Bass Fun Music Production Setup – Drawmer, Tegeler, Looptrotter, RME Studio Gear

Daily studio chain for guitars vocals and drums with analog hardware and precise routing In this guide I show the devices that shape my sound from British VCA compression to German tube coloration and how they work together in pop and Italo Disco productions

• Drawmer 1978 VCA compression for electric guitars
• Tegeler Magnetismus 2 tube saturation and transient control for drums
• RME Fireface UCX II as the central audio interface
• Looptrotter Monster compression for vocal groups
• Tegeler EQP 1 tone shaping for kick snare and toms
• Eurolite Board 8 S fast power management for the studio

This article gives a close look at my favorite hardware chains how I route signals and why these units remain essential after many years in the studio For songwriting and arrangement ideas see How I write lyrics and arrange 80s Disco tracks To learn more about me and my room visit the About Me page

Drawmer 1978 shaping guitar dynamics

I use proven analog tools to bring out the character of live recorded guitars in pop and Italo Disco sessions A core piece is the Drawmer 1978 a British VCA compressor that controls peaks in a musical way It adds groove and punch while the analog VU meters help with level control On clean chorus parts I set medium attack with auto release to keep transients clear For more driven parts I shorten attack to lock the guitar to the rhythm section

Tegeler Magnetismus 2 adding color to drums

Tegeler Magnetismus 2 is a tube saturator with a built in transient shaper It shines on kick toms and snare adding weight warmth and midrange clarity I rarely place it on hi hats A typical move is to tighten the hit with transient control then add tube saturation for body and presence without harshness

RME Fireface UCX II the heart of the setup

At the center sits the RME Fireface UCX II paired with ADAM monitors I value it for stability precise routing and flexible low latency monitoring which speeds up tracking and mixing I have worked on RME systems for more than twenty years

Main processing chain for guitars and drums with Drawmer 1978 Tegeler Magnetismus 2 and RME Fireface UCX II Click to open full quality image

Looptrotter Monster vocal group compression

Looptrotter Monster works well on electric and bass guitars and I often place it on vocal groups too For vocals I engage only the compressor without drive for clean control I usually process a dry group without reverb or delay Effects returns stay on a separate path For tonal cleanup I use precise EQ to cut resonances most often with UAD Cambridge EQ or FabFilter EQ

Tegeler EQP 1 pultec style tone shaping

Tegeler EQP 1 sits after compression in my vocal chain I focus on two key bands until the target color is reached On drums it gives kick snare and toms a warm full sound Cymbals and hats live on a different bus and are often slightly darkened If they become sharp I add a gentle de esser to smooth the top end

Looptrotter Monster and Tegeler EQP 1 used for vocals and drums Click to open full quality image

Studio workflow video

Roland System 8 live jam Shorts

Custom beats and music production

If you are looking for original beats or full song production in styles like Italo Disco Pop or 80s inspired music visit the Bass Fun music services page to learn more about custom work exclusive production and licensing options.

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Virus TI 2 in 80s Music Production – My Experience from the Bass Fun Studio

Virus TI 2 was once out of reach yet its tone kept pulling me in. Today it sits in my Bass Fun Studio and shapes my retro inspired productions with bass pads and plucks that feel alive.

Below I share hands on notes from daily work in Cubase along with comparisons to modern plugins and a simple path to make classic 80s synth parts that translate on radio.

• Long term experience with Access Virus and TI 2 highlights
• Analog like warmth deep reverb and expressive plucks
• Live studio workflow in Cubase without over editing
• USB versus analog capture through RME converters
• Full studio session video from Bass Fun Studio

Overview

For years the Virus TI 2 was my dream instrument. It used to be hard to get and costly yet the sound kept inspiring me. When I finally brought it into my new Bass Fun Studio that goal turned into daily work where retro synth parts come together fast.

1. My long journey with Access Virus

Across more than two decades I returned to the Virus family many times. The TI 2 remains a central tool because it balances character clarity and speed. In my recent studio session I show layered bass and gentle plucks inside an electronic 80s disco arrangement.

2. From the red rack to the latest TI 2

I started on the classic red rack and paired it with Yamaha CS6R Roland XV3080 and Waldorf Micro Q while producing eurodance and club music. Later I moved through the TI rack and keyboard editions and finally settled on the TI 2 that you can hear in my current work.

3. Analog warmth and reverb depth

Pads feel lush and three dimensional. Filters respond smoothly and the internal reverb adds width without washing out the midrange. Many producers value that space and I hear the same advantage when the part sits in a mix.

4. Studio integration and workflow

My daily setup includes a rare PowerCore card so I can run multiple Virus plugin instances for editing while recording the final takes as audio. After tests I prefer analog capture into RME converters which gives a more natural tone and better glue with drums and vocals.

5. Why hardware still matters in 80s workflow

I use high end VST instruments like Omnisphere and Stylus yet I often record parts by hand straight to audio. Small timing moves add feel and help create synth 80s melody lines and short synth riff hits that cut through a pop mix.

Want to see the wider context of my production approach. Read about my full beat production process at Bass Fun Studio. For quick navigation across recent posts visit the Bass Fun blog home page.

Here we are during work on new original pop 80s and radio pop productions. Angelika dropped by and we spent a good creative time. She tested the Virus TI 2 and liked its long rich pads and tight bass lines. The room has acoustic treatment that supports arranging beats mixing and preparing complete songs for radio and television.

Watch the studio session

Shorts: AKAI MPCX in 80s synthwave pop production

The AKAI MPCX was a long-time dream of mine. I use it mainly for creating drum sections, playing pads to record fills and transitions, and building complete rhythm foundations with kick, snare, toms, and hi-hats. Its workflow is intuitive, the sound quality is beautiful, and it pairs perfectly with the bass and synth parts from the Virus TI 2. Together, they form the musical backbone for many of my new songs.

Try an 80s synthwave pop beat

80s synthwave pop beat on Bass Fun store

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For more original Italo Disco and electronic music production videos from my studio visit my YouTube channel Bass Fun Music or subscribe here.