Nicolas Melis – Melodicolas

1. Favourite knob or fader or switch on a piece of gear and why?

One of my favorite knobs is the filter cutoff on the Moog Matriarch. There’s something incredibly satisfying about how responsive and musical it is—just turning it slightly can completely transform the mood of a sound. It’s one of those controls that feels alive under your fingers. It really connects you to the instrument, and that tactile element is a big part of why I love working with hardware.

Moog Matriach cutoff

2. Do you have an ‘almost’ perfect bit of kit? What would you change?

I’d say the Sequential Prophet Rev2 is almost perfect for me. It’s incredibly versatile, sounds fantastic, and it’s become a core part of my workflow. Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything about it — it just works.

Sequential Prophet Rev2

3. What setup do you bring on holiday or tour or commute etc.?

I don’t get much holiday time during the year, so when I do, I like to spend it swimming, relaxing, and enjoying good food. But if I happen to find a piano around, I’ll definitely play — can’t resist that!

4. What software do you wish was hardware and vice versa?

One software I really wish existed as hardware is the Valhalla plugins—especially their reverbs like VintageVerb and Supermassive. They’re my favorite effects plugins, and it would be amazing if they came in a hardware pedal or rack unit form.

As for hardware that hasn’t been emulated yet, honestly, I can’t think of any off the top of my head. These days, so many classic and unique pieces have great software versions. That said, nothing quite replaces the hands-on experience and vibe of the actual hardware, so I still love both worlds.

5. Is there anything you regret selling… or regret buying?

I definitely regret selling my Sequential Pro 3. It’s an incredible synth with so much depth and character. I also regret selling my Roland Jupiter-4, which had a warm, unique sound that’s hard to find. And I have to say, I regret selling my very first synth, the Roland Super JX10 — it was special as my entry point into synthesis.
As for regretting buying, nothing really stands out. Every piece of gear I’ve invested in has brought value in some way.

Racks of keyboards

6. What gear has inspired you to produce the most music?

The Sequential Prophet Rev2 has been a huge source of inspiration for me. Its rich sound and deep modulation capabilities really spark creativity and let me blend my classical background with electronic textures seamlessly. It’s become a central part of my music-making process and always pushes me to explore new sonic territories.

Nicolas Melis

7. If you had to start over, what would you get first?

If I had to start over, I’d begin with a computer and dive into learning synthesis through VST plugins first. It’s a great way to explore sounds and concepts without a big upfront investment. After that, I’d probably invest in a good used polyphonic synthesizer with a quality keybed to practice and bring those ideas to life more expressively.

8. What’s the most annoying piece of gear you have, that you just can’t live without?

In general, my old analog synths can be a bit annoying because they require regular maintenance, and unfortunately, I don’t have a tech nearby to help with repairs. Despite that, their unique sound and character make them irreplaceable in my setup—I just have to accept the extra care they need.

MiniMoog

9. Most surprising tip or trick or technique that you’ve discovered about a bit of kit?

One cool trick I like with the OB-6 is using the second oscillator as an extra LFO. If you set Oscillator 2 to a low frequency and turn off keyboard tracking, you can use it to modulate things like the filter or pitch via the X-Mod section. It adds a nice layer of movement that makes the sound feel more alive. I know many people already know about this, but it’s one of my favorite things..

Sequential Prophet Rev2 on top and OB-6 below

Artist or Band name?

Nicolas Melis

Genre?

I don’t think I’ve defined a specific genre for myself yet. I’m really drawn to cinematic music that combines synths and piano — if that makes any sense. I’m also inspired by a mix of styles like IDM, dark ambient, glitch, and experimental electronic — all of which have that deep, atmospheric feel I really enjoy.

Selfie?

Nicolas Melis

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Cyprus, but I’ve also spent many years in Germany — both places have shaped who I am, musically and personally.

How did you get into music?

I got into music at a very young age, starting with classical piano. Growing up practicing almost every day really shaped the way I connect with music. I eventually went on to study Piano Performance in Classical Music as well as Contemporary Improvisation in Germany.

Those studies gave me a strong foundation, both technically and artistically, and over time, my curiosity pushed me toward synthesizers and electronic music. Blending that classical background with modern technology has become a defining part of my musical identity.

What still drives you to make music?

What still drives me to make music is the need to express things I can’t put into words. It’s a way of processing emotion, time, and experience. That feeling when a sound or a chord progression clicks into place and evokes something real — that’s still magic to me. Also, I’m always curious to explore new sounds and techniques, and that curiosity keeps pulling me back to the studio.

