Tycho

"...I learned a lot touring with Alt-J and seeing their setup. Their production was beyond anything I've ever encountered as a musician and it was really inspiring to see such a complex system and so many people working to bring it all together and present a seamless performance each night. That's what initially got me thinking about rebuilding our set and the loss of the laptops and a month off seemed like a good opportunity to make it happen.

For the benefit of any other musicians out there I thought I'd outline the basics of the new system. For the audio portion we're running two Macbook Pros, each with a set of RME UCX interfaces running in tandem via ADAT connected to them (we were previously using 2 single RME Fireface 800's). The ADAT tandem mode allows for more inputs and outputs per computer in one rackspace. The first machine handles playback of automation, SMPTE timecode for video sync, MIDI sync, and our in ear monitoring system (Sennheiser G3 IEM). The second machine is linked to the first via MIDI sync and handles all input channels, virtual instrument hosting and effects processing. Both machines are running Reaper with each project in its own tab. We were running into a lot of resource limitations when the entire set was on one computer so the only way to open things up and allow us to expand the set was to distribute the load across multiple machines. I also just switched to an API 3124+ for the front end of the input laptop as it fits 4 preamps into one rackspace, and it sounds amazing. We run the bass, guitars, and synths through it which lessens the amount of plugins we have to use to get a good tone inside the box."

The Korg Minilogue can clearly be seen on the desk with loads of other analog outboard gear. In this Instagram post posted by Tycho his Minilogue can be seen as well. In the comments section one user asks, "do you use the Minilogue in your music? I just want to hear some truly professional applications of it." Tycho replies:

"yeah it's all over epoch"

"epoch" refers to Tycho's album Epoch, the fourth studio album he made, released on September 30, 2016 on Ghostly International. Another user says, "thoughts on the minilogue? Really wanting one" to which Tycho replies:

"love it. listen to any song on epoch to hear it used"

Yet another user comments, "So I've seen you really praising the Minilogue, how do you feel about the clicking issue that people often bring up? I don't own it but I've been considering it for a while now." Tycho once again replies:

"yeah that was a big issue on a few tracks on epoch. i used sonnox envolution to fix that"

"When I started, the first thing I got was a drum machine and a little synth. I moved up to a sampler/drum machine, the Ensoniq ASR-X Pro. I just started [collecting gear] after that."

"It's the best-sounding virtual analog I've ever heard," he said. "I think after the C they screwed it up because they put converters on it that were too good."

In the comment thread, Scott Hansen/Tycho says:

it's an innovative pedal and i've never heard anything quite like it. the price is steep but then again i paid $500 for my Ursa Major STS-282 back when i bought it and it's become an indispensable part of my fx chain (and is now worth considerably more than that). as with most gear it's all subjective, that's a lot for a pedal but if it inspires you then it may be worth it, try one out first. if you're on a budget and getting this would stop you from getting a more crucial piece of hardware like an interface or preamp, then no its probably not worth it. also a bummer it's not stereo for that price.

"That's the most famous synth of all time, I think. People who don't even make music sometimes recognize this. It's been on every album, ever. This is from my buddy. I got this from him a year ago and just fell in love with it. It's on permanent loan.", said Tycho in this interview with Wired.

In another interview, when asked, "Is there one piece of gear or an instrument that is the key part of that sound or has the largest impact on that sound?"

"It’s a 1972 Model D, and for whatever reason I just feel completely connected to that thing. It’s so responsive. It’s the closest thing I’ve ever found to a guitar in a synthesizer. For whatever reason when I sit down and play those, things just flow. With a lot of the newer stuff it’s harder just because for whatever reason it takes longer to get into a space where I feel inspired by the sound."

"I record most things through either an AKG C414 or some C451B’s into a set of 1073 clones / EL Distressors / RME FF800. For synths I usually skip the amp and go DI to the chameleons with various verb and delay outboard stuff in between."

Tycho uses the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man for its renowned analog delay effects, as seen in a photo posted by the artist on Instagram before a show in Charlotte.

In the Instagram photo, Tycho's Strymon Timeline pedal on top of this Korg synthesizer.

"Yeah sometimes software instruments are right for the application. I've never created a track with 100% software, but I choose my spots. It's funny because sometimes I'll be using a software emulation of a synth I actually own. Like the lead sound on the song Dive, that's the MS-20 plugin. I was sitting there writing it and looking at the real MS-20 and wondering what the hell I was thinking. But it just has a different sound and for that particular song, it made sense"

I'll bring in some delay. If not the Space Echo or the Memory Man, I'll go with software and use Soundtoy's Echoboy. Although Echoboy emulates a lot of hardware I have in the studio, I find myself using it more and more, simply because of how flexible it is. And it really nails the sounds—it's hands-down the best software delay out there.

In a reddit ama Scott Hansen (aka Tycho) did, a Redditor asks him some gear related questions, including, "What’s your favourite reverb? Do you only use analog?"

Tycho answers:

"My favorite reverbs are probably the one on the Virus C series, the Ursa Major Space Station SST-282, and the Ursa Major StarGate 626. But I love Toraverb and Epicverb in the VST domain."

By "Epicverb" he means the Variety Of Sound epicVerb reverb plugin (which can be downloaded free of charge).

"I'm loving NI's Monark synth right now; best Mini emulation I've heard to date." – Tycho, from a reddit AMA

In a separate reddit thread, a redditor asks about Tycho's lead sound, and references his live performance of Awake. Tycho chimes in and says:

"I have been using the NI Monark Mini emulation for live shows and it's really close to the real thing. For some sounds it's almost indiscernible from a real mini. biggest difference seems to be the envelope attack (real minis are very fast) and just the way it feels when you're playing a real analog keyboard as opposed to midi > VSTi. Even with super low latency I feel like there's a perceptible disconnect when I'm playing. Maybe it's in my head though."

