, a Fender Stratocaster and a Gretsch maple drum kit. Those instruments were the kind of workhorse elements to the sound."