How do you most often start a new track?

When I start something new, I usually begin by improvising on the piano. That’s where I discover ideas. I record what feels interesting, and from there I build on it. I haven’t released any original music yet—just a few classical interpretations like Bach and Satie on a synth—but I’m working on my own material and hope to share it in the future.

How do you know when a track is finished?

For me, a track feels finished when it communicates the emotion or atmosphere I had in mind—when nothing feels unnecessary and everything has space to breathe. I tend to strip things down rather than add more, so it’s often about knowing when to stop:)

Show us your current studio

Studio 1
Studio 2

Best creative advice that you’ve ever heard?

The best creative advice I’ve heard is: “Don’t wait for inspiration—just start.”

Creativity often shows up once you begin, not before. Showing up consistently, even when you don’t feel inspired, is what leads to breakthroughs.

Promote your latest thing… Go ahead, throw us a link.

Lately, I’ve been focusing on growing my YouTube channel, but I’ve found it a bit challenging to get my Instagram followers to make the jump over there. If you enjoy synths, vintage keyboards, and creative performances, I’d really appreciate your support!

🎬 Check out my YouTube channel here :
https://www.youtube.com/nicolasmelis
Every like, comment, and subscription means a lot — thank you! 🙏

Also check out my bandcamp:
https://nicolasmelis.bandcamp.com/album/bach-on-a-synth


Gustav Tom Scheel – Reel to Scheel

1. Favourite knob or fader or switch on a piece of gear and why?

I love the knobs and switches on my Teac 3440 tape machine. The build quality is definitely something else. Also I like the faders on my Juno 60. There is just something about the very tactile feel of the buttons and switches from that age, that I really love.

Teac 3440 tape machine

2. Do you have an ‘almost’ perfect bit of kit? What would you change?

I really love my SSL UF8. Probably my favorite peace of gear. I love that you can customize the soft buttons. I just wish the automation and transport functions was more easily accessible. Also the faders feel a bit “plasticy”. I have some experience working on an SSL 4000 g+, and I hoped that the faders felt similar.

3. What setup do you bring on holiday or tour or commute etc.?

I rarely bring anything outside my studio other that my computer 🖥️

4. What software do you wish was hardware and vice versa?

I just hope to see more digitally controlled analog gear that looks and feels like analog equipment.

5. Is there anything you regret selling… or regret buying?

I once owned a pair of Coles 4038, I wish I never sold those..

6. What gear has inspired you to produce the most music?

Probably my Juno 60. It’s just very intuitive and easy to program.

7. If you had to start over, what would you get first?

Probably a cheap Mac mini m1, Apollo twin, good pair of speakers and a lot of acoustic treatment.

8. What’s the most annoying piece of gear you have, that you just can’t live without?

My computer and ProTools.

9. Most surprising tip or trick or technique that you’ve discovered about a bit of kit?

Maybe when I found out that there’s a hidden listen mic compressor inside the SSL Fusion.


Artist or Band name?

Gustav Scheel

Genre?

Mixing engineer. Indie, lo-fi, rock, alt-pop.

Selfie?

Gustav Scheel

Where are you from?

I live just outside of Fredericia, Denmark.

How did you get into music?

I was gifted a guitar when I was 13.

What still drives you to make music?

It used to be that I wanted to play in a band and go on tour and stuff. Now I find a lot of joy in building my mixing business.

How do you most often start a new track?

In terms of mixing. I often find myself spending some time editing in the beginning. It’s very rare that I get stuff, that doesn’t need editing and cleaning at all. In my experience, the mixing process is a lot more simple after everything is organized and cleaned. I sometimes look at it like cleaning the kitchen before making dinner

How do you know when a track is finished?

I usually check my mix and both my AirPods and Sonos one in my kitchen. I like to hear the mix a couple of times outside the studio. If it feels right in my kitchen, I know it’s ready to be send off.

Show us your current studio

Studio
Studio Corner
Studio sofa and table
Studio desk

Best creative advice that you’ve ever heard?

If it sounds good, it is good.

Promote your latest thing… Go ahead, throw us a link.

Latest mixes 🎚️

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6CVQkNPq17BdnlSBlIJ2f9?si=Wlj_1jtKQrSnVcY2ZoV6OQ&pi=SbdhVKsRRJOW5


Martin Lubitz – Loop Bits

1. Favourite knob or fader or switch on a piece of gear and why?

Of course, it’s the cutoff knob; it changes the tone so beautifully and effectively. But the decay knob is also one of my favorite knobs, because it’s the way to get beautiful pluck sounds.

