1. Favourite knob or fader or switch on a piece of gear and why?
The input knob on the 1176 compressor is my go-to. There’s this little trick I love—turning the attack off to turn compression completely off . It makes the compressor act more like a tonal distortion, adding this raw, saturated tone, especially on drums or guitar. Then you use the Input and Output knob to taste. Of course it has to be an emulation in software that replicates the whole circuit, and not just the compression part.
2. Do you have an ‘almost’ perfect bit of kit? What would you change?
Yes! I’ve got this Helios microphone that sounds great, but it has this high-pitched noise that I can’t control. I bought it used, and it has some weird charm, but that noise can ruin a take if it decides to act up.
3. What setup do you bring on holiday or tour or commute, etc.?
I keep it simple with a nylon string Spanish guitar. It’s not a fancy one; just something that feels like home. Perfect for when I’m on the go and want to mess around with ideas.
4. What software do you wish was hardware and vice versa?
Decapitator by Soundtoys, hands down. I wish it were hardware. It adds this perfect, warm saturation, like analog gear. I use it on pretty much everything!
5. Is there anything you regret selling… or regret buying?
Oh, definitely. I bought this beautiful 1962 German-made 335 style electric guitar that looked incredible but played horribly. I couldn’t get a decent chord out of it. I ended up trading it for a Strymon Timeline pedal, which was a much better decision.
6. What gear has inspired you to produce the most music?
Guitars, absolutely. I’ll start with guitar ideas and build the rest around them. I think it’s my main voice as a musician; it’s where my best ideas come from.
7. If you had to start over, what would you get first?
I’d go for a guitar again, for sure. It just feels right, and it’s where I get the best start on my ideas.
8. What’s the most annoying piece of gear you have, that you just can’t live without?
My tape machine, a Revox A77. It’s a hassle to maintain, and it breaks down more than I’d like, but I can’t imagine not using it.
9. Most surprising tip or trick or technique that you’ve discovered about a bit of kit?
There’s another trick I like besides the 1176 one. It’s the classic with the Pultec EQ—the ‘boost and cut’ technique. Basically, you pick a frequency, boost it, and then cut it at the same time. Sounds strange, but it actually saturates the tone in a way that just works. I use it a lot because it brings this really smooth, controlled sound, especially on drums or if I’m running it on a bus. It’s one of those little moves that changes the character of the mix without being too obvious.
Artist or Band name?
Just my name — Lucas Delacroix.
Genre?
Alternative… though it’s a mix. Could be rock, could be something else entirely. It depends on the track.
Selfie?
No selfies here, but maybe a picture of my hand?
Where are you from?
Buenos Aires, Argentina. Currently living and working in Copenhagen, Denmark.
How did you get into music?
Guitar was always around when I was growing up. I think it was just natural—I’d mess around on it as a kid, and it felt like the most obvious thing in the world.
What still drives you to make music?
Sometimes I hear a specific guitar tone or melody, and it just fires me up. I could spend years chasing that feeling, trying to capture it in a track. It’s like a love affair that never gets old.
How do you most often start a new track?
Always with guitar. I’ll get an idea down and then build out the rest from there.
How do you know when a track is finished?
It’s a gut feeling. It’s like there’s this small voice that just says, “Alright, you’re done.” It’s rarely 100% satisfying, but at some point, you just know it’s time to move on.
Show us your current studio.
I like keeping it low-key. Let’s just say it’s an underground space, literally.
Best creative advice that you’ve ever heard?
It seems like it’s obvious, but mix at a low volume. I realize it feels nice to listen to a song loudly, so it feels like the earth is moving and something dramatic is happening. But it really does you no favors, if you’re totally deaf after mixing for an hour.
Promote your latest thing… Go ahead, throw us a link.
I’ve got a playlist with my latest productions which I have recorded and produced for other artist. Check it out. Also, if you’re curious about my own music? Here’s an album called Somos.
