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Neumann U87AiSteinberg News - Interview with Kevin Walker
Kevin Walker Champions All Things Steinberg
Baltimore native Kevin Walker is a celebrated songwriter, bassist and producer who began his musical career at the young age of 14. Since then, Kevin has been performing with many internationally renowned artists the likes of Timbaland, Prince, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, T.I., Will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas, and the list just goes on and on.
How did you get in the music business?
I
got started in high school. I was in the principles band, he put me in
his band to play for special events on the side. His brother was
musical director for Wilson Pickett and Midnight Movers. He took me out
on the road when I was 15 with Wilson Pickett.
What are some other tours you have been involved with?
I
have also toured with Jodeci, Aaliyah, Patti Labelle and Pieces of a
Dream. I did the Prince Hit and Run Tour, Justin Timberlakes Future
Sex Love Sounds Tour, the Najee tour, which is more smooth jazz. I have
also been a musician on MTV Music Awards shows.
How did you first get exposed to Steinberg products?
I
started with producer Terry Battle who had one of the first Steinberg
programs in Baltimore. Nathanial Crockett Wilkie who was assistant
musical director for Patti Labelle was also a big Steinberg user. It
was in 1992 that I got my first copy of Cubase on a PC.
Can you describe your studio?
My studio has a nice control
room, a drum room and a vocal room. It is all based around Steinberg
software, either Nuendo or most recently Cubase 5.
How did you transition into production?
I am a writer. I
play guitar, bass, keys and drums. It was a necessity to get the tools
to expand my productions. I have been a musical director for quite a
few stars and I used Cubase for many things including tracking live
vocals on stage. I have done quite a few recordings with Dennis
Chambers for Tony Bunn, a smooth jazz project. I would use a lot of the
included VST instruments, especially Monologue, when working with
Justin Timberlake. I produced some tracks with smooth jazz artist Najee
and the Fonky Baldheads for Prince in my room.
What are some your favorite features of Cubase 5?
The
pitch correction tools are great. I used to use Melodyne. I find
VariAudio a lot simpler and more efficient. I have used it on
percussion, vocals, and it is great on fretless bass. The results are
fantastic. The Arranger Track is a favorite feature as well. I love
Groove Agent ONE. I also work with Beat Designer to get my ideas down
fast. I can pull it up and go right to work without losing my
creativity.
Have you had a chance to check out the new Steinberg hardware?
Yes
I have. I consider it a must-have. It immediately increased my sound
almost 75%. I plugged in my bass and it was unbelievable. It took my
whole studio up to another level like a million-dollar studio. The
CC121 is amazing, easy, and user-friendly. It is so easy that you
forget that it is a piece of hardware.
Any tips on recording bass?
Really be open to
experimenting with EQ variables in hardware. You can get the sound you
like and print it. I like to get the sound I like and print exactly
what I hear. I don?t want to have my sound change afterwards.
What projects are you working on currently?
I am working on my debut bass solo CD entitled Life upon a Dream.
I am writing for Continuum Entertainment. They have done projects for
Prince, Justin Timberlake and Patti Labelle, Aaliyah and Ledici.
Do you see a lot of friends switching over to Steinberg?
Most
of the guys with Justin Timberlake have switched to the new Cubase.
Darryl Pearson got me into Cubase 5 and the new hardware. He made me
want to upgrade. I produced a project for the Sammy Davis Jr. estate
with engineer Jonathan Lasane to remaster his tunes. We re-recorded his
catalog for a musical and we did it all in Steinberg software.
How have Steinberg products helped you?
Steinberg brought
me back into the music industry with a bullet. I am more creative with
more control and meeting today?s ever evolving production requirements.
Cubase 5 is one of the smoothest programs I have ever seen. It really
elevated my computer and I find it very stable. You are not going to
realize the full capacity of Cubase without the new hardware
integration. I want to switch to all Steinberg software and hardware in
my studio to get the full benefit because everything works so well.
For more information head on over to Steinberg.net
For more information contact Production Room on 0845 539 3000 or email info@production-room.com