Moog Muse Decay knob

2. Do you have an ‘almost’ perfect bit of kit? What would you change?

For a long time, I thought the Sequential Prophet Rev 2 was my perfect synth, but since I got a Moog Muse, my opinion has slowly changed. It’s incredible how quickly and easily you can coax beautiful and powerful sounds out of the Muse.

Moog Muse

3. What setup do you bring on holiday or tour or commute etc.?

Since I always go on vacation in a camper van, my setup has to be pretty small. Lately, I’ve been taking the Novation Peak with me on my trips. It’s an incredibly good-sounding synth and very versatile; with it, I can almost always do without additional VSTs.

Novation Peak, Arturia MicroLab and Laptop

4. What software do you wish was hardware and vice versa?

I often use VST GForce Oberheim DMX as a drum kit. It would be cool to have it as hardware.

GForce Oberheim DMX

5. Is there anything you regret selling… or regret buying?

Most of the time, I have to sell hardware to buy new ones. But I’m slowly getting my setup together, I’ve tried a lot of things, and I’ve sold the Nord Lead and the Yamaha MODX, for example. It always takes me a while, and I end up idling around a synth, watching YouTube videos, or driving to our amazing music store in Cologne and testing it out there. Currently, I find the Vermona Performer MKII very exciting 🙂

6. What gear has inspired you to produce the most music?

The Sequential Prophet Rev 2 was always the most inspiring synth. A few years ago, I sold it to buy a Nord Lead. A big mistake… I sold the Lead and got the Rev 2 again.

7. If you had to start over, what would you get first?

If I had to start all over again today, the Moog Muse would be my first synth, and as soon as I have more money I would get the Rev 2.

8. What’s the most annoying piece of gear you have, that you just can’t live without?

I’ve had a Tascam Model 24 for a few months now. I finally have enough audio channels to keep all my synths connected at all times. This mixer is the centerpiece of my studio. I don’t know how I ever worked without it before 🙂 It’s so easy to integrate it into CUBASE and record with it.

9. Most surprising tip or trick or technique that you’ve discovered about a bit of kit?

I love processing my pluck sounds with reverb and echo to create a wide soundscape. I like to use Baby Audio’s Spaced Out and sync it to the MIDI clock. It can create very nice, wide sounds.


Artist or Band name?

Martin 🙂

Genre?

I actually find it very difficult to categorize my music into a genre; I don’t really think about it. I go into the studio with a certain mood in mind, and I’m usually surprised by the kind of music that emerges. I think you can hear that in my tracks on Instagram, too; they’re often very diverse.

Selfie?

Where are you from?

I am from Germany and live in a small town called Hilden near Düsseldorf.

How did you get into music?

I took my first piano lesson at the age of 6. Later, I played in many bands. Then I took a longer break and focused more on photography, which is how I earned my living. When my son showed interest in the piano at the age of 3, I was hooked again.

What still drives you to make music?

Music is my companion in all situations. Our house is usually filled with music, and I can best express my feelings with it. It often doesn’t matter whether I listen to music or make it myself.

How do you most often start a new track?

I usually do a jam session every Sunday, as I have the time and almost always feel like it. Sometimes I have a theme in mind; sometimes I spontaneously sit down at a synth and let myself be inspired. And sometimes I just sit at the piano.

For the past two years, I’ve also been doing this jam session: 31 days = 31 jams. It was very stressful on the one hand, but also very educational. There’s something really nice about spending a few hours in the studio every day.

How do you know when a track is finished?

Most of the time, I manage to finish a track for Instagram without having to keep tweaking it during mixing and mastering until it no longer sounds right. It’s a gut feeling when a track is finished.

Show us your current studio

Studio keyboads
Home Studio

Best creative advice that you’ve ever heard?

It was especially helpful for me to keep the studio speaker volume down while recording and to listen to the finished mix on different speakers. I mostly work with my JBL speakers, even for mixing. I also have two older Kurzweil speakers, which I also want the mix to sound good on. Finally, I listen with headphones and then again really loudly with the JBLs.

Promote your latest thing… Go ahead, throw us a link.

Not the latest but one of my best jams 🙂

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpAfo5IjYWg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MmMxZTF4N2tzY2li

Latest jam:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKo9B_2JaAp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NDhoN2tobng2cjNv