After beginning life as an experimental side-project for members Paul Maddox and Rich Wakley, Spektre find themselves over a decade later as established and respected features of the Techno landscape. Spektre’s unique sound has taken them to some of the biggest and most highly regarded venues worldwide, with frequent bookings by the likes of Space Ibiza, Exit Festival, Pacha Buenos Aires and Burning Man. On stage, their long-standing chemistry and constant desire to experiment always results in an exciting spectacle.
Spektre interview
1. What’s the first thing you do for inspiration when you get into the studio?
Paul Maddox: Make a cup of tea.
Rich Wakley: Ask Paul to make the teas! I’ll usually listen to some Prodigy on the way to the studio as well.
2. Favourite or newest piece of hardware/software in Spektre studio?
Paul Maddox: Software-wise, U-He Diva; It’s the ultimate VA synth – covers so many bases with the inter-changeable sections. It was the plugin that made me stop lusting after old analogues! Hardware has to be our Dynaudio LYD monitors – they’re the perfect balance between accuracy and vibe.
Rich Wakley: If you had asked me a few weeks ago then I would have had to say U-He’s Hive….but I’ve just got the new synth Re-Pro, also from U-He and it’s fast become my new favourite. Proper beast!
3. One synthesizer you wish you owned
Paul Maddox: I do regret selling my Octave Kitten sometimes, so would to love to get it’s big sister, the CAT at some point. Great for weird filter FM noises and beefy drones.
Rich Wakley: I’ve not had too much experience with hardware but I have had a play on the Moog Minotaur which was awesome. NEED!
4. Spektre go-to DAW?
Paul Maddox: Ableton Live.
Rich Wakley: I only have eyes for Ableton – high school sweethearts!
5. Newest audio technology Spektre has heard of?
Paul Maddox: Not brand new, but Ableton Link is a great recent revelation. It feels like someone should have done this a lot sooner – it had always seemed mad to me using an 80s protocol to sync modern computer gear.
Rich Wakley: Bat Band by Studio Banana– still in development but it uses bone conduction technology to give people the ability to listen to a recording privately as well as keeping an ear on the world around them at the same time, listening directly through the inner ear. (Studio Banana on Kickstarter.)
6. Your favourite website?
Paul Maddox: catsonsynthesizersinspace.com
Rich Wakley: picturesofwalls.com
#studiospace @spektre
