Justin Meldal-Johnsen

"The Palmer PDI-CTC Tube DI Box is true excellence. It's not only tonally flexible and quiet, but it also has the fattest, punchiest sound I've yet come across. It's a not-so-secret weapon of mine for sure...and I feel it's bound to be a classic."

In a 2018 Instagram post, Justin Meldal-Johnsen is seen in his studio with the Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo, highlighting its role in his setup.

In his studio, 2017

In a 2017 Instagram post, Justin Meldal-Johnsen showcased the AMS DMX 15-80S Digital Delay in his studio.

Visible in this August 12, 2017 Instagram post.

Chorus Echo got a new buddy

devices I love, in an enjoyable pairing

On this article, on the Arturia website, Justin Meldal-Johnsen claimed to use Keystep

I use API 550As and 560s every day. I’m so glad 560s have become such a standard. I remember when I was starting out, they were this kind of oddball EQ that you would use only on the kick drum or something. I tend to use them on anything. Another one of my favorite EQs are the 70’s era Moog three-band parametrics, which I have a pair of. Those are great-sounding and still relatively affordable. They’re not subtle sounding, and impart quite a bit of character, which is cool.

I have an Inward Connections TSL-4, which is a stereo limiter that’s vaguely like an LA-2A circuit. Have you ever heard people say “I just run stuff through it and it makes it sound better”? I had never really subscribed to that, it seemed like one of those glib, catch-all phrases like describing gear that “sounds musical”. But that particular box does something cool to signals even if I just have it on bypass. Transformers, tubes... I don’t know what it is, but I like it. It’s a fixed attack so it’s pretty slow but it sounds so good.

I also have some Overstayer Imperial Channels [Model 8776A] that have a compressor circuit in them that sound phenomenal. Those have a real sonic imprint. I have a Retro 176, that’s great for fast attack stuff. I have a Purple Audio MC77, that I also dig, though it does tend to make things very dark. Distressors, even. Super useful.

I also have some Overstayer Imperial Channels [Model 8776A] that have a compressor circuit in them that sound phenomenal. Those have a real sonic imprint. I have a Retro 176, that’s great for fast attack stuff. I have a Purple Audio MC77, that I also dig, though it does tend to make things very dark. Distressors, even. Super useful.

I also have some Overstayer Imperial Channels [Model 8776A] that have a compressor circuit in them that sound phenomenal. Those have a real sonic imprint. I have a Retro 176, that’s great for fast attack stuff. I have a Purple Audio MC77, that I also dig, though it does tend to make things very dark. Distressors, even. Super useful.