AudioPilz Takes Us Gazing at the 90s Dance Music Setup

Florian Pilz, our guide through the wild history of dance music gear, throws us directly into a time machine, aiming straight for the synth-soaked sounds of the 90s. In ‘I bought an AUTHENTIC 90s Dance Music Setup’, he finally fulfills a childhood dream: assembling a full-on 90s dance production rig. The video promises to be an electronic odyssey filled with the dazzling lights of old-school gear. The setup, a treasure chest filled with synths, drum machines, and sequencers, promises a raw analogue wonderland that surely stirs longing hearts. But Florian cautions, with a cheeky nod, that sometimes, going retro isn’t all vintage cool – it has its challenges, just like a dodgy kebab at 3 a.m.

Let’s talk synths, darling! The video provides a rich ensemble that even Jarvis Cocker would stop to gawk at. AudioPilz starts with the Novation Bass Station Rack from 1995, a cornerstone for Underworld back in the 90s’ electronic renaissance. This synth is the embodiment of the era’s analog revival – loud and unapologetic, much like a proper geezer walking into a pub. Then enters the Doepfer MS-404, a 1994 gem and precursor to the Eurorack explosion. It’s monophonic joy, proving that sometimes simpler really is better, with LFOs more frenetic than a punk mosh pit.

Equally noteworthy is the Roland JV-1080, a robust ROMpler that could terrorize any speaker with its complex multi-timbral capabilities. Ending this synth parade is the Jomox Airbase 99, a drum machine from 1999 that mirrors a frenzied TR-808 and 909 hybrid. Imagine a sci-fi flick where these beasts rampage through Berlin – that’s the sonic image you’re left with. Florian Pilz’s nod to the Roland JX-8P from 1985, a grand old chap among synths, ties this nostalgic soundscape together, proving its place as a staple in countless 90s setups.

Ah, the sequencer, the still-beating heart of any dance track from those furious times. We’re introduced to the Alesis MMT-8 from 1987, which still holds its ground even amidst modern tech-savvy sequences. MIDI tracks are its game, and stopping or starting them on the fly confirms its old-school charm. We then slip smoothly into the world of mixers with the Mackie CR-1604 VLZ from 1996. A staple in many studios, its sound moulded the pulsating beats that defined the rhythms of acts like The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy. All of this tech wizardry shows just how pivotal these pieces were and continue to grace our sonic explorations.

Wave goodbye to crystalline digital clarity, because the effects section of this setup takes us deep into the realms of gritty analogue goodness. AudioPilz savours the presence of a Korg Multi-FX unit from 1987, complete with a delightfully antiquated remote control. His space is also graced by an Alesis 3630 Compressor, a rugged tool for crafting those in-your-face beats that defined the dancefloors of the past decades. Of course, the Roland Space Echo RE-201 makes an appearance, reminding us all how delightful echoes can envelop a soundscape.

And then, there’s the mythical Fostex D-10 DAT Recorder from 1993, standing bravely even if it’s likely to break any moment – a testament to the persistence of archaic gear lovers. The Alesis ADAT XT, a multi-track recorder from 1996, seems to be flirting dangerously with the past, showing us that while old tech can be a headache, it has a character that’s undeniably magnetic. Florian Pilz cheekily admits, as the machines sometimes act like temperamental rockstars, that the 90s was an era of complex processes and gear quirks that could drive one to madness and joy alike.