In this video posted to Twitter, Scott is adjusting effects as a sequence plays. At the 13 second mark, he pulls his hand away from the Tonal Recall pedal and the Deco unit can be seen sitting to its right.

"Using this for the first time tonight instead of my original RE-201. Sad in a way but the tap tempo makes up for it".

In a reddit ama, Tycho is asked:

"Are the spring reverb on songs like “Source” and the fuzz in “Division” coming from the Kemper? 2b. A couple years ago I saw you at Webster Hall in NYC, and Zac was playing through a Twin Reverb (or some Fender Amp). With the rest of the Awake tour, he was going DI, but are you now touring with the Kemper?"

Tycho replies:

"The Kemper does not have spring reverb, but I used it extensively on Epoch. Source is Amplitube 3, which does have spring reverb. Although we have used the Twin for recording, we have never used it live. We always use either Guitar Rig or Amplitube live. That will be changing after this tour though. we are heading back to the studio to rebuild the live show from the ground up and the Kempers will be at the center of it."

Tycho's Scott Hansen discusses the distinct sound of the Korg Mono/Poly Synthesizer, describing it as "more disco-y, like electronic, '70s dance." This insight reflects his appreciation for its unique character compared to other synthesizers like the Minimoog. The statement is supported by a user-uploaded photo on Imgur, showcasing the instrument in his setup.

In this image of Tycho's studio, you can see the Space Station. More images of Tycho's studio, as well as confirmation of this being his studio can be seen here.

A Fender Mark Hoppus Jazz Bass can be seen in this photo posted to Facebook by Tycho.

In a reddit post, a user asks about the bass sound on Tycho's Awake:

"First of all, the instruments sound absolutely fantastic on Awake. I know it was recorded with a lot of live instrumentation. As a bass player, I can't get over how awesome the bass sounds (especially on the title track). That pick twangy sound with the right amount of mid and low end just sounds so good - I can't get enough of it. Anyone know what rig the bass player is going through?"

Tycho replies:

"Thanks! I played that part on a Fender Mark Hoppus bass through a UA 6176. Used a lot of plugins to further shape things but that initial input did most of the coloring. I'm also not a great bass player so I don't play the parts correctly and generally only play the top two strings so that always effects the sound (the live bass player plays with the top 3 strings and it never sounds the same to me). If I recall I used a pick. Also haven't changed the strings since I bought the bass new about 4 years ago. It's the same bass we use live, here's Zac playing it (the stripes are console tape): http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/p3zVjRS9qrE/hqdefault.jpg When I first got the bass I had the pickups angled so that the higher strings were more muted. the pickups are closer "

In this Instagram photo of Tycho's studio setup, the mixer can be seen sitting to the left of the MiDi keyboard.

The synth in the bottom of this picture, posted to Instagram by Tycho, is the limited edition Access Virus Indigo Redback.

"Got a Gibson Les Paul after having an Epiphone Les Paul for years. Now I get why they’re so expensive."

-From Tycho's blog

In this video at the 1:41 mark, Tycho is shown demonstrating the Chase Bliss AUdio Tonal Recall Analog Delay pedal on his Korg Monopoly

In this video clip posted to Twitter, Scott is adjusting effects as a sequence plays. The second pedal we get a good view of is the Mercury 7.

In this interview with XLR8R, Scott Hansen of Tycho talks about his Roland Space Echo which can be seen in the image to his right on the rack.

"I use my Roland Space Echo a lot, because it's tape, so you get the tape saturation and warmth. And then you run it into the preamps, and those are transformer based, which gives its own kind of harmonic distortion."

"In the '80s they got all smart and decided nobody needed tactile feedback and they just used membrane switches," Hansen said, talking sarcastically about the Moog Source. "It's so indicative of what [synthesizer makers] thought the future was going to be." – Wired Magazine

"The UCX's are connected to the computers via USB. But there are two UCX's per machine, and those two are connected via ADAT to each other which multiplies the outputs and inputs available to each USB connection as you now have two interfaces for each machine. So 4 total UFX's split into two sets working in tandem, one set per machine," said Tycho in a reply on Facebook, outlining how the UCX is used in his setup.

"For the benefit of any other musicians out there I thought I'd outline the basics of the new system. For the audio portion we're running two Macbook Pros, each with a set of RME UCX interfaces running in tandem via ADAT connected to them (we were previously using 2 single RME Fireface 800's). The ADAT tandem mode allows for more inputs and outputs per computer in one rackspace. The first machine handles playback of automation, SMPTE timecode for video sync, MIDI sync, and our in ear monitoring system (Sennheiser G3 IEM). The second machine is linked to the first via MIDI sync and handles all input channels, virtual instrument hosting and effects processing. Both machines are running Reaper with each project in its own tab. We were running into a lot of resource limitations when the entire set was on one computer so the only way to open things up and allow us to expand the set was to distribute the load across multiple machines. I also just switched to an API 3124+ for the front end of the input laptop as it fits 4 preamps into one rackspace, and it sounds amazing. We run the bass, guitars, and synths through it which lessens the amount of plugins we have to use to get a good tone inside the box."

"Right back to it... Something I'm really excited about coming soon-ish"

Tycho uses the Mackie CR-1604, a 16-channel analog mixer featuring built-in mic preamps with both XLR and 1/4" inputs. This usage is documented in an Instagram post by Tycho's official account, @tychomusic.