Hello music people 👋

Today on the spotlight, Ridgewoodsoundlab

An NYC Chef that the greatest names in music and movies have eaten his food goes so deep into synthesizers that it's impossible to make a gear list.

Ridgewoodsoundlab shares his approach to making music and what cooking has taught him about synthesis, composition, and life 🎶

Read Time: 8.5 minutes 📰

The Setup

Gear List

Editor's note: As you can see, it's impossible to make a gear list. But ridgewoodsoundlab mentions quite a few in the interview below.

Who are you and what is your relationship with music?

My name is Glen Campbell. I live in NYC since 1989. I moved here from Philadelphia.

I left home when I was very young and ended up in Philly. I was a punk rocker who wanted to be in a band but I couldn’t play any instruments and I soon realized that unless you were lucky and the gods were with you, you would not be going to form a band…

Living on my own so young I was lucky enough to be able to absorb myself into the clubs and nightlife. This is where I was informally introduced to electronic music…

I grew up cooking and this helped slip away from home and be able to take care of myself. After arriving in NYC I had my own catering company. I did over 50 films, and over 1500 commercials and music videos. I was cooking for Big E, Tupac, Whitney Houston. They are gone but I promise it was not my food… We were cooking for everyone and all the companies. We were hot…

At this time I was  also totally immersed into the techno, ambient and house music scene. I had a awesome studio in the meat packing district of Manhattan on West 13th. All the coolest equipment… Moog Model D Blonde, Roland SH101, TB303, TR808, 909 and on and on… After 9-11 everything changed. I was starting a family and had three kids to raise… I moved to Ridgewood and sold my equipment… 

My children are grown and on their own so I was looking to buy a good quality CD player, so I could play music that’s been shelved for 25 years… 

When I got to the music store and was surrounded with equipment.. the only way I can explain it is that I was spontaneously hooked again. Everything I was missing in my life was back… 

What's the one thing in your studio you can't live without?

When it comes to equipment that I can’t live without it’s really hard to say.

I could make a list of equipment I would get rid of first but I love my gear. The Roland 08, 09, and 03 to me are basic staples.

At this moment I’m super into Maneco labs, Bastl, Soma Labs, Dreadbox, and Waldorf. I also collect synth-friendly pedals. Walrus, Electro-Harmonix, Death By Audio, Strymon and Meris to mention only a few great companies.

What's your process?

I like to have all my polychain equipment connected with midi switches and very little patching so I can switch from one instrument to another. I make sure that my Eurorack is synced and connected with all the equipment. 

My Eurorack is only 4 months old. With my use of analog synthesizers I already had a understanding of what is needed to produce a sound.

I’m so very happy I got into modular synths… 

I use a zoom R-20, it’s a 16 track recorder that has so far not let me down. I use it to mix at least 8 channels into the Focusrite into the monitors. At any time I can hit record. I think me being a chef definitely helped me with mixing. How much , how little and when.

Also very important, what definitely does not go in the dish… I personally don’t use a DAW because I have too much equipment to study and understand with great pleasure. I can’t get into it because I know it would take me away from my hardware. I’m totally open to working with someone who is… I also need help with a lot of firmware updates 😜

Has this journey of building a hardware setup changed the way you think about music or life in general?

Building my Modular set up is definitely a game changer. I can do things that I couldn’t easily do with a regular synth set up.

I actually was shocked beyond words when I realized that with four Behringer 921 series modules I could reproduce the amazing sweeping filters in the classic 1974 Summertime. For them to make the sound of a custom synth that was probably at least $15k… I actually cried when I heard it coming from my set up I put together, patched and mixed…

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Sorry back now... In the middle of me answering your question I heard a song from the country singer Glen Campbell on the radio and I ran to make sure I grabbed a recording of the Dj say “my” to sample for later…

I love that electronic music world is evolving so quickly and there are so many people involved. Small businesses that make their own equipment built by geniuses. Guitar players are patching in, experimental instrument makers, singers… I regularly use a microphone through my system, not for singing but I use speaker feedback, talk radio, regular acoustic sounds. However you definitely can sign if you have the pipes.

Another thing I like about the industry today… If I text a post or a question, 9 out of 10 times the owner will respond. That is so super cool.

On the other hand... besides all their equipment I bought from Roland and Boss I have a 30 year old small tattoo of the Roland logo. The owners have no idea and don’t care… Can’t blame them. They really don’t care.

What’s your ONE tip on music-production or creativity?

Use the social network in a safe way to learn from others especially about new equipment to get influenced. Don’t be nervous or intimidated to ask questions…

Back to the kitchen… 

A chef who thinks knows everything is already at a disadvantage.

The best learn everyday from others. From small techniques or simple changes to whatever will help you get where you want to go.

How can people find you?

email

Instagram

For jams, knob-twists and pad hitting videos go to G.A.S. Instagram

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Gianni @gianni.kampiotis

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